Yeah I removed the shocks and set them on the bench to make sure I was adjusting them to the max
I wonder how that worked. My 440s were/are a SOB to turn and I needed them to be on the bike (to hold them secure) and used a strap wrench on them to turn. All the way out/up is loosest, and all the way down is tighter preload for heavier weights without bottoming (and rings appear in the top center as you turn them down to harder). And they go 10 full 360 degree turns. Did you chuck them in a vice?
Progressive will not rebuild the hydraulics on 440s (for years now), but they might be willing to install heavier springs in them. The 4221 number on them indicates the spring rates, but I don't think that information is on-line anymore. But you could call and ask their tech folks if that was a heavy duty or standard spring rate (and if they will change springs).
All 440s leak down eventually, so yours aren't leaking?
