What is the reason for the sudden creaking sound when driving a BMW X5?
2 Answers
Abnormal noises in a car are manifestations or precursors of car faults. Types of car abnormal noises: Car abnormal noises include engine abnormal noise, clutch abnormal noise, transmission abnormal noise, main reducer abnormal noise, suspension system abnormal noise, brake abnormal noise, steering abnormal noise, and body abnormal noise, among others. Abnormal noises in a car are abnormal phenomena and are manifestations or precursors of car faults. If a car produces abnormal noises, it must be due to abnormal operation or damage in a certain part. Therefore, once abnormal noises occur, car owners must conduct an inspection. Tire abnormal noise: If there is a dull "thud" sound, it may be due to deformation, bulging, severe wear, or insufficient air pressure of the tire tread; if there is a "ticking" sound, it may be due to small stones stuck in the tire tread; if there is a sound of metal collision inside the tire while driving, caused by damage to the shock absorber or bearing, it is advisable to promptly go to a 4S store for inspection and repair.
I recently encountered a similar issue with my BMW X5 – it suddenly started making a grating metal-on-metal sound. This noise is most likely the brake pad wear indicator alerting you that replacement is needed. BMW brake pads are designed with metal wear indicators that scrape against the rotor when the pads reach their wear limit. Of course, pebbles stuck in tire treads can also make noise, but that sound tends to be sharper; if it's a chassis component issue, the sound would be more muffled and heavy. From my experience, first check the brake pad thickness – if it's below 3mm, replacement is necessary (you'll need to remove the wheel for proper inspection). Driving with less aggressive braking can extend pad life, but when issues arise, get them fixed promptly to avoid damaging the brake rotors.
