Carter Go Kart Understanding Brake System

[SketchyDwarf]

Hey mates, first time poster. Just got this cart locally and after I got it home I realized the brake doesn't return to its original position after being engaged. There's no return spring, and I can't find any way to attach one. Currently having to use my foot to disengage brake. Any insight on how to resolve this problem is appreciated. If I mounted a new pedal that's set up for a return spring, I wouldn't see this solving the problem because so much force is needed to bring the pedal back to its original position. I lubricated everything well and it helped some but still need a bit of force to return it to standard position. Thanks mates!

**edit: I don't know anything about this cart besides its a carter brand so if anyone know anything about this model let me know!

 

[Denny]

Keep lubricating and freeing up everything. Take apart and clean the rust off in the pivot points.

 

[SketchyDwarf]

Went back and cleaned pivot points and lubricated 2 more times in between drives. I feel like I'm not understanding what suppose to be the acting force that pushes the pedal back to its original state if there is no spring? How did the original design achieve this with no spring?

 

[Master Hack]

Sumpthin's stuck. (I'm purdy sharp like that) a return spring is mandantory in my book.
It wont fix stuck thingys, and its easy to install. Drill a hole, add a spring, it ain't rocket science.
if ya still have problems then.....
take things apart one by one til ya find the culprit. Stuck piston in the caliper?

 

[SketchyDwarf]

Sumpthin's stuck. (I'm purdy sharp like that) a return spring is mandantory in my book.
It wont fix stuck thingys, and its easy to install. Drill a hole, add a spring, it ain't rocket science.
if ya still have problems then.....
take things apart one by one til ya find the culprit. Stuck piston in the caliper?

It has a rod that connects to a brake band. The original design has no location for a return spring. I'm sure one would help some, I'm just trying to understand what originally reset the pedal if no return spring was needed?

Indeed something is seized up a bit, need to take the entire break system apart and clean off as much debris and rust as possible and lubricate it more.

 

[Master Hack]

Why did l think this was hydraulic?
manual band brakes are another thing. I made one a while back, from a transmission shift drum and accompaning band. As l recall it needed a spring at the drum where the cable pull thingy attached, as well as the pedal.
That was the only way it wanted to let go.

BTW , its brakes

 

[SketchyDwarf]

That might be what I need to do. My dad was wanting to put one around the drum and I wanted one by the pedal. I'll see if we can do a lil fabrication to both areas and try two springs, thanks

 

[Functional Artist]

On many karts with a brake band style brake system, there is a heavy duty spring on the pedal

Here is a go kart brake band assembly & install tutorial.
...done by KartFab a DIYGK forum member
...& it even has a video
https://kartfab.com/go-kart-plans/go-kart-brake-band

 

[gokartdave]

This might help. I'm not a computer whiz so hopefully it's loads.

 

[gokartdave]

Oops I'm a dummy didn't pay attention to your answer.

 

[SketchyDwarf]

On many karts with a brake band style brake system, there is a heavy duty spring on the pedal

Here is a go kart brake band assembly & install tutorial.
...done by KartFab a DIYGK forum member
...& it even has a video
https://kartfab.com/go-kart-plans/go-kart-brake-band

I actually watched his video yesterday which got me wondering why mine didn't have a spring and how it reset itself without that return spring. It looks like Ima be taking it all apart this week and getting everything as rust free and smooth as possible then installing a new pedal kit and attaching a 2ndary spring near the back if the pedal spring isn't strong enough.

Thanks for the insight everyone!

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Discard your desire to know how it used to be and focus your energy on making it work. This is the spirit of DIY.

 

[Hellion]

I was watching recent activity on this old thread, so to resurrect it and address the problem {finally} the answer is simple:

The kart never had brake return springs. The natural springiness of the brake band(s) acts as its own return spring. Your kart has two brakes, one on each side, and a transverse rod across the kart frame which acts as a lever (and a force multiplier) and permits one pedal to activate the two brakes.

Maybe the brake band is making contact or "riding on" the brake drum too much for the OP's liking? Some contact is natural but I would make certain the entire brake system moves freely and easily and that the brake band 'bounces back' off the drum instead of binding. This might take some real effort with penetrating fluid (Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster etc) AND removing all the corrosion, pitting and roughness that rust causes, from the entire brake linkage system.

For the transverse rod, I think it is welded to the frame, so to free it up and ensure that it moves with absolutely as little resistance and possible, I would disconnect the brake linkages from it and work it manually with your hand and bathe it in penetrating fluid around and around, back and forth until it is free.

For any part that has a bore or hole, like the loops on both ends of the brake band and the brake pedal pivot hole, use a round brush like a .22 to .30 caliber rifle bronze/wire cleaning brush. Chuck the rifle brush of the appropriate size into an electric drill and spin it inside the loops or holes until they are smooth. Then lubricate everything with a medium oil like motor oil, 3-in-1 oil or grease. Do not use WD-40 as it is too light, it is basically a solvent and does not last.

Everything with a red arrow (or any part that moves the brakes) and parts #66 and #67 needs to be as friction-free and smooth as possible:

I don't know anything about this cart besides its a carter brand so if anyone know anything about this model let me know!

It appears to be a Carter Brothers 1735 Hot Bodies® or a 1755 Super Wheels®.... these frames are basically identical but probably involved a color change, name change, sticker change and voila! They have a different kart.

https://www.bmikarts.com/PDF/Carter-Bros/CarterBros/Model-1735/1735.pdf

https://www.bmikarts.com/PDF/Carter-Bros/CarterBros/Model-1755/1755.pdf

Store your karts INDOORS, folks.

 

[Hellion]

For maximum braking effectiveness, I would make certain that part #65 Clevis pin 5/16" w/ yoke is threaded onto part #63 Brake rod #16B to eliminate excess slack in the mechanism. Likewise for the right-side brake, thread part #68 Clevis pin 3/8" onto part #67 Brake band rod (right) to take up any excess slack.

The OP's photo shows us these karts are not meant for children. That child is straining for the pedals with the adjustable seat all the way forward and legs straight and is ready for a cup check if he should be able to press the brake pedal well enough for a sudden stop. Or a crash will stop him well enough...