Hi, new here and just bought my first kart

[Tonyuh60]

Hi, just bought this kart off of craigslist. Needs some work but engine is practically brand new and cranks on the slightest pull. I'm $150 into it as it sits. Not sure if I paid too much, but that's water under the bridge. I am not new to muscle car restorations, but these, I'm out of my comfort zone. For the life of me, I cannot figure how to get the back wheels off. I guess it's a live axle, if live axle means the entire system spins. Going to replace the clutch, tires and the seat and get it on the road for my son to enjoy as soon as possible and probably take it back apart this winter. What I can tell, it is a Murray Explorer. First question I have,
How do you remove the rear wheels from the axle?

http://[URL=http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tonyuh60/media/for%20sale/gokart_zpsyhnuseu8.jpg.html] [/URL]

 

[the Go Kart noob]

i am flipping out my friend you have just won the go kart lotto you got a near complete go kart for 150 MAN the engine itself is worth that alone, i would say put a new seat on it and hook up the brake and gas pedals (if that's all it needs) and GOO or you could send it my way :}

 

[OzFab]

I'm $150 into it as it sits. Not sure if I paid too much...

That's actually very reasonable...

I cannot figure how to get the back wheels off.

There will be a nut on the end of the axle which anchors the rim; once this is removed, the rim should slide off, if the proper maintenance has been performed...

Unfortunately, this is not usually the case & it's more likely the rim has rusted to the axle which means soaking it in PB Blaster or some other penetration solution (FYI: WD40 is NOT a penetration solution); since you're no stranger to auto restoration, you should know how this goes...

One last tip, if you can access the keyway, try removing the key; this will make life easier by allowing you to spin the rim on the axle, breaking the seal...

 

[Tonyuh60]

Thanks for the info, I took the nuts off and can't get the wheels off and thought I was doing something wrong. Soaking in PB blaster now. I couldn't help myself, so I tore the entire cart apart. Going to blast everything to get rid of some surface rust and repaint. I'm down to taking the axle out and I'm stuck again. Is there a trick I'm missing to getting the axle out without bending the frame? Is it the bearing that is frozen in place that I need to break free? Thanks for any help.

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[qtband]

I have never had much luck breaking wheels and bearings free from a rusted axle. Most of the time I just paint around them and hope I never have to replace any parts.

 

[Bbqjoe]

Good lord man, I don't see anything wrong with those wheels, or the kart as a whole.
Why do you want to remove the wheels, let alone tear it down?

I'd drive the the thing until the tires wear out or the wheels fall off, then worry about it.

 

[Tonyuh60]

I'd drive the the thing until the tires wear out or the wheels fall off, then worry about it.

unfortunately the more I dug into it, without replacing items, it was never going to move on its own. Planning on giving this to my son in 3 weeks, so the quick teardown and rebuild with new parts is on.

---------- Post added at 01:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:49 PM ----------

I have never had much luck breaking wheels and bearings free from a rusted axle. Most of the time I just paint around them and hope I never have to replace any parts.

Found that out the hard way. I cut the axle today and tomorrow and going to see if a press will push them out. Trying to salvage the rims and sprocket.

 

[qtband]

A press should do it. Good luck!

 

[Kentucky Boy]

On my Murray I just cut the old bearings off with a 4" angle grinder. Clean the axle real good and new ones will slide on.

---------- Post added at 08:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:02 PM ----------

Sand the axle down before you try to remove any components from it.

 

[OzFab]

Yep, Kentucky Boy beat me to it, bearings are cheaper & easier to replace than an axle...