Creaking noise in pedestal

[Tmacmi]

I own a Beneteau 331. Its been a freshwater boat all its life.

I am experiencing a creaking noise that is coming from inside the pedestal or just below it. It sounds like a cable type noise

Strangely, it only happens on starboard tack. It happened last season, I've replaced the lower rudder bearing this year, re-tensioned the cables and its still happening.

Any thoughts? Is this as simple as greasing the cables at the sheaves. The sheaves are dry and show no signs of ever having been greased. Could it be one of the sheaves itself? I haven't looked closely, but I don't think they have bearings, they appear to be brass/bronze on ss axles.

[Bill O]

Not sure if you have an Edson, but attached a guide that may help you add some lube to particular points on your system or determine if you need to fix something.

As suggested in the guide, you should do an annual inspection under load to avoid problems.
https://edsonmarine.com/content/EB381SteeringGuide.pdf

[capt jgw]

If you're steering against a slight weather or lee helm, only one side of the cable set will be under load. The other side should be looser. That would explain the noise only happening on one tack. Lubing the sheaves should fix it.