axle disassembly help

[bbullsj]

I have a go kart that i'm putting an engine on but the sprocket needs to be moved towards the wheel more. There are spacers inside the frame but I can't seem to get the axle apart. Does anyone know how?

 

[path_winder8]

Is there a key way in your axle? If so knock out the key and move the sprocket and remount. If not there should be bolts or set screw or something on there that loosens the sprocket to move it

 

[itsid]

chances are that's a pressfit or welded sprocket hub..

that very much looks like a chinese ATV axle, where the sprocket hub is more often than not "permanently attached" to the axle itself.

I know, silly idea, isn't it?
but it's cheap (the underaged kid that has to do the final assembly doesn't need no training in how to align the sprocket.. it's aligned if the brake rotor is in it's the caliper)

So yeah, if you need to move the sprocket, you might have to get a new axle *shrugs*

remove it from the rear frame and take a closer look, if you see no grub screws on the hubs for the sprocket and or brake rotor..
you're screwed I'm afraid

'sid

 

[TT540]

Surely he can remove the axle, grind off that sprocket, and install a new sprocket. Even if he has to weld that new one on. Worth a shot anyway if the axle diameter is standard. So how would that axle come out with those spacers limiting one's ability to tap the axle/sprocket assembly left or right? and the block bearing not letting it fall down.

I am curious to know in case I run across a similar setup that I would buy to modify.

 

[itsid]

Surely he can remove the axle, grind off that sprocket, and install a new sprocket. Even if he has to weld that new one on. Worth a shot anyway if the axle diameter is standard. So how would that axle come out with those spacers limiting one's ability to tap the axle/sprocket assembly left or right? and the block bearing not letting it fall down.

I am curious to know in case I run across a similar setup that I would buy to modify.

I doubt you will..
since if you look closely that's no bearing hanger,
that's a std bearing welded to a chassis and then painted;
So we can be pretty sure, that rear end wasn't made by a professional at all, right?

All one could do is cut the crap off of the rear end and start fresh with proper parts IMHO!

'sid

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Who welds on a bearing race???

 

[TT540]

Aha! I see said the blind man.

 

[itsid]

Who welds on a bearing race???

you think that's some 'ring' with a bearing pressed in?
I can't tell if it's a lousy bearing pressed in a tube or a beefy bearing a bird pooped on a go kart actually..
in any case that's a.. uhm... 'strange'.. setup;
so yeah I'd bet the welds were made with the axle installed.
(just seeing those bearings makes me wanna cringe...)

'sid


[EDIT]
uhhhh WAAAAIIIT a second,
that axle looks too wide for that sprocket hub, no?
Soo how about another "odd" method..
the axle itself is sleeved;
and as soon as the bearing is removed the sleeves that locate the hubs on the axle instead of locking collars can be removed..

Maybe that's a chance *shrugs*

'sid

 

[mckutzy]

No those are machined bearing housing welded on the kart.. I'm guessing to use a common radial ball bearing that fits the axle instead of the typical hemispherical self aligning bearings.

 

[bbullsj]

axle

There is not a key on the axle. Someone before me had tried to hammer the axle out and accomplished nothing except for mushrooming some threads and the end. The bearings are not welded to the frame, that would be idiotic. I don't see anything over the kart itself that suggests that someone was playing dress up with a welder and no sense. It looks like there were bearing retainers welded onto the frame and then bearings pressed into it. The tires have some strange Chinese looking brand name on them so i'm guessing the mart is Chinese made as well. That makes things harder to replace as easily i'm sure.

The sprocket is bolted to a flange that is splined to the axle. I could remove the sprocket and would have to cut it off to do that but I want to keep the sprocket, just move it 3-4 inches to the left.

I really don't want to replace the whole axle at this moment, due to the extra cost. It might be the way i go in the end but for now i'm trying to salvage this one. I am thinking of just cutting the long collars in half next to the sprocket and then moving it and then welding it in place after I have the engine mounted up to get the chain straight. Seems like that would be the least amount of work and would accomplish not replacing the axle right now.

 

[mckutzy]

Is there a clone engine going to be present/replacement on this machine??
If so, why not cut off all other mounting brackets and such. Mount a proper motor plate. Have a jackshaft to mate with the existing sprocket(and type).. You'll have the realstate to do up a proper setup... It'll also help dialling in what gear ratio it likes better.
No axle removal, just work on the top side of the swingarm...

 

[Joe-405]

There is a inner axle and a outer sleeve but don’t remember how it comes apart. What brand is the kart or do you know by chance ? But it might be seized together. If it were me I would slowly roll the axle and look for a Allen headed or similar keeper or grub screw. And if nothing still. Roll the kart on its side and let it sit with freeze off or a good penetrating spray for a day or so by spraying by the hub area where it meets then use a press to get it started. Or you could unbolt the swingarm and turn it up that way.

Or do as everybody else said and cut the bearings off and get some pillow block bearings and a new axle from bmi or somebody.

 

[anickode]

Is there a clone engine going to be present/replacement on this machine??
If so, why not cut off all other mounting brackets and such. Mount a proper motor plate. Have a jackshaft to mate with the existing sprocket(and type).. You'll have the realstate to do up a proper setup... It'll also help dialling in what gear ratio it likes better.
No axle removal, just work on the top side of the swingarm...

Gonna have to do a jackshaft with that sprocket anyway, unless the new engine is geared some way. Even with a TC, that sprocket will be way too small.

 

[bbullsj]

How is the gear too small to work? Will it just not provide enough torque to get the kart started to move?

 

[anickode]

How is the gear too small to work? Will it just not provide enough torque to get the kart started to move?

Precisely. The engine's mechanical advantage won't be high enough, and you will either cook your clutch or burn up your belt in the case of a torque converter. A kart that size, with large tires, you should be looking at probably a 6:1 ratio with a torque converter, or a little bigger for a clutch. That sprocket appears to be maybe 36t at most.

This thing looks like it probably had something along the lines of an ATV engine originally, which has built in gearing.

 

[bbullsj]

What size toothed gear should I go with then for the axle? The clutch has 10 or 11 teeth.

 

[anickode]

What size toothed gear should I go with then for the axle? The clutch has 10 or 11 teeth.

What is the tire diameter?

And are you using a centrifugal clutch, or a torque converter?

That big of a kart/buggy, I wouldn't even consider a clutch, but that's just my personal opinion.

 

[bbullsj]

The rear tires are 16x7-8. I have a centrifugal clutch.