wd40 works. or silicon spray. also, if you dont have access to a spring compress, i just layed the shock on the ground with the bottom against a solid object that wouldnt move, covered with a towel, pointed in a safe direction, and used air tool (14mm for the top) and undid it that way. it 'popped' but nothing flew anywhere, all contained in the towel. a safer way i've done it (w/o spring compress) is to use those adjustable nylon straps that 18wheeler drivers use to hold down their load. those work well if you can get them in the spaces between the stock spring. also, you shouldn't need to use the spring compress to put it back together, only taking stock shocks apart. i didnt see it in DB8's post but you will also need the allen key to tighten the top nut.