I have not done this yet but will be replacing my 2001 manitou sxr front fork with a 2005 manitou axel super. I talked to a bike mechanic and he said take off the top cap and loosen the two bolts on the headset and the fork should come out. With the new fork you will have to cut the tube before installation. Also make sure everything fits such as brakes, wheel and tube diameter. I took off the top cap and my old fork is 1/18" threadless which is pretty standard. Hopefully someone else will respond who has done this.