Live Axle to step down or not?

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midnightbrwr

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So I am going to build a two person cart and I am looking at 44" axles. I can get one with a step down for $45 from MFG or a 45" one with no step down from BMI for $25. I am getting confused about the wheel setup. The cheapest rims seem to be the steel ones with built in hub and they don't need the step down. With a step down I would need to buy special hubs or the Azusalite ones made for this purpose. Is there an advantage to a step down?

Also as to plans, I bought the Northern Tool ones and the same ones are free at http://www.buildyourowngokart.com/twoperson/. Maybe that will save someone $10.
 
sideways

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midnightbrwr said:
I am looking at these 145/70-6 http://www.bmikarts.com/shop/largerimage.php?prod_id=6334

Maybe the price difference between MFG and BMI is not so different after shipping is added in. So the question is which is better a straight axle or one with a step?
Click to expand...

The best one is which ever one will fit the wheels you have. Neither is really any better in any other way. You could suggest the one without the step down is stronger but it doesn't really matter.

Thanks

Hayden
 
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This is something I have never seen discussed in depth. Is there a clear advantage to a step down axle? What is the point of a step down? I agree with sideways on this one. I bought mounted tires, then hubs to fit with an axle to fit the hubs because the tires were most expensive. I found them at a reasonable price, then bought parts to accommodate.
 
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midnightbrwr

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I have not built a cart yet, but thinking about it, the step down may be better because if one side is 1" and the other has a shoulder down to 3/4" the hub will be sandwiched between the axle nut and step so there is no way for it to move. If you have wheels that are 1" through all you will have are set screws keeping them from moving. If all that is correct I think I am going to go for a step down axle.
 
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Except for aluminum wheels I am having a hard time finding 6" step down wheels. The hubs for step down have a 4" circle and they go on 8" rims.

If I go with straight 1" keyed rims do people have problems with the rims moving or will a pair of lock rings do the trick?
 
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midnightbrwr said:
Except for aluminum wheels I am having a hard time finding 6" step down wheels. The hubs for step down have a 4" circle and they go on 8" rims.

If I go with straight 1" keyed rims do people have problems with the rims moving or will a pair of lock rings do the trick?
Click to expand...

4" x4 stud pattern is very common, a lot of 4 wheelers have it, I even have a car with that stud pattern!

You shouldn't have any problem with the wheels moving, they are keyed and bolted on, the wheels on my buggy are fine like that.

Thanks

Hayden
 
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