Converting to live axle

[dave1701]

I'm thinking seriously about switching my go kart from a one wheel drive to live axle. The one wheel drive keeps pissing me off. It's gonna be a major project if I do it though. The wheels are just on little spidndles that are welded on there so I'd have to cut those off. I guess I could put the axle in that tubing. I don't know a whole lot at all about what to do, heck I don't even know if it's possible. Can someone tell me what I would need to do to convert this kart. Do I need to weld? I can't.

 

[Rotore]

not hard dude this is what you'll need

1" live axle
2 pillow blocks bearings
2 sprocket holders and hubs

 

[dave1701]

Question #1: Can I put a hub on the wheel I have now, or do I have to get a new one?

Question #2: I don't have to re-position my motor do I?

Question #3: I don't think I understand some of the basics, what keeps the axle from sliding around back and forth?

Question #4: What are the ends of the axle threaded for? Can someone give me a go-kart axles for dummys link?

Question #5: I have real knarly snow hog tires on my rear wheels. With that cause me to not be able to turn worth a darn?

Question #6: Do I need an extra strong hardened steel axles or wil a normal one be fine?

Question #7: The part that I would put the axle in is an important part of the frame. Is that a problem?

 

[Rotore]

Question #1: Can I put a hub on the wheel I have now, or do I have to get a new one?

Question #2: I don't have to re-position my motor do I?

Question #3: I don't think I understand some of the basics, what keeps the axle from sliding around back and forth?

Question #4: What are the ends of the axle threaded for? Can someone give me a go-kart axles for dummys link?

Question #5: I have real knarly snow hog tires on my rear wheels. With that cause me to not be able to turn worth a darn?

Q1: yes just find a hub with the same bolt pattern as your wheel

Q2: not if you put the axle under the frame but rear will be a 1/2-1" higher

Q3: lock collars, most if not all bearings have a screw that holds the axle

Q4: for a nut that keeps the hub on the axle

Q5: steering will be a tad bit harder unless you buy the axle with a differential but you'll have more traction either way

 

[dave1701]

Thanks alot Rotore. The thing I don't understand is this: Where am I accually gonna put this axle? Am I gonna somehow attach it to the bottom of my kart? Could I put the axle right through that tubing that is my frame, or would I have to rig up something to attach it to the bottom of my kart.

 

[Rotore]

Thanks alot Rotore. The thing I don't understand is this: Where am I accually gonna put this axle? Am I gonna somehow attach it to the bottom of my kart? Could I put the axle right through that tubing that is my frame, or would I have to rig up something to attach it to the bottom of my kart.

i think that tubing is to narrow for pillow blocks so im going to suggest this bearing kit from bmikarts.com. all you have to do is weld those 2 plates onto the kart and the rest is just bolting it on.

 

[dave1701]

Sorry wont work, can't weld

 

[dave1701]

but that does look like the kind of setup I want

 

[Rotore]

then you'll want to drill 2 holes on each side and use these.
http://www.shakyparts.com/pillow_block_bearing_45_404_.html

 

[dave1701]

2 holes in each side of what?

 

[Rotore]

the bars where the axle is

 

[bajagokart]

use fricken pillow blocks! good ones are 20 bucks each and no welding is required!

 

[dave1701]

So these "pillow blocks" go here:?

 

[r_chez_08]

Yup!

 

[dave1701]

So I'd just chop off the old spindles and slap that thing on right under there.

 

[Rotore]

basically yes the rear will be 1/2-1 inch higher

 

[dave1701]

Because my engine on that side, will the left wheel have more power going to it?

 

[Rotore]

nope equal power

 

[dave1701]

not hard dude this is what you'll need

1" live axle
2 pillow blocks bearings
2 sprocket holders and hubs

What's a sproket holder?

 

[Rotore]

a hub that holds the sprocket