King Pin Inner Wheel Bearing, Beetle & Ghia 49-65 Bus 52-63

Product Overview

Restoring a classic King Pin front end requires more than just grease and luck; it demands precision components that can handle the lateral loads of modern driving conditions. This EMPI King Pin Inner Wheel Bearing is a significant and necessary upgrade over the original equipment ball-style bearings that Volkswagen initially utilized during the mid-century era. By transitioning to a tapered roller design, you are providing your Beetle, Ghia, or early Bus with a much larger surface area to distribute weight and friction across the spindle. This results in a noticeably smoother ride, improved steering response, and a front suspension that feels tight and predictable, whether you are cruising down the highway or navigating tight city corners. At Appletree Auto, we understand that the front-end geometry of a King Pin VW is sensitive, and using a high-quality bearing is the first step in eliminating the dreaded steering wheel shake and ensuring your tires wear evenly over time.

When it comes to the safety and longevity of your air-cooled investment, there is no room for compromise on rotating wheel components. This inner wheel bearing, cross-referenced with OEM part number 111-405-627, is engineered to meet or exceed original factory specifications while offering the enhanced durability of modern high-carbon steel metallurgy. We have seen countless spindles ruined because a low-quality or aged bearing seized, welding itself to the spindle snout and requiring an expensive replacement of the entire knuckle assembly. Installing this robust EMPI unit ensures that your vintage VW stays on the road where it belongs, rather than on a tow truck. Whether you are performing a full frame-off restoration on a 1950s Split Window or simply performing routine maintenance on a 1960s daily driver, these tapered roller bearings are the gold standard for maintaining the structural integrity of your king pin spindle assembly.

Vehicle Fitment and Compatibility

This bearing is versatile and fits a specific range of early air-cooled Volkswagens. Please note the specific application for Type 2 models, as its position differs from the Type 1.

• VW Beetle (Type 1): 1949 through 1965 (Front Inner Position)
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1965 (Front Inner Position)
• VW Bus / Transporter (Type 2): 1952 through 1963 (Front Outer Position)
• Standard King Pin Front Ends: Fits most aftermarket and OEM spindles for the years listed above.

Technical Specifications

Each bearing is manufactured to exacting tolerances to ensure a perfect press-fit into your brake drums or rotors.

• OEM Reference Number: 111-405-627
• Bearing Type: Tapered Roller Bearing (High-Load Capacity)
• Inner Diameter (ID): 0.985 Inches
• Outer Diameter (OD): 2.442 Inches
• Total Thickness: 0.590 Inches
• Construction Material: Heat-treated, high-carbon chromium steel
• Compatibility: Compatible with both drum brake and early disc brake conversion hubs.

Expert Pro Tips from Appletree Auto

1. Proper Bearing Packing is Non-Negotiable

Don''t just smear a little grease on the outside of the rollers and call it a day. To ensure this bearing lasts for another fifty years, you must "pack" the grease deep into the cage. Use a high-quality, high-temp wheel bearing grease. Place a dollop of grease in the palm of your hand and tap the wide end of the bearing into the grease repeatedly until you see the lubricant forced out through the small end of the rollers. This ensures that the internal surfaces are lubricated from the very first rotation, preventing "dry-start" heat damage that can ruin a bearing in the first five miles of driving.

2. Always Replace the Race with the Bearing

It is a common mistake to swap the bearing while leaving the old race inside the drum or hub. Bearing rollers and their specific races "marry" to each other through wear patterns. Using a new bearing on an old, pitted, or unevenly worn race will cause premature failure and vibration. When installing the new race, use a brass drift or a dedicated bearing driver tool to seat it. Never use a steel punch directly on the race surface, as even a tiny nick can create a hot spot that leads to total bearing failure. Ensure the race is fully seated against the shoulder of the hub by listening for the change in "thud" sound as you drive it in.

3. The "Wiggle" Test for Final Adjustment

Setting the preload on King Pin bearings is an art form. Once the hub and bearings are installed on the spindle, tighten the thrust nut while spinning the hub until it starts to bind, then back it off about a quarter turn. The goal is to have the thrust washer behind the nut be just barely moveable with the tip of a flathead screwdriver using firm finger pressure. After you have the wheel and tire back on, grab the tire at the 12 and 6 o''clock positions and give it a shake. You should feel a tiny, almost imperceptible amount of play. If it''s too tight, the bearing will overheat and seize; if it''s too loose, you''ll experience steering wander and uneven tire wear.