How we researched this guide
We compared 10 hardware-only kits with VW Beetle fitment against maker and retailer listings (Vivid Racing, Heritage Parts Centre, MoFoCo, Advance Auto Parts, TheSamba), and checked 13 Amazon listings for a verified buy link. Every part number and year split below traces to one of those sources, and no specification was guessed where a source did not publish it.
We did not test any kit. One fact has to be stated plainly first: real Beetle hardware kits exist, but none of them had a verified Amazon listing we could confirm in this research pass, so this guide carries no buy buttons. The kits are named with their real part numbers and year splits so you can order the right one from a parts retailer, and the guide says exactly which listings were checked and rejected and why.
The 30-second answer
For a classic Beetle, buy hardware by year split, not by the word Beetle alone: front drum hardware differs between early 30 mm drums (to 1964) and later 40 mm drums (1965 on), and rear hardware differs between swing-axle (pre-1969) and IRS (1969 on) cars. The real kits are Dorman HW5568 for New Beetle calipers, ATE 17184 front and 17179 rear for Super Beetles, EMPI 113-698-002 for Type 1 front drums, Heritage 113-698-600/A/B for rear drums, and Carquest 17162/17163 for a 1966 Beetle. None of these had a verified Amazon listing in this research pass, so buy from a VW parts retailer and match the part number to your year and axle type.
Beetle brake hardware kits at a glance
| Kit | Type | Fits | Buy link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorman HW5568 | Caliper bushing kit | New Beetle 1998–2010 | Not verified |
| ATE 17184 | Front hardware kit | Super Beetle (US) | Not verified |
| ATE / TRW 17179 | Rear hardware kit | Beetle 1958–1979 | Not verified |
| EMPI 113-698-002 | Front shoe hardware | Type 1 Bug 1965–1978 | Not verified |
| Heritage 113-698-600/A/B | Rear overhaul kit | Beetle 1965–1979 | Not verified |
| Carquest 17162 / 17163 | Drum hardware combi-kit | 1966 Beetle | Not verified |
How to choose a Beetle brake hardware kit
Classic Beetle vs New Beetle: not interchangeable
This is the central trap. Classic air-cooled Beetle hardware and New Beetle (1998–2010) hardware are not interchangeable. Nothing in this guide claims cross-fitment between them. Work out which Beetle you have first, then read only the rows for that car.
Front drum width: 30 mm vs 40 mm
Classic Beetle front drum hardware differs between early 30 mm wide front drum brakes (up to 1964) and later 40 mm wide front drum setups (1965 and later). Order the wrong width and the springs and clips will not fit. The JBugs brake category pages document this split, and it is the first thing to check on any classic front kit.
Rear axle: swing-axle vs IRS
Rear drum hardware varies between swing-axle and independent rear suspension (IRS) chassis. Swing-axle models are pre-1969 Beetles and Ghias; IRS models are 1969 and later Beetles and Super Beetles. Factory front drums have two adjusters per front drum and one dual-star adjuster per rear drum.
Drum vs disc
US-delivered Bugs had drum brakes only. 1500/1600 models from 1968 onwards outside the US had front disc brakes, interchangeable with the same-year Karmann Ghia. If your car has front discs, you need a caliper hardware kit, not a drum spring kit. The later disc style from about 1972 uses two retaining pins.
What a hardware kit should contain
A drum hardware kit should contain hold-down springs and pins, return springs, adjuster hardware and clips. A disc caliper hardware kit should contain abutment clips, boots and mounting bolts. The Dorman HW5568 below is a caliper bushing kit, not a full abutment-clip set, and must never be presented as one.
Lug pattern as a year clue
Early air-cooled VWs through 1967 use the wide 5-lug pattern (5×205 mm); 1968 and later use 4-lug (4×130 mm). The lug pattern is a quick check on the year split when the paperwork is unclear.
