Nissan Repair: Nissan Sentra brakes, nissan sentra, vacuum line

Question
I just bought a used 1993 Sentra (no ABS). After a few days, I noticed that
after driving for a while, the brake pedal would become increasingly stiffer,
with very little play in it. It got worse over the course of a few days, until there
was no perceptable play in the pedal, and I finally realized that the brakes
were not releasing... I was actually driving with the brakes applied. I took it to
a garage while the condition was set in. The lug nuts were too hot to handle
when the front wheels were removed, and the brake fluid was smoking when
released. The front calipers would not retract when the fluid was released.
The mechanic replaced the calipers and the master cylinder. He identified the
calipers as the cause, but I wasn't buying that... I saw the calipers' condition
as a symptom, rather than a cause. I speculated that the springs had lost
their temper due to the heat. Anyway, the problem has returned. The only
components that are left are the vacuum line check valve and the booster. I
don't really know anything about brake systems... but it seems to me that in
an application like that there must be a bleed orifice somewhere, which is
apparently clogged. So... where is it? Booster? Check valve? Something else,
that I (or the mechanic) haven't thought of?

The condition sets up gradually, and relieves itself after the car has been
sitting, and cold for a while. I'm presently driving with the vacuum line
disconnected and plugged, so stopping the crate can be an adventure
sometimes. I'd sure like to get it fixed without having to cherry-pick the
whole system.

Waddaya think? (Thanks, in advance.)

Answer
Philip,

There is a rod that applies the brakes when you press them.  This is inside the firewall and connects to the brake pedal.  If the master cylinder is removed.  Do not take the lines off.  And pulled forward you can see the rod.  There is an adjustment on the rod.  It should be shortened as it is applying the brakes since it is too tight.  The red can be shortened by screwing the end back in.  You will need a wrench and vice grips to hold the rod.  One turn and then check to see if the brakes stop hanging and if not repeat the process until there is enough play.