1954-65 VW Beetle & Karmann Ghia Disc Brake Kit - Front - Drop Spindles - Drilled & Slotted - 5x130

Front 5x130 & 5x4.75 Bolt-On Disc Brake Drop Spindle Kit for Link Pin Front End

• Silver zinc-plated cross-drilled & slotted brake rotors
• Factory-based calipers & pads
• 2.5" drop disc brake spindles
• Maintains factory ride & steering geometry

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 product is designed to mount 5x130 (Porsche) and 5x4.75 (Chevy) wheels on a 1954-1965 VW Type 1. It will not fit 5x205 (VW "wide-five") wheels without an adapter.

Product Fitment

• 1954-1965 VW Beetle with link pin front end
• 1956-1965 Karmann Ghia with link pin front end

Kit Includes

• 2.5" drop disc brake spindles
• Silver zinc-plated cross-drilled & slotted brake rotors
• 5x130 lug pattern with 14x1.5 threads
• 5x4.75 lug pattern with 12x1.5 threads
• Brake calipers & pads
• Bearings, seals & caps
• Mounting hardware & instructions

Installation Notes

• Low profile (shorter) tires must be used when installing drop spindles. We offer 145R15 tires or 135R15 tires that will fit with drop spindles.
• 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.
• All brake parts must be thoroughly cleaned, and disc brake grease must be used on all brake pad contact surfaces to prevent squeaking and vibration.
• The stock master cylinder can be used with front disc brakes. However, if converting to 4-wheel disc brakes, a large bore master cylinder must be installed.
• Drop spindles cannot be used on Super Beetles.

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

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.