2013 STX 2wd

When accelerating over a bumpy surface I have a rattle coming from either the ignition cylinder or deep inside the steering column. It sounds like a loose bolt or nut rattling around, it's a metal-on-metal noise. It does it no matter how the steering wheel is tilted.
I've never had any problems with this area of the truck. It's just REALLY LOUD AND ANNOYING, sounds like something has a sh** load of play in it, and the harder I accelerate the louder it rattles.

I removed the trim panel under the wheel and searched around and can't find anything, I can't recreate the noise when banging my fist on that area.
It just started randomly one day a few years ago and has been doing it ever since.

 

Just a thought, could it be the steering wheel knuckle / u joint that attaches the steering shaft to the gear box under the hood?

 

I've got a rattle, don't think it's as loud as you describe, in the dash piece above the instrument cluster. I 'solved' it by putting a small piece of plastic between it and the main dash piece. These dumb little noises are annoying.

 

If it is that, how would I verify it? Am I looking for play in that area ?

 

That would be my thought, have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth and look for play at the joint. I saying this only to eliminate that. I'm thinking front end area because you feel it thru the steering colum.

 

I don't feel it through the wheel, I forgot to mention that. Everything feels normal. That's why I was thinking it could be the ignition cylinder components or something