Kits by budget and job
| Job | What you need | Kit to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Classic front drums | Springs, pins, clips, 30 or 40 mm | EMPI 113-698-002 |
| Classic rear drums | Overhaul kit, year split | Heritage 113-698-600/A/B |
| Super Beetle front | OEM front hardware | ATE 17184 |
| Super Beetle rear | OEM rear hardware | ATE / TRW 17179 |
| New Beetle calipers | Bushing kit, rubber, boot included | Dorman HW5568 |
| 1966 Beetle drums | Combi-kit | Carquest 17162 / 17163 |
Drum hardware vs disc hardware
| Type | Contains | Fits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drum hardware kit | Springs, pins, clips, adjusters | Classic Beetles | 30 vs 40 mm front split |
| Disc caliper hardware | Clips, boots, bolts | New Beetle, non-US disc cars | Bushing kit is not a clip set |
| Full brake kit | Rotors + pads + hardware | New Beetle 1998–2006 | Not a hardware-only kit |
Detailed reviews: the kits
Each kit below is a real product with Beetle fitment evidenced by a retailer or maker listing. None had a verified Amazon listing in this research pass, so none carries a buy button. Part numbers are printed so you can order the exact kit from a VW parts retailer.
Dorman HW5568 — New Beetle caliper bushing kit
Why the Dorman HW5568 is our pick
The HW5568 is the only hardware-only kit in this guide with a full published fitment table for the New Beetle, covering 1998–2010 trims from the Vivid Racing listing. It is a disc brake caliper bushing kit in rubber with the boot included, listed for front and rear positions. It is not a full abutment-clip set, and it is listed for many non-Beetle makes as well, so it must never be presented as Beetle-only or as a complete clip kit.
Dorman HW5568 key specs
- Part number: HW5568 (other part NBHW5568)
- Type: Disc brake caliper bushing kit
- Material: Rubber
- Boot included: Yes
- Positions: Front and rear
- Fitment: New Beetle 1998–2010 trims (Base, GL, GLS, GLS Turbo, GLX, Sport, Cabrio, Turbo S, GLS TDI, 2.5, S/SE, Comfortline)
- Not Beetle-only: also listed for Golf and other makes
Dorman HW5568: fits and best for
Best for New Beetle owners doing a caliper service who need fresh bushings and boots. Confirm your trim and year against the fitment table before ordering, and do not confuse it with the HW5569 below.
Dorman HW5568 pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Full published fitment table
- Rubber bushings with boot included
- Front and rear positions
Watch-outs
- Not a full clip set
- Not Beetle-only
- No verified Amazon listing found
Dorman HW5568: what owners report
No Beetle-specific owner report was found that ties this part number to a verified Amazon listing. Owner coverage for this kit is thin, and this guide states that rather than padding it.
Dorman HW5568: who should not buy
Do not buy it if you need a complete abutment-clip set or if you drive a classic drum-brake Beetle. It is a bushing kit for New Beetle calipers only.
Tip: HW5568 and HW5569 are different kits. HW5569 fits Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette only and must never be ordered for a Beetle.
ATE 17184 and 17179 — Super Beetle OEM hardware
Why the ATE kits are our pick
The ATE 17184 front and ATE / TRW 17179 rear kits are the OEM hardware for the Super Beetle, documented in a TheSamba forum thread on 1973 Super Beetle brake parts. The 17184 covers all Super Beetles in the US; the 17179 covers 1958 (chassis 1673411) to 1979. For an owner who wants the factory hardware, these are the part numbers to ask for.
ATE 17184 / 17179 key specs
- Front part number: ATE 17184
- Rear part number: ATE / TRW 17179
- Front fitment: All Super Beetle in the US
- Rear fitment: 1958 to 1979
- Attribution: OEM ATE / TRW
- Source: TheSamba forum thread on 1973 Super Beetle parts
ATE kits: fits and best for
Best for Super Beetle owners doing a full brake service who want OEM hardware rather than a generic kit. Match the front and rear numbers separately; they are different kits.
ATE kits pros and watch-outs
Pros
- OEM ATE / TRW hardware
- Documented year splits
- Front and rear covered
Watch-outs
- No verified Amazon listing found
- Forum-sourced part numbers: verify with your supplier
ATE kits: who should not buy
Do not buy these for a New Beetle. They are classic Super Beetle hardware and do not fit 1998–2010 cars.
EMPI 113-698-002 — Type 1 front shoe hardware
Why the EMPI kit is our pick
The EMPI 113-698-002 (also listed as EMPI 98-6987) is a front brake shoe hardware kit of springs, pins and clips for Type 1 Bugs from 1965 to 1978, plus Ghia 1965–1966 and Thing 1973–1974, per the MoFoCo listing. It is the straightforward front-drum hardware kit for the most common classic Beetles.
