Does anybody have any experience with this? I've got a 2001 Trek 4500 that I retrofitted with an upgraded Rock Shox Duck XC fork about four years ago. I've noticed the right 'tube' leaking oil for the past two years. The bike shop says it'* fine and quite normal. However, when I pull up on my handlebars to jump onto a curb, etc. the fork will "unload" completely before bringing the wheel off of the ground with it. A nice 'thud' occurs when the fork hits the stops before lifting the wheel. This is not "fine" or "quite normal!!!" It may be cheaper to just buy a new fork over sending this one off for a rebuild.

I guess I would call it 'topping out' whereas when it completely compresses I would call that 'bottoming out' if that helps you understand things.

Thanks.

I don't know how much about bikes you know....but I'll tell you what I know.

Those shocks have one or two (literally) tablespoons of oil in them. If you have noticed it leaking out, I would imagine that there is none left in there. I am 99% sure the oil is for lubricating the internal seals, and without it, they will probably dry out (and leak) causing the problems you are having.

I THINK i have seen rebuild kits for 35-40 dollars, although I am not positive that will fix the problem. It would be much better than spending 200--1500 on a new fork.

Yah, I honestly don't know a lot about them either. This particular fork has the standard springs for dampening plus an air 'pre-load' you can adjust via a schrader valve. That'* about all I know. I just ride it!

Dont know anything about bike repair, but a simple google search yieled this: http://www.bikepro.com/products/fork...hox_parts.html

Hope it helps....and can guide you in the right direction.