King Pin Outer Bearing, Beetle 49-65, Ghia 56-65

Product Overview

Restoring the front-end geometry and handling of your vintage Volkswagen starts with the foundation of your wheel assembly. This EMPI King Pin Outer Bearing is a high-performance tapered roller bearing designed to replace the antiquated and often fragile ball-bearing style found in early Type 1 models. By utilizing a tapered design, this bearing provides a significantly larger surface area for load distribution, which translates to a more stable steering feel and a dramatic increase in component longevity. Whether you''re cruising the coastline or navigating city streets, upgrading to this roller bearing ensures that your spindle assembly can handle the lateral and axial loads of modern driving conditions with far greater efficiency than the original equipment.

At Appletree Automotive, we understand that precision is everything when it comes to the King Pin front end. A worn outer bearing doesn''t just cause annoying vibrations; it compromises your vehicle''s alignment and safety. This replacement unit, cross-referenced with part number 111-405-647, is engineered for a seamless fit into your existing hub. It is manufactured to exacting tolerances to prevent premature wear and heat buildup, which are the primary enemies of front-end components. By choosing this modern tapered upgrade, you are not only saving money compared to the scarce original-style ball bearings but also investing in a more robust steering system that will keep your Beetle or Ghia tracking straight for miles to come.

Vehicle Fitment

• Volkswagen Beetle (Standard): 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 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
• Note: Fits King Pin front ends only; does not fit 1966-later Ball Joint front ends.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: 111-405-647 / 98-4625-B
• Bearing Type: Tapered Roller Bearing (Upgrade from Ball Bearing)
• Inner Diameter (ID): 0.788 Inches (20.01mm)
• Outer Diameter (OD): 2.048 Inches (52.02mm)
• Width/Thickness: 0.520 Inches (