How to Adjust Locking Up/ Sticky Golf Cart Brakes (STEPS)

Why Do Golf Cart Brakes Lock Up?

Golf cart brakes can start locking up when the brake cable gets stuck, or when the bolts on the lift kit are loose.

The brake cable gets stuck because of a binding, resulting in a mechanical linkage.
One or more parts of the pivot assembly have rusted.
There’s wear and tear of the brake drum, brake shoe, brake cable or brake spring.
The latch mechanism behind the brake pedal is out of adjustment.
The cart has a faulty motor brake, speed sensor or encoder bearing.
The bolts on the axle or the rear lift kit have become loose.

Why should I replace the brake cables on my golf cart?

In most cases, you will have to replace the brake cables of your golf cart because they have not been adjusted properly.

Another reason why you may have to go in for a replacement is a broken linkage or broken cable ends. If the pads under the drum are in good condition, it’s a sign of the cable beginning to seize up.

If a cable adjustment is needed, it’s usually done at the front end of the cables.

Why are my Yamaha Golf Cart Brakes Locking Up?

If both the wheels are locking, it’s often because there is a binding on the main brake cable that results in the mechanical linkage. This will cause the main cable to get stuck.

If your cart has hydraulic brakes, the master cylinder may have gone bad. You may try loosening the brake cable or the line at the wheels.

The locking or dragging could also be due to rusting of the collar, bolt, return spring or bushings of the pivot assembly. Cleaning up the rust may work. Attending to damaged brake cables and linings under the drums also help.

If only one wheel is getting locked, the brake spring in the drum is most likely to have broken. Replacing the spring will release the locking up.

How to Fix Sticky Yamaha G16 Brakes

The brakes are often sticky because they are worn out or out of adjustment. If the brake shoes under the drums are damaged, do a replacement.

Sometimes, applying chain lube can help to release the stickiness of the brake. However, do this after you clean the brake from the top lift carpet using a pressure washer. Take off the floor cover and wait until the washed area dries up completely before you apply the lube. After this, press the brake up and down a few times.

You can also fix sticky brakes by following the steps given below.

Take off the brake pedal from the golf cart.
Drill out the bushings and the pedal assembly using a 3/4-inch drill bit.
Drill the frame at the point where the pedal is mounted using a 1/2-inch bit.
Drill a 1/8-inch hole down the center of the bolt and also at the middle of where the pivot is located.
Drill the head and tap it for the correct angle grease fitting.
Fit the bushings inside the pedal assembly. Ensure that you install them slightly deep to create a pocket for the O-ring.
Reassemble the setup and remember to apply a couple of grease shots each time it’s serviced.

Yamaha G2 golf cart brake adjustment

The brake adjustment of a G2 golf cart can be done using the tips given here.

Take the golf cart for a drive and keep pressing the brakes every couple of seconds throughout the drive.
Inspect the brake shoes for wear and tear. Replace them if needed with ones specifically intended for Yamaha carts.
Check if the automatic adjuster unit is rusted and get a new one fitted if this is the case. Often, when the brakes seize, the same thing also happens with the inside parts.
Adjust the latch mechanism behind the brake pedal correctly by adjusting the rod from the above part that goes all the way down to the lock. You can check this by ensuring that the lock pawl catches or latching takes place only when you press above the pedal.

How to adjust Yamaha G2 Golf Cart Brakes:

Remove the brake shoes and check if the adjuster moves backward and forward.
Clean the adjuster star wheel well so that it spins without a glitch.
Remove the pins that connect the brake cable to the brake arm behind the brake backing plate.
Grab the rear of the brake arm using vice grips and move it backward and forward until there is no clicking from the shoes and the drums get installed.
Loosen the two 12mm adjuster nuts of the brake pedal beneath the floorboard and connect the brake cables once again if needed.
Readjust the adjuster nut until there’s about 1.5 inches of brake pedal travel when the pedal is pressed by hand.
Apply lube on the six resting pads present on the backing plate.

G9 golf cart brake adjustment

The brake adjustment on a G9 golf cart can be done as follows.

