There is no down side to you disassembling it all and checking all the surfaces and bolts and greasing. Heck I've snapped seat post bolts from over tightening and I'm a skinny little bugger and not strong. You easily could have a bolt or two that is suspect.

bottom line is that with bikes or cars or whatever, creaking and popping is a sign of loose stuff or metal fatigue.
hell I've had an old car with creaking that I ignored until one of the steering rods broke while driving and pesto, turned out wheel and screeching to a halt.

you don't a want to screw around with a bicycle front end failure, but hey, it's your face.

and even if you are right, you will have to disassemble anyway to put on new bars.
good luck, but it ain't luck, it's proper inspection and assessment, no matter the outcome.