03-24-2020, 07:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-24-2020, 08:27 PM by Terry Bentley.)
Chapter 26
So tonight Steve is hanging out and we get the rear axle installed. Everything looked good until we realize the sprocket hub goes on in between the bearings. So it comes apart again. Now the nod of success. But short lived.
When the motor goes on, realize the chain is also needed. There was no master link and I didnt have a chain breaker. So the axle comes off again. One step closer to the finish line. Or is that the checker flag?
After the axle is assembled again, I spin it over and realize just how bad the sprocket and hub are bent. First I use a rawhide mallet and beat the hub. It starts to straighten out. But the sprocket is having no part of going back. Again everything comes off the frame. Starting to see a familiar pattern developing here.
This is the only sprocket I have, so making the best of what is here. It is a one piece Hands. This is getting fairly easy to disassemble and reassemble the rear end. Not such a big deal now. Patience is not something you are born with or given..You have to earn every bit of it. At this moment it is getting easier and easier to attain.
While Steve is attacking the bent sprocket, I try my patience with that hub. This rawhide mallet really does a decent job on it. The cast material that closely resembles aluminum doesnt put up much of a fight. Seemed to know just how much to bend back without any argument. One less thing to fix now before kart is finished.
Assembling the rear axle this time is really straight forward and takes no time at all. Me and Steve give each other a high 5 and content with all the work done. Later dad comes in to the garage and asks how things are going. Harboring a big smile I tell him we had it finally licked. He looks over everything and seems impressed. Most of it seems good. But.....
Oh no, not the "but"..... I asked what he thought wasnt quite right yet. He grabs the rear tire and spins it over. Then starts explaining rolling resistance and makes a big deal on how much there is in this rear axle. Naturally it would have to be something to do with the axle. He then goes over how those bearing lock collars work.
The eccentric mounting of collar to bearing was designed to lock them solid to a shaft. But puts them in a slight bind and this axle tends to have some resistance when spinning it over. It is more common especially if shaft or axle is very undersized. Then demonstrated what he was talking about.
I asked what needed to be done. He says nothing complicated. Just disassemble the axle assembly and flip those lock collars around to push against bearings instead of rotating and locking together. Make certain the set screws are tight tho.
It would be very helpful to put a collar on both sides of bearings. These are common. There should be some collars around here somewhere if you need a couple.
So why not take the axle out again? Today I have done it enough to do blind folded. One more time should be no problem....argh! Dad decided to stick around and assist. He made some recommendations that helped out a lot on reassembly too.
Before bolting everything together, dad decides to take those bearing lock collars and cut them down on the lathe. Sitting off in the corner is a very small 6" Craftsman lathe. It only had a four jaw chuck, but for these, would not be an issue.
Dad just chucked to the inside of collars and didnt bother trying to make them run true. He explained this to me so I would have a better understanding of the the basics when something needed to be cut.
Since these collars only need the face machined off, it doesnt necessarily matter if they are running concentric. Do you understand? As he started cutting the first one I then realized what he was trying to beat in my head. Makes total sense dad. Dont you see it too, Steve? Sure do. Knew exactly what he was talking about before even cutting. Yea right Steve! You dont make a very good liar either.
One more thing dad decided to go ahead and tackle. Using the drill press, an additional hole was drilled in each collar. This hole is located about 90 degrees to the existing one. Actually just drilled thru the dimple already on collar where you would normally put the punch to lock or remove it from bearing. Dad hands me a tap and says not to break this or else. I had already been versed on how use one. So was able to get two done without any issue. Then Steve did the other two.
Now the rear axle assembly is back together again. Dont know for how long. Definitely no promises from me. Those lock collars are placed on both sides of bearings, just as dad recommended. With that step cut off now they dont stick out any farther than when using the eccentric lock like before. Really way cool.
So tonight Steve is hanging out and we get the rear axle installed. Everything looked good until we realize the sprocket hub goes on in between the bearings. So it comes apart again. Now the nod of success. But short lived.
When the motor goes on, realize the chain is also needed. There was no master link and I didnt have a chain breaker. So the axle comes off again. One step closer to the finish line. Or is that the checker flag?
After the axle is assembled again, I spin it over and realize just how bad the sprocket and hub are bent. First I use a rawhide mallet and beat the hub. It starts to straighten out. But the sprocket is having no part of going back. Again everything comes off the frame. Starting to see a familiar pattern developing here.
This is the only sprocket I have, so making the best of what is here. It is a one piece Hands. This is getting fairly easy to disassemble and reassemble the rear end. Not such a big deal now. Patience is not something you are born with or given..You have to earn every bit of it. At this moment it is getting easier and easier to attain.
While Steve is attacking the bent sprocket, I try my patience with that hub. This rawhide mallet really does a decent job on it. The cast material that closely resembles aluminum doesnt put up much of a fight. Seemed to know just how much to bend back without any argument. One less thing to fix now before kart is finished.
Assembling the rear axle this time is really straight forward and takes no time at all. Me and Steve give each other a high 5 and content with all the work done. Later dad comes in to the garage and asks how things are going. Harboring a big smile I tell him we had it finally licked. He looks over everything and seems impressed. Most of it seems good. But.....
Oh no, not the "but"..... I asked what he thought wasnt quite right yet. He grabs the rear tire and spins it over. Then starts explaining rolling resistance and makes a big deal on how much there is in this rear axle. Naturally it would have to be something to do with the axle. He then goes over how those bearing lock collars work.
The eccentric mounting of collar to bearing was designed to lock them solid to a shaft. But puts them in a slight bind and this axle tends to have some resistance when spinning it over. It is more common especially if shaft or axle is very undersized. Then demonstrated what he was talking about.
I asked what needed to be done. He says nothing complicated. Just disassemble the axle assembly and flip those lock collars around to push against bearings instead of rotating and locking together. Make certain the set screws are tight tho.
It would be very helpful to put a collar on both sides of bearings. These are common. There should be some collars around here somewhere if you need a couple.
So why not take the axle out again? Today I have done it enough to do blind folded. One more time should be no problem....argh! Dad decided to stick around and assist. He made some recommendations that helped out a lot on reassembly too.
Before bolting everything together, dad decides to take those bearing lock collars and cut them down on the lathe. Sitting off in the corner is a very small 6" Craftsman lathe. It only had a four jaw chuck, but for these, would not be an issue.
Dad just chucked to the inside of collars and didnt bother trying to make them run true. He explained this to me so I would have a better understanding of the the basics when something needed to be cut.
Since these collars only need the face machined off, it doesnt necessarily matter if they are running concentric. Do you understand? As he started cutting the first one I then realized what he was trying to beat in my head. Makes total sense dad. Dont you see it too, Steve? Sure do. Knew exactly what he was talking about before even cutting. Yea right Steve! You dont make a very good liar either.
One more thing dad decided to go ahead and tackle. Using the drill press, an additional hole was drilled in each collar. This hole is located about 90 degrees to the existing one. Actually just drilled thru the dimple already on collar where you would normally put the punch to lock or remove it from bearing. Dad hands me a tap and says not to break this or else. I had already been versed on how use one. So was able to get two done without any issue. Then Steve did the other two.
Now the rear axle assembly is back together again. Dont know for how long. Definitely no promises from me. Those lock collars are placed on both sides of bearings, just as dad recommended. With that step cut off now they dont stick out any farther than when using the eccentric lock like before. Really way cool.