Go Kart Live Axle Help

[harismos]

Hi,

This is our first time building a go kart and we want to make an electric go kart with the rear axle as a live axle. We have bought the following wheels:
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-pneumatic-tire-30900.html
The bolts (which are 2 inches apart from each other) come out. The only problem is that there are wheel bearings. The inner diameter is 5/8 inch.

and we plan on using this as the axle: http://www.truckspring.com/suspension-parts/hardware/steel-threaded-rod/5-8-inch/TH-58X40.aspx
The ends, approx. 4 inches, will be threaded

For our sprocket, we plan on using this:
68 Tooth Rear Sprocket For #25 Chain
5-1/2" OD, 1" ID. 3 bolt mounting pattern.
Item # SPR-2568

We were planning on using flanges but we cannot find threaded flanges that would work. For this project we want to minimize the amount of welding necessary, but we will probably end up welding the sprocket on (which will also require a flange). Any suggestions? Thanks!!!

 

[smilly317]

im pretty new to building go karts too, but from what i know you cant have bearings in your rear wheels for a live axle. you gotta have hanging bearings on the axle, and rims that bolt right on the the axle, which either means right from the axle, or buying hubs. dont go by my word on this, im not 100% sure

 

[harismos]

Yeah, thats what we figured as well, there are bolts on the wheels that we are going to use to connect it to the axle, but we can't find the part that allows us to do that

 

[mini chopper]

you have to get a separate hub for that, with the same bolt pattern as the hub in the wheel now.

 

[r_chez_08]

Firstly what speed do you want?
I would not trust those HF wheels for more than 10mph and 120kg. they fail on dolly karts.
Also that axle is really thin, most people here use 1", and the standard yard kart hardware is 1".
Check out here
there are lots of good wheels there.
i used similar wheels to the hf ones, and they snapped off, and the bearings were ****e.
normally wheels and the sprocket use a key (square piece of steel bar) that fits into a slot in the axle and wheel or sprocket.
Rob

 

[harismos]

Thank you minichopper and Rob,

we weren't planning on making it go that fast. This is just a school project and we just want it to move.

we may have to end up welding the wheels on...oh well