EMPI 5x205 Bolt-on Front Disc Brake Conversion Kit - 1968.5-1977 Beetle & 1973-1974 Thing

EMPI Zero Offset Front 5x205 Disc Brake Kit for Ball Joint VW Beetle and Thing

• Modern disc brake stopping power
• "Zero offset" design maintains stock track width
• Bolt-on kit compatible with stock drum brake spindles
• Includes a dual circuit master cylinder
• Compatible with 15" or larger wheels

EMPI's Zero Off-Set Zero Off-Set Ball Joint Front 5x205 Wide 5 Lug Disc Brake Kit fits late Ball Joint Front End VW Standard Beetles from May of 1968 through 1977 and 1973 through 1974 VW Things.For 1968 models, if your outer tie rod end has a 19mm head nut you have a late 1968. If you have a 17mm head you'll need the early 1968 kit. This kit will fit your existing stock ball joint drum brake spindles and greatly improves the stopping power on an Standard Beetles or VW Things.

The zero offset means that the track width will not increase so there are no tire and wheel clearance issues compared to stock. The disc brake kit includes new front rotors, calipers & pads, caliper mounting brackets, a master cylinder, brake hoses, bearings & seals, mounting hardware and instructions. Kit employs floating calipers, which utilize a single piston and are designed to move or slide to establish contact with both sides of the disc.

Kit Includes

• 5x205 lug pattern brake rotors with 12x1.5 threads
• Brake calipers and pads
• Caliper mounting brackets
• Master cylinder
• Brake hoses
• Wheel bearings and grease seals
• Mounting hardware and instructions

For easier brake bleeding, we recommend adding quick bleeder valves to your order.

Installation Notes

• Compatible only with stock VW Ball Joint drum brake spindles; not compatible with drop spindles or disc brake spindles.
• All brake parts must be thoroughly cleaned, and disc brake grease should be applied to pad contact surfaces to prevent squeaks and vibration.
• Requires 15" or larger wheels; 14" wheels are not compatible.
• The included master cylinder is suitable for front disc brakes only. If converting to 4-wheel disc brakes, a separately sold large bore master cylinder is required. The included master cylinder cannot be credited or substituted.

Our Expert's Take:

The stock drum brakes are adequate enough for a stock VW if all the components are in good working order but 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.

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.