Rubbing sound from wheels when car is cold

[gwinder]

Last year during the winter after a 2 hour highway drive, as I exited on the off ramp I would hear and feel a grinding noise from the wheels as if the brake pads had froze on the disc. After a little while it would go away. Then all through the summer, no issues.
On Thursday, I went to St. Louis and as I came off the highway, I got the same noise again. Is it possible the brake fluid loses its viscosity when cold? The 02 X5 has 120K miles and as far as I know the fluid has never been changed?

Thanks

GW

[X5SND]

Does it change/go away when you step on the brakes?

[Gregory891]

What version of car do you have? Ideally everyone on the Xoutpost should put year, model, transmission & fuel type in their signature, makes it much easier to help others.

I wouldn't assume that the brake fluid is 100% linked to the noise.

First: brake (and clutch if you a car with a manual transmission) should be changed every two years. Normally the car has a service reminder (time based), if activated. European X5 (E53) do, not sure for a US or Canadian version. Do this regardless.

As for noise, you mentioned the noise while driving on an off ramp. I'd suggest that this would indicate something in an outer CV joint. Is your noise front or rear? Is is with your foot on the brakes or not braking? Do you have the noise in a left off ramp or a right off ramp? Lower the windows a bit and repeat. Is it left front or right front corner (my guess)?