'08 Mazda Tribute front end noise diagnosis nightmare
 

I have a 2008 Mazda Tribute with 93k miles on it. These last few years have been a nightmare. The car is constantly in the shop. I’ve been trying to diagnose and repair front end problems. Recently, I had my tires rotated and balanced. New sound: Now I’m having loose play in my steering wheel and a loud clicking/creaking sound when I turn the wheel at low speeds or attempting to parallel park. Ongoing sound: the car makes a tight creaking noise when I stop at low speeds. This sounds like something is tightening or screechy brakes. Here’s all of the repairs that I’ve done to the vehicle:

46,000 (11/16/12) Replaced entire right-front CV axle.

52,201 (3/10/13) Replaced front brake pads and rotors. Replaced both front sway bar links.

58,602 (7/10/13) Replaced both front control arms, serpentine belt, and tensioner/pulley for belt.

66,257 (3/23/14) Transmission fluid changed, leaking value seals replaced, spark plugs + wires changed.

81,258 (8/16/15) All four tires replaced with new ones.

84,797 (9/12/15) New front brake pads (ceramic), rotors serviced.

86,391 (10/5/15) Both front struts replaced, both outer tie-rods replaced, wheel alignment performed.

91,308 (1/12/16) Both front ball joints replaced. Both front wheel bearings replaced.

93,744 (3/5/16) Tires rotated and balanced.

I’m running out of things to fix on the front suspension of this vehicle it’s extremely frustrating. I’m nervous to drive on freeways at high speeds because the steering is wobbly but I don’t know how to fix it. Any ideas?

Here's a youtube video where you can hear the noise. Note the "play" in the wobbly steering wheel when the video first starts.

I would take it to a mechanic that specializes in front end work or a tire service centre as it could be the steering rack or the column bearing, or even the inner rack ends

Mazda has a TSB for this concern. Mazda Number 06-002/10. The repair is for the steering column shaft and knuckle replacement.

UPDATE: Here's a new video
You can see the dark brown/dark rust colored thing looks like it should have a cap or a bushing on it.

It looks like the u-joint. Does anyone know if I can replace just that joint or does the whole driveshaft need to be replaced?

Those bolts should undo and just be held with splines to the 2 sides of the shaft, should be able to just buy the uni joint unit or maybe even just the cross and roller union but would like to know why the bearing cap has fallen out

UPDATE: The steering linkage coupler (looks like a universal joint) was replaced. However, there was still play in the steering wheel. As a result, the entire rack and pinion steering had to be replaced.