Loose steering does not seem like a benign symptom. I would inspect ball joints carefully for play, as well as front wheel bearings and upper strut mounts/bearings. Tie rod ends could be worn but that seems less common from people's previous posts.

Go to volvospeed/bay13 for info on replacing the contactor portion of the ignition switch, which is common and not very difficult.

Depending on extent of use, lots of creeks, groans and rattles occur in the 850 at various times. You know when driving that you are not in your living room at home. Some noises, like the steering stops, are innocent. You need to check them out one by one to be sure.