Bump/Knock in steering wheel in my 12 Camry SE
 

Hi All,
This issue only occurs when the momentum of the car is changing form braking to accelerating after slowing to almost stopped. I know it's completely unrelated but it reminds me of a bad U joint I had in a old Jeep CJ5. When the torq load on the driveshaft shifted after a rolling stop and then hitting the gas. Obviously I didn't feel a U Joint in the steering wheel but the physics of what caused the two conditions is/was almost identical. My Camry is a 3.5L with 115K miles, with no damage history. I've not found any known rack and pinion issues but my mind keeps drifting to that as a potential. If anyone can give me some insight on what I might be facing it would be really appreciated.
Cheers

To check axles, make left and right 360 sharp turns at slow speeds and listen for popping, grinding, etc.

Any chance the front brake pads or rotors are shifting back and forth with braking and acceleration?

Loose axle nut?