Tires and bearings help!

Messages
41
Reaction score
2
Hello! I’m new here! I just started getting into yard karts 2 months ago. A friend gave me his disassembled and I put it together and got it working. I joined here because on my second kart, I can not figure out what tires to put on the front. It’s not 5/8. It’s a hair bigger. The rear axle is also a 58mm bolt pattern. It’s as if this kart was designed only to have race kart tires. I’ll post tonight with some measurements. Anyway, nice to meet all of you!35113211-E4E6-4F8E-AC4D-AB328D23C1BB.jpeg3D457C79-024A-49BD-8BC5-E269A6737B99.jpeg975A7E2A-39CB-4FF6-B634-43736F99F373.jpeg
 
Messages
41
Reaction score
2
Here are the front and rear measurements in inches +/- .02
8E36379A-E7A7-4970-B4EF-DC9268F0FB9F.jpeg9A8FC7D6-333C-42A3-9FAF-05D4489B021A.jpeg57AA3517-ECBA-4828-9579-3B269D19DB9F.jpegCFE8C8CE-7AF5-4CFA-A020-9BE7D0232B0E.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • 73B7DA9F-52EB-4E37-8D50-A2069CDFB50B.jpeg
    73B7DA9F-52EB-4E37-8D50-A2069CDFB50B.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 3
  • 7DDD6560-4CC3-4CA1-8ABD-84C7FFCBEA3F.jpeg
    7DDD6560-4CC3-4CA1-8ABD-84C7FFCBEA3F.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 3
  • 99D2D1D5-3816-4638-9096-E037860CDB68.jpeg
    99D2D1D5-3816-4638-9096-E037860CDB68.jpeg
    781.7 KB · Views: 3
  • D71473D4-5777-49DC-BBEA-82721367F605.jpeg
    D71473D4-5777-49DC-BBEA-82721367F605.jpeg
    903.3 KB · Views: 3

madprofessor

"Loose Cannon Creations"
Messages
2,899
Reaction score
888
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
That 0.66" axle diameter is what matters. A 5/8" axle would be 0.625" diameter. Looks like you've got something metric, which is going to stick you with only being able to use a limited selection of wheel hubs to fit on there. Hard to find that stuff.
If it was mine, the spindles would get swapped for spindles with 3/4" or 5/8" axles, with the axle length chosen to fit the hubs that would be used on them. You don't need the spindle brackets, just spindles to fit in your brackets. I got a full set with brackets from MFG, but they and all others sell spindles alone, and other pieces of spindles alone. Here's the page I bought my 3/4" set from................
Spindles for 3/4" axle dia for Go Karts | Go Kart & Mini Bike Parts | MFG Supply
 
Messages
41
Reaction score
2
I was worried it was metric. Also, the height of the spindles is really small as well. What’s your thoughts on the rear wheels? Replace the whole axle?
 

panchothedog

Well-known member
Messages
1,380
Reaction score
1,879
Hey Mad, you beat me to the punch. It's gonna be a lot easier for him to switch
out spindles them to find wheels to fit that.
 
Messages
41
Reaction score
2
At mfg they don’t tell the height of the spindles. The first thing i was thinking of was swappin out theee ol’ spindles but I didn’t see any that fit the height dimensions. I’ll try to post that tonight as well.
 
Last edited:

madprofessor

"Loose Cannon Creations"
Messages
2,899
Reaction score
888
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
Guessing you know something about quantum theory, but do you also know about welding? You'd likely end up better off just cutting off your existing spindle brackets and welding on new ones from a full spindle assembly like I used. One word of warning.................
MFG's spindles that come welded and ready to install have the spindle arms welded at a 90 degree angle, meaning you can't get any ackermann angle set up to keep the front tires from scrubbing all the time. Other gokart parts suppliers probably do the same thing. Here's an option from BMI that has a 1.75" barrel...............U-Weld Spindle | 400100 | BMI Karts And Parts ....................and here's an option for a matching pair with 1.5" barrels complete with bearings................ U-Weld Bearing Spindle Kit | 660038 | BMI Karts And Parts ..................I left my spindle arms intact, and welded on some pieces of angle iron and flat bar that tripled the strength of the arms, and got out there so where the hole I drilled for the tierod connection was perfectly in line for zero ackermann angle.
Here's a little bit of suspension that's nice compared to solid...................Front end spindle with spring for DIY go kart kits. (gopowersports.com)
 
Messages
41
Reaction score
2
Thank you so much for responding. I don’t know how to weld. Maybe I could locate a local fabricator. If I change my spindles I’ll have to get new steering rods etc. I wonder if there is some way to get tires or bearings for these current spindles. I know it’s rare but it’s gotta be out there somewhere right?
 

Barîb

Member
Messages
74
Reaction score
8
Thank you so much for responding. I don’t know how to weld. Maybe I could locate a local fabricator. If I change my spindles I’ll have to get new steering rods etc. I wonder if there is some way to get tires or bearings for these current spindles. I know it’s rare but it’s gotta be out there somewhere right?
Welding isn't a terrible skill to pick up if you are getting into go karts. You can pick up a flux core (which is essentially just a mig welder without shielding gas) for pretty cheap, maybe a bit under $150 at harbor freight. Maybe find some videos, that's how I learned and can now lay down some decent beads if I do say so myself. As for the axle, metric will be tricky yes, I'd swap to imperial, but totally understand not wanting to just cash out if not necessary. Keep digging, I bet you can find the metric one. Good luck.
 
Messages
41
Reaction score
2
I’ve been looking at welders recently actually. I’m not there yet. I’m sure I can find some tires. This is so weird. Of course the yard kart I buy has metric axles. Grrr 😡
 

madprofessor

"Loose Cannon Creations"
Messages
2,899
Reaction score
888
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
With that 1.77" spindle barrel, and not having a welder, your best bet for spindles right away is to get something ready to bolt on like the link below that has a 2" barrel. You can take a grinder with a metal cutoff wheel and shorten the barrel to fit inside of your spindle brackets. Worry about adapting it for ackermann angle later, when you get a welder or have someone weld it for you. I'll measure how much free space there is on my MFG spindle barrels tonight, let you know if there's room to cut them down to 1.75", cheapest answer for new spindles.
Spindle Right - Straight | 01765 | BMI Karts And Parts
 
Messages
41
Reaction score
2
Ok. I hope there is. I wish I could fit springs in the barrel but obviously running out of space. Excited to see if your spindles can be shaved to 1.75”.
 
Messages
41
Reaction score
2
It’s from a video game called Portal. I suggest you try it. Do you have a computer that was built in the last ten years? It’s easy too and not complicated.

 

FlyFrog

Active member
Messages
467
Reaction score
127
Location
Kankakee Illinois
well I do but im 14 and my phone is taken away atm and i have a school computer lol, But thats a good thing its for a console i collect old playstations i have 1 2 3 and 4, working towards a 5 :D
 
Top