Kart Newbie - Looking for advice

[mich7088]

Hello,

First of all, fantastic site! The kids have been wanting a go kart for a while and we recently moved to a new house with a couple of acres with some room for them to ride so I decided to get one.

I bought a yerf dog off of CL yesterday, not sure of the model though. Feel like we got a pretty good deal on it. It starts on the first or second pull and has the Tecumseh motor on it. I believe it is a 3200 but I am not sure. I am new at the go kart thing but am mechanically inclined and am looking to fix this up myself in my off time.

The previous owners son ran into a wall and the left a-rod is bent back to the point that the steering rod hits it when you try and right. Another issue that I am unsure is related to that is that the tires point toe in, especially during turning.

Lastly, I am new with the brake band system. This cart will barely stop I believe because it needs to be replaced (looks terrible and the band is crooked), and because the brake pedal will not fully depress due to the a-rod being bent and pushing the shock back into its path.

If anyone would be nice enough to help me answer the following I would appreciate it.

1. Should I replace both a-rods at the same time?
2. Will new suspension (these are shot) fix the camber of the front wheels or is there something else that could be wrong?
3. Is there something causing the brake band to be off center as in the picture?
4. Should I just replace the drum and the band completely?

Thanks for any help you can give! I am looking forward to working on this kart.

 

[rushking19]

Yes you should replace both the band and the drum

 

[mich7088]

Does that bolt need to be replaced also? Is that why it is crooked?

 

[rushking19]

Does that bolt need to be replaced also? Is that why it is crooked?

Yes the bolt needs to be replaced too, and it's probably bent because of pressure on it over the years from braking

 

[mich7088]

OK. Thanks for the help! Any advice on the tilt of the front wheels? Would the worn suspension cause that?

 

[rushking19]

OK. Thanks for the help! Any advice on the tilt of the front wheels? Would the worn suspension cause that?

Which side are you talking about

 

[mich7088]

Both sides but the right seems the worst. I tried to get a pic of it from behind on that picture I attached. They tilt in more when someone sits on it.

 

[OzFab]

1. Should I replace both a-rods at the same time?

I'd suggest it; the fact that you have one known to be bent means that you can't check if the other is bent or not; worst case, you buy one only to discover the other is also bent; best case, you buy two, discover the "good" one isn't bent & you have a spare...

2. Will new suspension (these are shot) fix the camber of the front wheels or is there something else that could be wrong?

Definitely! Not only are the shocks dead, I suspect they're also a bit short, the A arms are almost bottomed out...

This is the #1 problem with single A arm suspension, variable camber &, unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about it...

3. Is there something causing the brake band to be off center as in the picture?

Yes, the bolt "holding" it... well, isn't! The bolt should extend to just beyond the drum, then used two nuts (one either side of the bracket) to ancher it in place

4. Should I just replace the drum and the band completely?

The drum, not necessarily, just clean it up on a wire wheel.
The band, that depends on age & wear

 

[rushking19]

Both sides but the right seems the worst. I tried to get a pic of it from behind on that picture I attached. They tilt in more when someone sits on it.

It most likely does have to do something with the suspension

 

[OzFab]

Yes the bolt needs to be replaced too, and it's probably bent because of pressure on it over the years from braking

It's not bent, there's nothing holding it

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum. Fabroman has given you some good advice there. Why don't you start on one problem at a time and we can help you through each

 

[mich7088]

Thanks! You guys are fantastic! I am going to go ahead and order the a-arms, suspension and brake band and start there.

I am a member of several forums and know that everyone prefers things differently, do you all prefer me to edit this post, add to it or start a new one for every problem?

 

[OzFab]

We prefer you add to this thread as opposed to creating a new thread for every little thing...

 

[mich7088]

Sounds good. I am ordering the parts now. Can I straighten out the slight bend in the tie rod?

 

[OzFab]

Yes; you won't get it dead straight but, it'll be close...

 

[landuse]

Thanks! You guys are fantastic! I am going to go ahead and order the a-arms, suspension and brake band and start there.

I am a member of several forums and know that everyone prefers things differently, do you all prefer me to edit this post, add to it or start a new one for every problem?

What I am going to do is move this thread to the Project Log section of the forum, as this is going to turn into a project when you get going.

 

[mich7088]

Parts are to be delivered today, had a day off and decided to start tearing it down. I am having a terrible time getting the bolts off that hold the a arms on. Is there a trick to these things?

 

[karte_m0lim]

Bigger hammer?

 

[Poboy kartman]

Parts are to be delivered today, had a day off and decided to start tearing it down. I am having a terrible time getting the bolts off that hold the a arms on. Is there a trick to these things?

OUCH!!!!!! Yes.....PB Blaster and patience. ....also....never , ever hit the end of a bolt unprotected. ...screw the nut back on until almost flush and hit it..... ( but even then use some restraint. ......

 

[mich7088]

LOL. OK. Yeah, I got a little aggrivated with it. But if I can get it loose I should be able to knock it out?