Mine has done and is doing the creaking noise again. Last time I used a little silicon assembly lube on the plunger shaft and it quieted down for about a year. It seems to be worse in warmer weather. The noise comes from the rubber seal around the plunger at the fire wall. You'll need to slide the clutch safety switch forward to get to it and lube it. It is tight in there if you are a bigger than average guy. Have fun, I will be doing it to mine tomorrow too.