Can I continue to use this axle?

Hi, can I continue to use this axle? The keyway is dented right in the middle. The key itself was bent. A new key fits snug in the 2 opposing holes and lines up with the middle, but will also likely bend when the set screw is tightened. Can I get away with continuing to runt his axle or should I replace?

Kart Republic Rok Shifter
50mm axle w/ reinforcement





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No. Replace axle, replace keyaway, inspect sprocket and set screw.

If that was the result of over-tightening the set screw, please send picture of the gorilla-armed human, along with the adamantium-made M4 set screw :sweat_smile:

All jokes apart, no it’s not safe to drive with a dented axle. Best case scenario is that you tear the keyaway apart, ruin your sprocket, waste a ton of time replacing the whole thing anyways.

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I absolutely have 0 shifter experience, so I would listen to others and ignore my post completely (I race 4 cycles). However, that axle looks better than 90% of the axles on my spare axle rack, so I would keep it as an emergency spare.

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I just want to know how that happened. That’s a very odd way for the axle to bend in that spot.

Also curious how that bend happened…

Shifter drivers would use a new axle for a scale house fight, so this one ain’t even good enough for that :joy:

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My best guess is that the set screw was overtightened. Not sure. Ran 7-8 races like this without issue.

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Looks like maybe someone beat the bejeepers out of it with a hammer to drive the key in?

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No hammers were used. I installed a new axle & sprocket due to a sprocket/key failure in the summer of 2024, after purchasing the kart from a prior owner. During the install everything went smooth, only thing i can think of is perhaps I over tightened the set screw. The indent on the key and axle line up with the set screw. Ran the 7-8 races without issue. I started my winter prep for next season and discovered this…

Sprocket and set screw are good. No issues identified there.

I am more concerned about the key holding rather than the indent itself. Since this is a fairly new axle, I thought I would see if I can get away with running it.

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