First Kart. Question about hubs/wheels.

[ThaKarter]

My friend and I are building a go kart for a high school project. It is nothing special, we are basically hoping for it to be able to run. Since we are paying for all of this ourselves, we are trying to cut costs. We were given 4 EZ-Go golf cart tires (8x8.5x18 with 4 .5 inch holes in 4in bolt circle with a big 3in diameter hole in the middle)(http://www.amazon.com/E-Z-GO-28757G01-18-Inch-Links-8-Inch/dp/B00699X7C4) which we were hoping to use. We were not sure if we need to buy hubs or not. Some karts we've seen seem like they don't have hubs, and the wheel goes right into spindle. So is it necessary to purchase hubs for the front/back/both, and if so, do we need specifically EZ-Go parts, or any hub with the right sounding specs should work. Also, if we end up having to buy lots of specific brand pieces, are we better off financially just buying cheap used go-kart tires.
Thanks

 

[firemanjim]

Using those big tires, will affect your $$ in more ways than one. Yes, you need hubs for front and back. For the back, I know they are about $15-20 each.... The fronts are gonna be about the same.
Using them big tires, you're gonna have to run a TC or gear it REAL low, so you have the power to pull you around....
Why not tell us what you want to do with this kart, for better help. Is it for street, mild off road, or off road..? The more info you can give us about your intentions, the better I/we can guide you.....

 

[Jzward1]

I haven't been on this site long but I would use two of those tires for the back and find smaller ones for the front if you are build a more off road kinda of go kart but fireManjim is right we need to know more about what kind of kart you want to build

 

[ThaKarter]

It is going to be used for pavement and grass. That's about it. We aren't even looking to race it, just drive it around quiet roads. So obviously if we could get it up to 50mph would be awesome, but if it goes 20-30, would be very fine with that. Hopefully the next one will be more impressive, but we have a deadline and started off about as ignorant as they come so we are not getting ambitious. It is going to be not that big, the chasis is going to be about 2.5ftx5.5ft made of 1in steel sq tubing. May build a simple roll cage out of some pretty light round aluminum tubing I have lying around. Engine will probably be 6.5 hp unless we are told for whatever reason that's problematic.

Firemanjim,
Not sure if you were just throwing out that number, but if you know where we could find those hubs for 15-20 would be much appreciated. Stuff we found is more like $40.
Jzward1
We are definitely down to consider that idea. Is there anything to keep in mind in terms of size difference if we go that route.

Thanks.

 

[chancer]

Here is a big list of Kart parts retailers. I have used BMI karts and MFG supply with much success. Both sell hubs. Also gopowersports.com is a member of the forum and gives a 10% discount code for DIY go kart members.
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1180

Also a more common Tire size is more in the neighborhood of 13x5x6

 

[firemanjim]

https://www.bmikarts.com/mobile/Full-Flange-Racing-Wheel-Hub-Front_p_1641.html
That's the front hubs. Pick high speed sealed bearings in 5/8.....

https://www.bmikarts.com/mobile/Full-Flange-Racing-Wheel-Hub-1-or-1-14-Bore_p_1642.html

That's the rears .... Choose 1".....
You are gonna need to buy a torque converter. 30series.....

 

[chancer]

Just wish BMI would ship cheap USPS.

 

[firemanjim]

Just wish BMI would ship cheap USPS.

You can find those on eBay too....

 

[ThaKarter]

Thanks a lot for the help. But firemanjim, are those not too small? The rear hubs you posted have 2.5in bolt circle and my tires have 4in. Also, they offer .25in and 5/16in bolts, but I think i would need .5 inch since those 4 small holes on the tire which I assume are for the bolts are .5inch in diameter. If I am correct, what about this http://www.bmikarts.com/4-x-4-Wheel-Hub-Front-with-58-Bearing_p_1653.html or http://www.bmikarts.com/4-x-4-Billet-Aluminum-Wheel-Hub-1-Bore_p_1646.html ?

 

[Hursty]

Thanks a lot for the help. But firemanjim, are those not too small? The rear hubs you posted have 2.5in bolt circle and my tires have 4in. Also, they offer .25in and 5/16in bolts, but I think i would need .5 inch since those 4 small holes on the tire which I assume are for the bolts are .5inch in diameter. If I am correct, what about this http://www.bmikarts.com/4-x-4-Wheel-Hub-Front-with-58-Bearing_p_1653.html or http://www.bmikarts.com/4-x-4-Billet-Aluminum-Wheel-Hub-1-Bore_p_1646.html ?

Correct me if i'm wrong. the first one does not have high speed bearings. and the second one is for a 1 in keyed shaft.

this is what you would need for the front.http://www.bmikarts.com/Out-of-Stock-4-x-4-Galvanized-Wheel-Hub-Front-with-58-Bearing-_p_2553.html
seems the are out of stock.

