Help a damsel in distress! There is a "rattling" sound that seems to come from the front in my Getz 1.1. The steering appears to be stiff with noise at low speed or stationary. What is the likely cause?

Getz Lover
1.1M
53000 mileage
Bought Jan 2006

:(

check the oil level in the pwer steering resovour it sounds as though it may be low on fluid (you may have a leak)

Hi...As the other guy said...check the steering fluid level first, and if low add some.
Also at the same time, check the belt tension, which you will easily see...reach in and press in the centre of the belt, and if it moves more than 1 [one] inch then it needs tightening [had the same problem with mine Getz 1.6 Sport after a long run].
There are two bolts you need to loosen [12mm spanner required].
They are easy to see and get to, one is on the bottom of the pump, and the other is at the top [on a swing arm].
Once loose you will need a bar at the back of the pump to pull towards you and so tighten the belt, and while holding the tension tighten the bolt on the top.
Check the tension, and the belt now when pushed in the middle should move about 1/2 [half] an inch.
If so, then tighten the bottom bolt, recheck the tightness of the top bolt again, finally checking again the bottom bolt...and thats it done!!!

Good luck - Am sure you will be able to do this and fix it.