Oakleaf thankyou for your help. I also put a call out to my brother since he has the same type of fork. He has given me suggestions too as far as a rebuild is concerned. I still think the or a shop should do this. Now that I can ride the bike without any major difficulty, also since it is very cold outside, maybe the thing to do is to take it to the shop-not the same one-and have them look over everything and check out the front fork. Let me know what is happening and then do it. Whatever that is. Just like taking the car in for repairs.

Would it be worth looking at other forks for replacement?

If so what would be a good replacement? I think FOX are the best but what runs below that for quality and workability? I am still getting into the mtb lingo, even though I have been doing a lot of reading I could not tell you what is the best vs. what is second rate.

Thankyou,
Red Rock