I also have that cracking noise in my VW Golf (model AFN), manufactured in 1997, which has sport springs.
According to my workshop, the cracking sound is caused by the springs somehow twisting or something similar. Apparently, it doesn't matter .
hello,
"It's possible that the described car has steering stops between the lower steering arm and the suspension strut. Applying a small amount of grease there might work wonders. When these components are pressed tightly together under full lock by the power steering, and then the suspension moves, many vehicles experience loud cracking noises."
Good luck!