The best way is to remove the column and address the issue. But a good quick fix that will eliminate this noise completely is to modify a strut bumper stop, slice it open lengthwise. Remove the dashcover to get to the black plastic sleeve covering the steering column just above the iss bolt and remove the black sleeve(slice it open lengthwise if it is virgin). Slip the modified bumper stop around the steering shaft and slide it up the exposed steering column as high and tight as possible against the bearing (this is important to remove all the excess play in the steering rod). Tie wrap the bumper in place. the take a 2in. long piece of rubber hose, also slice it lengthwise and place it behind the bumper. Slide the piece of rubber hose up as high and tight as possible behind the bumper and tie wrap it in place. This is to keep the bumper from sliding down at all (otherwise it will allow the play in the column to re-surface) So far not a peep form the steering column...over some very uneven, cracked rough roads, that caused me noise before.
If I remove the whole steering column in the future I will still use the bumper stop and rubber hose thingy. but then they can just be slid on instead of sliced. I like this because completely eliminates excess play, safely. The collapsible steering rods will always have a spring action by design, but the play I'm referring to is excess beyond that.
Another modification(borrowed from our off-road friends) could be a grease fitting in the ISS, but unlike a truck ISS, there is limited space and the covers will restrict any access to an added grease fitting-- but covers can be modified
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...but it is still open, I will get some pics over the weekend.
