(2003 X) I started hearing a rubbing, almost grinding-like noise when I was braking (not always, maybe about half the time under medium-heavy braking) and assumed it was time to change the pads. I got the most expensive EBC pads (lime green, of all colors) 7000 series. (they still had some pad left on all of them. Rotors seemed fine, nothing out of the ordinary other than a layer of rust on the outside paremiter of the disks which I tapped off with the handle of a screw driver. My X lives outside.) Installed new pads with no problems and everything felt good until the next day when that same exact sound started coming back, again about 50% of the time under med-hard braking. Doesn't matter if it's straight line or corner braking. No pulsing or wheel shaking while braking. It's been about 4 weeks now with no real change either better or worse.

Any thoughts? bearings? front transfer case?

Thanks all,
-Steve