DIY Rear Axle/General help?

[Jowsif]

I'm new to the forum - SO YOU HAVE TO BE NICE.

I'm planning to build some incarnation of go kart/small kit car. There is still a HUGE amount for me to plan - measurements for how wide & long i need it to be etc. But i wanted to get a few things sorted out first.

Would it be possible for me to make my own live rear axle? I understand its basically a 1" diameter steel rod, with a 'nipple' running along the top (for the sprocket carrier & brake carrier).

Say i was able to make it, how would i secure it to stop it moving left to right?

One concept of mine would be to buy a rolling chassis, nick the rear axle, steering system and seating and whack it onto my own chassis. Is this just a stupid idea?

Here is a badly photoshopped image of the sort of size and shape I'm going for:

 

[Russ2251]

how would i secure it to stop it moving left to right?

Set screws and/or locking collars.

 

[brendonv]

It doesnt have a nipple, its the other way around. Basically you can have what ever size axle you want but 1" or 25mm is pretty standard. Then u have what they call a keyway in it which is a slit along the axle. To fix a sprocket or brake to the axle you get a hub and on that hub is a hole and a slit. Then u get another thing called a key which is a square or slightly rectangular rod that goes into the two keyways and hold them together.

To hold the axle to the frame you use bearings in pillow blocks. These can be bought for about 40ish bucks for the two bearings and blocks. U then just bolt them to the frame and run ur axle through. On the bearings they have lock collars which are a collar with grub screws in them which u then tighten down to stop the axle moving side to side. If u want to lock them even better you can drill a little pilot hole for the grub screws to go into.

Hope that helps. If you want visuals for the things discussed just google "keyway" "pillow blocks" ect.

 

[Jowsif]

That helped so much!

So i guess my question is, can i buy steel pipes with keyways anywhere (I'm in the UK) Or is there a way for me to make my own?

To be honest, I think it'll be miles easier for me to take all these essential parts off an already built go kart, and using them on my own chassis.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

When shopping for parts, correct terminology will help you along. You're looking for what we call "keyed shafting". Don't ask for pipe. Pipe is hollow and unhardened. You'll have to check with some of our UK members to verify the term.

 

[brendonv]

Model engineer is the guy to talk to about axles.

I think from memory u need like 4180 grade steel or something. Get him to verify that. U can get away with using just normal steel bar but get hardened so you dont have to worry about it bending in the future. Theres nothing worse then a bendy shaft when you want to go. XD

 

[r_chez_08]

Haha xD woop uk I bought 30mm mild steel bar for my axle. I bought this for about a tenner

 

[danjwant]

Hey guys, who are the UK members, I'm having the exact same problem as 'Josif' and I also live in the UK.