What parts are on my Kart?

Names of common parts that exist on your Go Kart. If you’re hunting for replacement parts, this may help you identify the names of the various parts on your kart and what you’ll be after. Also see the exceptionally thorough kart setup videos from Fox Valley Karts to learn more about adjusting the below and the effect they have on your kart

Some notes on parts

• Not all karts have plastic nose cones or side pods (these started appearing approximately in the late 1990’s) Older karts have nerf bars only and (usually) a chrome front and rear bumper
  • Not all karts had plastic bumpers. Chrome bars (front, rear and side nerf bars) were common on early karts (in the image above, the plastic rear bumper is not shown)
  • Generally “square” or “box” shaped plastic side pods are “vintage”, whereas newer side pods are more “aerodynamic” looking
• Rear axle diameter varies based on age. Roughly speaking, very old karts pre 1980’s are commonly 20mm, karts pre 1995 are typically 25mm – 30mm, some karts around the late 1990s are 35mm, then beyond were 40mm in diameter and most modern karts having 50mm axles. Axles come with a key way (rectangular slot along the axle) and a key (long rectangular piece of metal) to locate the following (which also have key slots); they must be purchased to suit the axles width:
  • Brake and sprocket carrier
    • Align the brake carrier so the disc is centered to the brake calipers / pads
    • Align the axle sprocket so it is in alignment with the sprocket on the engine (crankshaft)
  • Bearing carriers and bearings
    • Ensure bearings spin freely
  • Rear hubs
    • Adjusting the rear hubs in or out can have a significant effect on rear grip
• Stub axles pivot (or swivel) on a king pin allowing the wheels to turn. They typically have a 17mm bearing and thread which holds the front wheels on by a large nut (generally 22mm sprocket). Tie rods run from stub axles to the steering column and have tie rod ends at each side. The top of the steering column is held to the chassis by a steering column support, and a steering boss attaches the steering wheel to the steering column.
  • It is common to have spacers in between the stub axle and front wheel, these can increase / decrease the width of the front track
  • More modern karts come with the ability to adjust camber and some also have the ability to adjust castor
  • Adjust the tie rods so you have the correct amount of toe in (preferably slightly negative toe in)

For more information on kart setup, see the videos on this blog post