Firstly - Once you hear that creaking dont put off getting it sorted. If you find the steering becomes stiffer and particularly if the steering wheel doesn't want to straighten itself after a corner - STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY!
Just like many others I had that familiar creak from the ball joint and had booked it in for Tuesday to have it replaced. Unfortunately it wasnt soon enough. On Friday I noticed the steering wheel was slightly harder to turn, which I thought may have been due to wider tyres I had just fitted (wrong!) . On Saturday as I took the car out of the garage and started down the driveway I heard this awful 'clunk' and so stopped the car and hopped out to have a look. This is what greeted my eyes....
In the photo below the wheel should be straight!
Why it looks like that
Luckily some friends helped me out and we managed to get it sorted out that day.
Biggest problem was moving it back up the hill on to the flat part. Trolley jack and a bit of a push....
I count myself lucky that all thats needed now is some panel and paint to the guard that was pushed out. I know it could have been a LOT worse if I had not been at home or if it was last weekend while on my 1000km road trip (including some 'spirited driving')!
And here's the culprit.