Steering Locked up elimination help, Rack?

Steering acted like the column was locked with only about 2 inches travel both directions to hard stop but was able to free up after about 7 minutes of warming up and applying a lot of force both directions four times when trying to go home at 12:30 am. It came loose in two steps lessening effort begrudgingly in both directions but got extreemly stiff turning left hard twice after about 15 miles almost home, once when swing wide at very low speed just before backing in driveway then repeated exactly same symptoms in same temp 23F leaving for work at 1:30pm but not turning. 1st time was after slightly iciy conditions after rain turning to snow then plunging temps bottoming overnight about 13F.

Conditions & History:
Below 24F degrees both times per outside temp monitor and local stations via accuweather app on '04 with 152.3k mi and noise coming from Rack and Pinion bushing since purchased in late spring of '15 @ 141k mi.

Interchange on car-part.com says all Gen2 '04-'09 are all compatible on Rack & Pinion & there is a used lower mileage '07 rack for $50 local not self pull and probaby 3 I know of in self pull yard next door all newer and lower mileage. But it but if it is the motor and or (steering control valve) I am out of luck in the short term as it seems they are year specific but none for '04 available. Can anyone confirm this or know how to use other Gen 2 year models motor?

Anyone who has resolved this issue please confirn it is only the rack & pinion please. I have a driveable '06 with 151k mi but waiting on title issues that will take few months but do not want to take parts off of it.

 

There was absolutely no ice / snow buildip in wheel wells.