Bicycle Mechanics - brake adjustment

ok so when i release both brakes, they don't spring back all the way to the original position. in the front, only one side springs back and the other side stays against the rim and rubs. is the problem in the handle adjustments, in the cable tension, the little arms, or in the little springs in the brakes?

(brakes are shimano pro-max)

It could be a number of different things.

Start with the easy stuff. Put a drop of oil on the moving parts of your brakes.

If that doesn't work, check your brake cables. They can get corroded, bent and just plain uncooperative. when you take the cables from the housing, inspect the cable. Does it look clean and straight or worn? If it looks OK, you can lubricate it with grease (lubricate only if yours is a single sleeve cable. The better cables with multiple housings don't need lubrication).

Most probably your brake has become dirty or corroded because of all the water, grime, grit, and salt that gets flung onto the brakes. If none of the lubricating hints work, take your brakes apart, clean them, lubricate the moving areas, and reassemble.

Good luck.

I'm not sure about those brakes, but on my old MTB there were screws on each side which increased/decreased spring tension. You might try increasing the tension on the side that stays in and decreasing the side that returns normally.