King Pin Adapter Bearing Inner, Ball Joint Rotor to King Pin

OVERVIEW

Upgrading your vintage Volkswagen to a modern disc brake system is arguably the single most important safety improvement you can make, but the transition from classic King Pin components to modern hardware often presents a compatibility challenge. This EMPI King Pin Adapter Bearing is the precision-engineered solution that bridges the gap between early-style spindles and later-model braking technology. Specifically designed to allow the installation of 1966-and-later Ball Joint style disc brake rotors onto pre-1965 King Pin (Link Pin) spindles, this adapter bearing eliminates the need for expensive custom-machined spindles or rare, vintage-specific rotors. It provides a seamless interface that allows you to enjoy the superior stopping power and heat dissipation of modern disc brakes while maintaining the classic front-end geometry of your early Beetle or Ghia.

Crafted to exacting tolerances, this inner bearing is a high-load tapered roller design that handles the unique axial and radial stresses experienced by air-cooled VWs on both the street and the trail. We utilize this exact bearing in our premium A1003 King Pin disc brake kits because of its proven reliability and perfect fitment. The hardened steel rollers and precision-ground surfaces ensure minimal rolling resistance and maximum longevity, even under the increased heat generated by high-performance braking. Whether you are restoring a split-window Beetle, building a rugged woods buggy, or fine-tuning a street-legal Karmann Ghia, this adapter bearing is the essential component required to modernize your front end without compromising the structural integrity of your original King Pin suspension.

FITMENT

• VW Beetle (Standard): 1949 through 1965 (Models equipped with King Pin/Link Pin front beams).
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1965 (Models equipped with King Pin/Link Pin front beams).
• Custom Dune Buggies & Sand Rails: Any vehicle utilizing a traditional VW Link Pin/King Pin front torsion beam and spindles.
• Note: Specifically designed for use when adapting 1966+ Ball Joint style disc brake rotors to early spindles.

SPECS

• Part Number: 17-2795-0
• Inner Diameter (ID): 0.9845 Inches (To fit King Pin Spindle).
• Outer Diameter (OD): 1.977 Inches (To fit Ball Joint Rotor Hub).
• Bearing Type: Tapered Roller Bearing.
• Position: Inner Wheel Bearing (Large bearing).
• Material: High-Carbon Hardened Steel.
• Quantity: Sold Individually (Two required per vehicle).
• Compatibility: Works with EMPI and standard aftermarket Ball Joint rotors.

PRO TIPS

1. Use a Mechanical Press for Race Installation

When installing the new bearing races into your disc brake rotors, it is absolutely critical that you use a mechanical press or a dedicated bearing race driver tool. You should never attempt to "hammer" the races into the rotor with a drift or a punch, as even the slightest misalignment or localized impact can distort the race or mar the internal surface of the rotor hub. A distorted race will lead to premature bearing failure, excessive heat, and potential spindle damage. Ensure the rotor is seated flat and apply steady, even pressure until the race is fully bottomed out against the internal shoulder of the hub. You will feel a distinct change in resistance when the race is properly seated; verify this visually before proceeding to pack the bearings.

2. High-Temperature Grease and Proper Packing

Because disc brakes generate significantly more heat than the original drum brakes your King Pin spindle was designed for, you must use a high-quality, high-temperature disc brake wheel bearing grease. Before installation, you must "pack" the bearing by forcing grease into the cage between the rollers and the inner race until it oozes out the top. Do not simply coat the outside of the rollers with grease; the internal cavity of the bearing must be fully saturated to prevent metal-on-metal contact during the initial break-in period. Additionally, ensure that you do not mix different types of grease (e.g., lithium-based vs. synthetic) as they can react and break down, leading to lubrication failure.

3. Setting the Preload for Tapered Bearings

Correct preload is the secret to making these adapter bearings last for decades. Once the rotor is installed on the spindle, tighten the spindle nut while spinning the rotor to seat the bearings. Tighten it until the rotor becomes difficult to turn, then back the nut off approximately one-quarter turn. The "Golden Rule" for VW wheel bearings is that you should just barely be able to move the thrust washer behind the nut with the tip of a flat-head screwdriver using finger pressure only (do not pry against the hub). If the washer is loose and rattles, the bearing is too loose; if the washer cannot be moved at all, it is too tight. A bearing that is too tight will overheat and seize, while one that is too loose will cause "wheel shimmy" and uneven tire wear.