EMPI Forged 2.5" Drop Spindle Set — Ball Joint, Drum Brake | VW Beetle 1966–1977 & Karmann Ghia 1966 (22-3975-0)

EMPI Forged 2.5" Drop Spindle Set — Ball Joint, Drum Brake (22-3975-0)

Lowering a ball-joint Beetle by cutting or adjusting the beam trades ride quality and steering geometry for stance. A drop spindle keeps the beam, the torsion leaves and the shock travel stock, and moves the wheel stub up 2.5 inches instead. EMPI 22-3975-0 is a forged left-and-right pair made for cars that still run front drum brakes, so you can lower the front without converting to discs first.

Key Features & Benefits

• 2.5" drop at the spindle: the beam, torsion leaves and shock mounts stay stock, so suspension travel and ride quality stay close to factory.
• Forged, not cast or welded: EMPI forges these like the original equipment for strength and dimensional accuracy.
• Zero offset: keeps the factory front track width and steering geometry, which is what heads off the alignment and bump-steer problems of cheaper lowering methods.
• Drum-brake mounting: machined to take the stock drum backing plate and drum, so you reuse your front brakes.
• Sold as a pair: left and right spindles in one box.

Fitment

This set fits standard ball-joint VW Beetles, 1966–1977, with front drum brakes.

• CONFIRMED (EMPI): 1966–1977 VW Beetle (Type 1) with ball-joint front suspension and front drum brakes, left and right.
• CONFIRMED (dealer-listed): 1966 VW Karmann Ghia with ball-joint front suspension and front drum brakes. From 1967 on, the Ghia came with front disc brakes from the factory, so a 1967–1974 Ghia needs a disc-brake drop spindle instead.
• REQUIRES: on 1966 to about May 1968 cars, the later (1968½-on) outer tie rod ends, wheel bearings and seals.
• DOES NOT FIT: Super Beetle (1971–1979 MacPherson strut), link-pin/king-pin cars (1965 and earlier), or cars with front disc brakes, including 1967–1974 Karmann Ghias with factory discs (see 22-3955-0).
• NOT CONFIRMED: Thing (Type 181), dune buggies and Baja Bugs on ball-joint beams, and narrowed or aftermarket beams. Check with us before ordering.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: EMPI 22-3975-0 (supersedes 22-2859)
• Type: Forged 2.5" drop spindles, ball-joint, drum brake, zero offset
• Bearing Collars: 29 mm inner, 17.5 mm outer (1968½-on size, dealer-published)
• Sold As: Pair (left and right). Singles: 22-3975-1 (L), 22-3975-2 (R)
• Brakes: Not included. Reuses the stock drum brake
• UPC: 707924542479
• Country of Origin: Mexico
• Shipping Weight: 14.85 lb
• Package Dimensions: 11 x 7 x 9 in

Installation Notes

• Support the car on stands under the frame head or pan, never on the jack alone.
• Pull the drum and backing plate, separate the tie rod end and both ball joints with the correct tool rather than a pickle fork, and transfer the backing plate to the new spindle.
• Fit new bearings and seals, pack them with fresh wheel-bearing grease and set bearing play per the factory manual.
• Get a front-end alignment afterward and check tire clearance at full lock in both directions before driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does this fit a 1970 VW Beetle? Yes, if it is a standard (torsion-bar, ball-joint) Beetle that still has front drum brakes. EMPI lists it for 1966–1977 Beetles. It does not fit the Super Beetle.
• Will these work with front disc brakes? No. This set is machined for the drum-brake backing plate. For 2-piston disc brakes, the matching EMPI set is 22-3955-0.
• What else do I need on a 1966 to mid-1968 car? Early ball-joint cars (before about May 1968) also need the later-style outer tie rod ends, wheel bearings and seals, because these spindles use the 1968½-and-later sizes (29 mm inner and 17.5 mm outer bearing collar, dealer-published).
• Do I need different shocks or tires? Stock-length shocks work, because the drop comes from the spindle, not the beam. Plan on a smaller-diameter front tire, as dealers warn that stock-size tires can rub at full lock and over bumps once the car sits 2.5 inches lower.
• What is the part number? EMPI 22-3975-0 (short number 3975). It is a left and right pair; the singles are 22-3975-1 (left) and 22-3975-2 (right). It supersedes the old EMPI 22-2859. UPC 707924542479.
• How does it ship? As a normal parcel, about 14.85 lb in a 11 x 7 x 9 in package. It is not hazmat and has no ground-only restriction. It is set up as backorder-OK: if it is not on our shelf, we order it from EMPI and ship when it arrives.
• Are you an authorized EMPI dealer? Yes. Washburn's Metal is an authorized EMPI dealer (account on file), and this is a genuine EMPI-catalog part shipped in the manufacturer's packaging.

Explore Related Categories

Lowering a Beetle with discs? See the EMPI 22-3955-0 disc-brake drop spindles. Also browse Suspension & Components, VW Beetle Parts, VW Karmann Ghia Parts and the full EMPI Parts catalog.

Prop 65 Warning

⚠ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. All parts legal for use on pre-pollution controlled vehicles only.