Carters cart axle question.

[Scott.A86]

Hi again folks. I have a Carter? Go kart I have been working on. (Details in my first post https://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=44324)

I recently had a rear bearing blow out on the stock 3/4" live axle housed in a metal tube flared at the ends for berings. Apparently it has been bad for a while because the bearing wore down the axle about 1/4" just behind the hub.

I was just going to change the bearings but needing a new axle I may aswell upgrade to pillow blocks or a weldable kit maybe with a slightly longer axle.

I figure I can...

1. Get a new axle close to stock that fits the odd carter wheel hubs and order some bearings cause I could not find them local.

2. Use pillow blocks or hangers and get a 1" axle that steps down to 3/4 and try to use the carter hub/brakes/sproket.

3. Get a kit and completely upgrade everything. (Can't really afford right now.)

4. Hopefully yall can help me think of something in the middle. Like new parts so I can fix the kart and also use those parts when I upgrade or if you think swapping axle hangers is an upgrade.

I would like to give the kart bigger suspension with more travel and make the the cart wider to help lower center of gravity.

 

[landuse]

I would just replace what is broken and send it!!

Unless you really want to do some fab work. Adding hangers is not really going to be much of an upgrade. Just use what you have. Thats my opinion anyway

 

[gmo1515]

I agree with landuse. Pull the axle shaft out, measure it and look on the various sites (GoPowerSports, BMI, etc) and look for a replacement along with two bearings and you should be good. Going for longer suspension travel is likely going to involve raising the kart up a bit which is going to negate your goal of lowering the center of gravity.

 

[Scott.A86]

Thank you for your response and opinions. I agree after looking at it more im realizing it is going to take a good bit of fabrication just to have a spot to weld on hangers.

I found a shaft that should work but it is longer than the original. How far out can the tires be without making it weak. Seems like I've seen others with like 10" of axle between the tire and axle bearing. This would only be a few inches.

 

[landuse]

You should be ok if it is just a few inches. If you will be doing crazy stuff like jumping with the kart, then i would try not have the wheel hanging too far out