Spindles question!

[Passionfruit1965]

Hi there! I recently acquired a go kart in pretty rough shape. I'm going through piece by piece and getting the rust off and painting them, whatever I need to do. I'm pretty new to this so I have a few questions about the spindles. I removed most of the old paint today but I'll probably have to blast them to get the rest off. My question is though, it looks like they have bearings on them? I am attaching pictures of them. They spin pretty well. Is there anything I need to do to them to lube them up besides getting the grime off? I can't get them off though. Also, they were pretty rusty so they're sanded down to the bare metal now and so is the axle. What should I finish them with? I'm going to be priming/painting the spindles but I didn't think it would be wise to do that to the bearings and axle but I don't know what to put on them so those areas in particular don't rust over. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

 

[chancer]

Those inner bearing races are stuck to the axle. The entire bearing should have stayed on the wheel. It looks like the smaller ones were just there as spacers. I would beat them off with a hammer and buy new bearings. They are cheap and easy to find, ebay or any go kart supply co.

and yes I would not paint them it makes the wheels harder to get on and off. Just a little grease and it will get all over the axle/spindle shaft. and prevent rust.

Also yes those are technically axles but guys will understand better online referred to spindle or spindle shaft. Axle usually refers to the rear axle. Not trying to rag on you but trust me it prevents some wise guy from acting confused.

 

[OzFab]

Sooner or later, they will need to come off to be replaced, it may as well be now...

 

[Passionfruit1965]

Thanks for the information, Chancer. Just what I needed!

 

[chancer]

No problem dude. click the little thumbs up button on the right hand corner of the post for ease of use, or something, I guess, I dunno.