How to replace the rear bearings

TKART Staff

29 September 2016

Follow the doc to learn how to replace the rear bearings, the mechanical devices that reduce friction and facilitate the rotary movement of the axle generated by the engine

time 60 min

difficulty Hard

In general, bearings are mechanical devices designed to reduce friction between two objects rotating against each other. A kart’s rear bearings are those through which the axle passes, thereby attaching it to the bodywork. As is widely known, the axle, driven by the engine through a transmission, gives the wheels (attached to each end of the axle) their rotary motion and, therefore, makes the kart move.
There are various reasons for replacing the rear bearings, including those of a “mechanical” nature (seizures, damage due to knocks, wear, etc.) and those related to the set-up (for example, the need for bearings with a better grip on the axle). The steps involved are very similar to those required to replace an axle.

NECESSARY TOOLS

■ CROSS-HEAD SCREDRIVER
■ 5 MM FIXED WRENCH
■ 8 MM FIXED WRENCH
■ 13 MM FIXED WRENCH
■ 8, 6, 5, 4 MM ALLEN KEY
■ PLIERS

STEP

15 MIN

Having placed the kart on the trolley, first remove a number of components which prevent you to work freely. Remove: the wheels (after having loosened the screws using a 6 mm Allen key), the chain guard, silencer (by disconnecting the springs using pliers or, with a little skill, your hands). Then, use an 8 mm Allen key to loosen the engine so that it may be moved slightly to remove the chain and free the axle.

1. Remove the rear wheels

2. Loosen the engine and move it towards the axle

The disc housing should also be loosened (using a 5 mm Allen key). Lastly, remove the gear wheel and the bolt keyways (4 mm Allen key). The purpose of these steps is for the axle to be fully exposed on the kart so that the actual rear bearings replacement operations can take place.

3. Unscrew and remove the bolt keyways

4. The kart is ready with the axle fully exposed