This may be old news to some, but I found it to be an informative article:

http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/knockback.htm

 

Actually, I've been doing the "Tap-Up" for a while on the road courses (thanks to one of my instructors who also has an FD). It was strange at first, but it does help for better braking.

 

This probably presents a good argument for upgraded suspension/steering components, like the M2 stuff.

 

I've seen people do it on the track. I will start practicing it next season when I put in my ATE Super Blue fluid. I had brake fade last time and it was due to boiled brake fluid.

This is a very good advice above though !

 

Nice article. I experienced this in my old MGB years ago, but assumed it was just the crappy brakes. I got in the habit of tapping (without knowing why) and still do it. I also learned to heel/toe in that car because it would die at every stop if I didn't hit the throttle when braking (eventually I figured out how to correctly adjust the carbs). I learned a lot from that bucket of bolts. Thanks for posting the link.

 

Great read.

 

I don't think the "knock back" in the FD is from rotors, wheel bearings or hub flexures. You get the exact same pedal feel (pedal firms if you pump it once) just backing slowly out of your driveway and you can repeatedly do it within only dozens of feet.

I think it's the master cylinder design or possibly some sort of interaction with the ABS pump that causes it to not maintain the line pressure at "rest".

Anybody who has removed the ABS still have this?

Anybody with different master cylinders still have this?