Honda: 97 Honda CRV Cold Problem, honda crv, temperature dips

Question
Hi - I'm running a 1997 Honda CRV with 163,000 miles on it.  The vehicle runs well with no problems whatsoever until the temperature dips down to below freezing.  When it gets really cold outside I have the following problems.  I experience a hard rhythmic knocking or thumping which seems to emanate from somewhere near the front driver's side wheel. You can feel it in the steering wheel and it only happens when applying acceleration.  If you were in cruise control it would begin banging as soon as you started up any incline on the freeway and then completely cease when you reached the top of the hill and started down.  The car runs fine all year but feels like it's going to fall apart when the winter temperatures dip.  It does it at all speeds, even from a standing start.  Any pressure on the gas pedal will set it in motion.  I've described it to the local Honda dealers and they are completely stumped.  Sometimes it feels like something is popping out of place when I start from a stop and sometimes it feels like something has popped back into place.  I've had the guys at Honda look at the front end, but they don't see anything physically wrong.  What do you think?

Answer
The temperature needing to be below freezing is baffling. Is there any chance you are running a different wheel and tire (snow tires) in the cold weather? Inspect the u-joint and support bearing for the driveshaft. You may have to completely remove the driveshaft for diagnosis. I have seen the inner c/v joints cause a vibration when under a load.