I bought my '98 Accord LX in December. There were several issues with the front end (pretty obviously it took a hit on the right front side sometime in the past), but they were mostly resolved and I had a fairly decent driving experience with her.

Then come June-July, and the weather gets good; so good that some days are actually hot. The car starts to give out cracking (sharp knocking) noises coming from the front (and I think left) side. It mostly happens when it is hot outside. It happens in two circumstances (mostly, but not always):

1) when torque is applied or taken away: when starting from a stop (either forward or backward). Mostly when the steering is away from center (the way I have to get out and park into my underground parking spot).

2) when driving in town at 50-60 km/h. The road surface is somewhat bumpy, plus the engine accelerates or decelerates the car often (which happens because the flow of the traffic doesn't happen at an even speed). It doesn't happen (or at least not audible) when I drive on the highway at around 80-90 km/h. It doesn't happen (or at least not audible) when I constantly accelerate or decelerate the car on straightaways.

I took the car to a shop where they lifted it up, lifted up the front end (so the front wheels were in the air) and used a crowbar on the front suspension to try to see if anything is loose. They couldn't find anything: I was told that nothing is obviously loose and the car is safe to drive.

This cracking aggravates me to no end: not a loud crack or something which I can feel very strongly, but there's something definitely snapping sometimes. If anyone has any ideas, I would greatly appreciate them.

 

I have similar issues, so am following this thread. Not finding anything loose enough to muscle, but the uneven pavement where I park sure proves there's an issue. Don't notice anything heat related, but it's never really cold here, either.

 

Again, don't want to sound like a broken record and this might not be your issue but if "everything" checks out (struts, ball joints, sway bar links/bushings, control arm bushings, radius rod, ect).

Check the sub frame for cracks. The OP talks in KM, so I'll guess you are in Canada? "Ron", I think you stated you live in OH - both of which have rust issues. IMHO, the 6th gens seem to have an issue with the sub frame rusting on the pass side of the car.......just for giggles, check it.

Also note that a noise can travel in strange ways. You can swear it is in the front but many times it might be coming from the back. I fell for this, had a noise in one of mine (89 LXi coupe) that I would have bet you money was from the front. Checked this, checked that on the front and nothing. One day I listened to myself and checked the rear....sure enough a left/drivers rear trailing arm bushing is the issue. Too bad parts for an old 3rd gen are hard to come by, best I can do is get one from a bone yard and hope it is better than the one on the car.

 

Yeah. I do live in very mild climate, though; rust isn't an issue here.

But the idea that the cracking noise actually comes from the body isn't too far-fetched. The heat-sensitivity of the issue would make sense if it is related some way to the body stretching in hot weather.

For now I'm just going to keep driving; maybe on a hot day when it's cracking more or less reliably I'll take it back to the shop (if I get off early enough from work).

 

I have an '02 Accord, which is the same body style as yours, just changed the front sub-frame which was rusted on the passenger side. This is due to the AC hose expelling its condensate on top of the sub-frame. You could have a crack which is not visible from underneath. Eventually, this sub-frame will break through to see it from the bottom. The heat could cause the metal to expand to put pressure on the metal where its cracked and produce the noise. Try to see the top of the frame by opening the hood and looking into the gaps around the engine (4 cyl. OK, not sure about the V-6).

 

Thanks Lost Again and edcaccord; excellent hints.