My son is not using the 06 Hard Rock frame that I built up for him. He's way too busy studying in grad school (no really!) I built the bike up with a Manitou Axle. Now that I'm going to sell it, I decided to put the original RST Gila T-6 shock back on the bike. When I took it out for a test ride, it seemed like I was riding a rock or rigid fork. I dialed down both sides of the preload to zero. A little better, but still all the travel I used out of 100mm was about 25-30 mm. This thing is REALLY stiff. I thought this was a straight spring fork with no rebound control. Now I'm wondering if it's part spring part elastomers and the elastomers on this one are shot. Does anyone know? The alternative is this has to be the stiffest spring fork I've ever encountered.
Thanks for any information.

Sorry, didn't save the archive info to the older RSTs. Pop the cap on the left leg and compress the fork gently to push out what's there. You'll quickly be able to answer your own question and see whether or not there is a bad elastomer in there. Many RSTs are combination coil/Elastomer.

Edit: Found an old thread when I still had access to the specs online. Yes, it is coil/elastomer.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...vs-RST-GILA-T6

Thanks dminor. Looks like the elastomers in mine are frozen in the open position (insert swear words here). Fortunately, I didn't pay much for it.