Live axle problems

[Slime_tiger]

So on my go-kart i have been working on for the past few years and have finally got working with a lot of time and and a lot of my dad helping me do things. It has a 30 series torque converter and a 44*1 live axle which is causing some problems. It is held in place to the bearings with allen keys, and when i slid it around a corner a bit too hard the axle slipped from it and the chain came off. Is there a way to keep it in place better, or should i just drive a bit less rough with it?

 

[mckutzy]

Hello and welcome..

Use some shaft collars to back the bearing/sprockets/brake disc.... they will help prevent lateral movment.. also a small drill dimple will help the setscrew sink into at the point of where it sits(the bearing/collar/disc/ sprocket ect.).

If it is tight and cant fully get a collar into position... a SS pipe clamp will work also... cut back the tail so it doesnt cause further issues...

 

[Slime_tiger]

Thanks for the fast reply!
I will look into some lock collars and drilling a small indent in the axle for the keys to fit into.

 

[anickode]

Another option is to get some metal tubing, like 1¼" OD by 1/8" wall DOM tubing, and cut spacers that fit exactly between the wheel hub and the face of the bearing, and install them in place. This will transmit any lateral force out to the wheels, and thus the axle nuts, which will be far stronger than any shaft collar.

I really prefer axle bearings with eccentric locking collars instead of just a simple set screw. They hold much better. The eccentric collar gets tightened with a spanner wrench, locking the axle in place, and the set screw simply secures the collar vs the entire axle.

 

[Slime_tiger]

I'm not quite understanding how that would look on the kart, could you send some pictures?

 

[mckutzy]

Well the true definition of the shaft keyway on a shaft is a keyseat... it can also be called a shaft keyway, or just a keyway. So the indents are for the setscrews as the shaft has a milled groove for the key.

Also a bearing with eccentric collars looks like this...