My97 uk turbo 80k miles, car has bumpsteer mod and decat downpipe (wrapped)

Recently I have been getting a creaking from the steering area under the bonnet. Its not there when the car is first started or if you turn the steering with the engine off when cold. But after 10 minutes of driving, this creaking starts to begin. The steering itself doesnt feel stiff or rough in action at all when it creaks, noticable only at slow speed turns. You only have to turn the steering wheel a quarter turn and it sounds bloody aweful. With a bit of feeling of the steering assy from under neath( cant reach a great deal with floor pan still in place) it seems to come from the column area where it connects to the power steering rack. Are there bushes/ joints in this area which coud of dried out causing this noise?

I will take it into a garage if its more than changing a bush /joint.

Andy