Two pump brake pedal

Technical advice Q&A

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basilruler1234
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#1 Two pump brake pedal

Post by basilruler1234 » Wed Apr 22, 2026 11:20 am

Hello, I am hoping for a little advice

I have a two pump brake pedal, first pump goes low and then on the second pump the pedal is at the correct height and hard, and whilst held there it doesn't sag.

I have bled the system extensively, no air.

Brake cylinders are good.

No loss of fluid from the reservoirs.

I have performed the test to exhaust the vacuum tank by repeatedly pressing the pedal, it becomes hard and high, foot on the pedal, start the engine, pedal then drops slightly as expected as the servo assists.

I have ordered a seal repair kit for both the master cylinder and servo, with the above information, which do you think is the likely culprit.

thankyou James.
Series 1 4.2
James Guest
Series 1 4.2 '65

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mgcjag
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#2 Re: Two pump brake pedal

Post by mgcjag » Wed Apr 22, 2026 12:32 pm

Air in the system......old school way to bleed is the way to go.....open nipple...press pedal down and hold it down and close nipple....either use a helper of a length of wood to hold pedal down....release pedal......repeat....do not let the pedal up if a nipple is open...so no pumping....Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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basilruler1234
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#3 Re: Two pump brake pedal

Post by basilruler1234 » Wed Apr 22, 2026 1:04 pm

Yes, this is how I've done it, I've bled the system this way several times, I don't believe there is any air in the system.
James Guest
Series 1 4.2 '65

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Tommd
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#4 Re: Two pump brake pedal

Post by Tommd » Wed Apr 22, 2026 1:22 pm

Air in the system is the first concern.
More details. Does it do it even sitting still without the car moving? How long must one wait from the two pumps that bring the pedal up until the pedal now drops low?
If not air I would suspect a caliper piston is retracting too much. If the problem only occurs while the car is in motion, I would check for a warped rotor that is pushing the pad piston back too far. If it happens without the car in motion, I would check for a caliper piston that is retracting too far due to seals or a messed up retract pin system in the caliper.
Remote possibility a weak rubber hose that expands partially on pressure.
Tom

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basilruler1234
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#5 Re: Two pump brake pedal

Post by basilruler1234 » Wed Apr 22, 2026 1:46 pm

Yes the pedal is the same moving or not and the pedal drops again almost immediately after the pedal is released.
Discs are true, dti check, and checked pad retraction with feeler gauges
James Guest
Series 1 4.2 '65

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John37
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#6 Re: Two pump brake pedal

Post by John37 » Wed Apr 22, 2026 4:38 pm

A sticking brake pad or caliper piston? The first push flexes the disc to meet the non moving pad.

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40GT
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#7 Re: Two pump brake pedal

Post by 40GT » Wed Apr 22, 2026 6:42 pm

You have original calipers?

4 pot, different story.
Sean

S1 2+2 1966 BW RHD
XK120 1954 comp LHD

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madjack4
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#8 Re: Two pump brake pedal

Post by madjack4 » Wed Apr 22, 2026 8:41 pm

Clamp all the flexy brake pipes u should have a solid pedal release one at a time when u release the one that has a problem it will move down a lot more than the rest bleed that one with the other pipes clamped and check that calliper make Shure one piston is not seized and flexing the disc
Rob 1972 s3 roadster
Aston Martin DB9 Volante

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abowie
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#9 Re: Two pump brake pedal

Post by abowie » Wed Apr 22, 2026 11:00 pm

viewtopic.php?t=6273

My guess is air as well. Try pressure bleeding as above.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB. 1979 MGB.
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

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