You might assume "Original Equipment" from the dealer is best. However, the Seiken catalog reveals why many switch:
If you are a repair shop, ask your brake parts supplier (e.g., NAPA, Carquest, or a local jobber) if they can email you a PDF version of the current Seiken catalog.
No. Amazon sells individual Seiken parts, but not the full PDF catalog. You must go through distribution channels. seiken brake parts catalog pdf
In a bustling garage on the outskirts of Osaka, veteran mechanic Hiroshi Tanaka faced a familiar problem. A 2014 Suzuki Every van had rolled in with screeching rear brakes. The owner needed parts by morning. Hiroshi knew the vehicle well—but the aftermarket brake pads from generic brands had failed twice before.
“Seiken,” he muttered.
Seiken (制研) was Japan’s quiet giant of brake components—OEM supplier to Daihatsu, Suzuki, Subaru, and Mitsubishi. Their parts weren't flashy, but they fit like a glove. The problem: finding the right Seiken part number for an obscure kei truck required their brake parts catalog, and the thick paper version was last updated in 2018.
Hiroshi pulled out his tablet. He knew that Seiken’s official PDF catalog wasn’t openly downloadable from a single link—but it was accessible through their distributor portal (login required for workshops). However, several Japanese auto-parts databases had indexed the catalog data. You might assume "Original Equipment" from the dealer
Here’s what Hiroshi did—and what you can learn from him:
Whether you are using a downloaded PDF or the online version, understanding the Seiken numbering logic is key. Seiken part numbers typically follow a structured format. Recognizing this can save you hours of scrolling. The Application Code: The numbers in the middle
The Format: Typically, Seiken part numbers follow a pattern like: A12-345.
The PDF catalog is searchable. You can type an OEM part number (e.g., Honda 45022-SM4-000) and instantly see which Seiken brake pad set matches it.