Excessive brake pedal travel before “bite”, 2004 V70R

[imaV70Rdriver]

I’ve had this car for about 10 years, and although it stops great, I need to depress the brake pedal pretty far before it bites. Today I connected Vida, went to the BCM, and selected the following from the list.

Brake travel sensor signal
Brake travel sensor velocity
Brake pressure sensor signal 1 (PS1)
Brake pressure sensor signal 2 (PS2)
Brake pressure signal offset 1 (remained at 0.09 bar)
Brake pressure signal offset 2 (remained at 0.51 bar)
Brake light signal

I found the following:
Brake light signal turned on at about 0.65mm travel. And off when the brake was released.

From zero mm to about 6.28mm pedal travel, both PS1 and PS2 were slightly negative. At about 6.28mm they turned positive. At about:

7.5mm, PS1 read between 2.9 bar and 4.6 bar, PS2 read between 2.5 bar and 3.5 bar. These higher numbers were after multiple presses

8.4mm, PS1 read between 4.8 bar and 14 bar, PS2 read between 4.2 bar and 13 bar. Again, higher after multiple presses

10.9mm, PS1 read around 15-16 bar, PS2 14-15 bar. These numbers are after initial press, no pumping

13.5mm, PS1 and PS2 read around 36-37 bar on first depress of the pedal, 46-47 bar on second, 54-56 bar on third

16.5mm, PS1 and PS2 read around 68-69 bar, and up to about 97 bar after three pumps, but 107 bar if pumped a few more times

Max travel was at about 20.27mm, and read 107 bar upon initial slam to the floor, like a panic stop.

Here’s where it gets a bit more difficult to explain. If I pump the brakes hard over and over, from an initial rest point, the pedal gets harder and harder to depress each time, but the pressure reading (bar) gets lower and lower and the travel distance less and less, until, when I stop pumping, and just lean on the pedal, it depresses further (greater pedal travel) and the pressure (bar) increases. Pumping hard multiple times eventually reduces travel to about 16mm at about 85 bar, but then keeping it pressed hard without pumping, it goes to about 20.25mm and 107 bar.

When compared to new cars, the long pedal travel is really noticeable. I had the brakes bled with new fluid and the pads have lots left on them, but the long brake pedal travel remains. Any thoughts as to what I should look at?

[imaV70Rdriver]

Not sure how I missed “ by justanotherhumanoid » Tue Apr 02, 2019 3:01 am”, “ Excessive Brake pedal travel before "bite"”.
It came to my attention after posting. I’ll check it out.

[imaV70Rdriver]

Thanks chrism, “ If the pedal travels a shorter distance with a quick panic jab vs a slow and easy pedal application, that can be an indication of a master cylinder issue. (The piston seals seat more firmly against the cylinder wall when there is a “sudden” rise in fluid pressure against the front of the piston.)”

And thanks CX70Rider, “ Now it's time to check the brake vacuum pump and it's check valve switch in front of the airbox. My vacuum pump was burnt and had the same symptoms. I replaced the vacuum pump and check valve switch 1 year ago and since then the brakes are very responsive.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=43817&hilit=soft+brakes

The 2.5L engine has low vacuum when cold which is the purpose of the vacuum pump.”

Just to note, I also have braided SS lines.