How to replace rear wheels on a stepped rear axle?

Status
Not open for further replies.

TylerFrankel

New member
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
Location
Charlotte, NC
Hello again!

Sorry for creating another post about the go kart, but the other one is kinda lived out if you know what I mean, it's got everything I need for general information. I need just a little bit more advice before I go ahead and start ordering things to rebuild.

Here's the situation: I have a stepped rear axle, like this:


And right now, I have cracked, dryrotted azusalite wheels on the back that fit a stepped axle.



The previous owner jerry rigged these to work, as they were "spaced" by a bunch of washers on one side, and the axle step held them in place on the other side.

I need to replace them, but the problem is wheels for stepped axles are hard to find apparently, I've only found one steel set on azusa website. I figured I could use a shaft adapter and longer key:





and get these wheels:

https://www.bmikarts.com/410350-Studded-Tire-with-Split-Rim-1-Bore--Rear_p_8358.html

with a shaft collar:

https://www.bmikarts.com/1-14-Axle-Locking-Collar-_p_1111.html
and maybe some washers to keep it in place.

Does this sound good, or like a disaster waiting to happen? There's no keyway on the smaller part of the stepped axle, so only part of the wheel would be on a "legit" key assuming it's wide enough to go across the adapted part of the axle and the actually 1" part, but the weight would be on the whole thing with an adapter.

If not, Would I be safe to just get a hub that fits those wheels and mount it that way? I suppose the wheel doesn't have to touch the axle when it's on a hub, right? If so I could just do that adapter thing. And then put washers and a bolt to space it properly again, even though it shouldn't move off the hub lol.

Hopefully that whole text I just created is follow-able, if not I'll clarify later. Thanks for all the help everyone!

P.S. When I get some time over break/after I get my kart working I'll make sure to contribute to the forums more, since I ask so many questions :p
 

Kartorbust

Well-known member
Messages
3,896
Reaction score
188
Location
Utica, NE
Usually those axles are used with a 4on4 hub. When put on the hubs will sit up to the step up and not go further in. With the wheel you show, you would just need a locking collar inside to stop the wheel from moving inward, and a lock nut threaded.
 

TylerFrankel

New member
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
Location
Charlotte, NC
Usually those axles are used with a 4on4 hub. When put on the hubs will sit up to the step up and not go further in. With the wheel you show, you would just need a locking collar inside to stop the wheel from moving inward, and a lock nut threaded.

That makes sense... What you're saying is the hub goes on the bigger diameter part of the axle with the key and the wheel doesn't actually touch the axle because its on the hub and "hovers" over the 3/4 inch part of the axle because the hub is holding it in place?

And for me, as long as I get a shaft collar and a lug nut to hold my keyed wheel in place on both sides, I should be fine?

Here's a crappy MS paint diagram I created as best I could to help illustrate the situation:

Stepped axle.png

My concern is the "red zone" where the rim's bore wouldn't be distributing weight to the axle, and all the pressure would be on the green zone. If the red zone grows too big, I suppose there could be problems. As long as this isn't a big deal then I'm ready to go. Each tire is rated at 280 something pounds so it should be fine anyway, as I'm only about 165, and the kart itself is probably a similar weight.

Plus, if it is a problem, I could either acquire a proper hub and/or use spacers to jerry rig the wheel back far enough onto the 1" part of the axle, and/or use a shaft adapter like I posted above. Only concern with that is I don't know if the shaft adapter could clear the threads, and I already damaged them and may have to re-tap them with a die (if I can ever figure out if they're SAE, UNC, UNF, Metric, and pitch or Threads per inch or whatever!!!) and find new lug nuts as mine don't fit well and are partially stripped.

What do you think? Appreciate it!:thumbsup::wai:
 

JTSpeedDemon

2019 Build Off Winner!
Messages
4,026
Reaction score
147
Location
Texas
Check OMBWarehouse, they have a ton of parts, and I'm pretty sure I saw some stepped axle wheels on there.
 

TylerFrankel

New member
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
Location
Charlotte, NC
They do have them, you're right. They're the azusa ones again haha. I wonder why they're the only ones that make these anywhere. I think that I'll try the other ones first, and if it seems like they're going to fail I'll try returning them and getting those azusa tri-stars. I'm not a huge fan of the price or style, but if it's what I must do I suppose its what I will do. Thanks so much!
 

