On my 2003 chevy truck. Everytime I drive down a rough road this thing sounds like it's about to fall apart. Ive tried to look at everything behind each wheel and nothing seems loose. Shocks? Tie rods? Help! It's driving me nuts!

Heat shield?

Doesn't seem to be the heat shield.

If it's a loud clunking and the intermediate steering shaft hasn't been fixed, it will make all kinds of noise..sometimes you can feel it in the steering wheel..
The part that is actually loose is where the shaft is splined together

Ive checked every shaft to the steering system and nothing, not even close to being loose. Ive read something about a torsion bar bushing being worn out on some vehicles, would this be on a two wheel drive too?

the loose is inside, where they come together..the grease goes away and they bang..

believe me, if its never been fixed it is/will be a problem...

google... Chevrolet Intermediate Steering Shaft..

Kingdad101 you are definitely correct on the GM steering problem. I just cant imagine the noise Im hearing would be the steering shaft. It really really sounds like something in the suspension.

Check the sway bar links, my front end sounded like it was falling apart, the driver side link had broken

Ball joints?

I cant even begin to count how many intermediate shafts I replaced over the past 5-6 years at the dealership

dad drives 04 d-max
brother drives 05 d-max
mom drives 06 tahoe

All have the steering shaft rattle, I hate driving in them.

I jacked up the front drivers side letting all the weight off the suspension and everything seemed tight except for the brake caliper and rotor(wheel off). It does move a bit and makes noise, could this be just from the wheel being off and not holding the rotor tight? On the intermediate shafts, would you hear the noise inside or out? I only hear it on the outside.

I do believe I found the problem! I just drove down the bumpiest road in the county and when I pressed on the brakes the noise stopped. This is probably due to the shade tree brake job I did a few months back! Thanks everyone for your input!

Check the Brake claiper bolts.
I had the same problem this weekon my 2002 Ranger. For the last week it was rattling on the right front I also went under to check the tie rods ect. could not find a problem. Going to work Mon. I hit the brakes and a very bad vibration started I limped home jacked up the truck and wend under I grabbed the braked caliper and pulled on it and it rotated completely up.
The bottom bolt had come out so when I hit the brakes, vibration.Now understand that the noise was with me for over a week I guess the bolt was barelely in thus the rattling noise.Then when it came out, bad news, The brake calipers should not move or wobble. Torque the bolts to spec.I was very blessed to make it home I just stayed in the far right lane used engine and tranny to slow down. Lot of nice people waving while I was going below the speed limit, LOL.
Tom H

Yep, been there. I couldnt figure out what the heck that noise was comming from until i realised that i didnt get the caliper bolts on one side all the way tight and the caliper was vibrating on every bump. I first thought a shock went bad.