 

[ThaKarter]

That is pretty unfortunate haha. Is it possible to just get high speed bearing separately and put those on? Also, I don't know what a keyed shaft is so can't comment on that. I assume by the way you said it that it won't work for me though.

 

[JMINDY]

That is pretty unfortunate haha. Is it possible to just get high speed bearing separately and put those on? Also, I don't know what a keyed shaft is so can't comment on that. I assume by the way you said it that it won't work for me though.

Try this site... http://www.gokartsupply.com/atvwl.htm

For the front wheels, Roller bearing hubs at the bottom of the page. 5/8" Shaft, 4" Bolt pattern

For the rear... use the Drive Hub For 1" Live Axle. Wheel slides on the axle. A 1/4" keyway is inserted to lock the hub to the axle so that it spins with the axle. (See the picture of the 3/4" Drive Hub to see the keyway placement on the hub.) Nut on the end of the axle to the center of the rim, keeps the rim from sliding off. (4) 4" spaced lugs hold wheel to drive hub.

 

[firemanjim]

Correct me if i'm wrong. the first one does not have high speed bearings. and the second one is for a 1 in keyed shaft.

this is what you would need for the front.http://www.bmikarts.com/Out-of-Stock-4-x-4-Galvanized-Wheel-Hub-Front-with-58-Bearing-_p_2553.html
seems the are out of stock.

I'm not sure how the links got messed up. I hate this dumb tablet....

 

[ThaKarter]

Try this site... http://www.gokartsupply.com/atvwl.htm

For the front wheels, Roller bearing hubs at the bottom of the page. 5/8" Shaft, 4" Bolt pattern
.

I got those hubs but the bearings do not come inserted in and I am not sure how to assemble it. It comes as the hub, bearing and then this metal disk think (all in the picture on the website) They fit nicely into the hub, but how do I get them to stay in the hub? Do I need to press them in? I wanted to ask before I go and do something totally wrong and break them haha.
Thanks

 

[Joe-405]

You can buy the hubs from bmi for front and rear. I have golf cart tires and wheels on my project. They work just fine. I had the front and rears but decided to build a trike so I sent the fronts back to bmi. Its the adult big wheel in the contest forum if you wanna see the rears with the 1" axle all attached.

 

[ThaKarter]

Trike looks awesome. I already got those hubs though. At the bottom of this page: http://www.gokartsupply.com/atvwl.htm. I'd send them back and order from BMI, but my project is due in four days so I don't think I have time. Kart is nearly done, I just want to make sure I know how to put in the front hubs correctly with bearings. I attached pictures of what it looks like. Everything seems to fit in, but it isn't in firm and if i were to flip it over the bearing would easily slip out. I'm wondering if it needs to be pressed, or if when I bolt it onto the spindle, it will all stay in fine.
Thanks.

 

[chancer]

No your good. Those should just sit in there. The tapered "race" is already pressed into the hub. They need to be greased though. That is a messy job. Without a "bearing grease packing tool" you pretty much take a wad of axle grease in the palm of your hand and force the grease manually into the bearing. Google how to pack bearings.
Good luck with your project

 

[gman3850]

Ohh fun packing bearings. �� always hate doing that on the trailer. Hands feel greasy for days.

 

[firemanjim]

Ohh fun packing bearings. �� always hate doing that on the trailer. Hands feel greasy for days.

Hate that feeling. You have no grip.....
Karter, you have the bearings in correctly, just grease the he\\ out of them. Force grease into the bearings by hand. Roll the bearings so they are completely coated. Then, grab a big handful and shove it into the wheel hub. Now push the bearing in, letting excess grease ooze out. Hold you hand over the opposite side when you do this, or it will just come out the back. The second bearing is done the same way, just make sure you hold the first bearing in place.
Look, grease first bearing. Slide it onto the spindle. Now pack the hub with grease, end to end. Push it onto spindle. Shove outer bearing in place, squeezing out excess. Hold it ..... Put on the nut, hand tight. Spin the tire fast. Snug up nut until you see it puts a slight drag on the wheel speed. (Slows it down when too tight) Now back off the nut JUST a HAIR! If its a nyloc but, youre done. Kastle nut, nowput in the cotter pin in one of the holes and bend both halves outward. Done. Oh, grease cap.... I see you don't have them so you must be using nyloc nuts on a rear axle....

 

[ThaKarter]

Ok Great. We do have a nyloc nut. Thank you so much. We got collar locks as well, are those necessary? We did not want the nut to fall off and then everything fall apart. Also, we think that one of the hubs has a manufacturing error of sorts. Each hub has a front and a back bearing. Then those silver washer things fit nicely on top on all but one. Is it a problem to have the bearing exposed.I'm attaching pics to show what I mean. In one of them you see the silver thing and the other the bearing is kind of showing. Also, I'm attaching a view from behind the wheel, hopefully there is nothing alarming about it. Looks pretty standard. Also attaching a preview of the kart. Hopefully will finish tonight and paint tomorrow.