SWilliams
Full Access Member
The pedal getting harder as you drive isn't going to be the parking brakes. Even if they were dragging they cannot self apply. However a bad master cylinder or rubber line can cause this as both can block fluid return to the reservoir. This will cause the hard pedal because the fluid expands and as it does it applies the brakes at both ends and also pushes the piston in the master cylinder back harder. From the description and the way the rear brakes are the ones locking up (you didn't mention the fronts being a problem) I would look at the front system first, the reason being that if it was a bad rear flex line, the rear brakes would apply, but because the hose is between them and the master cylinder the fluid pressure won't get to the master cylinder and cause it to get hard. So that leaves the front brake system with a bad master cylinder being the most likely. The next step is to drive it until the brakes get stiff, now go to the brake lines and crack the lines just until fluid leaks out. Do the brakes release? If yes it's a bad master cylinder.