JTSpeedDemon

2019 Build Off Winner!
Messages
4,026
Reaction score
147
Location
Texas
Yeah Azusalites are everywhere.
I'm hoping to possibly put tri stars on my go kart.
But yes, they are expensive.
I have NO idea where the previous owner of my go kart got 5" diameter 4" wide steel wheels!
But then again, he said that they were the original front wheels and tires.
So that means my front wheels and tires are probably anywhere from 20 to 40 years old.
Warning: Blowouts almost guaranteed.
I think that because of the fact that my engine is 33 years old. :lolgoku:
Good luck getting new wheels!
 

TylerFrankel

New member
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
Location
Charlotte, NC
Yeah Azusalites are everywhere.
I'm hoping to possibly put tri stars on my go kart.
But yes, they are expensive.
I have NO idea where the previous owner of my go kart got 5" diameter 4" wide steel wheels!
But then again, he said that they were the original front wheels and tires.
So that means my front wheels and tires are probably anywhere from 20 to 40 years old.
Warning: Blowouts almost guaranteed.
I think that because of the fact that my engine is 33 years old. :lolgoku:
Good luck getting new wheels!

That's sweet! It looked like a Briggs Flathead. I love those more than any other engines, they won't stop unless you run them without oil like the knucklehead who's mower I'm fixing did... look :ack2::mad::mad2:piston.jpg I have at least 5 of these laying around, so I might just scrap this engine altogether, as I have no means of honing the very scored cylinder walls. I decided to start a go kart project because I'm good with small engines, actually. Never thought that would be the easy part! These wheels man! After looking at the stepped axle, I decided I'm probably going to take a chance with the other cheaper wheels and see what happens:roflol: Thanks man!

Like you said about that thing being 33 years old, man, they'll go forever when maintained. I have a 74 model briggs still going! 45 and strong!
 

JTSpeedDemon

2019 Build Off Winner!
Messages
4,026
Reaction score
147
Location
Texas
What :censored:ing idiot ran an engine WITHOUT OIL!!!
He is not worthy to own a small engine! :lolgoku:
And yes, Briggs are best! As far as I can tell, the internals of my engine are fine, but then again, I've only really idled it for a few minutes.
But the carburetor was so messed up when I got it!
I mean seriously, the carb float had a big DENT in it and the carburetor body gasket was GONE! :mad2:
Ah well, Briggs 5 HP flatheads have charm that a Predator never could!
:thumbsup:
 

TylerFrankel

New member
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
Location
Charlotte, NC
What :censored:ing idiot ran an engine WITHOUT OIL!!!
He is not worthy to own a small engine! :lolgoku:
And yes, Briggs are best! As far as I can tell, the internals of my engine are fine, but then again, I've only really idled it for a few minutes.
But the carburetor was so messed up when I got it!
I mean seriously, the carb float had a big DENT in it and the carburetor body gasket was GONE! :mad2:
Ah well, Briggs 5 HP flatheads have charm that a Predator never could!
:thumbsup:

I know!! I'm afraid this one is a lost cause, because the pistons are pretty pricey and the aluminum bore is toasted too. Maybe I'll see if I can get it running to just test different things... As long as yours was kept nice it should run until humans vanish off the Earth. Carbs aside, they are bulletproof. Even the carbs really will only ever need a gasket or two and a jet clean. I actually need a gasket that goes between the bowl and carb body now for my kart motor, as mine expanded somehow and lets gas leak pretty bad.

My briggs for my go kart also has a couple score marks identifiable by my finger nail in the bore... I wasn't worried until I saw this engine! Now I feel like I should disassemble and check rims and make sure the piston is ok and theres no burrs or anything... It runs fine but I want to keep it that way. It doesn't burn oil or seem like its low compression so I think I'm alright.

Briggs are definitely more charming than predators, especially the old flatheads. I do respect the reliability of those clones honestly, but I'd take a briggs over it any day.
 

