Go kart brakes are arguably the most important component of a competitive racing go kart chassis. On most 4 stroke go kart engines, there is one braking system consisting of disc brakes attached to the back wheels only.
You might see front disc brakes in shifter kart classes which are becoming more popular, however they are disallowed in certain classes. Shifter karts and Superkart use a dual master cylinders, one one the rear axle and one on the front axle. These allow the driver to adjust front and rear break bias. The best known braking systems for kart racing use are Haase and Sinter.
Parts of a Go Kart Braking System
The three main components of a Go Kart Braking system are the hydrolic brake caliper (squeezes the brake disc), The rear axle (which mounts the brake disc rotor), and the ceramic brake disc rotor (sits on the axle and interacts with the caliper). You can see these parts labeled in the photo on the right.
Thee two components on go kart brakes which make it unique are the Caliper and the Rotor…
Disc Brake Caliper
This portion of the brake system on a go kart is very important. It is usually made of heavy steel and has two rubber pads on it. When the brake pedal on the go kart is depressed, the brake fluid causes these two rubber pads squeeze towards one another and put friction on the brake disc which is mounted onto the axle. This is what slows the go kart down.
Brake Disc Rotors
The brake disc rotor is attached to the rear axle and is what the brake caliper squeezes to cause friction to make the go kart slow down. Competitive go kart racers use two types of rotors. Some are more expensive then others. They include steel disc rotors and ceramic disc rotors. Ceramic disc rotors are usually more expensive because they are of higher quality and can withstand the high temperatures that are created with the friction associated with braking.
Brake Bleeding
It is important to bleed your brakes often to ensure that they stay “tight” during your race. Having tight brakes refers to the feeling of your brakes being very responsive in a race. If your brakes become loose you may not be able to use them properly in braking, maneuvering, cornering and passing.
How to Bleed Go Kart Brakes
To bleed your brakes, you will simply loosen the bolt which holds in your hydraulic brake fluid and drain the old fluid into an empty bottle using a brake bleeding pump. You then pour your new brake fluid into the brake line using a funnel until it reaches the point of being just filled. Make sure you pump the brake pedal to ensure the fluid runs through the hydraulic system thoroughly. When you fully depress the brake pedal, you should be unable to move the rear wheels.
Here is a great video on how to properly bleed your brake line.
Brake Care
It is important to take care of your go kart brake system whether you race competitively or if you do off road go karting. You can buy cleaners that are specifically for brakes that will keep the rotors and the calipers clear of dust and dirt from the race track.
Pro Tip: Do not use oil or lubricants like DW-40 to clean you brakes, as this will cause them to slip and be less effective during your race.
Braking effectively and efficiently is crucial in staying smooth with your race plan and on your cornering. If you take care of your brakes, they will take care of you!
If you want to learn more about how to setup your Kart braking system, checkout this article here.
