thanks for that, I am gonna check it again today, last nite I checked my tire pressue instead of 2.2 bar they were all on average 1.75 bar, no doubt deflated tires make steering more difficult and put more pressue on the joints you suggest may need replacing tightnening......thanks for your replies so far, conclusions I have made so far based on all the posts I have read:

bad chopsticks/ sway bar links do not cause steering wheel play

but they do cause clunking rattling noises when you go over speed humps and potholes

bad thrust rod bushings cause noises from the front on accelaration

steering wheel vibration on braking -if you can shake the tires from side to side when x5 is lifted, and they are loose and they have a lot of play,the lowwr control arms need changing or looking at

or thrust arm bushings or warped rotors/discs

or wheel balancing tire pressure

Please correct me if i am wrong