*UPDATED* One for the motorheads....very possiby a daft question coming up!

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OK Update!

The second garage (first one still said there was nothing wrong at all) confirmed that my brake pads were needing replaced - worn heat spots all over and the brake disks also. The area surrounding this also needed a very good clean.

They explained the feeling of a loose steering wheel was due to the amount of dirt (etc) around this area and the squeaking (that only started a few days ago) was forcing the brakes pads and discs to not fall back into places after releasing the brake pedal. Thus the car was semi permanently driving about with brakes on !

Drove the car away yesterday (found the problem, fixed it within 1.5 hours) and it's a huge huge difference. Steering feels as it did before the error.

Just grateful it wasn't the steering rack or likewise, had that replaced in another car before and it was £££

Thanks for all your answers on this. Probably didn't explain it properly above but hope you get the gist.