Noise when accelerating after sitting 8 months then replacing the rack and pinion?

My car was sitting at the dealership for 8 months waiting for them to get a rack and pinion. (Previously my car was making a clicking noise that was getting progressively louder and they replaced the steering column and then this trying to solve it. It’s been frustrating given the low mileage of a typically reliable car.)

I finally got my car back today and it was immediately making an unusual noise when accelerating. It’s hard to describe but it is louder than it should be and almost sounds like it’s struggling. If I accelerate really slowly, it doesn’t happen, but it can be heard if stepping a bit firmer on the gas.

I’m concerned there is an issue from my car sitting for so long. They reassured me they checked everything before giving it back to me, but I’d like some other feedback on if this is unusual noise (and not just me forgetting what my car sounds like), and maybe some possible causes for it before I reach out to them tomorrow and have to take it back in yet again.