interesting SpannerJuggler, I've definitely found the noise is from wheel end of axle not the R&P so to speak so that certainly makes sense. I kind of assumed that greasing would keep this space sorted but what you're saying is the grease is not really getting into those contact points?
Exactly Alex, when the front is stripped down for kingpin replacement it's often found that the kingpins are rusted solid in the upper lugs and all mating surfaces of the main springs and dust tubes are corroded. I always clean them up on the bench wire wheel and coat them with Rocol (Coppagrease) during assembly. No creaks afterwards.
