Go kart steering

[INVENTOR 55]

Hey everyone,
I’ve always been a bit terrified of go-kart steering systems—mostly because if they fail, you're in for a bad time. But since I’m currently building my own DIY go-kart out of a wooden pallet, facing this fear was inevitable.
And well... I'm officially stuck.
My current setup:
The steering wheel is attached to a threaded rod (steering column) that goes all the way down to a long metal plate, which acts as the pitman arm/steering lever.
The problem:
Attempt 1: First, I tried to secure the metal plate to the threaded rod using four jam nuts (locknuts). It didn't hold at all and kept slipping.
Attempt 2: Since the nuts failed, I decided to weld the whole thing together. But as you can see in the attached photo, the weld just keeps cracking under the pressure. Threaded rod steel + standard welding just isn't holding up to the steering force.
Has anyone dealt with this on a budget/DIY build? What’s the best way to securely connect a steering column to the lever arm without it snapping? Should I ditch the threaded rod entirely, or is there a clever mechanical way to lock them together?
Any advice is highly appreciated! (See attached photo for the current cracked weld disaster).

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Ditch the threaded rod. It has the strength of peanut butter.

 

[Master Hack]

Not sure what happened to that threaded thing.
I'm guessing you tried to weld a plated bolt?
First, congratulations on not killing yourself.
Plated bolts enit toxic gasses when burned.
Ya probably just start coughing up blood, one might not be enough to kill ya. Ya dont want to die that way. You want to be around for the steering to actually do the deed!

 

[INVENTOR 55]

It Is not that deep

 

[INVENTOR 55]

Ditch the threaded rod. It has the strength of peanut butter.

Well i have made everything the size for it + the steering wheel adapter. The rod did not break, just the weld

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Well I'll just step aside and let you figure it out.

First off a pallet for a frame?
Threaded rod for a steering column?
Im not sure what your trying to accomplish. Do you understand the forces that accompany moving objects?

I see in one of your pics, there is a half rusted plant holder of a threaded hook.

Im gonna let Darwin take the wheel on this.

 

[Master Hack]

Im gonna let Darwin take the wheel on this.

We both did a great job of excersizing restraint.
Apparently he has researched proper materials and has that covered. I'm not sure we can advise him. I to am stepping away. I wish you luck and want to commend you on the workmaship.
When complete you should get hours of enjoyment from it.

 

[INVENTOR 55]

Well I'll just step aside and let you figure it out.

First off a pallet for a frame?
Threaded rod for a steering column?
Im not sure what your trying to accomplish. Do you understand the forces that accompany moving objects?

I see in one of your pics, there is a half rusted plant holder of a threaded hook.

Im gonna let Darwin take the wheel on this.

It Is a pallet
No, i am using an U shaped profile
And i am trying to accomplish to steer by it, i could not think about anything differrnt from this mechnaism

 

[Edwin Spangler]

Curious how old you are? Still young and learning?


There was a point in my life where I did stuff just like this. It taught me not to do stuff just like this. Talking about the entire steering mechanism.

How fast you planning this thing to go? Above 5 MPH you NEED to fix that steering. Theres nothing wrong with cobbling a bunch of crap together but it has to make sense. Youre getting too deep into "use whatever". You need to take a little more time to plan and gather materials.

The welding on the steering. It will hold JUST long enough to give you confidence to go faster, THEN its gonna fail on you. Trust me!

Keep going though. Youll get it.

 

[INVENTOR 55]

I am 16 yo and what i tested the max speed od this Is 25kmh on a flat concrete

 

[Edwin Spangler]

Welding isnt working because the metals are not compatible.

Are you unable to buy anything or trying NOT to buy anything? Steering shaft/pitman arms can be pretty cheap.

 

[INVENTOR 55]

Well i can and i have some money but i would like to buildy from things that i have ať home

 

[INVENTOR 55]

Welding isnt working because the metals are not compatible.

Are you unable to buy anything or trying NOT to buy anything? Steering shaft/pitman arms can be pretty cheap.

But like $50 Is not cheap for me

 

[Hellion]

First off a pallet for a frame?

Guys on Youtube build pallet karts all the time, it’s trendy, and he’s not trying to go Mach 1. I’m a little jealous because at 16 I didn’t build much of anything except plastic models (ahh the glue! ) but was mostly chasing girls, or they were chasing me.

 

[INVENTOR 55]

Yeah thanks

 

[Master Hack]

girls, or they were chasing me.

 

[Denny]

Guys on Youtube build pallet karts all the time, it’s trendy, and he’s not trying to go Mach 1. I’m a little jealous because at 16 I didn’t build much of anything except plastic models (ahh the glue! ) but was mostly chasing girls, or they were chasing me.

I think you were sniffing too much glue!