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GeoBrakes stocks OEM-grade brake drums confirmed to fit the Volkswagen Beetle, the cast-iron components that form the friction surface for the Beetle drum brake shoes. Available in standard and corrosion-coated configurations for your Beetle, every drum is manufactured to the correct inner diameter, wall thickness, and surface finish for the Volkswagen Beetle
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The brake drum on the Volkswagen Beetle is the rotating cast-iron bowl that the Beetle drum brake shoes press against to slow your vehicle. Mounted to the rear axle hub of your Volkswagen Beetle, it spins with the wheel and provides the friction surface that the shoes contact under braking. Unlike brake rotors, which can be visually inspected from outside the wheel on many Beetle vehicles, Volkswagen Beetle brake drums fully enclose the shoe assembly, which means wear and damage often goes unnoticed until braking performance on the Volkswagen Beetle is noticeably affected.
Standard OEM-Grade Drums for the Volkswagen Beetle
Standard OEM-grade cast-iron drums for the Volkswagen Beetle are manufactured to the original equipment diameter, wall thickness, and surface finish specification for your Beetle. They are the direct replacement for the factory Beetle drum with no modification required.
Coated Brake Drums for the Volkswagen Beetle
Coated Volkswagen Beetle brake drums feature a corrosion-resistant coating applied to the external drum surfaces of your Beetle, the hat section, outer wall, and wheel mounting face. Surface rust is a common issue on Volkswagen Beetle drum brake vehicles in US, particularly during periods of non-use in winter when moisture and salt collect inside the Beetle wheel well. A coated drum on your Volkswagen Beetle resists surface rust that can transfer to the wheel mounting face, making future drum removal significantly easier at the next Beetle brake service.
Volkswagen Beetle brake drum replacement requires matching the correct inner diameter, wall thickness, bolt circle, hub bore, and drum offset for your Beetle. Errors in any of these dimensions produce incorrect shoe-to-drum clearance, uneven wear, and braking problems on the Volkswagen Beetle. Our vehicle selector eliminates those risks by confirming the correct drum for the Volkswagen Beetle exact year, make, model, and axle. Coated Beetle drum options are available for vehicles with heavy salt exposure.
How long do brake drums last on a Volkswagen Beetle?
Volkswagen Beetle brake drums typically last 150,000 to 200,000 kilometres with periodic resurfacing, significantly longer than disc brake rotors on the Beetle. Each resurfacing removes material from the Beetle drum and reduces wall thickness. Once the Volkswagen Beetle drum reaches its maximum allowable inner diameter, it must be replaced rather than turned again.
Should I replace brake drums on my Volkswagen Beetle in pairs?
Yes. Replace both Volkswagen Beetle drums on the same axle to maintain balanced braking. Drums of different inner diameters on the Beetle create uneven friction forces, causing the Volkswagen Beetle to pull to the fresher-drum side during braking.
Should I replace drums and shoes at the same time on my Volkswagen Beetle?
Yes, it is strongly recommended for the Volkswagen Beetle. New shoes on a scored or out-of-round Beetle drum wear unevenly from day one. New Volkswagen Beetle drums with old shoes that have worn to match the old drum surface will contact the new bore incorrectly. Replacing both together on the Beetle ensures proper break-in and maximum service life from both components.