Steering problem / getting a tow

StudentC

Hi

Not a motors regular, just hope I might get some advice on two queries:

1) I've a (fairly serious I think) problem with the steering on my 2000 Peugeot 306. Pulled out of a parking spot last night, steering made some crunch / crack sounds, and became very stiff and heavy, but unpredictably so - ok for a certain range of motion, then a crack, stiffness, then freed up and felt fine. It actaully sounds and feels as if there is somehting physcially broken in the column behnd the wheel. Some sounds like a crisp packet crunching, and then louder crack noise if I turn the wheel quickly though it's full range of motion.

Anybody hazard a guess at what might be gone on it? I've had a lot of trouble with the steering previously, had the rack and pinion replaced and also problems with the power steering fluid pump, but nothing that felt or sounded like this.

2) Obviously I don't want to drive the car, so i'm going to need to get it towed. Insurance breakdown cover won't cover it as its parked at my house, so roughly how much should i be looking at for a tow? Approx 5km to the garage I use. I've never been towed before so have no idea, and don't want to get fleeced.

Thanks

padunne

My first guess would be the cv joint but am not certain unless i was to see it. If so then towing it while having front wheels in contact with ground is not a good idea. It may be only one side cv joint is gone.