Typical guide rod sound will be a "thunk" when braking. Though it might "creek" if it is cold or just starting to wear. You can check by jacking the wheel off the ground and prying at the base of the mount. I believe there is a threaded clamp on the rod that I pry with a crow bar. It should be tight with little or no back forward movement.
Your description sounds more like a ball joint than the guide rod. It might just be starting to go or might be just the cold.

__________________
81 300D Turbo 190K sold
83 300sd 319K best $500 I ever spent-daily driverw/ 2 tank WVO set up