EMPI 113-698-002 key specs
- Part number: EMPI 113-698-002 (EMPI 98-6987)
- Type: Front brake shoe hardware kit
- Contents: Springs, pins and clips
- Fitment: Type 1 Bug 1965–1978, Ghia 1965–1966, Thing 1973–1974
- Source: MoFoCo EMPI listing
EMPI kit: fits and best for
Best for classic Type 1 front drum service on 1965–1978 cars. Confirm the 40 mm front drum split for your year before ordering.
EMPI kit: who should not buy
Do not buy it for a pre-1965 car with 30 mm front drums, or for a New Beetle. It fits neither.
Heritage 113-698-600/A/B — Rear drum overhaul kits
Why the Heritage kits are our pick
Heritage Parts Centre lists the rear drum brake overhaul kit in two year splits: 113-698-600/A for Beetle and Beetle Cabrio 1965–1967, and 113-698-600/B for Beetle and Beetle Cabrio 1968–1979. The same page lists the 40 mm brake shoe set 113-698-537/C for Beetle 1958–1979. The year split is the whole point: order the letter that matches your car.
Heritage kits key specs
- Part numbers: 113-698-600/A (1965–1967), 113-698-600/B (1968–1979)
- Type: Brake overhaul kit, rear drum brakes
- Fitment: Beetle and Beetle Cabrio, year split as above
- Related: Brake shoe set 40 mm, 113-698-537/C, Beetle 1958–1979
- Source: Heritage Parts Centre Beetle drums page
Heritage kits: who should not buy
Do not buy either kit without checking your year against the A/B split. A 1967 car and a 1968 car take different kits.
Carquest 17162, 17163 and 15677A — Retailer kits
Why the Carquest kits are our pick
Advance Auto Parts lists the Carquest 17162 and 17163 drum brake hardware combi-kits for a 1966 Volkswagen Beetle, and the Carquest 15677A disc brake hardware kit for a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle. They are the retailer-shelf option for owners who want to buy locally rather than from a VW specialist.
Carquest kits key specs
- Part numbers: 17162, 17163 (drum combi-kit); 15677A (disc kit)
- 17162 / 17163 fitment: 1966 Volkswagen Beetle
- 15677A fitment: 2006 Volkswagen Beetle
- Source: Advance Auto Parts Beetle brake-kits listings
Carquest kits: who should not buy
Do not buy the 1966 drum kits for a New Beetle, and do not buy the 2006 disc kit for a classic car. The two generations share nothing in brake hardware.
Full kits that include hardware (not hardware-only kits)
Two verified Amazon products have Beetle fitment and include hardware, but both are full rotor and pad kits, not hardware-only kits, so they are not picks in this guide. The Max Advanced Brakes front and rear brake kit (KT024043, ASIN B00NGYRG4U) fits 1998–2006 Beetles with 11.02-inch front and 9.13-inch rear rotors and includes stainless steel hardware. The Detroit Axle 10-piece front and rear disc rotors and ceramic brake pads kit (10PR1800012, ASIN B07KRZ7245) fits 2000 Beetle GL/GLS models with the same rotor sizes and includes hardware. Buy one of these only if you actually need rotors and pads too. The listing snippet for the Max Advanced Brakes kit also showed no featured offers available at the time of checking, so confirm availability before planning around it.
Listings we rejected (do not order these for a Beetle)
| Product | Why rejected |
|---|---|
| Dorman HW5569 (B001PYLAHM) | Camaro / Corvette only |
| Dorman HW17307 (B001PYN5M0) | Honda models only |
| Dorman HW13463 (B001C6JB9M) | Acura / Honda models only |
| Dorman HW13785 (B01LREX766) | Nissan Rogue 2014–2019 |
| Carlson H7365 (B004A5RPZ4) | No Beetle fitment shown |
| Raybestos H7149 (B000C6ZY8A) | No Beetle fitment shown |
The HW5569 rejection matters most: its number is one digit from the Beetle-fitting HW5568, and the two must never be confused.
Installation basics
Work one side at a time so the other side stays assembled as your reference. Photograph the spring layout before you remove anything. Clean the backing plate and adjuster threads, lightly lubricate the adjuster and shoe contact points with brake grease, and fit new hold-down hardware rather than reusing tired springs. After assembly, adjust the shoes out until the drum drags lightly, then back off, and bed the brakes in with a series of moderate stops. If your car has front discs, torque the caliper bolts to the manual figure and confirm the retaining pins are seated.
