Hi again Cambo,
Using a keyboard for driving GTL ...noooo you mad person

! Using a pad to drive GTL ...mmmm,

better as long as your steering/braking/throttle are all analogue otherwise ...nooooo!
A wheel is always the best option and if you can't afford a new one look on e-bay or see if any of your local PC/Console Games shops have 2nd hand ones.:
If you have a Playstation 2 you can use that pad on the PC with a
'Playstation to PC Adaptor' which can cost as little as 4 English pounds (5 euros) and if you need to buy a Playstation 2 pad you can get them from as little as 4 English pounds (5 euros). So for only 10 euros you can be getting better fun.
But save for a wheel they really do give a much truer sense of driving.
Cheers,
Gee-Deeman
PS. As for your keyboard problems I have no idea at all as I have never needed to drive with one ...phew!