mysterious steering issues

[T0M]

my steering feels really tight, as in after turning a corner the steering wheel stays in that position. its a bit looser on full locks either way. when jacked up the wheel moves freely and smoothly.
very confusing. any thoughts?

[Jay4424]

mine was doingf this but only when i went backwards.... taken the car off the road now do to a full resto, so won#t find out till later in the year if I've fixed it... what every "it" was!

[GT Matt]

Remember that all the ball joints (including bottom ball joints) are part of the steering system too.

My thought here would be possibly strut top bearings as you say it 'free's up' when the car is jacked up.
Tyres and tyre pressures can also give these symptoms - are these ok?
Also check for things like broken front springs, heat damaged steering column knuckles etc etc

[Nate]

front wheel geometry out - excessive toe out would do this. how are the front tyres wearing? scrubbing off the inside edge would point to toe out

[T0M]

dont think its strut bearings as the top mounts are a month old. as is the suspension, put a weitec kit on it. tyre pressures may be a little down but not enough to cause this. i went to the cinema and it was fine, got out went to drive home and it did this, which leads me to belive that it wont be due to geometry as that wouldnt change in an hour and a half. after a full lock the wheel spins nicely for a few seconds even when straight. thanks for the input. will check all these things over the weekend and let you know if i have any joy

[T0M]

just remembered on the MOT the only advisory was a bottom ball joint on the off side. maybe this be the problem