Posted by MT Bob on April 07, 1999 at 11:23:38:
In Reply to: Re: Now it's the brakes posted by Paul Cook on April 06, 1999 at 20:33:01:
I certainly agree with Paul the most likely culprit is the master cylinder. There are also two other areas which I have seen cause somewhat similar symptoms. A broken or severely weakened shoe return spring can allow a shoe to drag, with the resultant heat causing a closely adjusted brake to actually apply itself. This application results in more thermal expansion and consequently more brake until lockup or meltdown is achieved. BRAKE RETURN SPRING - NAPA 80179
The other area of possibility is quite rare, (as in I saw this once about twenty years ago). A rubber brake line had begun to break down inside and a rubber flap had developed. This flap worked as a one way check valve. Pressure from the master cylinder would push the brake fluid past the flap but fluid would be prevented from returning when the pedal was released. It was of course not a perfect seal and after things cooled down the brake system would return to normal. To make matters worse a single light brake application would seldom cause a noticeable problem while a series of light applications or one hard application would often (but not always) cause the brakes to remain applied after the pedal had been released.
Good luck.