Hi, Boys & Girls!

The 3TTT quill stem on my '97 Klein is driving me NUTZ! It started creaking last month, in rhythm with my pedal strokes when I'm pedaling hard. I played with the height....and thought I had cured it...but the creaking came back after a few miles (It comes back under hard pedaling, when I'm transferring a lot of pressure to the bars- and once it starts, it'll do it under all but the lightest of pedaling).

I* took the stem out and greased it liberally (Including the expander)...same thing......nice and quiet for the first 14 miles....then put a hard effort into going up a hill...and it's back!

There seems to be a hair of play between the stem and the steerer tube. I can put my hand on it and feel the stem move slightly if I use a lot of force and rock the bars side to side. Not like it's flopping around or anything- it takes a lot of force to move it...but I know that play shouldn't be there- and is likely the source of the creaking.

The bike, although old, is in near pristine condition, and hardly ridden in the past by it's previous owner. It's a great bike, and I love it- but please...someone help me get rid of this creaking!!!!