EMPI

EMPI Forged Heavy-Duty King Pin Spindle Kit — VW Beetle 1949–1965 / Baja Bug | EMPI #22-2976-0

Name: EMPI Forged Heavy-Duty King Pin Spindle Kit — VW Beetle 1949–1965 / Baja Bug | EMPI #22-2976-0
Brand: EMPI
SKU: 22-2976-0
Price: 429.99 USD
Availability: InStock

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Fits: 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, Beetle

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$429.99

Product details

Vendor EMPI
SKU 22-2976-0

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Serious strength for Baja bugs, buggies, and off-road builds. This EMPI forged heavy-duty spindle kit includes forged spindles and steering knuckles, plus a set of standard king pins. The extra material is forged directly into the spindle where gussets would normally need to be welded — a cleaner, stronger solution. CNC machined for precise fitment. Assembly required with a special .710" reamer (or VW 224 reamer) to properly fit the brass link pin bushings. Sold as a pair.

Forged from high-strength metal with integrated gussets
Includes: 2 forged spindles, 2 forged steering knuckles, 1 set standard king pins
CNC machined for precise fitment
Sold as a pair
Assembly required
Ideal for off-road, Baja bug, dune buggy, and sand rail builds

Installation notes: A VW 224 reamer or .710" reamer MUST be used to fit the brass link pin bushings. Installation by a trained mechanic is recommended.

Fitment: 1949–1965 VW Type 1 Beetle and 1956–1965 Karmann Ghia with king pin / link pin front suspension. Also fits custom dune buggy and sand rail chassis using a VW king pin front beam.

The Tech Bench Everything we know about doing the work, in one place — written and filmed on our own bench in Orange, California, with the same parts we sell you.

Pick a bench below. Written install guides, free decoder tools, install videos, and the fitment lookup — each one lives on its own page so you're not scrolling past nine systems to find the one you're working on.

55Guides in the library

4Free decoder tools

9Install videos

1Beetle at a time

Four benches

Pick the one that matches the job in front of you

01

Install Guides

The full written library — procedures, torque specs, and the order of operations that keeps you from taking something apart twice. Organised by system.

55 guides8 systems5 published Open the library 02

Decoders & Lookup

Chassis number, Beetle M-code, Bus M-code. Free tools for pinning down exactly what you have before you spend money on a part that doesn't fit it.

Chassis No.M-PlateFree Open the decoders 03

Watch & Learn

Install videos and build footage from the shop floor. Watch the part go in — then grab the kit from the same page.

InstallsBuildsYouTube Watch the videos 04

Fitment Lookup

Year and model in, the parts that actually fit out. The fastest way from "I think it's a '67" to the right part number in your cart.

Year / ModelAll parts Open the lookup

Latest from the bench

5Most recently published

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The 20-minute fix that turns a sloppy shifter crisp — and the whole shift-linkage explained.

#CH01Read the guide BY01 Guide 27

Big Washburn Windows

Large engine-bay access panels for dual-carb and big-engine builds — reach the carbs without pulling the motor.

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Building a shortened dune buggy or kit car? Engineered pan halves put a straight floor under it without sectioning a stock VW pan.

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See all 55 guides

From the shop blog

3Shorter reads from the shop floor

Not every write-up needs a full install guide. The thinking behind a modification, the cars that come through the door, and the jobs we take photos of as we go get posted over on the shop blog.

Blog

Big Washburn Carb Windows: What They Are and Why We Cut Them

The reasoning behind cutting the rear inner fenders open, before you read the full install guide.

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Tunnel Access Plates: Why We Cut a Hole in Your Pan on Purpose

Why the center tunnel gets an access plate, and what it saves you the next time the linkage needs attention.

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Some Hot VWs That Came Through the Shop This Spring

A look at the cars on the lifts in Orange, California, and the work that went into them.

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Can't find your job here?

Call the shop. If the guide isn't written yet, we'll walk you through it on the phone — fitment, torque, sequence, what to buy and what to skip.

(657) 438-7002

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EMPI Forged Heavy-Duty King Pin Spindle Kit — VW Beetle 1949–1965 / Baja Bug | EMPI #22-2976-0

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