I picked up a vintage Trek 8000 with a Rock Shox Quadra 21R front suspension fork. It doesn't compress. I watched a Youtube video about rebuildiing it, but instead of finding elastomers inside, I found springs. Now I know there were spring rebuild kits for these. I don't know if that is what I have here or a factory variant. Anyhow, I took the springs out and some plastic caps underneath them. Now I'm stuck (get it....stuck) and I cannot figure out how to get the lowers off. Inside it is kinda cruddy, but I do not see any bolt down there to remove to get the lowers off. I am unable to take a photo of the bottom inside of the tube. Any ideas where to go from here?

the info you need begins at 2:00 in this video.
and the springs were installed to replace the polymer stacks.

SprcialtyRetroProducts has parts and pieces & quite a few owners manuals for early sus forks.

https://www.suspensionforkparts.net/...aa916b63e848f6

I watched this exact video an hour ago. He reused the original elastomers, not springs. Also, there is no 5mm bolt in the bottom I can see or feel, which is really what my question is. I was not assuming, but trying to find out.

There are no springs in this link.

the allen hole gets filled with decomposed polymer gunk... i've rebuilt a few of these old forks, and have not found a chemical solution to break down that gunk... i've used an extra-long flat blade #1 screwdriver to remove the gunk... i bought that screwdriver from a Snap on truck long ago to tune motorcycle carbs.... note the "judy screw" listed in the Suspension Fork Parts link i posted... that is what you will need to reach/clean/remove.... that fork has been modified to hold the springs, but it looks like you've gotten the spring seat washers out, which is a good thing!
i've seen the polymers turn to sticky goop, and also seen it turn into a clay-like substance... the clay is easier to deal with... the sticky goop is evil and stubborn beyond comprehension. i ruined a perfectly good military bore brush getting that crap out of a Manitou Answer 1 fork. I used a section of a broom handle to extend the 20mm cannon bore brush.

good luck.

The SPRINGS are NOT the "Stock" Setup... that is a home-spun way to replace the polymers.
you won't like the cost of the polymer kit and required parts to restore that fork to "Stock".

That's nice, but I'm not interested in replacing the springs with polymers. That was just curiosity. The real question is.....how do I get the lowers off the fork? That video says there is a 5mm bolt at the bottom. I do not see or feel that.

I told you where to go

Excellent. Thank you for that. I had to fish out that washer with a coathanger. I will try to clean out all the gunk as best I can. Thank you for your insight and experience.

from the service manual.... "Q5, Q10, Q21 and Q21R: Be sure legs are compressed and use a long 5mm hex on a long
extension to unscrew and remove plunger assembly from lower tube (Fig. 3D). The lower tube can now
slide free from upper tube. Compress leg and then pull down sharply on lower tube."

i have a 5mm allen socket like this... Ebay Search: Snap-On Tools FAML5, 5mm 3/8" Drive Extra Long Hex Socket Driver USA Older Logo

it needed a long 3/8 drive extension to reach many of the retainer screws in forks.
the allen screw can be held on the allen socket with a well chosen piece of paper during re-installation, or a dab of sticky grease works.... a good trick to use holding nuts or bolts in sockets too!

Or little dab of peanut butter. I've done that before. Thank you!

yah, but then the bike attracts ants.

I can attest to this


.

I poured a little gasoline into each tube and am going to let that sit in there for a day or so, then go after it with a 5mm on a long 3/8 extension.

You are lucky that someone put those springs in. It’s a major upgrade from the rubber bumpers.

Otherwise, I would have suggested to put a dowel in each leg and ride it rigid.

"I picked up a vintage Trek 8000 with a Rock Shox Quadra 21R front suspension fork. It doesn't compress."
have you gotten the lower half to move on the tubes?
removing the allen screws won't change that "Stuck" status.

Yes, the lower half does move. However, it could be a bit more slick. I was going clean everything inside and out as best I can. I tend to be a bit obsessive. Alternatively, I suppose I could lightly lube the outside of the stanchion tubes, the visible portion under the boots, and slide things back and forth and call it good. I need to clean out the inside of the tubes....maybe with a rag and such on a stick and a long wire brush.

ebayt search: 5Pcs 1" Stainless Steel Bore Brush for Drill,25Mm Wire Brush Bore Cleaning Brush

these are similar to the ones i use, but have the drill adapter on them...
i drill a hole in the end of a section of wooden broom handle or doweling, then press them in, to extend them for use in fork tubes.

and be sure to use RockShox Judy Butter grease(now known as "SRAM Butter"), Slickoleum, or equivalent......automotive axle grease is too darn thick and sticky.

That sounds like a good idea. I saw in that video that guy used Slickoleum too. I have to look that up. I thought it was a Canadian thing. I was gonna use Park hub grease, but yeah...probably too thick. Thanks again for your insight.