2003 4WD steering wheel metal-on-metal clanking noise

Hey folks, good day.
This is my first posting so please excuse any etiquette gaffs.
Anyway, my 2.7L stock Tacoma just turned over 250,000 miles on a recent road trip to WY.

When I drive off road and especially on washboards, there is a
noisy metal-on-metal "clanking" noise emanating from the steering wheel
or the "box" (containing the turn signal/wiper handles)
just behind the actual SRS air bag container and the dash panel.
I also hear the noise when I pull the wheel adjustment/tilt lever and the
wheel "slaps" into the "up" position. I sometimes hear the same noise on potholes.
The worst is, however, on washboarded dirt roads.
I've looked at the assembly diagrams online but don't see anything obvious.
The sound is like two metal plates hitting/slapping together or even a small bell.
It's definitely a metal on metal sound.

Thanks for any advice/diagnosis.

Cheers,
Mark (in San Diego, CA, USA)

 

Welcome aboard, if you're sure it's in the column, have you tried just removing the outer casing pieces and looking for anything loose? There should be a couple screws/bolts on each side and you should be able to have a look.

 

There's a fix for this by tack welding. Search box

 

I removed the plastic housing just behind the steering wheel and there's nothing obvious.
However, I am able to replicate the noise and it's coming from inside the assembly housing the
airbag and the actual steering wheel.
The noise is not from anything contained within the plastic housing.

 

Mountain Bum, I have had the same exact clanging noise over washboards occasionally for 15 years. You can replicate it if you smack the steering wheel hard enough. As to what exactly it is, I have no idea. Based on my reading I don't believe the steering column tack weld mod mentioned by 02Hilux is related to the cause of the sound. Please post if you figure it out.