V40 CC T5 AWD - Heavy Steering

[V40T5]

Hi everyone!

Just looking for a bit of advice, feel like I'm going crazy. Sorry if this ends up being long winded.

Bought a 2016 V40 CC T5 AWD in June 2023 and it was great for a few months. Swapped a V40 D4 2015 for it and felt it drove much better, especially having lighter steering.

Had some new front tyres fitted beginning of Sept as they were getting ready. Replaced the Continental All Season Contacts with Michelin Crossclimate 2. Sizes obviously the same. Also had the wheels aligned as the car was slightly pulling to the left and thr left tyre was unevenly worn. Didn't notice a huge difference after that.

Took the car to Volvo in October to have the Polestar Optimisation added. After attempting to load it, the car wouldn't start! Had to leave it with them for a day and half whilst they looked into it. They ended up saying the Optimisation wasn't possible and reloaded the car to standard. Prerty disappointed! We think the car was actually remapped/tuned and this caused the issue (I wasn't told this when purchasing so had no idea). I mentioned the steering felt heavy too but they said they said the technician didn't mention anything. I had a lovely courtesy XC40 and the steering was so much lighter than my V40.

Following this I still felt like the steering was heavy and cumbersome. Especially at slow speeds when parking or just maneuvering in car parks, etc. It started to annoy me. I thought it might just be the new tyres and take a bit of time to get used to. Got the suspension checked at Kwikfit (as they're local to work) and they said it was fine and the steering felt fine to them. Carried on using the car, I drive a few hundred miles a week so have drove it plenty since purchasing and familiar with its characteristics. Decided something definitely felt off/had changed. Spoke to Volvo and they said they'd have a look and connect to VIDA to diagnose. They said the power steering motor or module within, was giving error codes and the whole steering rack would need replacing (£1700, yikes!).

They said it wasn't safe to drive so decided to get it done and trust that it was that. I was sort of relieved that it would fix the issue and hopefully make the steering feel lighter, like it was when I bought it. But no joy, the steering is actually heavier now and feels like there isn't much assistance from the motor. I also have to push the wheel back to centre now where as before it would self-centre much more aggressively, possibly due to the allingment? I don't feel any difference between power assist in steering at slow speeds or high - shouldn't there be speed sensitive steering?

My car doesn't have the adjustable steering force option so no light, medium, heavy steering option - it is what it is.

Anyone have any suggestions? Am I overly sensitive to the steering? Is it just the new tyres? I guess I can go back to Volvo but I'm reluctant to sink more money into the car now. Might try getting the tyres swapped. I'm at a loss. Feel like just getting a new car if I could bit I'm stuck with this. Thought I'd have the car and love it for years!

Thanks, any advice is appreciated!