I have 16 ladder stands up at the farm. Most are quiet with the exception of climbing in / out. most squeak from the movement.
Only thing I have found to stop the noise is to tighten the bolts very tight, Most of mine have some crushing of the steel frame.
Now the pin together ladder sections, not much you can do.
When I set up the stands I use ratchet straps, not the pull tight ones. Get the straps as tight as possible, then I wiggle the stand left to right and dig in the teeth, then tighten the strap again.
I have trees from 8 - 24" that we lean against. The big ones are easy. The smaller ones are a pain.
On the smaller trees I strap the seat with one strap and the foot rest with another. Then use 2 long straps that run from the highest step around the tree to the 2nd lowest step. Forming an X with the straps.
Even with my 2 man stands this seems to work. although my brother was complaining yesterday that my stand squeaked and chased of a deer that was 10 yards behind him. My bro weighs 350+ lbs. I told him there are limits.