I’m an original owner of a 1997 Trek Y5 dual suspension mountain bike. I recently noticed after having not ridden it for awhile that there’s no damping in the rear suspension. It’s like riding a hard tail bike.

The Trek Y3 and the Y5 both came with an oem Fox Vanilla Coil Over Rear Shock. According to a Trek dealer, Trek doesn’t have Fox Vanillas any more and Fox doesn’t make them any more. I’d like to keep the bike and keep it as close to oem spec as possible.

1.Can a Fox Vanilla be rebuilt?

2.According to a Trek spec sheet, both the Vanilla and the Vanilla R are 6.5” eye-to-eye (center of bolt hole) distance x 1.5” travel distance. I measured the e-t-e distance myself and it’s about 6.75” and not 6.5” that Trek claims it is. I don’t what to make of this measurement difference. Anyone know?

3.Is there an equivalent substitute other than the Fox Vanillas that can be used for this bike?

4.Can a used Fox Vanilla be tested before buying and installing it?