2005 Mazda 6 Sudden creaking sounds

About a month ago I started getting a creaking sound on my Mazda. It seems to creak when I apply pressure to the brake pedal while driving. Plus the brakes feel kinda funny to me. Also, when parked, I can depress the brake pedal and it has a sqeaking and creaking sound to it which wasn't there before.

I also encounter the creaking sound while driving and not even using the brakes. The sound happens at any time but in general seems worse when cornering or on bumpy surfaces. The sound then seems to come from the end of the steering column beyond the firewall. Beyond the firewall somewhere.

Sometimes I can drive and brake and corner and there is absolutely no creak at all. Then later in the day I'll jump in the car and it will creak like crazy.

The only clue I might have is that I remember right before all the noise started, I had to slam my brakes on very hard to avoid a collision. Very soon after that the creaking and sqeaking started.

Thanks for any suggestions!