another civic with grinding front end noise

I think mine's a different front end noise then the other thread.

I bought a 99 Civic EX several months ago and about 4000 miles ago. Since I've had it, it has had a dull grinding noise (very low pitched) accompanied by what feels like a hindrance in take-off when I drive it. This only occurs after the car has been sitting for a while, after at least an hour of sitting. It seems to be coming from the front end. Once I've "driven through" the short-lived (only a second long) noise and loosened or freed up whatever is making the noise and holding the car up, it won't do it again while I'm driving. But if I let the car sit for a little while it'll happen again.

The grinding doesn't seem to happen when the car is going reverse, but when I start pulling forward after backing out of the garage or parking space, there it is again. No relation to steering or braking from what I can tell. It happens if I'm steering right, left, or straight. The car seems to brake and steer very well and really has no other problems from what I can tell. I don't think the car has been in a wreck, it had a clean carfax report.

Any ideas? I doubt I'll be able to fix it myself, I just don't want to look like an idiot when I go to the mechanic.

Thanks ahead of time for any help.