Carter super kart live axle question

[Guitarjr]

Hello, new to go karts and I have a question. I’m going to try and add pics too. I bought a Carter single seat cart and I’m going thru what I have to work with. The live axle looks like a swap out at some point but not sure. Can someone look at the pics and tell me what is original to the cart or has it been changed. Thanks.

 

[Guitarjr]

I just took the photos and forgot to turn that pic over. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I picked the cart up Friday and it did come with a predator 212 motor and has been sitting for some time. Solid blue paint but when I got a closer look I could see the star on the floor pan. No numbers or anything but when I looked and the little side panels I could just see enough writing to make out super cart. Had no idea what I bought. I just keep uncovering things as I go along. The motor is missing the carb but does spin over. Crankcase was full of gas/oil which I drained out. Front end seems intact but going thru it also. Got to figure out the rear axle setup and need brakes too. I’m just going to pick up a new predator 212 and work on the other later. I’m going to have plenty of questions and I’m glad I found this forum.

 

[Guitarjr]

More pics!!!

 

[Denny]

Due to some idiot welding on the axle you will need to replace it. Since your rims came off the axle your good there. Check out Gokart Supply. I think they will have all you need. Just match the sizes to what you have. I’d wait on the engine until you make it roll first.

 

[Guitarjr]

Thanks Denny, I am finding things that don’t look right as I dig deeper. Looks like they threw some rims and tires on it and tried to weld them on. I’m just glad they weren’t much of a welder and was able to cold chisel all of it off around the hub. Cleaned it up and got the set screw out. I’m just trying to figure out the original setup. I’ve been riding all my life but on 2 wheels. This is my first kart and if I could get some pics of the original setup It would help. I really appreciate the help.

 

[Denny]

You are going to have to look around. Search the World Wide Web now that you know what it is. Sorry.

 

[madprofessor]

Not much of a welder indeed! You buy that thing from a zoo? Looks like it was done by 2 monkeys fighting over a football in mating season.

 

[Guitarjr]

How did you know??? . Can you believe I gave someone money for this headache!!! I will get it done though.

 

[Guitarjr]

Thanks Denny, That Go-Kart supply should get me going

 

[Denny]

Glad I could help! They are a handy resource for information. Shop around and compare prices. Good luck!

 

[Guitarjr]

Got a little more work done on the go kart. Just wanted to post some pics. Got some tires from tractor supply but not real happy with them so I’m going to load the kart up and take it with me next time to try some different sizes. Changed out some hardware in the front end and got those tires off the rear axle. Going to keep the live axle and was able to get it cleaned up and putting new bearings in also. I need a brake pedal if someone has a extra one they want to sell??? Still have plenty to figure out but not going to give up. Thanks for all the info so far!

 

[gmo1515]

That's a Carter Super Wheels. That star floorboard logo is a dead giveaway.

 

[Guitarjr]

Thanks for the info. Awesome kart. Is that your kart???

 

[gmo1515]

Thanks for the info. Awesome kart. Is that your kart???

Yes sir it is. Restored it last year.
-Jason

 

[Guitarjr]

You did a great job. Did you document the restore and post it on here???

 

[madprofessor]

Great resto job, Jason. (Great name too, named my only child Jason.) Problem with the resto is that it's so well done that little "daily driver"-looking kinds of things stand out loudly. I really don't want to be a wet blanket here, but I just respect a great piece of work so much that I must try to be at least constructive in a pointed statement...................
The chrome tierods look badly rusted, and their locknuts are solid rust. I understand that they would do their job perfectly, but I would just love to see some shiny new parts to finish out that beautiful resto.
Unless, like the best piano tuner in the world purposely leaving one key off-note so it wouldn't be perfect, it's just your statement.

 

[gmo1515]

You did a great job. Did you document the restore and post it on here???

Yes sir I did. Here's the link. https://www.diygokarts.com/community/threads/carter-super-wheels-restoration.43576/

I also had Jaret Varholick reproduce the floorboard decal.

-Jason

 

[gmo1515]

Great resto job, Jason. (Great name too, named my only child Jason.) Problem with the resto is that it's so well done that little "daily driver"-looking kinds of things stand out loudly. I really don't want to be a wet blanket here, but I just respect a great piece of work so much that I must try to be at least constructive in a pointed statement...................
The chrome tierods look badly rusted, and their locknuts are solid rust. I understand that they would do their job perfectly, but I would just love to see some shiny new parts to finish out that beautiful resto.
Unless, like the best piano tuner in the world purposely leaving one key off-note so it wouldn't be perfect, it's just your statement.

There was a place not far from where I work that does powder coating so I took the frame to them to have it refreshed. I did replace just about all of the hardware with fresh nuts and bolts. The jam nuts on the tie rods were probably the only ones that I didn't replace. The tie rod ends (heim joints) were replaces as I found one of them that was cracked about halfway through during disassembly. After I have gotten it running I started having bad tire wear on the front tires which I traced to the camber being out from wear in the axle and spindles (there is a grease fitting but no bushing insert). I have the front end apart right now trying to correct that so maybe I can put some fresh paint on the tie rods then.

-Jason

 

[madprofessor]

Those tierod ends the same as the ones that cracked? Paid an extra $4.55 each for MFG's solid rod ends as opposed to your type, just on a guess that it might be important. You're the first I've heard say one cracked, makes me think it's not such a good idea for me to go $18.20 cheaper for the 4 on next build.

 

[gmo1515]

Those tierod ends the same as the ones that cracked? Paid an extra $4.55 each for MFG's solid rod ends as opposed to your type, just on a guess that it might be important. You're the first I've heard say one cracked, makes me think it's not such a good idea for me to go $18.20 cheaper for the 4 on next build.

There was only one of four cracked and as far as I can tell it was original to the kart so it was probably well over 35 years old. The new ones were specified to be OE replacements for Carters. I got them from either BMI or GPS but I can't recall which. Back in college I was on the SAE Mini Baja team and I recalled a safety rule where an oversized washer was required on a Heim joint. That wouldn't protect against one breaking completely in two but I suppose the thinking is that if the ball slipped out of the joint it would at least retain the tie rod until you could get the vehicle stopped. As such I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea on this go kart. It is hard to see in the picture but the oversized washer is just below the Heim joint on the spindle end of the tie rod.