the BB is external . . . mega-exo. I didn't know external could be used on traditional threaded, think that requires an adaptor. anyway, will try the teflon tape this weekend and report back. maybe I should just skip ahead to the pipe thread compound PLUS teflon tape, go overkill.

I'm reluctant to drill my BB, wouldn't want to weaken it . . . but if it's collecting water, that's not good. well, it hasn't rained forever, since the first BB overhaul, so the water couldn't be a direct cause of the creak, though certainly not good for the bearings.

re bearings, I noted when I cleaned the BB, that one bearing was noticeably looser and more grindy . . . so guess that would be the next thing to replace. shop said they do not replace bearings separately from the entire BB so have to find a source for mega-exo bearings . . . or pop for an entire new BB. yuck. with a capital F.