Sorry to even mention the "T" word here, but ya'll are the best technicians I know!!
2000 model Toyota Solara (same as Camry). Problem: both front brake calipers won't release, making going down the road difficult! LOL

I have pulled both fronts and pushed the pucks back in twice now, and get the same result: good for a mile using different braking styles (hard or soft, backing up too) and then, once I sit with my foot on the brake for a minute (as if at a light), the fronts won't retract.

I MUST get this thing resolved today!! I'm thinking it's NOT the prop. valve, as that would probably affect both front and rears...is this the master that's bad? Ideas?

Thanks in advance, gurus!!

BC

 

I'm no brake expert, but I seem to remember some folks having an issue with non-releasing calipers and it relating to the brake hose breaking down internally. It would allow fluid through to apply brakes, but would collapse and prevent the caliper from releasing. The outside of the hose looked like normal wear and hid the internal damage. Both sides at once? I dunno...
Back to morning brew. . .

 

First step would be to replace the hoses but since both sides did it at once the problem may lie deeper.

 

I have seen a fair number of calipers freeze up on those but only ONE that I can recall needing hoses due to internal collapse/restriction. Easy check tho, get the veh. to the state where the brakes are dragging, then crack a bleeder screw, if the wheel free`s up it`s probably the hose, if it`s still tight then the caliper piston is stuck.

 

Possible something else got added to the brake master (petrolium based)? If there is a rubber seal on the master cap inspect it and see if it's softened due to brake fluid contamination. If you find it "marshmallowed" due to contamination that is what happened to your seals in your front calipers and they are swelled and hanging up. Check the fluid in the master by hand. Shouldn't be "oily" at all (hard to explain....one of those "mechanic feel" things). Assuming nothing has been changed as of recent....booster, master, brake job, etc... Sometimes this contamination can take a while to show signs. I had one that made it from Minnesota all the way to AZ in a weeks travel time before the front brakes started hanging up and burning.