Safety essentials
Brake safety rules for every job:
- Support the car on jack stands, never on a jack alone.
- Wear a mask when cleaning drum dust; do not blow it out with compressed air.
- Never reuse a stretched return spring or a cracked hold-down pin.
- Check for leaking wheel cylinders while the drums are off.
- Test the pedal and the handbrake before driving.
- Re-torque the wheels after the first short drive.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Pedal feels spongy | Air in the lines or worn shoes | Bleed the brakes, check shoe adjustment |
| Car pulls to one side | Uneven adjustment or seized adjuster | Clean and free the adjusters, re-adjust both sides |
| Squeal on braking | Glazed shoes or missing hardware | Replace hardware, de-glaze or replace shoes |
| Handbrake will not hold | Stretched cable or worn rear shoes | Adjust the cable, check rear shoe wear |
| New hardware will not fit | Wrong drum width or axle type | Re-check 30 vs 40 mm and swing-axle vs IRS |
Who should NOT buy these
Owners who need rotors and pads too: these are hardware-only kits. If your rotors are scored or your pads are worn out, buy a full kit instead and treat the hardware as part of that job.
Buyers who will not check their year split: a single wrong year can mean the wrong drum width or the wrong axle type. If you will not check, have a parts retailer check the VIN for you.
New Beetle owners shopping classic kits: classic drum hardware does not fit a 1998–2010 Beetle. The HW5568 is the only hardware-only kit in this guide for your car.
Final verdict
Buy hardware by year split, not by the word Beetle. Classic owners want the EMPI front kit and the Heritage rear kit in the right year split, Super Beetle owners want the ATE 17184 front and 17179 rear, and New Beetle owners want the Dorman HW5568 bushing kit. None of these had a verified Amazon listing in this research pass, so order the exact part number from a VW parts retailer and confirm the fitment table before you pay.
FAQ
Will a classic Beetle hardware kit fit a New Beetle?
No. Classic air-cooled Beetle hardware and New Beetle (1998–2010) hardware are not interchangeable. Nothing in this guide claims cross-fitment between them.
What is the difference between 30 mm and 40 mm front drums?
Early classic Beetles to 1964 used 30 mm wide front drum brakes; 1965 and later used 40 mm wide front drums. The hardware differs, so check your year before ordering a front kit.
How do I know if my Beetle is swing-axle or IRS?
Swing-axle models are pre-1969 Beetles and Ghias; IRS models are 1969 and later Beetles and Super Beetles. The rear hardware differs between the two, so the year decides the kit.
Is the Dorman HW5568 a complete brake hardware kit?
No. It is a caliper bushing kit in rubber with the boot included. It must never be presented as a complete abutment-clip set.
Can I use the HW5569 instead of the HW5568?
No. The HW5569 fits Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette only. The numbers are one digit apart and must never be confused.
Are the full rotor and pad kits a substitute for a hardware kit?
Only if you need rotors and pads too. The Max Advanced Brakes and Detroit Axle kits include hardware, but they are full kits, not hardware-only kits, and they cost accordingly.
Where can I buy these kits if not on Amazon?
From VW parts retailers such as Heritage Parts Centre, JBugs and MoFoCo, or from a local parts store using the part numbers in this guide. No verified Amazon listing was found for any hardware-only kit here.
Do I need new hardware with new shoes?
Yes, in practice. Springs lose tension and pins wear, and new hardware is cheap insurance against a spongy pedal or a pulling car. Fit new hardware whenever the drums come off for shoes.
Sources & changelog
Retailer and maker sources: JBugs VW brake accessories; JBugs VW rear brakes; Heritage Parts Centre Beetle drums; MoFoCo EMPI listings; Vivid Racing Dorman HW5568 fitment; Advance Auto Parts 1966 Beetle brake kits. Forum and reference sources: TheSamba 1973 Super Beetle brake parts thread; VW Resource disc brake procedure. Full-kit listings checked: Max Advanced Brakes KT024043 (ASIN B00NGYRG4U) and Detroit Axle 10PR1800012 (ASIN B07KRZ7245).
Changelog — November 5, 2026: guide first published.
By Leo, Founder, WinchInsider
Leo researches winches, recovery gear and automotive parts from maker spec sheets and owner reports, and writes the guides on this site. Read more on our about page.