1966-1977 VW Beetle & Karmann Ghia Disc Brake Conversion Kit - Front - With Spindles - 5x130 & 4.75

EMPI Ball Joint 5x130 & 5x4.75 5-Lug Disc Brake Kit

• Factory-based disc brake upgrade
• Stock-style VW disc brake spindles, calipers, and rotors
• Simple bolt-on installation

EMPI's Ball Joint 5x130 & 5x4.75 5 Lug Disc Brake Kit fits Ball Joint Front End VW Beetles from 1966 through 1977 and 1966 Karmann Ghias. The kit can also be used on 1967 through 1974 Karmann Ghias to replace the original components. This kit will replace your stock spindles with stock VW style (modeled after 1967 and later Ghia) disc brake spindles and greatly improves the stopping power for your Vintage VW. The disc brake kit includes new spindles, front rotors, calipers & pads, mounting hardware and instructions. 1966 through May 1968 Beetles and Ghias will need late model inner bearings, wheel seals and outer tie rod ends to use this disc brake conversion kit. The later model parts can be added in the options above.

Kit Includes

• Stock-height disc brake spindles
• 5x130 lug pattern brake rotors with 14x1.5 threads
• 5x4.75 lug pattern brake rotors with 12x1.5 threads
• Brake calipers and pads
• Mounting hardware and instructions

Fitment Notes

• 1966 through May 1968 models must swap to 1968.5-1977 outer tie rod ends, inner wheel bearings, and inner wheel seals.

Quick Bleeder Valves Save Time & Effort

We recommend adding quick bleeder valves when installing this disc brake kit. You will need to bleed the brakes, it's never fun, but the quick bleeders save you time, effort, and a headache. The quick bleeders have a one-way check valve that allows air and brake fluid out and they don't allow air back in. Install the quick bleeders, open up the valve, start pumping the brakes and when you get consistent, constant, clean brake fluid, close them up and move on to the next wheel.

Installation Notes

• All brake parts must be thoroughly cleaned, and disc brake grease must be applied to all brake pad contact surfaces to prevent squeaking and vibration.
• 15" or larger wheels are required for this disc brake kit—14" wheels will not fit.
• The stock master cylinder can be used with front disc brakes. However, if converting to four-wheel disc brakes, a large bore master cylinder is required.

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 front disc brake kit uses factory based Disc Brake components that were available from the factory including stock Karmann Ghia spindles, 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.

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.