Seiken vs Toyota Brake Booster?

[Spiker Engineering]

I need a new power brake booster, and decided to go with a new OEM unit rather than a rebuilt. I see both Toyota branded boosters (44610-3D700) and Seiken branded boosters (650-71050). The Seiken boosters are a bit cheaper, and their descriptions say that they are OEM suppliers to Toyota (sort of like Aisin).

But I got wrapped around the axle reading this discussion on IH8MUD forum, where some folks claim that Seiken is not the same as OEM (at least for Landcruisers), and others say that it's the exact same thing.

Does anyone have a feel for whether these are the same boosters for our 3rd Gens, or should I spend the extra few bucks for the Toyota unit?

 

[2TH4IST]

I'm not to sure about seiken, I too have heard both, but toyota pulled them a while ago..... but can not verify. But if your OEM booster lasted this long, why not stick with oem? I've got nothing against finding oem manufactures like aisin to save a few bucks.

 

[Spiker Engineering]

I'm not to sure about seiken, I too have heard both, but toyota pulled them a while ago..... but can not verify. But if your OEM booster lasted this long, why not stick with oem? I've got nothing against finding oem manufactures like aisin to save a few bucks.

Yup, makes sense. I'll go with the Toyota unit. Impex has them well below other places; I haven't used them before, but according to IH8MUD, they're legit. We'll find out .

 

[T4R2014]

I think the point at issue is that Seiken is not manufacturing them and are therefore not the OEM supplier. The thread even has pictures showing that the Seiken part is identical to the OEM part in stampings and labeling. Speaking from experience I replaced the booster on my 80 with a Seiken. It looked identical to the OEM and I have three years in stop-and-go city traffic without issue. My advice is save a few bucks and you are likely getting the same part as OEM too. I have my eyes on the 4Runner Seiken now that I'm pushing 300k on the original.

 

[TucsonMike]

I believe Seiken is OEM for our 4Runners. It was identical including part number to the original one I replaced. I have over 80k since I replaced it and I wouldn't hesitate to buy Seiken again.
Good Luck
mikem

 

[T4R2014]

I believe Seiken is OEM for our 4Runners. It was identical including part number to the original one I replaced. I have over 80k since I replaced it and I wouldn't hesitate to buy Seiken again.
Good Luck
mikem

Happen to have pics by any chance? I believe the Seiken is stamped "JCK" which appears to be a major OEM supplier.

 

[TucsonMike]

No pictures but can snap what I have in my 4Runner and my original one as I still have it with the box Seiken came in. I don't know how to post pictures, but if u send me an email, I can send u pictures.

Thanks

MikeM

 

[Spiker Engineering]

This is what my original '97 booster looks like, it has the JKC stamping on it:

And this is what the Seiken looks like, according to the cruiseryard website:

Looks the same to me, so it's probably a good way to go and save some money (or a lot of money).

I ended up placing an order for the Toyota unit through Impex, because it was the same price as the Seiken at cruiseryard (and cruiseryard is out of stock).

I've never used Impex before, so I'll let you know how that works out.

 

[nissanh]

^ Is not OEM, somebody has replaced it earlier. Look at Bendix logo. Seiken makes brake components and nothing wrong in it as I have used Seiken brake washers to fix multiple toyota vehicles, but if you can get the OEM and not too far from the $ value of Seiken, go with OEM.

 

[Spiker Engineering]

^ Is not OEM, somebody has replaced it earlier.

I bought the truck ten years ago from the original owner, and I know he didn't do anything to the truck, let alone replace the booster. So it's original.

Look at some Ebay listings, every single one has the same Bendix logo:

 

[2TH4IST]

Just looked through rockauto's listing for boosters that are remanufactued, and they are all shown with JKC/bendix stampings, interesting...

 

[T4R2014]

Just looked through rockauto's listing for boosters that are remanufactued, and they are all shown with JKC/bendix stampings, interesting...

Remanufactured just means they took a core one and cut it open to "remanufacture". They usually make it significantly worse than it was when they got it and are guaranteed to fail. You can tell a remanufactured by lack of OEM stickers and they usually look like rusted garbage in a year.

 

[2TH4IST]

Yeah I would never touch a remanufactured booster, I'm under the impression they were oem, which had the JKC/bendix stamping which is interesting. Which might lead to the seiken oem manufacture....

 

[Spiker Engineering]

Which might lead to the seiken oem manufacture....

I'm thinking the same thing. I would have happily bought the Seiken if I didn't find a Toyota unit at Impex for the same price. And I still might, if the Impex purchase hits a snag.

 

[T4R2014]

I think the point at issue is wording. It's correct, Seiken is not OEM. They just so happen to be selling a booster in their box that they bought from JKC.

Imagine Duralast boxed a Denso throttle position sensor and sold it at Autozone. Now guys are saying Duralast is OEM. I don't see the Seiken brand as comparable as Duralast but it's exaggerated for understanding.

 

[Spiker Engineering]

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?

 

[T4R2014]

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.

 

[2TH4IST]

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

 

[GhostRing]

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.

 

[Spiker Engineering]

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.