2007 Tacoma, 240k miles, hearing thud sound at steering wheel when turning left or right

I can hear a thud sound at the steering wheel when turning the steering wheel left or right. Can come multiple times on a single turn left or right. Occurs at just a 45 degree turn of steering wheel left or right. Just started the last couple of days.

Opened hood to hear noise and also got under front tires both side to hear noise. But is most clear when sitting in drivers seat and moving the wheel. It happens also in parked mode with engine on and moving steering wheel.

What could be the cause? It seems to drive normally.

 

Lift the front of the vehicle, check for play left and right with each wheel to see if tie rod ends are bad, then have a friend turn the steering wheel left and right while you are on the bottom to see if the steering rack bushings are shot.

 

And don't just check the outside tie rods - check the inner ones as well. Those are trickier to replace.

 

Ok, will check wheel play and tie rods once the weather clears. Thx for suggestions.

 

The noise is definitely linked to steering wheel. Watched a video which pointed to the intermediate steering shaft as the culprit and made sense. Seems like an easy fix though the part is $200-$300. The dealer option is expensive. Just wondering which aftermarket would be reliable.

https://youtu.be/3Dr7df3dRNQ?si=5w1OzVYQ5hVPyv0G