Using spacers on front spindles.. Recommendations

[outofmyfundermind]

I had to replace the plastic wheels for my kart and went with a 2 piece system which then left me with space on the spindles. (New wheels just made differently).
I now have about 1 inch of spindle space to fill. Question is do I use 1/2 inch spacers on each side or just a 1 inch spacer on the inside. Photos show my dilemma.
Top left shows 1 " space....Top right shows inside where wheel butts up to inside edge of spindle.
Bottom left shows 3/4" space....Bottom right has a wheel bearing used as a spacer to create space so wheel will not rub.

 

[esfoder]

I would put them (spacers) on the outside. Make sure the wheel or tire doesn't rub on anything though.

 

[anickode]

If you can run it with no spacer to the inside and do an inch on the outside, do it. If not, run as little as possible to the inside. The farther your wheels stick out from the kingpin, the worse the bump steer will be.

That's why car wheels are usually offset. (Well, that, and you don't want the wheels to swing front to back as they turn, or your fender Wells would have to be yuuuuuuge) Ideally you want your steering pivot point to be in the centerline of the wheel. Not really feasible with little tiny go kart wheels though.

 

[outofmyfundermind]

Is there any danger is using a wheel bearing as an inside spacer? (shown on bottom right image). I could then use 3/4" spacer on the outside. Or, would you use actual spacers inside and out?

 

[Texan]

No threads on the spindles? How are you going to secure the wheels?

 

[outofmyfundermind]

No threads on the spindles? How are you going to secure the wheels?

Heavy duty snap ring. Spindle has notch for it.

 

[anickode]

If you go to your local hardware store, you can get steel spacer sleeves in common sizes. If they don't have one the right length, just get the next size up and cut it down.

It would certainly look better than stacking up bearings and washers.

 

[mckutzy]

Don't do the way in the last pic... Those bearings are pressed steel, they for the most part are not good for much. I would suggest getting new bearings Alltogether.

 

[anickode]

Don't do the way in the last pic... Those bearings are pressed steel, they for the most part are not good for much. I would suggest getting new bearings Alltogether.

Won't matter... The inner race is just a steel tube. It would do what he needs it to do, (act as a spacer), but it looks tacky.

You could probably take a hammer to that bearing and pound the inner race out of it to use as a spacer, but I would probably just go buy proper spacers. They're only a couple bucks.

 

[Functional Artist]

Any old spacer should work

...some hardware stores have metal spacers

...if their 5/8" spindles, cut yourself a couple of spacers out of a piece of water pipe (regular old water pipe is usually 7/8" od & 5/8" id)

* many karts come with plastic spacers (from the factory)

...what? ...plastic? ...are you krazy?

...the wheels are plastic

 

[outofmyfundermind]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I didn't intend on using the spacers, because they do look tacky, but was using them to size everything up. When I ordered the new wheels I was going by the tires I planned on using instead of the width of the old wheels. These will work out alright with spacers. Appreciate the feedback!

BTW, spindles are 3/4

 

[Goat]

You could cut the axle off shorter and drill and tap the end for a wheel retainer.

 

[outofmyfundermind]

You could cut the axle off shorter and drill and tap the end for a wheel retainer.

I feel pretty good about using spacers but defiantly an option, thanks.

 

[Hellion]

I feel pretty good about using spacers but defiantly an option, thanks.

Is that defiantly or definitely?

Those bearings are indeed bargain basement, suitable for hand cart use and not much else.

 

[mckutzy]

Hence my original statement..... Just seen too many of these things break often around here.

 

[outofmyfundermind]

Is that defiantly or definitely?

Those bearings are indeed bargain basement, suitable for hand cart use and not much else.

lol... darn auto spell .... I guess it could possibly be both!

I did that on porpoise! lol... this one spelled with intent.