Ball Joint Front Disc Brake Kit w/o Spindles 66-77 4 on 130

OVERVIEW

When it comes to the safety and performance of your classic Volkswagen, nothing provides more peace of mind than a modern disc brake conversion. This EMPI Ball Joint Front Disc Brake Kit is specifically engineered for those who want to retain the iconic 4 on 130mm bolt pattern while drastically increasing their stopping power. By pairing the legendary engineering of EMPI with the world-class clamping force of Wilwood high-performance calipers, this kit transforms your vintage Beetle from a car with "suggestive" braking into a machine that stops on a dime. The drilled rotors are a standout feature, designed not just for their aggressive looks, but to provide superior heat dissipation and gas venting during spirited driving or heavy mountain descents. This ensures that brake fade is a thing of the past, giving you consistent pedal feel and reliability regardless of the driving conditions.

This kit is the perfect solution for the VW enthusiast who already has disc-brake-specific spindles or is planning a custom front-end build. Because it does not include the spindles, it allows for greater flexibility in choosing between stock-height or dropped-disc spindles to achieve the perfect stance. The inclusion of silver Wilwood calipers adds a touch of modern racing aesthetics behind your wheels, while the high-performance Wilwood brake pads provide a friction profile that is both street-friendly and performance-oriented. Whether you are navigating heavy modern traffic in a daily-driven Bug or building a high-performance street machine, this kit provides the mechanical leverage and thermal capacity required to keep your air-cooled investment safe. Please note that this conversion requires the use of 1969-and-later style tie rod ends and a minimum wheel size of 15 inches to clear the performance caliper housing.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Standard Beetle: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1966-1974 (Requires disc brake spindles)
• Custom Applications: Any Dune Buggy, Sand Rail, or Kit Car utilizing a 1966-1977 VW Ball Joint front beam with disc brake spindles.

SPECS

• Bolt Pattern: 4 on 130mm (Standard Late Beetle Pattern)
• Rotor Style: Cross-Drilled for Heat Dissipation
• Caliper Brand: Wilwood High-Performance
• Caliper Finish: Silver Anodized/Painted
• Thread Pitch: 14x1.5mm Threaded Bolt Holes
• Wheel Requirement: Minimum 15-Inch Diameter Wheels
• Tie Rod Requirement: Must use 1969 and Later Style Tie Rod Ends
• Bearings: High-Quality Inner and Outer Bearings Included
• Seals: Double-Lip Grease Seals Included
• Hardware: All Necessary Mounting Hardware and Dust Caps Included

PRO TIPS

1. Verify Your Spindle Type Before Installation

The most common mistake we see in the shop is trying to mount a disc brake kit onto a standard drum brake spindle. It simply won''t work. This kit is designed specifically for "Disc Brake Spindles," which feature the correct mounting ears for the caliper brackets. If you are currently running drums, you must purchase either stock-height disc spindles or dropped-disc spindles to use this kit. While you are there, always inspect your ball joints for play. Since you will have the spindles off the car, it is the absolute best time to press in new high-quality ball joints if yours show any signs of wear or torn boots.

2. Master Cylinder and Residual Pressure Valves

When switching from drum brakes to disc brakes, your hydraulic requirements change. Drum brakes typically utilize a residual pressure valve (usually 10 lbs) in the master cylinder to keep the shoes close to the drum. If you keep this valve in a disc brake system, your pads will drag and overheat the rotors. We highly recommend upgrading to a dual-circuit "Disc Brake" master cylinder. This ensures you have the correct fluid volume and pressure for the Wilwood calipers. Additionally, always use a high-quality DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid and perform a complete system flush to prevent old, moisture-laden fluid from damaging your new high-performance calipers.

3. Proper Bearing Packing and Break-In

Don''t rush the bearing installation. Use a high-quality, high-temperature disc brake grease to pack your new bearings. We recommend using a bearing packer tool to ensure the grease is forced all the way into the cage and rollers; simply smearing grease on the outside is a recipe for premature failure. Once the kit is installed and the system is bled, remember to "bed-in" your new Wilwood pads and drilled rotors. Perform a series of gradual stops from 30 mph to 5 mph to build up heat slowly and transfer a layer of friction material to the rotor surface. Avoid "panic stops" for the first 100 miles to ensure the longest life and best performance from your new braking system.