Cutting Axles for LO206

Chassis Setup, Tires & Handling Forum
1

Pretty much everyone who races 206 Medium (365lbs) at my club cuts Axles down to 1000mm.

Most guys are running 50s and the guys with 40s seems to struggle. One of the guys who runs a 40mm has their axle at 1040mm. That seems a bit long, but I do know 40s allow the hubs to be slid in as far as you want to go.

Before I recommend “cut it down” like all the 50mm guys. Will cutting the 40mm have the same impact?

The benefit I felt from going from 1030mm to 1000mm is faster rotation throughout the corner. Would this apply to the 40mm guys too?

We are running Vega Reds.

2

Yes same rational applies. Reduced amount of axle inside the hub so you are reducing the amount of leverage on the axle.

Just start by going to 1020 if you’re currently on a 1040. Much easier to remove material later than add.

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3

What kart is the person on? I’ve been stuck on 40mm for years and never needed to cut the axle. What stiffness axle? Definitely not saying you can’t or shouldn’t, just trying to understand what you’re trying to accomplish.

5

They’re on a Margay Brava with their medium axle.

It’s stock 1040mm… Not sure if it’s too soft to handle Vega reds.

There was a coyote who recently switched from 40 to 50 and picked up a second.

6

The effect of cutting an axle is the same regardless of diameter. The wall thickness of a 40mm axle compared to a 50mm axle is noticeable, and I believe is why the 50mm axles usually work better.

I would suggest to determine how much to cut and still safely be able to run max rear width so you still have that option.

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7

I highly doubt you’re gonna feel any difference on a cut medium, but it’s low risk. Go ahead and try it.

8

They picked up a second just from going from a 40 mm to a 50mm? That seems extreme. I would sell my soul to the devil 2/10 of a srcond.

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9

It means they were not even close on their original tune and got extremely lucky to accidentally go the right direction.

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10

this might be the issue alone. I have not seen a margay be that competitive with euro, or more modern karts. I ran an older brava last year. At my track, i had to switch to a soft axle to get it to work right. I am now running way better on my OTK