Okay so I now do have an update.

First update relates to steering.

I've replaced the n/s front driveshaft/halfshaft as the outer cv boot was split and dirt ingress knackered the joint.

As part of this process I had everything disconnected from the hub other than the lower straight control arm and the curved 'upper' control arm which connects to the cassette balljoint.

The hub still required some effort to articulate left and right in a steering motion.

Surely that's not right? I'd expect it to be dead easy to move.

Update two is related to engine/gearbox laggyness.

I'd been looking at live data randomly and noticed that the engine oil temp was reported as 43 degrees (engine fully warmed up) whilst the coolant was at 90 or so degrees.

Monitored it over a few days and noticed weird anomalies like one day the oil reached 60c or so then dropped before my eyes to 24 degrees!

I would imagine this data is used by the ecm to determine how to fuel the engine and so a brand new genuine sensor has gone in today.

Haven't had chance to drive it yet but will update.

That's all for now folks.

New engine oil temp sensor is reporting sensible readings now with none of the previous implausible numbers or random drop outs.

Sadly much like everything else ive done or fitted to this car its not made a single iota of difference to the way it drives.