VW Beetle Drop Spindle Front Disc Brake Kit — EMPI 22-2882-0, Link Pin, 2.5" Drop, 5x130 & 5x4.75 | Beetle 1954–1965 & Karmann Ghia 1955–1965
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EMPI Forged Drop Spindle Front Disc Brake Kit — Link Pin, 2.5" Drop, 5x130 & 5x4.75 (22-2882-0)
EMPI 22-2882-0 is a complete front disc brake kit with forged 2.5" drop spindles for link-pin VW Beetles 1954–1965 and Karmann Ghias 1956–1965. The rotors are dual-drilled for 5x130 (Porsche) and 5x4.75" (Chevy) wheels of 15" or larger, and the kit covers both front wheels: rotors, calipers, pads, spindles, bearings, seals, hoses and hardware. Wheel studs are not included.
Part numbers: EMPI 22-2882-0 / 22-2882 / short number 2882 · UPC 707924362466 · Replacement pads EMPI 22-2890-0 (premium 22-2992-0) · Same kit in 4x130: 22-2881-0 · Same kit in 5x205: 22-2925-0
Fitment
| Years | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1954–1965 | VW Beetle (link pin) | Front; 5x130 or 5x4.75" wheels, 15" or larger |
| 1956–1965 | VW Karmann Ghia (link pin) | Front; 5x130 or 5x4.75" wheels, 15" or larger |
| 1966-on | Does not fit: ball-joint front ends | Link-pin beams only |
| — | Does not fit: Super Beetle | Strut front end |
| — | Does not fit: Wide-5 5x205 wheels | See 22-2880-0 or 22-2925-0 |
| — | Not confirmed: Porsche 356, link-pin dune buggies / kit cars, narrowed beams | Ask before ordering |
Requires 15" or larger wheels, wheel studs (not included), and new king and link pins — the old ones come out to swap the spindles.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part number | EMPI 22-2882-0 |
| Type | Front disc brake kit with forged 2.5" drop spindles, link pin |
| Lug pattern | Dual-drilled 5x130 mm (14 x 1.5 mm threads) and 5x4.75" (12 mm threads) |
| Drop | 2.5" at the front |
| Spindle offset | 1/4" (about +5/8" total front track) |
| Wheel size | 15" minimum |
| Replacement pads | 22-2890-0 (premium 22-2992-0) |
| Wheel studs | Not included |
| Sold as | Kit (both front wheels) |
| UPC | 707924362466 |
| Country of origin | China |
| Shipping weight | 59.25 lb |
| Package dimensions | 13 x 13 x 22 in |
What's included
- Rotors, calipers and pads
- Forged 2.5" drop spindles
- Wheel bearings and grease seals
- OE-style brake hoses
- Dust caps, hardware and instructions (EMPI list)
Not included: wheel studs, and the king pins and link pins you will need for the spindle swap.
Why it matters
Lowering an early link-pin Bug, adding front discs and moving to 5-lug wheels piece by piece means sourcing spindles, rotors and calipers that may not match. This kit does it in one job: the forged drop spindles replace the stock link-pin spindles, so the beam, torsion leaves and shock travel stay stock, and the disc brakes are already matched to them.
Installation notes
- Brakes and steering are safety-critical. If you have not rebuilt a link-pin front end before, have a trained mechanic do the job.
- Press out the king and link pins, fit the new spindles with fresh pins and bushings, and ream or hone the bushings to the pin as the factory manual describes.
- Clean every brake surface and put disc-brake grease on the pad backs and caliper contact points. Use DOT 3 fluid and route the hoses so they cannot rub at full lock.
- The stock master cylinder is fine for front discs only; go large-bore if you also convert the rear.
- Get a front-end alignment, then check tire clearance at full lock and full compression before driving. Dealers recommend low-profile tires (135R15 or 145R15).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the EMPI 22-2882-0 drop spindle disc brake kit fit a 1964 VW Beetle?
Yes. It fits 1954–1965 link-pin (king-pin) Beetles and 1956–1965 Karmann Ghias, and it replaces your spindles, so the original spindle type does not matter.
What wheels does the 22-2882-0 kit take?
5-lug wheels on 5x130 (Porsche) or 5x4.75 in (Chevy), 15 inches or larger. The rotors are dual-drilled for both patterns. Wheel studs are not included.
How much does the drop spindle kit lower a link-pin Beetle?
2.5 inches at the front, from the forged drop spindles, while keeping stock beam geometry and shock travel.
Does it change the front track width?
Yes, slightly. The spindles are offset 1/4 in, which widens the front track by about 5/8 in in total. Dealers recommend low-profile tires such as 135R15 or 145R15.
Do I need anything else to install it?
The spindle swap means the king pins and link pins come out, so plan on a link and king pin rebuild kit. The stock master cylinder is fine for front discs only; go large-bore if you also convert the rear.
Does it fit a ball-joint Beetle or Super Beetle?
No. It is for 1954–1965 link-pin front ends only; it does not fit 1966-on ball-joint front ends or the Super Beetle.
Related parts
- EMPI Link & King Pin Rebuild Kit
- EMPI 22-2890-0 replacement pads
- Brakes & Components · VW Beetle Parts · VW Karmann Ghia Parts · EMPI Parts
⚠ 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.
