I’ve noticed for several days an intermittent metal grating noise coming from passenger side rear. Normally starts when I slow down to stop, or start up again (about every fifth time). Today it seemed nastier than usual and for a second it felt like the rear wheel had locked up, as I started from a light, then it freed and noise stopped as I picked up speed.

Any thoughts on diagnosing problem will be appreciated.

Thanks
Bill

Rear half shafts?

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1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
1999 Super Duty 7.3L 113k miles
1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD

This car has small brake shoes inside the rear rotor that are the parking brake assembly. Thats where I would look first. Could be worn down to metal on metal. Also I've seen wrong lug bolts used which were too long that can touch the shoes and can cause binding and noise. I presume you know how to remove a rear caliper and slide the rear rotors off? If the rotor wont slide off, you can rotate it and thru one of the stud holes, locate the star adjuster to adjust in the shoes. The shoes and hardware are just smaller versions of 70's era drum brake cars.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.

Mine did the same thing, was a broken parking brake spring.

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

I'm betting on half shaft....jack up the rear end (with jack stands) and check the half shaft boots for cracks. Then remove the wheel, and remove the 13mm bolt inside the hub. Then, using a thick dowel or piece of pipe, tap out the axle from the hub. Then check the CV joint. If it is stiff to move around or has a lot of play in the joint then it needs to be replaced.

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1987 VW Jetta Mk II - Daily Driver
1992 W201 2.3 - sold
1985 W126 380se - sold
1985 W123 OM617.952 - sold
1981 W123 OM617.912 - sold
1986 W201 2.3 - sold
1979 W123 OM 617.912 - sold