{"product_id":"refurbished-german-ball-joint-spindles-10mm-12mm-vw-beetle-ghia-1966-1977-r53-r54","title":"Ball Joint Spindles, Restoration Line — Refurbished German, 10mm or 12mm, Powder Coated | VW Beetle 1966–1977 \u0026 Karmann Ghia 1966–1974 (#R53 \/ #R54)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eVW Beetle \u0026amp; Karmann Ghia Ball Joint Spindles 1966–1977 — Refurbished Original German, Powder Coated\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThese are refurbished original German ball joint spindles for the VW Beetle and Karmann Ghia, media blasted and powder coated semi-gloss black. 1966 to mid-1968 cars with the 10mm tie rod hole take R53; late 1968–1977 Beetles and late 1968–1974 Ghias with the 12mm hole take R54. Buy a pair or a single driver's or passenger's side spindle.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePart numbers:\u003c\/strong\u003e R53 (10mm, early): #R53A pair, #R53D driver's side, #R53P passenger side · R54 (12mm, late): #R54A pair, #R54D driver's side, #R54P passenger side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFitment\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eYears\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVehicle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eNotes\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1966–mid-1968\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVW Beetle \u0026amp; Karmann Ghia (ball joint)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10mm tie rod pattern — R53\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate 1968–1977\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVW Beetle (ball joint)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12mm tie rod hole — R54\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate 1968–1974\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVW Karmann Ghia (ball joint)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12mm tie rod hole — R54\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePre-1966\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLink pin front ends\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDoes not fit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e—\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuper Beetle 1302\/1303 strut front end\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDoes not fit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e—\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType 2 Bus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDoes not fit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpec\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCondition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRefurbished original German\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFinish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedia blasted and powder coated semi-gloss black\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTie rod hole\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10mm (R53, early) or 12mm (R54, late)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSold as\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePair, driver's side or passenger side\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart numbers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eR53A \/ R53D \/ R53P; R54A \/ R54D \/ R54P\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShipping box\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 x 9 x 7 in (estimated)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy It Matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 10mm and 12mm spindles are not interchangeable, and 1968 was a mid-year change. You get a genuine factory core inspected and refinished in-house with a corrosion-resistant finish instead of a reproduction forging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInstallation Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you're unsure about a 1968 car, measure the tie rod hole or check the tie rod end taper you're running before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile the spindles are off, replace wheel bearings and seals, ball joints and tie rod ends, and inspect brake hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich ball joint spindle fits my 1967 Beetle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1966–Mid-1968 (10mm, R53). A 1970 Beetle or 1972 Karmann Ghia takes Late 1968–1977 (12mm, R54).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI have a 1968 Beetle — which spindle do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1968 was a mid-year change. Early-build cars use the 10mm pattern (R53); later builds use the 12mm (R54). Measure the tie rod hole or check the tie rod end you're running.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre these spindles sold as a pair or individually?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth — choose Pair, Driver's Side or Passenger Side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre these new reproduction spindles?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. They are original German factory spindles that we inspect, media blast and powder coat in-house.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo these spindles fit a Super Beetle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Super Beetles use a strut front end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the part number?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eR53 (1966 to mid-1968, 10mm): #R53A pair, #R53D driver's side, #R53P passenger side. R54 (late 1968 on, 12mm): #R54A pair, #R54D driver's side, #R54P passenger side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRelated Parts \u0026amp; Categories\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile the spindles are off, replace wheel bearings and seals, ball joints, and tie rod ends, and inspect brake hardware. Browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/suspension\"\u003eSuspension\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/steering\"\u003eSteering\u003c\/a\u003e, and everything for your \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-beetle\"\u003eVW Beetle\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eProp 65 Warning\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.p65warnings.ca.gov\"\u003ewww.P65Warnings.ca.gov\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Washburn's Metal","offers":[{"title":"1966–Mid-1968 (10mm, R53) \/ Pair","offer_id":66813684154483,"sku":"#R53A","price":230.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1966–Mid-1968 (10mm, R53) \/ Driver's Side","offer_id":66813684187251,"sku":"#R53D","price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1966–Mid-1968 (10mm, R53) \/ Passenger Side","offer_id":66813684220019,"sku":"#R53P","price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Late 1968–1977 (12mm, R54) \/ Pair","offer_id":43129348391027,"sku":"#R54A","price":230.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Late 1968–1977 (12mm, R54) \/ Driver's Side","offer_id":43129348423795,"sku":"#R54D","price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Late 1968–1977 (12mm, R54) \/ Passenger Side","offer_id":43129348456563,"sku":"#R54P","price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/20250313_171726A.jpg?v=1742414842","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/refurbished-german-ball-joint-spindles-10mm-12mm-vw-beetle-ghia-1966-1977-r53-r54","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}