Mountain Biking - Clunking noise from Fork

I posted this in the Mech forum but didn't get a response, so I figured I'd try here since the question is MTB specific:

I'm riding a '04 Manitou Skareb Elite and occassionally notice a clunking sound coming from the front of the bike when riding over rough ground. At first I thought it to be a loose headset adjustment, but that turned out to not be the case.

I'm thinking it's from the fork itself. Is there some type of maintenance I need to do to alleviate this problem?

Might be that your top-out bumpers are bad, allowing metal-to-metal contact. You should be able to get the bumper kit from Answer. Here's the manual for your Skareb:
http://www.answerproducts.com/manuals/answermanitou/forks/Year/2004/04Skareb_eng.pdf?cvar1=6%2F12%2F2006+11%3A02%3A50+AM
Look on page 4 for the part number and give 'em a call. Good luck.

Many Manitou have this problem brand new from the start.

In my case on my Sherman and some of the internal bushings were to tight "so the guys at OGC told me"

got it fixed up and have not had a problem since.

Many Manitou have this problem brand new from the start.

In my case on my Sherman and some of the internal bushings were to tight "so the guys at OGC told me"

got it fixed up and have not had a problem since.
Can you specify what you mean by "got it fixed up," as in, what needed to be fixed/replaced?

I've got the manual and the service guide, but it all reads like Greek to me. Seeing as how I'd need to order parts anyway, would this be something best left to the boys at my local bike shop? I would've taken it to them in the first place, but most of my experiences with their service work so far have been less than impressive. I try to do my own work when possible.

Could be low on oil.

Could be low on oil.

Now that you mention it, a week or so ago I did notice a light covering of oil on the dropout. Could be there's a leak?

could be.

Now that you mention it, a week or so ago I did notice a light covering of oil on the dropout. Could be there's a leak?
take them off and try servicing them yourself. it is not too bad. to check oil height, reference your manual and see how many millimeters it says. if they are like most forks, you are actually measuring the air space above the oil to the top of the stanchion tube where the cap screws in. use whatever as a dipstick, chopstick or something, and see what height you have.

questions? post 'em