Driver side interior rattle connected to steering column?
 

I am currently trying to find and fix a horrible rattle / squeak that I can no longer ignore. 2003 Maxima by the way.
I have done plenty of searching but nothing I can find on the org or anywhere else for that matter seems to match what this is.

It is a rattle / squeak that corresponds with bumps (big news, I know) and lately is there when going over even mildly uneven pavement (meaning all the time).

It goes away when I push the steering wheel away from me (or pull toward), most effective at the top of the wheel when centered.
Conversely, when not moving, I can produce the rattle by banging on the wheel itself.:smash: Not like this guy - with my hand.

It is not the cluster, the screw behind the cluster, the column cover or the lower dash panel near your knees.
It seems to come from the column itself or something directly connected to it and is loudest in the foot well just near where the column disappears under the dash.

Anyone deal with or solve this? It's driving me bat**** crazy!:blackbat:
Figured it would be easy to find once I had everything out but no such luck.

Please help :banghead:

Promising
 

This looks promising ...


This guy is awesome.
Well - time to remove my first air bag :eek:.

Nope - not it either. Damn!