My 97 a8 goes into reverse, but when you put it in drive, it seems like it wants to go, but feel like something has all the tire locked,

There's something seriously wrong in the transfer case or controls. It seems the rear driveshaft is locked up, and the front wheels are driving. The driver's side rear tire is skidding because it's trying to turn backward - rear passenger rear tire is going forward and rear differential has no option but to turn the driver tire in reverse (driveshaft locked). DON'T TRY TO DRIVE IT. Get it checked out and fixed.

check for bad drive shaft bearings are there any lights on the dash like check engine light etc?please get your car to the dealer after what you said about the ck engine light you should of never bouht this car with those lit up you have a more serious problem shiela please do it this week worry bout you take care

Your transmission needs to be repaired. This is going to be at a starting point of 1700.00 and cap off at about 2300.00.

sounds like something binning in the transmission or axle system

My guess would be the transmission because of it rolling in park.

what are the codes. sounds like 1 or 2 of your shift control solenoids in the transmission are bad

Sounds as if the gears may be broken in the rear axle, the front axle will pull the car if in four wheel drive but when in 2 wheel drive only the rear axle pulls. Get the back tires off the ground and turn the rear end by the wheels. You may or may not hear any noise but if it is in park it you should feel some resistance if the gears are in good shape, will likely turn freely or lock up completely in spots if the gears are broken.

It sounds like you may have a brake caliper sticking (if the issue is really coming from the front). Does it pull in one direction? One way to check is to jack the front end up and try to spin each tire by hand. They should turn relatively freely. Another possibility, and more likely from your description, is that the rear emergency / parking brake may be frozen. Drum brakes, by nature, do a better job of holding the vehicle from rolling forward. If your emergency / parking brake is engaged, either frozen or inadvertently left on, I would expect the symptoms you describe- moving in reverse, but not forward. You can check this the same way- jack up the rear end of the vehicle, put it in neutral, and try spinning the rear tires by hand.

Assuming your vehicle is a 4x4, a less likely scenario is that something's gone awry in the transfer case, front differential, axles, hubs.

Good luck.

Make sure your lugs are tightened down all the way. Also, be sure that even though they are tight, the wheel is put on straight. I would check your bearings as well, just to be sure it isn't something more serious.

Sounds like your brake calipers are locking up your tires.I had a friend with the same car that had the same problem the next stop you should make is the auto shop.I would not drive any more until you get them looked at.Its not really the car that's warming up its your brakes one way that you can tell is if you smell a really strong odor coming from your brakes.When you put it in reverse your unlocking the brakes from the drum or disc.