Late reply I know. The simple answer is the shock needs servicing. It is not an emulsion shock, and has a bladder that fits between the inner and outer body. Very easy to service, but not for the novice suspension guy or engineer etc. The "dead" feel is the nitrogen that has passed through the bladder and is now mixed with the oil. Strip, clean, refill with oil and bleed, refill nitrogen and it will be as good as new.