Evening/morning all,

I've owned my Fabia vRS for almost 4 years, it has always had heavy steering and never really considered having it checked out. A couple years ago I lost all power steering because an o-ring had split on the pump so replaced that and topped up the fluid. The fluid level hasn't dropped so I'm assuming there are no leaks. What would be the reason for the heavy steering?

it can be altered on vcds ... made heavier / lighter 

I don't think it has ever been altered before though so I think its more a mechanical issue. Is it possible for any linkages to get tight or possible steering rack issue? On full lock the pump makes a slight hissing noise is this normal?

mine does the same when it hits the stop on locks i cant see anything else making it considerably heavier .... unless when you changed a seal in the rack the wrong fluid was used causing the seals to swell and tighten up in the rack ?? 

The steering was heavy before the seal went, at least 18 months before (when I bought the car) proper fluid was used as recommended by a Skoda dealer, I can't think of any reason for it to be heavier. The hotter the weather the heavier the steering is. I wonder if it is dry linkages or something similar. If only I could get to them hmm