o4 malibu weird noise

My daughter bought a 2004 malibu with 95000 miles on it. Has had it for a month with no problems. she was driving it hte other day and it started makking a really wierd creaking noise. sounds like its coming from right under the passenger door. it makes the noise bad when going over a bump or stepping on the brake. I looked at the brakes and they seem ok. I pushed down on the fender on the passenger side to check the strut and it makes a squeaking noise. is this a strut problem or what the heck is it? it drives ok not like a bad strut that makes the ride hard:banghead:

thanks
gs

I hope someone can help you identify your particular noise, but it's probably a shot in the dark. '04 Malibus and Maxxes (I have the latter) make so many different noises, it's hard to tell which is which. Mine has a front end clunk (that is apparently impossible to fix), the new rear brakes sound like they're already shot (2K miles later), the sunroof shade rattles constantly and the driver's front A-pillar makes a racket (and the sunvisor above doesn't help because it rattles too). On rough roads, it's by far the noisiest car I've ever owned.

Lots of luck. My suggestion is to ignore it - they're just creaky and rattly cars.

Sounds like the front sway bar bushings, my 04 were replaced under warranty and lubed. If it happens again I will spray them with silicone.