You could potentially have the plastic / vasconite / devol, nylon bushes which MMC trialled in 2003 or 2004 (the early Roadsters that superseded the Plus 8 had them)
Do they creak on trying to turn ? as when damp they nip the kingpin and can tighten the steering and sometimes make a creaking sound
Try jacking the front end up to just clear the tyres from ground and see if it's any lighter to turn
