Is my steering rack going out?

Hey Guys,
Just trying to get a 2nd opinion on a problem I have with my Tacoma before I go spend $100 on diag work at a mechanic. My truck is making a concerning almost popping/cracking noise from the front of the car when I turn at slower speeds/ wiggle the steering wheel when stopped. It started almost immediately after I completed a full front end rebuild 2 months ago(upper/lower control arms, CV axles, Struts, inner/outer tie rods, sway bar links, brakes).

What Ive done to try to diagnose it: I had my dad wiggle the steering wheel as I stand in front of the car, it sounds like its coming from the front, lower middle of the car, which is exactly where the steering rack is. I took the inner tie rod boots off and there was a few drops of power steering fluid under the boots, not a lot but enough that I noticed. I took the front tires off and double checked that all of the bolts I touched were all still tight and it all checked out. I did use a torq wrench to tightened them all on initially so I feel pretty confidant its not that. The steering is still smooth and not jumpy, but it does seem to float a little more then normal, and sometimes it seems like the steering wheel needs to be at 11 or 1 o'clock position to stay straight instead of the middle and sometimes it is centered, I had an alignment performed after I did all that work, and they checked it again a month later.

Essentially I like to self-perform all the work on this truck, and I leave to go back to college where I don't have any tools in 3 weeks so Id like to get this ironed out before I leave. The Truck just crossed over 200k miles and im pretty confidant this is still the stock rack.

Also what is your guys opinion on aftermarket racks, like edelmann.

 

The best way I've found to find a noise if it can be recreated is to get under the truck and put your hand on things while having someone rock the steering wheel. You'll feel the play. Or get a dowel, long screwdriver, hose, anything really and listen to various things until you find the source.

If you suspect the rack/inner tie rod then try pushing the inner tie rod to remove any play and see if you still get the noise.

also try pulling the skid plate. Sometimes the tin snapping can make weird noises.

Also try disconnecting the sway bar links one at a time and altogether. Bar bushings can make some loud noises especially

 

Thank you for the advice! After work today I will take the skid off and try to pin point the exact cause as well as disconnect the sway bar links. I couldnt get it to make the noise when I had the tires off the ground, so it only happens when there load.