Clunk from drivers side tie rod

2014 Access Cab 4X4 bit over 130k miles.

The truck has had some vague steering on center, which I apparently got used to, and a short little trip with a rental for 7 months snapped me out of. I figured at first it was the steering rack bushings, especially as I've had some reasonable miles off-roading, but the bushing don't have visible play. Nor do the wheels have noticeable play up/down. I do get a clunk from the driver's side of the steering box, with my wife turning the steering wheel slightly (not enough to actually move the wheels). Needs doing soon before it gets worse. Youngest dog already hates riding in it with the well loved shocks. That's coming up soon as well, but is well travelled territory.

I'm a bit unsure of the names of the parts (more familiar with broken bikes, but for the time this *is* my only functioning vehicle) but the outer tie rod to inner tie rod looks/feels solid. Is there a connection between the output of the steering box and the inner tie rod that can become loose? There is no noise from the passenger side.

 

Check your upper and lower ball joints. Had a similar clunk, it was the ball joints.

 

Also check swaybar - take it off and see if the clunk goes away.

Used, low mileage balljoint/control arms can be found online for cheap (3rd gens use the same parts I believe) for an easy swap out.

 

Also check to see if the rack itself is moving. Maybe just needs tightened down.

 

Sorry it took so long, thanks for the things to look at, I now have a working bike, so it's easier to work on it after work.