They certainly come apart - though I didn't have to do it when I had mine. Hagons certainly rebuild them for you and they can supply different spring rates for your needs. My only gripe with them was that the chrome on the springs and damper rods did seem to start rusting up pretty easily considering they were for outdoor motorcycle use. Nothing bad, it would clean off ok, but if you ever had to leave in standing for a while it might be a problem. Also I thought the standard springs supplied on their XBR shocks were a little soft....and no I'm not that heavy!