building home made go cart-need rear axle help!please

[longislandgokarts]

hello, we are building a homemade go cart out of 1 inch square stock steel from lowes, anyway as far as the rear axle goes...is there a square type 1 inch hub I can weld in the square tubing with out having a axle? I ask this because we have a old bird go kart and it looks like there is no axle it looks like the hubs are welded in the rear "axle" tube? I am looking at this right???

if so ,anywhere I can pick up a pair of old bird hubs for the back this would save me a lot of time instead of fussing with a axle.i know the one wheel will have the drive sprocket connected to it. any help would be appricaited,thank you!

 

[Arkyhunter]

Sounds think your talking about spindles you can use 3/4 bolts for a one wheel drive kart.Just stick bolt in the tube and weld it good.

Arky

 

[OzFab]

I think you may be looking at it wrong.
First off, a square axle won't turn unless you have bearings with a square inner race.
Second, it's well known that you never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever weld anything to an axle.
Third & most importantly, if the hubs were "welded in the rear 'axle' tube" then the wheels wouldn't turn.

You'll probably find there are stub axles welded to the axle tube & the wheels run on them, making it a dead axle.

Take the wheels off, have a closer look & post some pics so we have a clearer picture of what you're describing

 

[longislandgokarts]

Hi, I will have to get you pics tomorrow...the best way I can describe it it is it looks like a trailer type axle hub

it reminds u of something like this but not as bi g
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326374_200326374


we could be looking at it wrong and u cant find any parts for the bird go kart

 

[Arkyhunter]

you are wanting to weld this to your frame right ? if so thats ok as long as the tubing is strong enough you can. post some pics frame , rear wheel or hub

 

[fowler]

U are talking of a 1 wheel drive cart

U have to buy stub axles

They are like a normal axle but on one end is a square bar that u fit into tube and weld up

This is a very simple method of drive but has huch issues with grip
It is good for an on road kart but no good offload

The best axle type is to bolt bearings to the chassis
Then run the wheels on a solid axle
This gives u two wheel drive

 

[Arkyhunter]

I think this is what he's talking about

 

[fowler]

That's the one

A long bolt welded in

 

[longislandgokarts]

yeah i believe thats it, million dollar ?where do I get 1 for a 1 ich square tubing? or do u think i am better off going with a a live axle?

i am using 1 inch square stock from lowes i justr picked up.my approx frame size is gonna 5 foot by 2 feet wide since i am a big guy.just lloking to make a kart to zip around the back yard n maybe hit the occisonal parking lot but i ma not looking to go 50 mph just something to putt around with the kids

 

[Arkyhunter]

IF your tubing has 1/8 thick sides u can cut the head of a long bolt and stick inside the tube a 2 or 3 inches and weld it good if your wheels for a 3/4 axle, But I think live axles r better.

 

[qtband]

You could get a couple of pillow blocks and bolt them to your frame. Then you could get a 1" axle and have two wheel drive. If you are going into the grass, you won't be happy with one wheel drive.