Just bought a 88 IX, front end is catching

[R1ckM]

So I picked up a 88 IX today, it has a low mileage engine that got put in it about a year ago. The car starts great, runs fine. Only issues are a whiny power steering pump and the front end seems to be having some trouble...

While taking off from a stop the front wheels seem to have some resistance on them. It feels like its coming mostly from the passenger side front end.
You can feel that the wheel isn't rotating smoothly and has some resistance.
When you accelerate past like 15 mph things seem to smooth out a bit.

I just got it tonight and it was dark out so I didn't get a good look at anything.

Any ideas on what may be a good starting point to look at?

[audiquattrot]

Sticky calipers?

Did u check the powersteerimg fluid levels to see if it's low? If it is it will cause the pump to whine/groan

[R1ckM]

Yeah, the power steering res looked like 3/4 empty. I will put some in soon as a I get a chance. I left it in the private parking lot and will have to come back and get the car. Didn't want to drive it 40 miles home if it had a big issue.

Hopefully just a wheel bearing maybe???

The brakes seemed to work fine and I didn't notice any of the grabbing while in neutral but it was my 1st time taking it for a spin. Either way I got a nice deal on it for sure which was nice. They lady spent 3k on getting the new engine in it and just got tired of shelling out money once this issue pop'd up.
It was her back up car so she decided to cut her loses.

[The Dark Side of Will]

Drive it around using minimal braking and see if the left front brake is hotter than the right front... that'll tell you if the brakes are dragging.

[alloydix]

Could also be the cv joints in the front axles. I recently refreshed mine and the whole front end of the car was way quieter after. Also felt much smoother.

[R1ckM]

Since I don't have time this week to get it on a lift and scope everything out I had a buddys import shop is a block away from where it was parked.
Hes had a handful of bmws , e30s, ix.
Hopefully I get some good news.
If it needs a new transfercase then I will probably put it up for sale.
From driving it though I don't think thats the issue at all.
I think since it had a engine put in it that the shop may have left it with something lose or no set right.

[R1ckM]

Well after checking over everything, putting it on a lift and getting a professional 2nd opinion.
The tires on it were bad and starting to egg on the fronts.
Going to just get a new set of tires and that should solve the problem. Really made out like a bandit on this one.