Building The Axle

[mark]

I am trying to plan out the rear axle for my Go Kart before I go out and buy all of the parts. Here is what I have so far:

I have two Flange Mount Bearing that will attach to the Go Karts frame (See attached picture). The Axle, which has a keyed grove, will sit inside of these bearings which will allow it to spin freely. I am going to attach the disk break and sprocket to the axle as well using key stock (See attached pictures). From what I have read on this site and on the net, that seems like the best way to do it. Please let me know if there is an easier or better way. Also, am I missing anything?

The problem I am having is what will prevent the axle from sliding back and forth through the bearings? I could attach two hubs (See the picture of the hubs) to the axle and have them sit tight up against the Mount Bearings but I don't think that is the best way to do it because it would rub together.

The second problem I am having is attaching my wheels to the axle. I have two wheels from an existing project (See attached picture). What would be the best way to attach these?

Thank You in advance for your help. I Love the website -- very helpful.

~ Mark

[frank]

i had the exact same issue with the wheels, the bearings are inside a tube that is welded onto one of the halves of the wheel hub, right? well, i used my drill press to drill many many many small holes around the circumference of the wewld, the using a flat head screw driver and a hammer, i knocked it out completely, and then a "weld-on hub" was welded into the "cleaner" hole of the other half

[mark]

Cool. Thanks for the reply. That should work. Now how about the issue with the axle sliding back and forth?

~ Mark

[imported_robertdjung]

I've never used a live axle so i might not be as much help. Are there set screws or something on the bearings?

[frank]

well i am using pillow block bearings, they come with locking collars, find some locking collars, they are small rings with a set screw.

[mark]

So that would be one of these right?

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_21987_21987

How does it prevent the axle from sliding back and forth and still allow it to spin. It looks like it has a little screw but if you made the screw tight to the axle, it wouldn't spin...

~ Mark

[frank]

here is a locking collar
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_35035_35035
it stops the axle from moving sideways because it is locked onto the axle, since it is too big to go through the bearings, the axle cant move


also
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1267&item=7576608750
quote: "High quality 3/4" pillow block bearing. The bearing has a wide inner ring with a eccentric locking collar (cam lock) for attaching to the shaft. Housing is cast iron with a grease zerk for re-lubing the bearing."
that is basically the pillow block bearing i got

[mark]

So I would put a locking collar on the inside of each block bearing correct? Would the spinning of the lock collar rubbing up against the block bearing cause any problems? Would it wear down the metal or cause friction and slow the spinning of the axle down?

~ Mark

[frank]

um... it spins with the bearing, they move in unison, nothing is "rubbing", friction is the same

[mark]

Oh, so the locking collar and the bearing inside the block bearing are the same size and the bearing inside the block bearing also spins. Gotcha!

Thanks for all of you help! I will post pictures once I have completed my Kart!

~ Mark