Front King Pin Shock, Oem Replacement, 53-65, Each

OVERVIEW

Restore the legendary smooth ride of your vintage Volkswagen with our premium Front King Pin Shock, a high-quality OEM replacement designed specifically for the 1953 through 1965 Beetle and Karmann Ghia. When your classic air-cooled VW starts to feel bouncy or "floaty" on the highway, it''s usually a sign that your original hydraulic dampers have given up the ghost. These shocks are engineered to mimic the factory damping rates, ensuring that your King Pin front end maintains the precise balance of comfort and road feedback that Volkswagen intended. Whether you are performing a frame-off restoration or simply keeping your daily driver roadworthy, these shocks provide the essential damping needed to control spring oscillation and keep your tires firmly planted on the pavement.

Constructed with durability and longevity in mind, these shocks feature a heavy-duty steel body and a high-quality seal package to prevent oil leaks and internal pressure loss. Unlike modern gas-charged shocks that can sometimes provide a ride that feels too stiff for a lightweight vintage Bug, these hydraulic units offer a period-correct feel that won''t rattle your teeth over small road imperfections. Each shock is finished in a durable black coating to resist corrosion and blend seamlessly with your undercarriage. Sold individually, these are the go-to choice for enthusiasts who demand reliable performance without the premium price tag of racing components. Don''t let worn-out suspension components ruin your cruising experience; upgrade to these fresh dampers and feel the difference in every corner.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle: 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965
• Chassis Note: Fits King Pin Front Ends ONLY (Does not fit 1966-later Ball Joint front ends).
• Model Note: Fits Standard Beetle (Does not fit Super Beetle).

SPECS

• Part Number: 113-413-031BBR
• Application: Front Suspension (Left or Right side)
• Damping Type: Hydraulic (Oil Filled)
• Mounting Style: Eyelet-to-Eyelet
• Finish: Durable Black Enamel
• Material: Heavy-duty Steel Tube Construction
• Compressed Length: Approximately 8.75 Inches
• Extended Length: Approximately 12.50 Inches
• Bushing Material: Pre-installed High-Density Rubber
• Quantity: Sold Individually (Two required per vehicle)

PRO TIPS

1. Prime the Shocks Before Installation

Before you bolt these shocks onto your VW, it is a master-tech secret to "prime" or "bleed" them. Because shocks are often stored horizontally in warehouses, air bubbles can migrate into the working valves. Hold the shock vertically (right-side up) and fully compress and extend it 3 to 4 times by hand. You will feel the resistance become smooth and consistent. This ensures that the hydraulic fluid is properly seated in the valving, providing immediate damping performance the moment you hit the road.

2. Check Your Link Pins and King Pins

Since you will already have the front wheels off and the shocks disconnected, this is the perfect time to perform a "wiggle test" on your link pins and king pins. Use a pry bar to check for excessive play in the spindle assembly. Worn-out shocks often hide the symptoms of loose link pins, and installing new shocks can sometimes highlight front-end shimmy if the pins are out of tolerance. If you notice any movement, consider greasing the zerks or replacing the link pin shims to ensure your new shocks aren''t working against a loose suspension.

3. Torque Under Load

When installing new shocks, never do the final tightening of the mounting bolts while the car is suspended on jack stands. If you tighten the bolts with the suspension at full "droop," you will lock the rubber bushings in a twisted position once the car is lowered. This creates "bushing bind," which can lead to a harsh ride and premature bushing failure. Instead, get the bolts finger-tight, lower the car onto its own weight, bounce the front end a few times to settle the suspension, and then perform the final torque to factory specifications.