the struts can creak on turning. Could possibly be a cv joint but you might as well take it to a garage and ask them to look at it. You dont have to let them do the work, just say you cant afford it for a few weeks and do the work yourself(after they have told you the diagnosis).

The only thing I can find is that when the wheels are turned from lock to lock , the struts creak / groan a little. Should they be lubricated? Could the wheel bearing be too tight?

Phil.

spring broken?

I have just done that and I have to say that there is no play whatsoever in the wheel bearings, track rod ends etc on both sides:boggle: The steering can't be that bad as I can grab one roadwheel and go from lock to lock with no great resistance. I know someone who had a 1.2 Corsa and the manual steering on that was quite light even when parking. I know mine's a diesel but wouldn't expect it to be this much heavier!!

Is there anything else I can do?

Phil.

does sound like its connected. jack up ya car, grab ya wheel and give it a good shake top to bottom and side to side. if theres any movement ya bearings gone.

I have noticed that on my Corsa diesel the steering is heavier when turning right than when turning left:! I've also found that there is a light groaning noise coming from the nearside front wheel area when turning right. Could these two things be connected and if so what should I look at first? It does sound a bit like a wheel bearing type of noise. It has manual steering and has only done 56k.
The front tyres are at the correct pressure so is there anything I can do to make the steering lighter apart from changing to power steering?

TIA
Phil.