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The short version
- Front VW Rabbit wheel bearing numbers split by flange bolt count. The 3-bolt flange uses 513262. The 4-bolt flange uses 513253, both for 2006-2009.
- National’s catalog lists only 513262 for the same Eos, Golf, GTI, and Rabbit range. The two catalogs disagree, and the bolt count settles which one is correct.
- The rear hub is 512336 for all 2006-2009 Rabbits. Moog and National agree on that one.
- The Rabbit shares its MkV platform hardware with the Jetta and the Beetle.
Volkswagen revived the Rabbit name for 2006 after a 20-year break. Under the skin it was a badge-swapped Golf on the same MkV platform. That shared engineering is why Rabbit hub numbers keep turning up under Golf and GTI listings too.
VW Rabbit wheel bearing quick reference
The front VW Rabbit wheel bearing number depends on the bolt count on the hub flange. Count the bolts before ordering. Do not guess from the model year.
The rear hub skips that split. One number, 512336, covers both rear corners for the whole 2006-2009 run.
VW Rabbit wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 2006-2009 | Front hub, 3-bolt flange | 513262 check price |
| 2006-2009 | Front hub, 4-bolt flange | 513253 check price |
| 2006-2009 | Rear hub | 512336 check price |
Every model year this chart resolves: 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
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.
Catalog discrepancy: Moog splits the front VW Rabbit wheel bearing by flange bolt count. National’s catalog lists only 513262 for the entire Eos, Golf, GTI, and Rabbit lineup. That is two catalogs describing the same hub differently, not an averaging problem.
Count the bolts on the flange, or match the old part before ordering. Do not assume the 4-bolt number applies just because National skips it.
Shared hardware across the Volkswagen lineup
The MkV platform underpins the Rabbit, and the catalogs group its front hub with the Eos, Golf, and GTI. The Jetta and the Beetle ran on related VW architecture with their own listings, covered on their own pages. Cross-shopping within the Golf family means facing the same bolt count question, not separate parts systems.
The full Volkswagen model lineup follows the same pattern. Badge and trim rarely change the hub. Chassis generation does.
A heritage note on the original Rabbit
The Rabbit nameplate first ran from 1975 to 1984. That generation used serviceable tapered bearings, packed and adjusted by hand rather than sealed in a cartridge. National keeps that design in a legacy reference section, but none of its numbers carry over to the 2006-2009 car.
Anyone restoring an original Rabbit needs tapered bearing and race sets sized for that older spindle. The numbers above do not apply there.
Diagnosing a VW Rabbit wheel bearing
- Listen for a rhythmic hum. A worn wheel bearing produces a drone that rises and falls with road speed, not engine RPM.
- Isolate the side. A gentle weight shift toward the opposite side on a highway sweep usually makes the hum louder.
- Check for play. With the wheel off the ground, grip it at 12 and 6 o’clock and rock it. Looseness at the hub points to bearing wear.
- Watch the ABS light. A failing bearing can damage the wheel speed sensor ring inside the hub. That can trigger an ABS or traction control warning.
- Confirm with a road test. Cornering loads the bearing unevenly. A noise that changes through a turn backs up the diagnosis.
Common questions
What is the VW Rabbit wheel bearing part number?
It depends on the flange. The front hub is 513262 on a 3-bolt flange or 513253 on a 4-bolt flange. The rear hub is 512336, all for 2006-2009 models.
Why do two catalogs list different Rabbit front hub numbers?
Moog splits the front VW Rabbit wheel bearing by flange bolt count. National’s catalog only carries 513262 for the whole Eos, Golf, GTI, and Rabbit range. Match the bolt count on the old part rather than picking by year alone.
Does the Rabbit share wheel bearings with the Golf and GTI?
Yes. National’s fitment chart groups the Rabbit with the Eos, Golf, and GTI under the same front hub listings.
Is the rear wheel bearing the same on all Rabbits?
Yes. The rear hub is 512336 across the 2006-2009 run, and both catalogs agree on that number.
Does the 1975 Rabbit use the same wheel bearing?
No. The original 1975-1984 Rabbit used serviceable tapered bearings that get packed and adjusted by hand. That is a different design from the sealed hub covered here.