Brakes don't release when I let up on the pedal. I can let up on the pedal just as the car is coming to a stop, and it will still come to a complete stop and settle back on the rear end.

After a second or two, they gradually release. Got home tonight, put car in neutral with engine running, and pushed the car a foot. Then I got one leg in the car and applied the brakes, let up, and tried pushing the car. It wouldn't budge for a few seconds and then began rolling.

Anybody else ever run into this?

I'll make sure my brake pedal linkage isn't sticking, but beyond that all I can think of is master cylinder or proportioning valve.

89 firefird automatic.

 

rubber brake hose going bad, first sign, then it slowly gets worse and worse, problem is they look fine from outside for 100s of years, but its the internal rubber linner comes lose and what does it.

2 in front, 1 in rear. $10-15 each

 

a common problem with ALL older vechicles . the brake flex lines collapse inside . they then act like a check valve . replace them & bleed brakes . front brake lines are keyed lt. & rt. at brackets where they join hard lines . happens to " ALL " older vechicles . good luck .

 

Ah yes, ancient brake lines.... the one that hadn't occured to me. One more thing to fix on it. Thanks for the info.

(I need to hurry up and find a newer 4th gen so I can park the 89 and start tinkering on all the little things and maybe possibly start prepping for paint some day. Pull a few dents, add the body parts I want, etc)

 

Just replaced my front lines, still does it.

 

Make sure the 2 caliper bolts are lubed really well with some brake grease and also the rubber grommets they slide in. Mine does this as well, not to the extent you're describing but its worth a shot. Be liberal with the grease.

 

Don't forget the rear hose at the middle of the rear axle. Also, one more thing that can cause slow release of brakes is badly contaminated fluid. As the fluid returns to the master cyl, it has to pass through a small orifice that only opens when the master is fully seated. Thick, dirty fluid will return through this orfice slowly. If your fluid is dark, flush it.