Water ingress on the brake pads makes the problem worse, so obviously a washout issue with how the pad ears & clips are greased.
Copper grease of now seems to be different of copper grease of old & doesn't seem to be up the job anymore.
Tried lithium grease... no better. Tried ceramic grease...no better. Tried CV joint grease...PERFECT !!
CV joint grease....that black stinky stuff that smells like hydraulic fluid is perfect for brake pad ears & clips. Super lubricating & doesn't wash out. No more creaking & clunking when braking for 3 months now, even after driving through numerous deep puddles.