{"product_id":"ac-industries-wide-5-front-drum-to-disc-brake-kit-stock-height-ball-joint-5x205-vw-beetle-ghia-thing-1966-1977-498640","title":"AC Industries Wide-5 Front Drum-to-Disc Brake Kit | VW Beetle\/Ghia\/Thing 1966–1977 | Stock-Height Ball Joint, 5x205 (498640)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eAC Industries Wide-5 Front Drum-to-Disc Brake Kit — Stock-Height Ball Joint, 5x205 (498640)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStock 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 — \u003cb\u003enew stock-height ball joint spindles included\u003c\/b\u003e — 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eVehicle Fitment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilt around \u003cb\u003estock ball joint geometry\u003c\/b\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Beetle (Type 1):\u003c\/b\u003e 1966–1977 — sedan, convertible \u0026amp; sunroof\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Karmann Ghia (Type 14):\u003c\/b\u003e 1966–1974 — coupe \u0026amp; convertible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Thing (Type 181):\u003c\/b\u003e 1973–1974\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNOT confirmed — Super Beetle 1971–1979:\u003c\/b\u003e Super Beetles run a MacPherson strut front end, not a ball joint beam. This kit does not fit them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSpindles included:\u003c\/b\u003e new stock-height ball joint disc spindles, left and right — no hunting down used 4-lug disc spindles first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMatched Wide-5 5x205mm:\u003c\/b\u003e keeps the classic Porsche-pattern look and pairs with the AC Industries Wide-5 rear disc kits for a full four-wheel disc car.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eStock ride height preserved:\u003c\/b\u003e engineered to factory geometry, so your stance and alignment stay where they were.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFloating calipers:\u003c\/b\u003e even pad wear and far simpler service than the stock drum setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eStainless DOT hoses in the box:\u003c\/b\u003e two braided lines, so the front plumbing is finished.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBearings and seals included:\u003c\/b\u003e fresh wheel bearings, races and grease seals — no separate parts order.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKit Includes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(2) Wide-5 5x205mm front rotors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(2) floating calipers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(4) premium semi-metallic brake pads (#D391)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(2) stock-height ball joint disc spindles, left and right\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(2) stainless braided DOT front brake hoses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInner and outer wheel bearings, races and grease seals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting hardware \u0026amp; step-by-step installation instructions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eParts You May Need\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e1966 to mid-1968 cars:\u003c\/b\u003e 12mm outer tie rod ends — #311415811C (left) and #311415812C (right). The earlier spindles use a different taper.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e1966 cars:\u003c\/b\u003e longer front brake hoses, #211611701SS-90, if the supplied 15-inch lines come up short.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMaster cylinder:\u003c\/b\u003e a disc-compatible unit. For a full four-wheel disc car, #113611020BAD (1949–1977 Bug, Ghia \u0026amp; Thing).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWheels:\u003c\/b\u003e 15-inch or larger in Wide-5 5x205mm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePart Number:\u003c\/b\u003e 498640\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePosition:\u003c\/b\u003e Front axle, pair\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBolt Pattern:\u003c\/b\u003e Wide-5, 5x205mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFront Suspension:\u003c\/b\u003e Ball joint, stock height\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBrake Pads:\u003c\/b\u003e #D391 semi-metallic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMinimum Wheel Size:\u003c\/b\u003e 15 inch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCaliper Mounting Torque:\u003c\/b\u003e 29 ft-lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBrake Hose Fittings:\u003c\/b\u003e 11–14 ft-lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSpindle Pinch Bolt:\u003c\/b\u003e 7–10 ft-lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eShipping Weight:\u003c\/b\u003e approx. 48 lb (estimate — confirm on first receipt)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBoxed Dimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e approx. 20 x 16 x 10 in (estimate — confirm on first receipt)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDoes this fit a 1971 VW Beetle?\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDo I have to change my spindles?\u003c\/b\u003e The kit includes them. New stock-height ball joint disc spindles come in the box, left and right.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat is the part number?\u003c\/b\u003e AC Industries 498640.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill my 14-inch wheels work?\u003c\/b\u003e No. This kit requires 15-inch or larger wheels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhich rear kit goes with it?\u003c\/b\u003e The AC Industries Wide-5 rear disc kits in the same 5x205 zero-offset pattern — for 1968–1972 IRS cars, part 113698601DE.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMy car is lowered — is this the right kit?\u003c\/b\u003e No. For a 2.5-inch lowered ball joint front end, order part 498740 instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHow does it ship?\u003c\/b\u003e Standard ground from Orange, CA. No hazmat or region restrictions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eProp 65 Warning\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWARNING: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplore Related Categories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/brakes\"\u003eBrakes\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-beetle\"\u003eVW Beetle\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all-vw-aircooled\"\u003eAll VW Air-Cooled\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AC Industries","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45437743693939,"sku":"498640","price":565.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/AC498640_1.jpg?v=1788394226","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/ac-industries-wide-5-front-drum-to-disc-brake-kit-stock-height-ball-joint-5x205-vw-beetle-ghia-thing-1966-1977-498640","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}