mossman77

I've been noticing a loud popping/cracking sound after pulling out of my driveway and upon putting my 2011 TL into drive. It seems to do it after the car has been sitting for a while, but I haven't been paying very close attention. Any ideas?

mossman77

I jacked the car up this evening and think I found the cause of the noise. When I rotate the front wheels back and forth the transaxle clicks from the gears meshing together. I'm assuming this is normal. I checked the axles while holding each wheel tight and there was no play so it seems like the CV joints are okay. So when I switch from reverse to drive in the morning, it must be the gears meshing due to the slop in the transaxle while changing direction.

mossman77

Should have mentioned that the transmission was in park while I rotated the front wheels back and forth.

ReneC

If it was in park then that's the sound of your parking pawl stopping the rotation.

Make sure you're coming to a complete stop before shifting.

It may be wear and tear that increased some tolerances and you're hearing the gaps close up when you shift from neutral to drive and load up the drivetrain.

csmeance

check engine and transmission mounts, also look for play at the inboard joint of the axles to the trans.

mossman77

I shouldn't have used the word "crack". It's more like a click. I bet it's just the brake pads shifting.

Reorge

I have experienced in many Honda/Acura vehicles, a loud "click" or "clack" noise similar to what you describe. I learned several years ago it is the front brake pads shifting within the caliper when shifting into a opposite direction gear or from Park or Neutral. This might be what you are experiencing. See this Acura ServiceNews Article for an explanation.
http://www.urvi.net/forumfiles/SN/B16060F.PDF