{"product_id":"empi-forged-2-5-drop-spindle-set-ball-joint-drum-brake-vw-beetle-ghia-1966-1977-22-3975-0","title":"EMPI Forged 2.5\" Drop Spindle Set — Ball Joint, Drum Brake | VW Beetle 1966–1977 \u0026 Karmann Ghia 1966 (22-3975-0)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eEMPI Forged 2.5\" Drop Spindle Set — Ball Joint, Drum Brake (22-3975-0)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLowering 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 \u003cb\u003e22-3975-0\u003c\/b\u003e is a forged left-and-right pair made for cars that still run front \u003cb\u003edrum\u003c\/b\u003e brakes, so you can lower the front without converting to discs first.\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\u003e2.5\" drop at the spindle:\u003c\/b\u003e the beam, torsion leaves and shock mounts stay stock, so suspension travel and ride quality stay close to factory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eForged, not cast or welded:\u003c\/b\u003e EMPI forges these like the original equipment for strength and dimensional accuracy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eZero offset:\u003c\/b\u003e keeps the factory front track width and steering geometry, which is what heads off the alignment and bump-steer problems of cheaper lowering methods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDrum-brake mounting:\u003c\/b\u003e machined to take the stock drum backing plate and drum, so you reuse your front brakes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold as a pair:\u003c\/b\u003e left and right spindles in one box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFitment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis set fits standard ball-joint VW Beetles, 1966–1977, with front drum brakes.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCONFIRMED (EMPI):\u003c\/b\u003e 1966–1977 VW Beetle (Type 1) with ball-joint front suspension and front drum brakes, left and right.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCONFIRMED (dealer-listed):\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eREQUIRES:\u003c\/b\u003e on 1966 to about May 1968 cars, the later (1968½-on) outer tie rod ends, wheel bearings and seals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDOES NOT FIT:\u003c\/b\u003e 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).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNOT CONFIRMED:\u003c\/b\u003e Thing (Type 181), dune buggies and Baja Bugs on ball-joint beams, and narrowed or aftermarket beams. Check with us before ordering.\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 EMPI 22-3975-0 (supersedes 22-2859)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eType:\u003c\/b\u003e Forged 2.5\" drop spindles, ball-joint, drum brake, zero offset\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBearing Collars:\u003c\/b\u003e 29 mm inner, 17.5 mm outer (1968½-on size, dealer-published)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold As:\u003c\/b\u003e Pair (left and right). Singles: 22-3975-1 (L), 22-3975-2 (R)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBrakes:\u003c\/b\u003e Not included. Reuses the stock drum brake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eUPC:\u003c\/b\u003e 707924542479\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCountry of Origin:\u003c\/b\u003e Mexico\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eShipping Weight:\u003c\/b\u003e 14.85 lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePackage Dimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e 11 x 7 x 9 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstallation Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupport the car on stands under the frame head or pan, never on the jack alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePull 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFit new bearings and seals, pack them with fresh wheel-bearing grease and set bearing play per the factory manual.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGet a front-end alignment afterward and check tire clearance at full lock in both directions before driving.\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 1970 VW Beetle?\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill these work with front disc brakes?\u003c\/b\u003e No. This set is machined for the drum-brake backing plate. For 2-piston disc brakes, the matching EMPI set is 22-3955-0.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat else do I need on a 1966 to mid-1968 car?\u003c\/b\u003e 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).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDo I need different shocks or tires?\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat is the part number?\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHow does it ship?\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAre you an authorized EMPI dealer?\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\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\u003eLowering a Beetle with discs? See the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/empi-forged-drop-spindle-set-2-piston-caliper-22-3955-0\"\u003eEMPI 22-3955-0 disc-brake drop spindles\u003c\/a\u003e. Also browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/suspension\"\u003eSuspension \u0026amp; Components\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-beetle\"\u003eVW Beetle Parts\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-karmann-ghia\"\u003eVW Karmann Ghia Parts\u003c\/a\u003e and the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/empi\"\u003eEMPI Parts\u003c\/a\u003e catalog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eProp 65 Warning\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e⚠ WARNING:\u003c\/b\u003e 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.P65Warnings.ca.gov\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ewww.P65Warnings.ca.gov\u003c\/a\u003e. All parts legal for use on pre-pollution controlled vehicles only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"Product\", \"name\": \"EMPI Forged 2.5\\\" Drop Spindle Set — Ball Joint, Drum Brake | VW Beetle 1966–1977 \u0026 Karmann Ghia 1966 (22-3975-0)\", \"sku\": \"22-3975-0\", \"mpn\": \"22-3975-0\", \"gtin12\": \"707924542479\", \"brand\": {\"@type\": \"Brand\", \"name\": \"EMPI\"}, \"image\": [\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/22-3975-0-Exclusive.jpg?v=1790017293\", \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/22-3975-0_Back-1-scaled.jpg?v=1789974565\"], \"description\": \"Forged 2.5-inch drop spindle pair (left and right) for 1966-1977 ball-joint VW Beetle with front drum brakes. 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