EMPI 1954-1966 VW Beetle & Karmann Ghia Disc Brake Conversion Kit - Front - Drop Spindles - 5x130

EMPI's Link Pin Front 5x130 & 5x4.75 5 Lug Disc Brake Drop Spindle Kit fits King & Link Pin Front End VW Beetles from 1954 through 1965 and 1956 through 1965 Karmann Ghias. This kit will replaces your stock spindles with 2.5" drop spindles that accept 1967 and later Karmann Ghia based disc brake rotors and calipers to greatly improve the stopping power for your Vintage VW. The drop spindles also lower the front end to improve the center of gravity of your VW for better handling while maintaining the stock ride and steering geometry. These drop spindles are made for use with stock shocks. The disc brake kit includes new spindles, front rotors, calipers & pads, wheel bearings, seals, mounting hardware and instructions. As link pin spindles attach to their carrier with king pins, it is recommended to replace the king and link pins and bushings while the front end is apart. Both have to be removed to install the new spindles and can be added in the options above.

This kit includes the following:

Disc Brake 2.5" Drop Spindles
5x130 Lug Pattern Brake Rotors with 14x1.5 Threads
(5x4.75 Lug Pattern has 12x1.5 Threads)
Brake Calipers & Pads
Bearings & Seals
Mounting Hardware & Instructions

Low profile (shorter) tires must be used when installing drop spindles. We offer 145SR15 or 135SR15 tires that will fit with drop spindles. Your local tire shop can offer many other options that will work as well.

Removing the original link pins and king pins is necessary to install the new drop spindles. New king and link pins are available in the Additional Options tab above.

Click here for Quick Bleeder Valves which make bleeding your brakes much easier!

Installation Notes:
All brake parts must be thoroughly cleaned and disc brake grease must be used on all brake pad contact surfaces or brake squeak and vibration may occur.

15" or larger wheels must be used with the disc brake kit. 14" wheels can not be used.

The stock master cylinder can be used with front disc brakes. However, if you are converting to 4 wheel disc brakes, you must install a large bore master cylinder.

Our Expert's Take:

Stock drum brakes are adequate enough for a stock VW if all the components are in good working order. As soon as any performance modifications are made to your VW, the original brakes should be upgraded to suit. Virtually no modern cars use drum brakes, least of all on the front of the car where most of the braking power is. Updating the brakes on your VW should be considered mandatory for any car that is driven regularly. The Standard Beetle or Karmann Ghia drop spindle front disc brake kit uses factory based Disc Brake components that were available from the factory including stock Karmann Ghia brake calipers and rotors. That means no proprietary parts so getting replacement parts down the road doesn't require a trip to a specialty VW parts store. The added bonus of lowering the front suspension 2.5" while maintaining the factory ride and steering is a plus for those looking to drop the front end a bit over stock.

Sam

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Sam Mebane joined the Jbugs team way back in the mid 90's. A Class 11 racing enthusiast, Sam has amassed in-depth knowledge on VW electrical systems and Beetle suspension. He has restored a plethora of VW's including a VW Thing, Squareback, several Beetles, and (currently) a Super Beetle. Customer service, tech support, product testing & development, and youtube spokesperson, Sam has done it all here at JBugs.