What material for MST 206-545c axle replacement?

Howdy

I have one of these transaxles I bought for a hydro replacement in a tractor I'm fixing up for my old man. I haven't fully decided yet if I'm going to lock it - I think for him it'd be better to have the open dif for just using it like a golf cart.

If I was going to go with a thru axle and doc locker, what material are you guys using for the shaft? I'd have assumed stainless shaft but god awful expensive. The shafts I see on bmikarts and that are too cheap to be stainless.

Thoughts?

Also, While I'm in there I want to add the actual bearings anywhere that's possible, or upgrade any of the bushings that is possible. Thoughts?

thanks

Zk

1018 cold steel round will work fine, if you are concerned about rust just paint the exposed section. My advice is if you go that route, DO NOT buy hardware store steel, that stuff is insanely marked up, think 400%. Find a steel supplier and ask for a quote or ask a fabricator if they have any they would be willing to sell, those scrap pieces usually wind up in the junk bin otherwise.

Edit: not the best with vertical shaft transaxles, but I believe the MSTs have spaces to fit ball bearings along the axle. I don’t know what size but I’m sure someone else would know.

Click on the FAQ link above.  Last link in the first section.

"What bearings does an MST-202/203/204/205/206 use?"

Thanks for the replies, I'll look up those PNs for the bearings.

As far as material, I'm guessing that it's fine to use the typical shafting they're selling for go karts then, yeah?

Thanks for the help.

Zk

BTW, are there any axle shafts for an MST 206 that are slightly longer than stock?

My plan is to widen the stance a few inches to match the width of the new front tires.

If it's more than a few inches I'd probably build a bracket for some outboard bearings to support the shafts.

How many splines on these?

Thanks

Yes typical shaft material. We usually get our straight axles already keyed 36 inches long (which is about 4 inches longer than stock if I'm not mistaken) from BMI Karts. It's $30 plus shipping and tax.

Here the link

If you plan on using this, order it ASAP cause shipping will take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months.