Tapping/clanking noise when turning wheel back and forth?

Well as it says i have a tapping or clanking type noise coming when i shake my wheel back and forth while sitting in a parking spot or still. It will also happen occasionally when turning the wheel to lock swiftly. It sounds almost like something on the steering rack is tapping on the skid plate or cross member. I had someone shake the wheel back and forth and the rack does move SOME but nothing that shouldnt be there necessarily with rubber bushing mounts. checked ball joints, tie rod ends, struts, sway bar/links, all are tight and the steering linkage is not hitting anything. Is ther anything internally in the rack that can pop or clank? B/c when i put my hand on the tie rod i can feel the tapping/popping through the arm but cannot pinpoint anything.

 

I know this is an old thread but I am experiencing the same issue that you are describing. Did you ever find a fix for this? or at least what was causing it?

 

Sounds like it could be the intermediate shaft in the steering column. Had a similar issue with my Camry. Ended up ordering a grease kit for the joint from a TSB that solved the noise issue.