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How to Hook Up Wheels for Go-Karts

The design of go-kart wheels and drive systems varies according to anticipated use and road surfaces. Karts intended for pavement or hard surfaces benefit from a fixed axle drive wheel design. In the fixed axle configuration, both rear wheels rotate independently on flanged bearing hubs riding on stationary axle spindles. Only one of the rear wheels is driven by the chain sprocket, the other rotates freely. This design allows the rear wheels to turn at different speeds during cornering, greatly improving handling on paved surfaces. Fixed axle drive wheels are also more easily installed and removed than rotating "live" axles. Front wheels of go-karts are universally freewheeling and mounted on fixed axle spindles.

Things You'll Need

Jack stands
Socket wrench and sockets

Instructions

- 1
  Lift the go-kart and support it on stands.
- 2
  Mount the sprocket on the four bolts on one side of the double-flanged rear axle hub.
- 3
  Orient the brake drum with the open side facing away from the sprocket. Place the brake drum on top of the sprocket so the four bolts of the axle flange pass through the corresponding holes in the brake drum.
- 4
  Install nuts on the four axle flange bolts inside the brake drum and tighten securely.
- 5
  Slide a 3/4-inch spacer washer onto the axle on the drive side. Slide the sprocket/brake drum assembly onto the drive side axle with the wheel studs facing out.
- 6
  Mount the rear drive wheel on the wheel studs of the rear axle flange. Install and tighten the four wheel lug nuts. Install the axle spindle nut and tighten.
- 7
  Hook one end of the brake band to the fixed brake pin on the frame. Wrap the brake band in a counter-clockwise direction around the brake drum and hook the other end of the brake band to the pin on the end of the brake operating rod.
- 8
  Wrap the drive chain around the axle sprocket and the drive sprocket on the engine. Secure the two ends of the drive chain with the master connecting link.
- 9
  Slide a 3/4-inch spacer washer onto the rear axle on the non-drive side. Slide the single-flange axle hub onto the axle with the wheel studs facing out.
- 10
  Mount the remaining rear wheel on the studs of the axle flange. Install and tighten the four wheel lug nuts. Install the axle spindle nut and tighten.
- 11
  Slide a 3/4-inch spacer washer onto both of the front axle spindles.
- 12
  Install the front wheels on the front axle spindles. Install and tighten the single axle nut on each spindle.

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