1996 Subaru Impreza steering column noise

Noises problem
1996 Subaru Impreza 4 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic 216K miles

I had already donated when I originally became a member but was unable to find my unsername and pswd info to log in so I had to re-register as a new member. The issue was a noise in the steering column. The answer to your previous questions about changing speeds or when she applied her brakes is no. It is rhymic, and steady. It is intermittent. The noise can best be described as a clunking or thumping sound that sounds as if it is something going around like a baloon on a tire hitting up against a fender would make. It is under the steering column. The car does not have to be moving for it to start. It will also do it if you switch the ignition to accessories. It does it sometimes at startup, car in park, it starts sometimes after the car has been running for sometime. Sometimes it stops on its own, and other times it continues until my daughter reaches her destination. It does not do it all the time. I detect no transference from her transaxle or her steering box, it is coming from under and inside her steering column. You said this would be a good one. Any ideas?