background:
low-end K2 mtn. bike, 7, mebbe 8 years old...
was originally told there's no oleo-pnuematic stuff in the shocks, just die springs.
have periodically spray lubed the exposed struts.
But now it squeaks when it goes over bumps.
My common sense is telling me NOT to disassemble and clean.
However... how close to shot does it sound like 2 u guyz?

Old cheap fork = replace

What's the 'spray lube' you have been using ?

Dry rubber seals will squeak.

A few drops of oil around the rubber seals might stop the squeaks.

I'll try that, thx.

edit:found this->
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/218...-Fork-2011.htm
take it 2 the bike shop,
<sigh> [no means 2 swap headsets @ home w/o destroying chit],
this would run like 60% of what i paid for the bike...

For a lot of cheap bikes, when it comes to the cost of replacing a part like the fork, it often makes more sense to replace the bike. In this case, you have an 8 year old bike, which will have worn components, putting on a new fork (and low end) , for 60% of the orginal cost makes little sense, when for a little more you can have a complete new bike. Added to this you have fitting costs, work out how much it will really cost vs a new bike, or even nearly new of c-list of ebay

I can reiterate what has been said already, having dismantled a cheap fork myself - the time and effort you will likely expend aren't worth it. Probably better to just upgrade the the bike, definitely check out ebay, I got a great deal on my bike . If you really need to keep it, then it's not hugely complicated - if you look under the plastic caps on top, there's probably just a couple of long allen head bolts holding them together. Once cleaned and re-greased, it might go on working for a while yet. Then again it could be completely rusted on the inside and need replacing. Even if you replace the bike, if you don't mind investing some time, you could always end up with a usable 'beater'.

If you're on a tight budget and want to just keep this one going then open it up and see what's inside. It's likely that the springs and insides are a bit rusty on a bike that old. Clean it all up and grease EVERYTHING with a water resistant marine grade grease and put it back together. Likely the squeak will be gone and it'll be as good as it ever was for casual riding for a few more years. The only cost will be your time and about 50 cents worth of grease.