Rear bearing cassettes

Vernon Head · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2001 4:57 pm Post subject: Rear bearing cassettes

My rear bearing cassettes have been modified to have pinch bolts on them. This is presumably to keep the bearings from moving around inside the cassettes. This seems odd to me, and I wonder if they may be intended to be able to move freely. Should I tighten them, or leave them loose?

Tim Paul · Joined: 21 Jul 2001 Posts: 326

You should tighten them. Only snug though. Use a bolt with a pell or use blue locktight. Remember if you overtighten them they will put a load on the bearing.

Tim Paul
CTS Championship Race Karts

Chuck Bunnell · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2001 7:07 am Post subject: Rear bearing cassettes

i'm curious here. Are the cassettes two piece or one piece? In either case there is some magic torque number that will apply the proper load to the cassette. The whole idea is that the bearing is able to roll in the cassette as the axle deflects due to cornering loads. Obviously clamping the bearing will prevent that and generate binding in the corners losing speed and time. Backoff prevention will definitely be required as the torque will probably be too low for normal retention. I would consider drilling the heads of the fasteners and lock wiring the two of them together, assuming there are two on each cassette, (for speedy axle removal). If there is just one per cassette, (wear adjustment), add a small hole through an edge to tie the lockwire to.

Also be sure to apply grease to the inside of the cassette and the exterior of the bearing so that everything moves freely.
http://www.chuckbunnell.com/kart/

Vernon Head · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2001 7:19 am Post subject: Rear bearing cassettes

The cassettes are one piece. The former owner felt that they allowed too much play, so he machined a gap, then drilled it for a pinch bolt. He also added a second small screw to keep the pinch bolt from backing out. When I disassembled everything it was quite tight, not allowing any movement at all. I began to wonder if some movement might be beneficial.

Rick Crow · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 49 Location: Albany NY

I bought some bearings back in the spring that was a "special sale" deal. The bearings were slighly under sized and allowed some slop in the cassettes. He may have found the same "deal" that I did, I sent mine back.

It the cassette is clean the bearing should be able to move around by slight thumb pressure

Rick