Civic Mk.7 Steering / Dashboard Creak?

[dr_gn]

All, I’ve got a 2000 Mk.7 Civic with 77k on it. Only a couple of owners, very good condition.

There’s an annoying creak from the dashboard area, seems somehow linked to the steering, and when going over potholes/speed bumps. It’s a bit like a metal on hard plastic noise or perhaps a ‘springy’ type of creak as if something is stick- slipping.

I’ve seen some vague references to it on forums, and it being a common issue - a steering bush, or the electric rack. If this is correct - what exactly is it and what’s the cure?

Thanks.