[rpduc]

I only had my buddy's 45mms apart once about a year ago (I have 50mm on my MC) and I can't remember if the spring preloads when you screw the cap to the inner assembly or when you put the cap into the tube but either way you should be able to measure the preload as you assemble it no? I'm sure someone more familiar with the 45s will chime in.

Make sure you have the keeper ring out of the oil seal before you pull hard.

I just kinda use the bottom tube like a slide hammer and carefully tap out the oil seal. Yes the top bushing hits the bottom and both bushings come out. It's pretty clearly depicted on page 68 and 70 of the Shiver manual.