shock mount bearings

recently I had asked a question regarding a metal to metal sounding tap that happened when I pulled up on my bike to where the suspension tops out (like when you lift it onto a stand), the sound only happens when I do this, there are no strange noises when sitting on the bike letting it go through the stroke, my answer was that the shock mount bearings are shot and I should replace them. Sooooo I went out to the garage the next day and took off the lower mount were it hooks to the linkage, but I couldn't tell if the bearing was bad or not. How can I tell if the bearing is bad, it didn't move up or down alot, just a very very small amount of movement at all. also how do I get these bearings out, do I have to press them out? thanks for all your help, I am just very lost at the moment on what to do, I don't want to ride the bike like this and I feel stupid that I've let it go this long without being fixed. can someone please walk me through how to tell where the sound is coming from. Also what is the best way to take apart the rear linkage and mounting bolts, with the wheel on a milk crate or something, because when I was taking out the bottom mounting bolt is was very hard to get out. Jeff

thanks

Ouch, chunky grease can't be good...! I've noticed alot of things are pretty seized up on the bike, now that you mention the steering head thing that'll be my next question. I wanted to pull the steering head apart and lube it a few weeks after I bought It (that was about 6 months ago) and when I turned the head bolt that sits under the bars, the whole steering head turned as I turned the bolt, so then the bars were all tweaked, the bolt didn't even budge, what would I do about this? Just heat the bolt or is there something on the lower end that I could put another wrench around to prevent that, thanks dean
Jeff

Yeah the actual shaft itself turned in the clamps, it pulled the top clamp with it so the bottom clamp was straight but the top clamp was pointing to the left, I did try this with the forks removed and that could have had an effect on it, if I put the forks in the clamps maybe that'll brace the top clamps enough to remove the nut......hope it works or i'm screwed,
Jeff