{"product_id":"bilstein-shock-absorber-rear-swing-axle","title":"Bilstein B6 Performance Rear Shock | VW Beetle, Bus, Ghia, Type 3 Swing Axle | Monotube (97-4006-0)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eBilstein B6 Performance Rear Shock Absorber — Swing Axle VW (1950-1968), Monotube (97-4006-0)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe street-performance rear shock for vintage VWs with the original swing axle rear suspension. \u003cb\u003eBilstein B6 Performance\u003c\/b\u003e rear shock absorber for swing axle VW Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Bus, and Type 3. EMPI part #97-4006-0 (Bilstein 24-181488).\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 (swing axle rear): 1950-1968 — Standard Beetle before IRS conversion; some early-1969 Standard Beetles also retained swing axle, so verify your specific car.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Karmann Ghia\u003c\/b\u003e (swing axle rear): 1956-1968.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Bus \/ Transporter:\u003c\/b\u003e 1950-1967 (swing axle rear).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Type 3\u003c\/b\u003e (swing axle rear): 1962-1968.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill NOT fit:\u003c\/b\u003e IRS rear ends (VW transitioned to IRS in 1969 on Beetle and Karmann Ghia — for 1968-1979 IRS Beetles order #97-4005-0 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. The swing axle rear is famously prone to oversteer with worn shocks; the B6 controls wheel motion much better for more predictable handling.\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\u003eLinear Damping:\u003c\/b\u003e More linear damping curve than twin-tube stock-replacement shocks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBetter Wheel Control:\u003c\/b\u003e Controls swing axle wheel motion for more predictable, consistent handling.\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 Swing axle 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 97-4006-0 (EMPI) \/ 24-181488 (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 swing axle or IRS?\u003c\/b\u003e Look at the rear wheels. On swing axle cars, the rear axle tubes hinge at the transmission, and the wheels visibly tilt inward (positive camber) when the car is jacked up. On IRS cars, the rear suspension uses independent control arms with constant-velocity joints, and the wheels stay more upright. The transition was the 1969 model year for Beetle and Ghia; Bus stayed swing axle longer.\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 with swing axle oversteer?\u003c\/b\u003e Indirectly, yes. Better-controlled wheel motion means the rear stays more predictable under cornering loads. They won't eliminate the swing axle's geometric tendency to tuck under, but they'll make the car much more consistent and less prone to surprise lift-off oversteer.\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. Mixing performance shocks at one end with worn stock shocks at the other creates handling imbalance. Pair these with the matching front B6 for your front suspension type (link pin or ball joint).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill these work on a swing axle Bus?\u003c\/b\u003e Verify mounting and length before ordering. Bus swing axle rear shocks are different from Beetle swing axle shocks in some applications. Contact us if you're unsure.\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-bus\"\u003eVW Bus\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Washburn's Metal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44473109053555,"sku":null,"price":135.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/shock.jpg?v=1774306055","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/bilstein-shock-absorber-rear-swing-axle","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}