{"product_id":"empi-rear-wheel-cylinder-vw-beetle-1968-1979-thing-1973-1974-98-6209-b","title":"EMPI Rear Wheel Cylinder | VW Beetle 1968-1979 \u0026 Type 181 Thing 1973-1974 | Rear Drum Brake (98-6209-B)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eEMPI Rear Wheel Cylinder — Rear Drum Brake Service for VW Beetle \u0026amp; Type 181 Thing (98-6209-B)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRebuild your rear drum brakes with confidence using the \u003cb\u003eEMPI Rear Wheel Cylinder\u003c\/b\u003e — a direct-fit replacement engineered for late-model 1968–1979 VW Beetles (excluding Super Beetle) and the 1973–1974 Type 181 Thing. When your old cylinders start weeping fluid past the cup seals, you lose pedal feel, contaminate your brake shoes, and risk uneven braking. This precision-machined replacement restores hydraulic pressure to factory spec so your brake shoes apply evenly, every stop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the same proven aftermarket cylinder trusted by VW shops nationwide, \u003cb\u003esold individually\u003c\/b\u003e so you can replace one side or both as needed.\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 (Type 1):\u003c\/b\u003e 1968–1979 — standard Beetle only; does not fit Super Beetle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Type 181 “Thing”:\u003c\/b\u003e 1973–1974\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote: Super Beetle (1971+) uses a different rear cylinder. 1958–1967 Beetles use the earlier rear cylinder — message us for the correct part.\u003c\/em\u003e\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\u003eDirect OE Replacement:\u003c\/b\u003e Bolts in using the original mounting holes and brake line fittings — no modifications, no surprises.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePrecision Machined Bore:\u003c\/b\u003e Honed to factory tolerances for a smooth piston stroke and consistent pedal feel without sticking or chatter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eModern Cup Seals:\u003c\/b\u003e Updated rubber compound resists DOT 3, DOT 4, and silicone DOT 5 fluids — better leak resistance than original 1970s seals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIncludes Dust Boots \u0026amp; Bleeder:\u003c\/b\u003e Complete cylinder assembly arrives ready to install — bleeder screw and protective dust boots included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePairs Perfectly with EMPI Brake Shoes \u0026amp; Hardware Kits:\u003c\/b\u003e Build a complete rear brake refresh in one order.\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\u003ePosition:\u003c\/b\u003e Rear (each — order 2 for a full axle)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBore Size:\u003c\/b\u003e Stock VW rear specification\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMounting:\u003c\/b\u003e Two-bolt flange to backing plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBrake Line Thread:\u003c\/b\u003e M10 x 1.0 inverted flare (stock VW)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eEMPI Part Number:\u003c\/b\u003e 98-6209-B\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOEM \/ Cross-Reference:\u003c\/b\u003e 113-611-053BC, 113-611-053BCH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eUPC:\u003c\/b\u003e 707924381702\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold As:\u003c\/b\u003e Each\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 Super Beetle?\u003c\/b\u003e No. This cylinder fits the standard 1968–1979 Beetle only; the Super Beetle (1971+) uses a different rear cylinder.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIs it sold as a pair?\u003c\/b\u003e It is sold individually (each). Order two for a full axle — Washburn's recommends replacing rear cylinders in pairs for balanced braking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstallation\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlways replace cylinders \u003cb\u003ein pairs\u003c\/b\u003e for balanced braking, even if only one is leaking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBleed both rear cylinders after installation; gravity-bleed first, then pedal-bleed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInspect brake shoes — if contaminated with fluid, replace them. We carry matching EMPI brake shoes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse fresh DOT 4 brake fluid; never reuse old fluid from the master cylinder reservoir.\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\u003eExplore more from \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/brakes\"\u003eBrakes\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-beetle\"\u003eVW Beetle\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-thing\"\u003eVW Thing\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWARNING:\u003c\/strong\u003e This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.P65Warnings.ca.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003ewww.P65Warnings.ca.gov\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Washburn's Metal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44908760203379,"sku":"98-6209-B","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/E98-6209-B-2.jpg?v=1785882085","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/empi-rear-wheel-cylinder-vw-beetle-1968-1979-thing-1973-1974-98-6209-b","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}