Easiest check is to jack up each rear wheel (be sure to chock the other wheel, and maybe even the front wheels) and check for it binding when rotated.  Any serious drag could indicate a hung parking brake cable. 

Brake shoes worn completely down to the metal can make this noise when they cut into the drum.  Might be worth a trip to a good brake shop to check this out.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Neil2
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2016 9:38 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Mystery cable (?) sound

I just completed a 2,200m trek in my '90 Westy and other than a few holes hit too fast on an asphalt road it went without any undue wear and tear.
Noticed yesterday that when I start from a dead stop (99% OTT) and just this morning while making a left turn into a parking space at slow speed I hear what sounds like a cable catching or popping past something it catches on.  I did use the emer brake one overnight on an incline (rearward) with a sleeper above and below but nothing seemed amiss the next morning.  When the rain slows I will examine all cables I can find belowdecks but wondered if anyone recognizes the symptoms.  I am not comfortable with them knowing they could portend trouble involving safety.

Please/Thanks!

--
Neil2
'82 Diesel Westfalia (Ducky)
'86 Vanagon (SaVannah)
'08 170" 2500 Mega Roof Sprinter (Moby)
'90 Westfalia Subagon
Fulltiming since August 2008
Nunquam Pendite Divendium