Front Ball Joint Shock, Oil Filled, Sold Each

OVERVIEW

Upgrade your air-cooled ride with the EMPI Front Ball Joint Shock, a premium oil-filled hydraulic damper designed to bridge the performance gap between standard original equipment and harsh high-pressure gas shocks. These performance oil shocks are specifically engineered for the Volkswagen enthusiast who demands a smooth, controlled ride without the stiff, jarring feedback often associated with nitrogen-charged alternatives. Whether you are cruising the local boulevard in a restored 1967 Beetle or navigating light trails in a custom fiberglass buggy, these EMPI shocks provide the damping consistency required to maintain tire contact with the road while soaking up imperfections. The hydraulic valving is meticulously tuned to offer a supple initial response, ensuring that your ball joint front end remains responsive and comfortable during daily driving or spirited weekend outings.

At Appletree Automotive, we understand that suspension geometry is critical to the longevity of your VW components. These EMPI 00-9651-0 shocks are built with a rugged steel body and high-quality internal seals to prevent leaks and thermal fade during extended use. By utilizing an oil-filled design, these shocks allow for a more natural suspension cycle, which is particularly beneficial for standard-height or mildly lowered ball joint beams where maintaining a "period-correct" feel is a priority. These shocks are sold individually, allowing for precise replacement, though we always recommend replacing them in pairs to ensure balanced handling across the front axle. When you install these EMPI units, you are investing in decades of Volkswagen performance heritage, ensuring your front suspension performs exactly as the engineers intended, but with a modern edge in reliability and damping technology.

FITMENT

This front shock is designed specifically for Volkswagen models equipped with a Ball Joint front suspension beam. It will NOT fit early King and Link Pin beams or Super Beetle strut front ends. Detailed fitment includes:

• VW Type 1 Standard Beetle: 1966 through 1977 (Sedan and Convertible).
• VW Type 14 Karmann Ghia: 1966 through 1974.
• VW Type 181 Thing: 1973 through 1974.
• Custom Applications: Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, and Baja Bugs utilizing a standard-width or narrowed Ball Joint front beam.

SPECS

• Manufacturer: EMPI
• Part Number: 00-9651-0
• Shock Type: Hydraulic Oil-Filled (Non-Gas)
• Compressed Length: 12-1/2 Inches (Center to Center)
• Extended Length: 18 Inches (Center to Center)
• Stroke Travel: 5-1/2 Inches
• Mounting Style: Eyelet Top / Eyelet Bottom
• Finish: Gloss White with EMPI Branding
• Weight: 3.56 lbs
• Hardware: Includes necessary upper and lower bushings for installation.

PRO TIPS

1. Prime the Shocks Before Installation

Before you bolt these shocks onto your VW, it is vital to "prime" or "bleed" them. Because shocks are often stored horizontally in warehouses, air bubbles can become trapped in the valving area. To fix this, hold the shock vertically (right-side up) and fully extend and compress it 3 to 5 times by hand. You will feel the resistance become smooth and consistent as the air is purged from the working chamber. Installing a "dry" shock can lead to poor damping performance and premature internal wear during the first few miles of driving.

2. Verify Your Front End Type

One of the most common mistakes in the VW world is confusing a Ball Joint front end with a King and Link Pin front end. 1965 was the final year for Link Pin beams, and 1966 marked the start of the Ball Joint era. If your VW was built in the transition period, check your front beam. A Ball Joint beam has two large grease seals on the ends of the torsion tubes and uses ball joints to connect the trailing arms to the spindles. These shocks are specifically valved and sized for the travel limits of the 1966-and-later Ball Joint geometry; using them on a Link Pin beam will result in incorrect fitment and potential damage.

3. Check for Bottoming Out on Lowered Beams

If you have installed a narrowed beam or used "Avis" style adjusters to lower your Volkswagen, you must measure your shock travel carefully. With the car on the ground, ensure you have at least 2 inches of upward travel before the shock reaches its fully compressed length of 12-1/2 inches. If your car is too low, the shock will "bottom out" internally, which can snap the mounting studs or damage the shock valving. If you find you are limited on travel, you may need to look into "shorty" shocks or relocation brackets to prevent destroying your new EMPI dampers on the first big bump.