Screeching sound from brakes?
 

I am noticing since a week that when I apply brakes and the car comes to a dead stop, the brakes produce a loud screeching sound. This happens only in rainy weather or after I wash my car. The sounds goes away once the weather is dry. Braking while driving to slow the car, does not produce this sound, its only when the car stops completely.

I researched a little and found that it could be a problem with the rotor or the brake pads. I have driven my car for about 20000miles. Does anyone know if it is time for me to replace the pads and/or rotors? Could it be due to something else? I just put on after market wheels and spacers on my car and I am not sure if that could result in this sound or is it just a coincidence. :confused:

Mine did the same thing. Yours will get worse until it screeches every time you apply the brakes. BMW has a problem with the brake sensor/pad. Take it in and they will replace the sensor and pads stating that a new design is out shortly and they'll replace with something that doesn't make this noise once it comes out. i think this was a big problem on the 5 series or 7 series, and doesn;t affect many X5s, but alas, it does a few. I bet yours is a 2007 - mine is.

Mine is 2008, haven't heard this screeching sound before, it started happening all of a sudden last week. Let me check with the dealer.
I hope they replace it without charging me anything...

try some hard braking from speed first... it should go away on its own if it's the same thing many have seen.

It always goes away after couple of hours once I guess the pads are dry. After I drive in the rain, the sound comes back.:(

The dealer used cleaned my rotors with scotch brite and the sounds has reduced now. But the brake do occasionally screech in rain. The dealer told me that its the first time this has happened in an X and they'll probably have to take out all the rotors and brake pads and clean them thoroughly.
Has anyone experienced this? Do you know after how many miles does BMW replaces the rotors and brake pads under warranty?

No specific miles. The dealer replaces them under the free maintenance plan when they wear-out, i.e., when the brake sensor on the dash indicates they have reached their wear limit.

I had this problem, it was the brake sensor/pad. The dealer replaced them and no more issues.

my fronts began squealing at around 36k miles. Dealer replaced rotors, pads and sensors.

FYI, my idrive thing said i had another 15k miles before replacement.

ask your dealer to physically check the brake pads and rotors for tolerances.

i'm not so sure i would buy into the whole "cleaning thing" too many times.

if they are scrubbing your rotors to remove deposits, i would guess you have glazed the pads and they are trying to get new material transfer from the pads to the rotors.

do you spend a inordinate amount of time in stop and go traffic?

do you rest your left foot on the brake pedal while you drive?

My answer is 'no' to both your questions. I'll go to the dealer this week to see what he has to say...