JTSpeedDemon

2019 Build Off Winner!
Messages
4,026
Reaction score
147
Location
Texas
Does it have an updraft carb like mine?
I think the previous owner of my kart took reasonably good care of it. He at least knew to drain the fuel bowl the keep junk out, but the float and body gasket? Kaput.
Also the welch plug was gone.
Also the air filter was 1: Nasty, and 2: The air cleaner spacer had a massive hole, didn't seat right, and was brittle like an eggshell.
I just hope this engine'll last a long time.
Post some close up pics of your engine, so we know what kind of briggs flathead you have!
 

Attachments

  • P_20190115_161340.jpg
    P_20190115_161340.jpg
    223.8 KB · Views: 1

TylerFrankel

New member
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
Location
Charlotte, NC
Does it have an updraft carb like mine?
I think the previous owner of my kart took reasonably good care of it. He at least knew to drain the fuel bowl the keep junk out, but the float and body gasket? Kaput.
Also the welch plug was gone.
Also the air filter was 1: Nasty, and 2: The air cleaner spacer had a massive hole, didn't seat right, and was brittle like an eggshell.
I just hope this engine'll last a long time.
Post some close up pics of your engine, so we know what kind of briggs flathead you have!

That's better than most! The engine I have on the kart is actually OHV... :cornut: thats what it came with and I'm fine with that... I like flatheads better though. The kart isn't an updraft, but I have 4 vertical shaft engines with updraft carbs right now, that are flatheads, and a couple that are newer with traditionally mounted carbs. I don't know, I like the fuel tank being attached to the other ones for simplicity, but the normal carbs are easier to work on IMO..

I'll post some pictures in a second :thumbsup:
 

JTSpeedDemon

2019 Build Off Winner!
Messages
4,026
Reaction score
147
Location
Texas
Ahh, OHV. Also, the DIYGK page on Briggs engines says that some of the tank mounted carbs, with low fuel on a sharp incline may suck air. So yes, I like the separate float bowl updrafts.
Please post those pics!
 

TylerFrankel

New member
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
Location
Charlotte, NC
Ahh, OHV. Also, the DIYGK page on Briggs engines says that some of the tank mounted carbs, with low fuel on a sharp incline may suck air. So yes, I like the separate float bowl updrafts.
Please post those pics!

Didn't know that... interesting!

Here's the picture set!

IMG_1108.jpg

(This is a flathead from an '85 snapper mower I still use to this day...)

IMG_1110.jpg

Flathead on a mower I'm planning to try and fix (bent crank :ack2:)

IMG_1112.jpg

One of the 4 old flatheads I have on the shelf with no purpose yet

IMG_1113.jpg

Another flathead, this one has the head removed as of now (started disassembling for rebuild/clean, then got distracted by go kart :cornut:)

IMG_1116.jpg

The flatheads on the shelf (In buckets to keep organized and let oil from blown gasket(s) stay off the floor. If anyone needs one I may be willing to send one, if you pay shipping. They're classic flatheads but they're vertical shaft so you'd have to convert them to run a kart, something I plan to do but can't yet as I don't have a welder)

IMG_1117.jpg

The current flathead project's block, the one with the super beat piston I posted earlier, in a torn down state. I'm considering sanding the piston smooth-ish, as well as the cylinder, and trying to run a low compression smokey engine just for sh*ts and giggles

IMG_1118.jpg

Bore of the used-to-be siezed-flathead. Notice the clumps of metal. I think it got so hot it melted the aluminum a bit!!!:surrender:

IMG_1120.jpg
IMG_1121.jpg

The OHV Intek... pretty solid engine for a first kart

IMG_1125.jpg

Moderate scoring on inside of the Intek... I can't decide how concerned to me. As far as I know it was like this when I got it, and I recently changed oil. Maybe previous owner ran without enough oil or ran it a lotttt... maybe rings are damaged/have burrs and are gouging walls!? (It runs great so far and seems to have compression, doesn't burn oil noticeably, but I want it to last...)

Thanks!
 

Tpdingo

Member
Messages
903
Reaction score
1
Location
Bellmore, NY
That's crazy! I can only imagine the amount of dedication you'd need to actually invest in that haha.... I personally am fine with having carbs that clog and need choke and all that nonsense :lolgoku:

Well you can eliminate most of that with a Honda iGX340. It literally is one step off of EFI.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top