{"product_id":"bilstein-shock-absorber-front-link-pin-suspension","title":"Bilstein B6 Performance Front Shock | VW Beetle \u0026 Karmann Ghia Link Pin (1950-1965) | Monotube (97-4000-0)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eBilstein B6 Performance Front Shock Absorber — Link Pin VW Beetle \u0026amp; Karmann Ghia (1950-1965), Monotube (97-4000-0)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe street-performance front shock for early air-cooled VWs running the original link pin front suspension. Sharper handling, better steering precision, and far longer service life than any stock-replacement shock. \u003cb\u003eBilstein B6 Performance\u003c\/b\u003e front shock for link pin VW Beetle and Karmann Ghia. EMPI part #97-4000-0 (Bilstein 24-000321).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eVehicle Fitment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Beetle\u003c\/b\u003e (link pin \/ king pin front): 1950-1965.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Karmann Ghia\u003c\/b\u003e (link pin \/ king pin front): 1956-1965.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill NOT fit:\u003c\/b\u003e Ball joint front suspension (1966 and later — order #97-4001-0 instead); Super Beetle (MacPherson strut front); or off-road builds with modified mounting geometry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy Choose Bilstein?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBilstein has been the OE shock supplier for serious driving cars — Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi — for over six decades. The B6 series is their street-performance line, built around a monotube gas-pressure design that resists fade, doesn't foam under repeated cycling, and provides a more linear damping curve than twin-tube stock-replacement shocks. On an early link pin Beetle, B6 shocks turn in sharply, hold a line through corners, and recover immediately from bumps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMonotube Gas Pressure:\u003c\/b\u003e Resists fade and won't foam under repeated cycling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSharper Steering:\u003c\/b\u003e Transforms the vague, floaty feel of worn stock shocks into precise turn-in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLinear Damping:\u003c\/b\u003e More linear damping curve than twin-tube stock-replacement shocks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOE Pedigree:\u003c\/b\u003e From Bilstein, OE shock supplier to the world's serious driving cars for over six decades.\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\u003eSeries:\u003c\/b\u003e Bilstein B6 Performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePosition:\u003c\/b\u003e Front.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDesign:\u003c\/b\u003e Monotube, gas pressure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eApplication:\u003c\/b\u003e Link pin (king pin) front suspension.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold as:\u003c\/b\u003e Single shock.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePart Number:\u003c\/b\u003e 97-4000-0 (EMPI) \/ 24-000321 (Bilstein).\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\u003eHow do I know if I have link pin or ball joint?\u003c\/b\u003e The transition was the 1966 model year. 1965 and earlier Beetles use link pin (sometimes called king pin) front suspension — visible pin-and-bushing joints at the top and bottom of each trailing arm. 1966 and later use ball joints — sealed, cup-shaped joints. If you can see actual pins with grease fittings, you have link pin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIs this sold as a pair?\u003c\/b\u003e No, single shock. Order two for a complete front-axle replacement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill B6 shocks ruin the ride quality of my vintage Beetle?\u003c\/b\u003e No. The B6 is firmer than stock-replacement shocks but isn't punishing. On a properly-suspended early VW with good tires, the ride is firmer but more controlled, not harsh. Many owners describe it as \"how the car was supposed to feel when new.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAre they OK for original-spec restorations?\u003c\/b\u003e Functionally yes; visually they aren't period-correct (factory Beetles came with Boge or Stabilus shocks in this era, not Bilstein). For numbers-correct concours work, original-style replacements are more period-correct. For driver-quality and resto-mod work, B6s are the upgrade most owners prefer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHow long do they last?\u003c\/b\u003e Bilstein B6 shocks have a typical service life of 60,000-100,000 miles in street use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDo I need to replace front and rear at the same time?\u003c\/b\u003e Strongly recommended. For early swing axle VWs (1965 and earlier rear suspension), pair these with Bilstein B6 swing axle rear shocks (#97-4006-0) for a complete matched set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplore Related Categories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/suspension\"\u003eSuspension\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-beetle\"\u003eVW Beetle\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-karmann-ghia\"\u003eVW Karmann Ghia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Washburn's Metal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44473135628403,"sku":null,"price":145.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/shock_2d0d447e-8e04-474f-80ed-00cbe913498d.jpg?v=1774307464","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/bilstein-shock-absorber-front-link-pin-suspension","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}