AC Industries Wide-5 Front Drum-to-Disc Brake Kit | VW Beetle/Ghia/Thing 1966–1977 | Stock-Height Ball Joint, 5x205 (498640)
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AC Industries Wide-5 Front Drum-to-Disc Brake Kit — Stock-Height Ball Joint, 5x205 (498640)
Stock front drums fade the second time you ask them to stop the car, and on a ball joint Bug they are the first thing that limits how hard you can drive it. This AC Industries kit replaces the entire front drum setup with discs — new stock-height ball joint spindles included — in the Wide-5 5x205mm pattern. It is the front half of a matched four-wheel disc setup and the bolt-on partner to the AC Industries Wide-5 rear disc kits.
Vehicle Fitment
Built around stock ball joint geometry. This is not the lowered kit — if your car sits on a 2.5-inch lowered ball joint front end, order part 498740 instead. Requires 15-inch or larger wheels; 14-inch wheels will not clear the calipers.
- VW Beetle (Type 1): 1966–1977 — sedan, convertible & sunroof
- VW Karmann Ghia (Type 14): 1966–1974 — coupe & convertible
- VW Thing (Type 181): 1973–1974
- NOT confirmed — Super Beetle 1971–1979: Super Beetles run a MacPherson strut front end, not a ball joint beam. This kit does not fit them.
Key Features & Benefits
- Spindles included: new stock-height ball joint disc spindles, left and right — no hunting down used 4-lug disc spindles first.
- Matched Wide-5 5x205mm: keeps the classic Porsche-pattern look and pairs with the AC Industries Wide-5 rear disc kits for a full four-wheel disc car.
- Stock ride height preserved: engineered to factory geometry, so your stance and alignment stay where they were.
- Floating calipers: even pad wear and far simpler service than the stock drum setup.
- Stainless DOT hoses in the box: two braided lines, so the front plumbing is finished.
- Bearings and seals included: fresh wheel bearings, races and grease seals — no separate parts order.
Kit Includes
- (2) Wide-5 5x205mm front rotors
- (2) floating calipers
- (4) premium semi-metallic brake pads (#D391)
- (2) stock-height ball joint disc spindles, left and right
- (2) stainless braided DOT front brake hoses
- Inner and outer wheel bearings, races and grease seals
- Mounting hardware & step-by-step installation instructions
Parts You May Need
- 1966 to mid-1968 cars: 12mm outer tie rod ends — #311415811C (left) and #311415812C (right). The earlier spindles use a different taper.
- 1966 cars: longer front brake hoses, #211611701SS-90, if the supplied 15-inch lines come up short.
- Master cylinder: a disc-compatible unit. For a full four-wheel disc car, #113611020BAD (1949–1977 Bug, Ghia & Thing).
- Wheels: 15-inch or larger in Wide-5 5x205mm.
Technical Specifications
- Part Number: 498640
- Position: Front axle, pair
- Bolt Pattern: Wide-5, 5x205mm
- Front Suspension: Ball joint, stock height
- Brake Pads: #D391 semi-metallic
- Minimum Wheel Size: 15 inch
- Caliper Mounting Torque: 29 ft-lb
- Brake Hose Fittings: 11–14 ft-lb
- Spindle Pinch Bolt: 7–10 ft-lb
- Shipping Weight: approx. 48 lb (estimate — confirm on first receipt)
- Boxed Dimensions: approx. 20 x 16 x 10 in (estimate — confirm on first receipt)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does this fit a 1971 VW Beetle? Yes — a standard 1971 Beetle with a ball joint front beam at stock ride height. It does not fit a 1971 Super Beetle, which uses struts.
- Do I have to change my spindles? The kit includes them. New stock-height ball joint disc spindles come in the box, left and right.
- What is the part number? AC Industries 498640.
- Will my 14-inch wheels work? No. This kit requires 15-inch or larger wheels.
- Which rear kit goes with it? The AC Industries Wide-5 rear disc kits in the same 5x205 zero-offset pattern — for 1968–1972 IRS cars, part 113698601DE.
- My car is lowered — is this the right kit? No. For a 2.5-inch lowered ball joint front end, order part 498740 instead.
- How does it ship? Standard ground from Orange, CA. No hazmat or region restrictions.
Prop 65 Warning
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.