Rebuilding Armstrong Shock Absorbers

If you put the bottom end on a vice you should be able to squeeze the shroud down far enough to remove the collects and then the shroud will come off. After that you are on your own. I understood they are all swaged together. I believe some people have drilled them to empty and replenish the oil, and tapped to insert a plug, but don't know quantity or type or even where it is safe to drill. I think section drawings are around on books and maybe the Internet.

There used to be a racer that refurbed units. Think it was Rustler Racing.  As David says its possible to drill out a  drain hole ,tap and plug .  Near the bottom. Drain out and measure what comes out. After that its an experiment.

If there is any spring preload adjustment, make sure it is on the softest setting, then as others have said with the shock lower mount in the vice, a pull downwards on the shroud should give you enough room to slip the collets out. Can be done single handedly, but it is a lot easier (and safer for your fingers) with a mate helping you.

In the UK, I believe it is Falcon shocks that can do full rebuilds (seals, shock rod, oil etc) to old/unavailable/expensive shocks.

Regards, George.