Steering column rattle

My 97' extra cab has a rattle in the steering column.
I can feel it in the steering wheel.
I cant seem to track it down, it's like where the
steering shaft transitions the firewall behind the dash
Like a worn bushing or similar feel and noise.
Doesn't affect the handling or any function,
it is just annoying as h-ll.
Oh and sometimes it will do it at a stop in gear (automatic)
at certain lower rpms.
Exhaust is tight with a new exhaust manifold and heat shield!
Transmission and torque converter are recent and full and tight.
So does this condition sound familiar with anybody else?
common?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sloppy-steering-column-fix.502851/

 

Sounds familiar to me. However, I only get that metallic rattle in the steering when I drive over particularly knarly trails that have lots of roots, rocks, and ruts. Other than that it doesn't make any noise at all.

 

This is what I get for joining an online forum,
GREAT HELP AND A PROBLEM SOLVED!
Thank You for the link!

 

I have the same rattle. After removing the metal cover of double cardan joint (where the steering shaft goes through the firewall) I can make the sound by grabbing the shaft and pushing in forth and back (causing a tiny twisting of the steering rack on bushing). However this is the older model and the steering column is a bit different from the newer models - from the FSM it looks like a bit more complicated to remove than the process shown in the link.

The main thing is that that rattle does not affect steering quality and only happens when going over the bumps. So it is one of the noises I just get used to.

 

Yes the older column are s little tougher to get apart.

 

The only significant difference is the very early tilt pivots are pressed in as opposed to screw in.
The "non tilt" columns are vastly different. The shaft comes out the bottom of the column tube and the entire column and surrounding bracketry must come out to do this.
Both issues are described in the Tacoma Territory short cut post.