Home › Vehicles › Volkswagen › Volkswagen New Beetle › 1998-2009 VW Beetle Wheel Bearing Part Numbers
The short version
- A 2001 VW Beetle wheel bearing replacement up front uses a press in ball bearing, 510003, for the whole 1998 to 2009 run.
- The rear uses a bolt on hub, 512012, across the same twelve year span.
- Twelve model years, two numbers, no changes in between.
- These numbers cover the New Beetle only, not the classic air cooled Beetle.
From 1998 through 2009, Volkswagen sold the New Beetle with the same two wheel bearing numbers the entire time. A 2001 VW Beetle wheel bearing replacement job looks the same as one on a 1999 or a 2008. Twelve years, and neither number ever moved.
The Beetle wheel bearing numbers at a glance
The front bearing, 510003, is a press in ball unit fitted to every New Beetle from 1998 to 2009.
The rear hub, 512012, bolts on and covers the same full span without a mid cycle change.
VW Beetle wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 to 2009 | Front, press in ball bearing | 510003 check price |
| 1998 to 2009 | Rear hub, bolt on | 512012 check price |
Price links lead to Amazon searches for that number. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.
Lookups run through the cross reference page.
This page covers the 1998-2009 VW Beetle: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. Other years live on the main Beetle wheel bearing page.
These two numbers cover the New Beetle body only. The classic air cooled Beetle is a completely different vehicle and is not covered by either row here.
A 2001 VW Beetle wheel bearing replacement that turns up an air cooled listing is looking at the wrong car entirely. Confirm New Beetle before ordering.
Year by year
Every model year from 1998 through 2009 uses 510003 up front and 512012 in back. Neither the early round body nor the later facelifted years changed the numbers. A 2001 VW Beetle wheel bearing replacement needs the same parts as any other year in the run.
Front is press in, rear is bolt on
The New Beetle mixes bearing types end to end. Up front, the ball bearing presses into the knuckle rather than bolting on as a cartridge.
The rear, by contrast, is a bolt on hub that swaps in without a press. That difference shapes how much shop time each end takes.
Diagnosing a VW Beetle wheel bearing
- Listen for a hum that builds with speed. Noise that shifts in a turn usually points to a bearing.
- Jack up each corner. Rock the wheel at 12 and 6 o’clock, checking for play in the hub.
- Note which end is noisy. A front repair means press work, while a rear repair is a bolt on swap.
- Compare turning noise to tire noise. A side by side check rules out a cupped tire.
- Run a full diagnostic if unsure. A complete walkthrough separates bearing symptoms from CV joint or strut noise.
Common questions
What is the 2001 VW Beetle wheel bearing replacement part number?
Front is 510003, a press in ball bearing. Rear is 512012, a bolt on hub. Both cover the 2001 model along with every year from 1998 to 2009.
Does the 1998 Beetle use the same wheel bearing as the 2009?
Yes. Both years share the identical front and rear numbers, with no change across the whole run.
Is the front Beetle wheel bearing press in or bolt on?
Press in. The front is a ball bearing that presses into the steering knuckle rather than bolting on.
Do these numbers fit a classic air cooled Beetle?
No. These part numbers cover the New Beetle only. The air cooled Beetle uses entirely different hardware.
Is the rear Beetle wheel bearing a bolt on hub?
Yes. The rear, 512012, is a complete bolt on hub assembly rather than a press in bearing.