Seeking advice: steering column rattle/clunk

Just seeking some advice I couldn't find from searching the forum...

My 2013 Tacoma (4x4, 190k miles) suddenly developed a loud clunking/rattle on the driver's side, right under gas and break, at slow speed over bumps. Fine at highway speed. Mechanic says it's just an aging steering column - no loose/worn out/broken parts he can find - "just some play" causing the rattle/clunks. Says he can't find anything to fix, would just need a total steering column replacement (which I presume is quite expensive.)

Thoughts on that?

I've seen forum posts/YouTube videos about addressing loose or shaky steering, but this isn't that - it's a loud clunking/rattling outside the cab, underneath the driver's side. It steers/handles just fine.

Thanks for any advice y'all can offer.

 

Upper and lower steering shafts.

Firewall isolator.

just replaced all 3 in my truck because of similar issues.

 

What was the cost on these parts and how was the install? I had my rack replaced recently and have been thinking of doing these steering column parts too.

 

~600$ in parts after shopping around.

Couple hours of my time.

There’s good DIYs on here and YouTube.

Don’t skimp and buy aftermarket junk.

This was the 2nd time I’ve replaced them because I didn’t wanna spend the money the first time.

 

I have the same problem. Check your lower control arm bushings, and get up under your truck and shake your CV axle around on your driver side. Is it also happening when your parallel parking?

 

Same

 

After checking back in with the mechanic today - looking like it's not a steering column/shafts problem.

They replaced the driver's side CV joint already - wasn't the problem - but, the CV on that side does indeed have way more play than on the passenger's side. Mechanic said maybe it's the CV joint bearing that's worn out on that side. But he recommended just replacing the entire front axle for that issue, so...gonna get some other opinions, hah.

If anyone's had a bad rattle from that ^ particular problem though, happy to hear more about it...

 

Now finding some older threads on excess CV axle play - and fixes via replacing the existing needle bearing with this bearing.

But sounds like this approach could more to address vibration/hum than actual clunks from the CV axle area?

 

Couple videos - first is the rattling sound in question - second is play in the CV axle.

I did notice there’s still some rattle - though not as bad - with 4x4 engaged - which I’ve now read may indicate the CV bearing is not the issue? Stumped…

https://youtube.com/shorts/EWo1RSSgyow?si=NUrSTWS4UlDWzSSM

https://youtube.com/shorts/9Ysb8dqm3MU?si=h0lXbtgEmeMLgXR5