Has anyone else experienced a creaking or groaning noise from steering column parts within the cabin?

Mine has has this since I obtained it, kind of intermittent, but can often be heard at lock on slow manouver..ie parking,, never at speed

I lubed the tilt adjuster some time ago, which seemed to quieten, but not cure the noise

Dont want to spray lube to try and quiet it, without some advise first about likely cause

Not so long ago, one another make of vehicle, it had an upper & lower bush between inner & outer steer columns.
These were worn out, and to replace meant a steer column R&R and strip right down. Hoping this is not the scenario

 

My steering column makes a screech or meowing sound from time to time, no
rhyme or reason to when it happens. It started after a year ago when I hit a diagonal
rut at night too hard while I was really tired and hanging on the wheel. I heard a
loud crack sound and the steering wheel started to have a little axial play. My mechanic
took it apart as much as he could and said the top bearing seems to be broken in
some way. He put it back together and it drives OK. It passed inspection. I don't
notice the slop anymore and it steers fine.

I haven't tried lubing it and I don't see what harm that could do. You would have to
disconnect the battery and be careful taking it apart to not set off the airbag.

I guess I'm saying that if all you have is the noise, it is not something to be concerned
about. If someone hears it and looks at you funny, just say "excuse me. "

 

that is kind of where I am at.

There is no obvious fore-aft play, although it sounds like pressure in that plane might cause the sound

will double-check the FSM & Parts manual. I did not see a discussion of upper bearing. Not stripping the column unless its unavoidable

Hoping someone has previously been able to identify the cause