Yeah, it's easy to get hung up on semantics, as that thread on IH8MUD illustrates .

But if Seiken sells a booster that is identical to what I would get from Toyota, who cares if it's "OEM" or not? Just like if the Duralast box in your example contained a genuine Denso part, do I care what the box says? Or are you saying that there is something different inside the Seiken Bendix unit from the Toyota Bendix unit?

IH8MUD is big on semantics. But the Toyota parts system and terminology might as well be a study in itself too. But the statement of Seiken not being OEM is true. As far as if the Seiken unit is different inside, no idea. Seems like a waste of manufacturing resources for a relatively low volume product.

Like I just bought BCA/NTN boxed front wheel bearings, open box and they are indeed koyo at half the cost!

Ugh.
So my booster hunt continues....

I went cheap on the 3 Mirrors model and am not happy with the performance. (big surprise)
The return window closes today, so I am sending it back. Original going back in for now.

So I am now looking for a semi-reasonable replacement. Is Impex similar to Amayama or such?
It's my first time hearing of it. I want to get something quality - at least as close to OEM as I can muster.

I'll keep you posted on Impex. I've never used them before but according to IH8MUD folks they're legit., just like Amayama (whom I've used tons). They are showing the booster at $140 less than Amayama.

Yes, impex is legit. I am on ih8 too but always purchased from partsouq.

You can rebuild a brake booster. The leak may be at the booster/master pump interface. There is a seal (behind the metal lock ring) which you can replace even without removing the booster. I have done that but first check the leak is there. If you open up the booster, you can clean and reassemble everything together.

I received the booster from Impex, so that worked out well. Even came with a new check valve. A lot cheaper than from other sources, including Amayama.

But the quality is not as OEM Toyota boxed Koyo bearings. How do I know.. been there and seen it.

That's a W, for you..:-)

Yes, lots of times the Toyota OEM part vs the OEM Mfg can be different. Really depends on the mfg though. Aisin is the exact same part with the toyota logo ground off that cast on the water pumps.

What going to happen is Toyota will discontinue the bearings soon. Due to the age of these rigs. I seen this for years after 20 years lots of parts will get discontinue as they run out of the parts. This is really normal for Toyota as 25 years for most parts start disappearing. Its not cost effective to have the parts available forever. So when they are no longer available OEM. We be sourcing OEM mfg parts to replace them.

I am seeing a trend though that some models of Toyota are having a 3rd party work with Toyota mfgs to remfg parts to the Toyota spec they originally are. The downside is they will be 3 to 4x as much as the oem parts were because of what was involved. Seems to right now be the land cruisers, supras and a few other lines... Not the 4 Runners, Which is kinda surprising because the 4runners have a following just like the other ones do.

I am also surprised Toyota doesn't have a vintage part section of the company that just specializes in those parts for over 25 years old. As they would have all the contacts and mfgs at their disposal and the mfg wouldn't care.. They mfg it if it worth their time.. :-)

Spend some time on IH8MUD. The best way to keep OEM parts in production is to buy them. Toyota and its suppliers have put in a lot of investment into legacy parts production recently. Just as an example you can buy a brand new OEM engine harness for a 95-97 FZJ80 again. Yazaki moved tooling for legacy applications to a new plant dedicated to this in Vietnam. Keeps prices down and production going. You can even get Aisin window regulators with motors for 3rd gens now too.

FAQ - 1995-1997 1FZ-FE FZJ80 OBD2 Main Engine Wiring Harness Connector Information | Page 6 | IH8MUD Forum

Yes. I seen a switch as of late.... In the past this was not heard of. So its definitely changing. I suspect we see legacy parts that were gone return which is a very great news..

Another source is GR HERITAGE PARTS | GR | TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

Did I miss the link to this item somewhere in this thread?...



.

Hey Sean, here you go - 44610-3D700 TOYOTA , 446103D700 New parts search — IMPEX JAPAN

dang, that is a pricey little bugger......


\


.