{"product_id":"bilstein-shock-absorber-rear-irs-b6-stock-height","title":"Bilstein B6 Performance Rear Shock | VW Beetle, Super Beetle \u0026 Ghia IRS (1968-1979) | Monotube (97-4005-0)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eBilstein B6 Performance Rear Shock Absorber — IRS VW Beetle, Super Beetle \u0026amp; Ghia (1968-1979), Monotube (97-4005-0)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe street-performance rear shock for late-model air-cooled VWs running the IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) rear end. \u003cb\u003eBilstein B6 Performance\u003c\/b\u003e rear shock for IRS VW Beetle, Super Beetle, and Karmann Ghia. EMPI part #97-4005-0 (Bilstein 24-006347).\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 (Standard, IRS rear): 1968-1979 — verify your specific car's rear suspension type, as the IRS transition happened for some 1968 models and all 1969+.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Super Beetle:\u003c\/b\u003e 1971-1979 (IRS rear).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Karmann Ghia\u003c\/b\u003e (IRS rear): 1969-1974.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill NOT fit:\u003c\/b\u003e Swing axle rear suspension (most 1967 and earlier Beetles, and all early Buses — order #97-4006-0 instead), or off-road builds with modified rear shock mounting.\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. Pairing the improved IRS geometry with quality B6 shocks delivers more predictable cornering, better grip on rough surfaces, and a more composed ride.\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\u003eComposed IRS Ride:\u003c\/b\u003e Complements the IRS rear for predictable cornering and better grip on rough surfaces.\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 Rear.\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 IRS (Independent Rear 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 97-4005-0 (EMPI) \/ 24-006347 (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 IRS or swing axle?\u003c\/b\u003e Look at the rear wheels with the car on level ground. IRS cars keep the rear wheels mostly vertical. Swing axle cars show visible inward camber (the tops of the rear wheels lean toward the center of the car), and the camber changes dramatically when the car is jacked up. The transition happened over 1968-1969 model years for Beetle.\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 rear-axle replacement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill B6 shocks help my Super Beetle's handling?\u003c\/b\u003e Yes. Super Beetles are notorious for vague, floaty handling — they're heavier than Standard Beetles and run a different front suspension entirely. Good rear shocks won't fix the front-end issues, but they will dramatically improve rear-end composure.\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 an IRS Beetle, pair these with the ball joint front B6 (#97-4001-0) for Standard Beetle, or the appropriate strut for Super Beetle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill these work on a 1969 Karmann Ghia?\u003c\/b\u003e Yes — 1969+ Karmann Ghia uses the IRS rear suspension shared with the Standard Beetle.\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-super-beetle\"\u003eVW Super Beetle\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Washburn's Metal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44473140740211,"sku":null,"price":145.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/97-4005-0-500x333.jpg?v=1774307717","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/bilstein-shock-absorber-rear-irs-b6-stock-height","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}