So i have a 2023 Taco with about 75k miles. Lately ive noticed a little knocking sound that sounds like its coming from under the dash near the firewall. Happens when i srive slowly more than fast.

I can also feel it in my hand when its on the steering wheel, and if i grab the top and move it forwards and bakwards (Kinda shake it) i can feel a tiny amount of play.

Any idea what could be causing this? Or what kind of shop i would take it to? I recently had an alignment done but that didnt fix it. Thought about taking it to the dealership but im afraid it would be $5000 by the time they figured out what the issue is.

Im not very mechanically inclined

Im thinking either the intermediate shaft or lower shaft in the steering column but literally have no idea

Probably a good chance it is an issue in the joint connecting to the intermediate shaft. Good thread with pictures here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-generation-steering-column-rattle.667170/

Big off road tires can also cause this.

Bob Kelso said:

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Big off road tires can also cause this.

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The ability to feel the front to back play in the steering wheel (not side to side) suggests to me it is in the intermediate shaft linkage, and is exactly what you would get if the spacer shown on that thread had slipped loose.

I looked at that already and that spacer appears to be intact. Let me run out and get a few pics

I believe it's something right here

Replacing that intermediate shaft isn't too bad to do yourself, and there's also a zip tie shim method for that u-joint as it wears.

I replaced my intermediate shaft while chasing a steering "clunk" sound, but after removal I could tell that the joint was still good. I eventually traced to my "clunk" to my steering rack bushings.