David,
I remember that problem as well and I have to say that I doubt that' s the problem in Nuge' s case.
They' ve changed the design of the stands to allow the aluminum peices to fit together tightly in channels BEFORE they are welded now.....they call it ' Alumi-Lockt' technology or something like that?
In effect the design now allows the aluminum tubes put pressure on themselves first and not directly onto the welds anymore. No more weld stress.
Most likely the clicking noise Nuge is hearing is the very slight movement of the " V-Bar" that needs to be locked down on these new collapsible climbers like the " Broadhead" and " Bullet"