One more quick update: I just removed the 6600 bottom bracket and the bearings feel perfect. No play at all, nice gooey resistance that feels like they did when the bottom bracket was brand new. I’m merely going to clean out the old grease (which was in surprisingly great condition), regrease and reassemble.

Now I’m really wondering about the Dura Ace PD-R9000 pedals. When I greased the threads on them this morning I did not feel any play but what I did feel was that they spun a little too freely like they need more grease and maybe a minor tightening of the cones. Can anyone help with the rebuild procedure for these Shimano pedals. I seem to remember that a 20 mm and 14 mm cone wrenches were involved...

Well, I have yet another update. I no longer believe that the creaking is emanating from the drivetrain. When I sit to climb there is no noise. It is only when I stand to climb on moderate to steep hills that I start to hear the clicking & creaking. My. I can hear the noise coming from the fork area (I think). My DT Swiss ratcheting front skewer is very tight. This leaves the headset. Tomorrow I plan to remove the fork, check for moisture and reassemble with a light coating of fresh grease. I rode in the rain several times recently. I’ve never really encountered creaking coming from the headset area but I suppose it does happen.

My temporary obsession with sorting out my crank and crank bearings led to me accidentally cramming out my Shimano Hollowtech ll pinch bolts. My Harbor Freight 1/4 torque wrench is so unpleasant to work with, that I became impatient and my 5 mm Allen bit wasn’t fully seated in the pinch bolts leading to them cramming out. Now I’m going to need to buy replacement bolts, arghh!