I have that as well, basically since new. It was a step down from my 300k 4th gen for sure, on a new truck.

Toyota May say it’s normal, as in most do it, but it’s caused by movement of parts that should not move in that way.

I’ve replaced inner and outer tie rods, rebuilt the UCAs, checked LCA, and wheel bearings, and sway bar components.

It’s none of those, it’s in the steering.

Next is to look at the interior steering column ujoint and the lower rag joint. I dont really thinks it’s those, the sound and feel seem to come front the exterior side of the firewall. But I’ll try to rule those out.

This gets us to the rack or the lower intermediate shaft components.

So also of note, nearly every bolt I’ve turned was barely minimum torque from the factory/new, so perhaps there is just something loose in that system.

I’ll report back.

- Mark