I have a 96 accord with ~125k miles. Each time I put the car in either drive or reverse, I hear a popping sound the first time I press the brakes but never again until I switch it out of the current gear into the other (reverse or drive). I can also feel it in the brake pedal. It seems like it is coming from the passenger side.
So, fFor example, I start my car in the morning, put it in reverse to back out of the driveway, I hear the pop as soon as I apply the brakes. Then switch I into drive and will hear the pop the first time the brakes are applied. It won't happen again, stopping at lights or whatever but if I stop and change back to reverse and then it will happen once again etc...

Anyne have any thoughts?

Thank You

 

does your steering wheel vibrate also? I'm thinking that the axle was not seated correctly on passenger side?

 

75aces pointed out that it could be axle related, which I agree, if it was the engine mounts they would make noise everytime the transmission shifted. But pop the hood and verify that the engine does not jump or move excessively when shifting from R to D.

Have one person in the car and place the car from R to D and D to R, see if you can locate the noise by looking around and under the car. If its an axle, have your helper turn the steering wheel full lock so you can see if it is the axle popping.

Look at all components. A worn suspension bushing can also cause noises when the load paths change. If the strut rod bushing is loose it would cause quite a bit of noise, but it would also allow the wheel to move considerably fore/aft.

Compare left and right sides.

 

2 long shots 1 brake pads moving in the hanger 2 one of the mounts is sticking and pops when direction is changed I have seen both

 

Thanks all! No vibration in the steering wheel and no excessive movement to the engine.
No noise while shifting between D and R. the popping only heard/felt when I hit the brakes the first time (and only the first time) braking after each gear. First time I hit the brakes after being in R, then again the first time I hit the brakes after being in drive. Then not again unless I go back to R.

This occurring only when braking makes it hard for me to see what is going on underneath. Nothing pops when I just sho\ift, move the wheels or brake while stationary.

 

Does it feel like something is going to break? I would look at your lower ball joint.

 

I can feel it in the brake pedal. Sometimes it is sort of soft and not very loud, others it's stronger and louder. It's almost like something is snapping in or out of place

 

I get that too sometimes on my s13.

I'm thinking it may be slightly loose at the upper front pillow ball mounts...

Or one of the bolts in the knuckles.

 

My old integra did this. I sold it before I could fix it. I think it was either an axle or a ball joint. Good luck hope u figure it out.

 

Thanks for all the responses. One of the bolts was loose on the front right rotor.

 

Can you please tell me which bolt? Cause i have the same issue as you described in a honda civic 2002 and i cant find any solution for this. Thank you.

 

Civic does not have hub over rotor design the 90-97 Accords have. Solution is not applicable to your car.

 

That's crazy this has happened in my 06 accord since we've had it, about 60k now, and it's been to dealer several times and they never find anything. I've just gotten used it...