Suspension not sounding so good....

I went riding today at a gravel pit near the airport here. We were hitting some pretty sweet kicker style jumps with virtually no landing. I bottomed the suspension a few times. At the end of the ride I was starting to hear something when I hit bumps at slow speeds. So I packed the bike on the back of my friends truck and called it a day. When I unloaded the bike I looked into the matter a little more and found that the forks are making a funny sound when I compress them. It makes a sound that is hard to describe, almost like gravel rattling around inside (obviously not the case, but the only way to describe it). When I jam on the front brakes while moving with the bike it make a bit of a clang noise. It almost sounds like something inside is loose.

I have never had suspension apart before, but am certain I could probably handle taking it apart (with the help of my manual). I was planning to install the stiffer race tech springs in winter, but looks like now is the time. I would like to leave it be as it really doesn't seem to effect the suspension a lot, but working in an automotive related field I realize that the longer things are left, the better odds they will destroy other things.

So could anybody take a shot at what might be wrong before I tear into it?

BTW, if I don't respond in the next couple days it is because I am going on a bit of a road trip to pick up a truck for my uncle.

I forgot to mention, its a 95 CR250.

Looks like you hit it right on the head. I pulled the caps off today and took a look. It appears as though the damage is confined to the fork cap (threads are messed up) and adjuster rod (bent). I have a feeling the price on the fork cap is going to scare me.