IRS Inner Wheel Bearing, Fits Beetle & Ghia 69-79

OVERVIEW

When it comes to maintaining the smooth ride and structural integrity of your air-cooled Volkswagen, the rear suspension is often where the most significant wear occurs. The IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) inner wheel bearing is a critical component located within the rear trailing arm, specifically positioned on the inner side near the CV joint. Unlike the older swing-axle setups, the IRS system allows for much better handling and articulation, but it places a high demand on these bearings to manage radial loads. This EMPI inner wheel bearing is engineered to meet or exceed original equipment standards, ensuring that your Beetle, Ghia, or Type 3 maintains proper wheel alignment and rotational efficiency. If you are starting to hear a rhythmic ticking or a concerning clunking sound coming from the rear of your vehicle, it is a definitive sign that your trailing arm bearings have reached the end of their service life and require immediate replacement to avoid damaging the stub axle or the trailing arm housing itself.

For the off-road enthusiast, this bearing is an absolute staple in the garage. Dune buggies, woods buggies, and Baja Bugs equipped with IRS trailing arms subject their suspension to extreme vertical travel and harsh lateral forces that standard street cars never encounter. These conditions accelerate wear, making a high-quality replacement bearing like the 113-501-283EC essential for reliability in the dirt. Whether you are performing a routine restoration on a classic 1970s Super Beetle or building a rugged sand rail from the ground up, using a precision-ground bearing ensures that your drivetrain power is transferred to the ground without the parasitic drag or vibration caused by a pitted or failing race. Don''t wait for a total bearing seizure to ruin your weekend at the dunes; upgrading to fresh bearings is one of the most cost-effective ways to restore the "factory-tight" feel to your Volkswagen''s rear end.

FITMENT

This IRS inner wheel bearing is designed for Volkswagen models equipped with Independent Rear Suspension. Please verify your suspension type before ordering, as it will not fit swing-axle models.

• Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1): 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974
• Dune Buggies & Sand Rails: All models utilizing stock or aftermarket VW IRS trailing arms.
• VW Thing (Type 181): 1973-1974 models with IRS.

SPECS

Each bearing is manufactured to tight tolerances to ensure a perfect press-fit into the trailing arm pivot housing.

• OEM Reference Number: 113-501-283
• Inner Diameter: 1.182 inches (approx. 30mm)
• Outer Diameter: 2.440 inches (approx. 62mm)
• Thickness/Width: 0.630 inches (approx. 16mm)
• Bearing Type: High-performance ball bearing
• Material: High-carbon chromium steel for maximum hardness and fatigue resistance
• Weight: 0.45 lbs
• Quantity: Sold individually (Two required per vehicle)

PRO TIPS

1. Proper Installation Direction and Depth

The IRS inner wheel bearing must be installed from the CV joint side (the "inside") of the trailing arm. When pressing the new bearing in, always use a bearing driver or a socket that matches the diameter of the outer race. Never apply pressure or hammer on the inner race or the ball cage, as this will create flat spots on the bearings (brinelling) and lead to premature failure before you even leave the driveway. Ensure the bearing is seated completely against the inner shoulder of the trailing arm housing to maintain correct spacing for the internal spacer tube.

2. The Importance of the Internal Spacer and Seals

When you have the trailing arm apart to replace this inner bearing, it is the perfect time to inspect the long internal spacer tube and the outer roller bearing. The IRS rear end relies on a specific "sandwich" of components: the inner bearing, the spacer tube, and the outer bearing. If that spacer tube is crushed or worn, it won''t provide the necessary resistance when you torque the 36mm axle nut, which can lead to the bearings being overloaded. Always replace your inner and outer grease seals (Part #113-501-315) at the same time to prevent road grime from contaminating your new high-quality grease.

3. Grease Selection for Longevity

While many bearings come with a light coating of oil to prevent rust during shipping, they require high-quality, high-temperature EP (Extreme Pressure) wheel bearing grease for operation. For air-cooled VWs, especially those used in off-road environments, we recommend a lithium-based grease with molybdenum disulfide (moly). Pack the bearing thoroughly, ensuring the grease is worked into the spaces between the balls and the race. This is particularly vital for IRS cars because the rear bearings are located near the heat generated by the brakes and the engine, making thermal stability a top priority for preventing grease liquefaction and subsequent bearing dry-out.