I have the same noise with the steering wheel column. There should be a piece of rubber around the column that is causing the rubbery sounding squeek, as it sounds like the sound is coming from the column itself. Follow the previous advice for the popping and cracking sounds.

-Good luck

__________________
Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record