I need help disassembling my NC50 front shock

[sofasurfer]

I disassembled one side of the fork. I unscrewed the nut that holds the spring in the shock. I removed the shaft and the spring. Now, on to the other side. I unscrewed the nut. When I try to pull the shaft out it does not budge. You can feel that it is attached to the spring inside. It lets you tug it but then it springs back. And when you push on the rod, compressing the spring, it does not move very far. Holy cow!!! Why is the rod attached to the spring (the other side is not)? Why is the spring "fastened" in place so it can not be pulled out? Is the spring broken and jammed inside? That still does not explain how or why the rod is attached to the spring. It seems that the rod and the spring are somehow attached inside the tube, HOWEVER, you can continuously turn the rod and it turns easily.
Any idea whats going on? I need this shock apart. Please help.