I agree. Clean it, but don' t lube it. It could start squeeling on you and that' s bad! I usually grab my cables and slide and vigorously move it back and forth on the rod when I get into my stand and that prevents it from squeeling when I draw it.

As far as a " clicking" sound goes, I' ve never heard the rod make that sound. I' m wondering, since you say you' re pulling much harder into the wall, if it' s not the limbs themselves making the noise.