Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: steering, lower ball joints, tie rod ends

Question
Van,
I have a 01 buick century with 36k and lately here when it gets cold at night below freezing my steering is really tough to turn in the mornings until the car is ran a while,
it is fine on days that are not so cold,  can you give me an idea what might be going on,?
I have an appointment to have it checked next week but the temperatures are going to be to warm at night for the problem to happen at the shop.  thanks

Answer
Hello Marc,
Often, freezing weather problems are moisture related.
I don't think your steering fluid would have enough moisture absorbed into it to freeze, but then, it's possible. Couldn't hurt to flush that system out with new fluid.
Another area would be ball joints. I don't know if that car has a grease fitting on them or not, but if you have driven in any amount of water, it is possible that some seeped into the lower ball joints and is freezing.
Just a couple thoughts. I haven't dealt with either one. But I have greased ball joints and tie rod ends, and forced water out, but then, I normally work on 4X4 trucks, not Buicks.
Van