Removing Axle for dead axle kart

[Clark125]

All, whats the best approach for removing the axle on a 1 wheel peel to replace it? Basically the rear axle is not long enough.

 

[mckutzy]

Youll have to be a little more specific as to what vehicle were talking about...
And pics of said machine....

 

[Clark125]

So heres pictures of the cart. Problem is I ordered these wheels that are too wide. I couldn't get anyone to answer the phone at gopower sports before ordering to answer questions I had that may have prevented me from purchasing them. That being said, now I’ve got to figure out how to make it work. Same issue on the front but I found replacement spindles at bmi (also not answering calls) that ‘should’ work for the front. But there’s not much point if I cant get em on the back.

 

[Smerft85]

There should be some offset to the wheels, if the "axle" is long enough add maybe an inch of spacer, could use washers, and make sure you can get the nut back on. Just because the rim is 5" wide doesnt mean a 4" long axle wont work. If worst case forces you to make the axles longer they are just bolts welded in place and your bearings do all the work, cut the old ones off where the head of the bolt and the frame meet, and weld longer ones in place, make sure they are straight and you have some nylon lock nuts that fit them. Longer bolts will allow more spacer room to get the wheel away from the frame to fit.

 

[Clark125]

There should be some offset to the wheels, if the "axle" is long enough add maybe an inch of spacer, could use washers, and make sure you can get the nut back on. Just because the rim is 5" wide doesnt mean a 4" long axle wont work. If worst case forces you to make the axles longer they are just bolts welded in place and your bearings do all the work, cut the old ones off where the head of the bolt and the frame meet, and weld longer ones in place, make sure they are straight and you have some nylon lock nuts that fit them. Longer bolts will allow more spacer room to get the wheel away from the frame to fit.

Yeah so it all sounds really easy when you put it like that but... I have zero idea what kind of cut off tool and welder would be sufficient for that. Is it a mig welder?

 

[mckutzy]

A grinder with a cutting blade will do fine...
Any welding machine will do.. MIG or fluxcore wire feed will will be just fine...

 

[Clark125]

A grinder with a cutting blade will do fine...
Any welding machine will do.. MIG or fluxcore wire feed will will be just fine...

So with the flux core, theres no need for additional gas right? I wonder if I could get it done with one from HF

 

[BigWes]

So with the flux core, theres no need for additional gas right? I wonder if I could get it done with one from HF

You certainly could. Or just as easily take it to a local welding shop and save time and money and get it done professionally. It's all up to you.

There is a learning curve to welding. But it's a good skill to have. My only personal issue with the cheap harbor freight machines is that as soon as you learn how to use the dang thing you'll regret that you didn't spend a little more to get a more capable machine. Other words you will outgrow the machine real fast if you actually use it and enjoy what you are doing.

Still, check into using some spacers first as mentioned above. And whatever you decide, best of luck.

 

[Clark125]

You certainly could. Or just as easily take it to a local welding shop and save time and money and get it done professionally. It's all up to you.

There is a learning curve to welding. But it's a good skill to have. My only personal issue with the cheap harbor freight machines is that as soon as you learn how to use the dang thing you'll regret that you didn't spend a little more to get a more capable machine. Other words you will outgrow the machine real fast if you actually use it and enjoy what you are doing.

Still, check into using some spacers first as mentioned above. And whatever you decide, best of luck.

So yeah Im waiting on a mini tire changer tool from HF to get shipped so I can get the tires mounted to the rims (hopefully! open to advice on that too!) then I’ll try fitting them on the current spindles again. If theres room for spacers that will be great but Im not sure there will be any threads left on the end.

 

[Clark125]

Tire changing tool came today, made it much much easier to get the tires mounted.

Will get out there tomorrow to see if I can make it work with the existing spindles. If not I found a shop willing to do it.