One or more parts of the pivot assembly are either frozen or rusted and in need of replacement or cleaning. These could be the return spring, two bushings, collar or bolt of the assembly.
Replace damaged brake cables or worn out linings under the brake drums. You’ll have to remove the brake drums to check for this.
Change the torsion spring that makes the brake adjustment beneath the floor back. This is a big black spring that is housed on the pedal bolt and tends to weaken with age.

G16 golf cart brake adjustment

The following tips are worth noting regarding the brake adjustment on a G9 golf cart.

Remove the back tire from the golf cart. There will be a hole where the brakes can be adjusted if they have not already been adjusted to the maximum extent possible.
Take off the back tires and try spinning the drums. You may also take off the drums and check if there are damaged brake cables or linings that need your attention.
Remove branches or sticks wedged on to the brake cable that might cause the brakes to engage. Also, removing any other dirt on them can release the locking up.
Replace the return spring fitted to the brake pedal if it has lost its tension. It’s quite normal for this to happen over time.
Pull the floor section in front of the brake pedal beneath the rubber mat upwards. Adjust the rod coming from the brake pedal.
Apply some lube such as WD-40 around the tension spring that activates the catch and release mechanism.

No brakes on G16 golf cart

The following steps can help you fix the problem of no brakes on a 1997 Yamaha G16 golf cart.

If you have a lifted cart with big tires, consider opting for a disc brake kit. This will require less pedal effort and offer better brake power at the same time.
Buy a complete replacement brake assembly kit from a golf cart parts dealer and get it fitted. Ensure that the lever operates freely.

G22 golf cart brake adjustment

The parking brake latch in a G22 golf cart is quite small and located in a corner as against a latch that runs all the way above the pedal as in earlier models. You can try the following adjustment if the parking brake doesn’t get released.

Press fairly hard on the gas pedal. Sometimes, you may have to do the pressing action a few times for the parking brake pedal to get released. You can do this even before you turn the key ON.

G29 golf cart brake adjustment

The brake adjustment of a G29 golf cart can be done in the following ways.

Apply mild hand pressure on the brake pedal. This will give a yield of 1 to 1.75 inches on the pedal. If you don’t get this yield, it’s likely that the brake cable has stretched out and needs to be replaced.
Reconnect the spring on the J rod under the flag if it has fallen off. Ensure that the rod is mounted in the right location. The flag is located on the side of the rod below the pawl and encompasses the teeth. Also, the rectangular hook present at the bottom should be towards the driver’s side.

When the rod is mounted this way, the J rod will grab the hook when the parking brake is engaged and sit behind the hook that has the plastic bushing if the brake is not engaged.

Replace the transaxle if the brakes are wasted. You need to do this if you have to put a lot of effort into the brake but the stopping power is less.
Pull at the wheels and take off the small round silver clip that holds the brake drum in position if you experience a surging action on the brakes when you stop the cart.

How to Fix EZGO TXT Brakes Locking Up

The grabbing or locking up of brakes of an EZGO TXT golf cart can be fixed by following the steps given below.

Tighten all the eight bolts on the rear lift kit and ensure that they have lock nuts on them. Consider fitting some lock washers if needed. When they are loose, the brakes tend to pull on the cables and lock up.
Replace brakes, springs and adjuster after checking them on both sides for damage. To check these parts, you’ll have to remove the back tires.
Get new brake drums fitted if their surfaces have any irregularities that may have occurred due to the grabbing.
Replace the spring on the parking brake if it has lost its tension. You may also want to check if the brake pedal needs any adjustment.
Adjust the brake cables so that they have some slack in them without being stretched out too much. They should be snug and not tight. Replace them if they are over-stretched or tight. You can check for this by getting someone to press the pedal while you look under the cart to see if they pull behind the tires.
Adjust the compensator that is present below the driver’s seat manually. If the little arm connected to the rear of the cable is pulled forward so that the cable can be hooked, the brakes may lock up.
Replace the brake shoes if they show signs of wear and tear or chipping. You’ll have to remove the tires to inspect the brake shoes.
Move the cart in the reverse direction by a few feet and press sharply on the pedal. You may have to do this a few times.

How to Fix EZGO RXV Golf Cart Brakes Locking Up

The brakes locking-up issue in an EZGO RXV golf cart can be fixed in several ways as mentioned below.

Look out for a faulty speed sensor or encoder bearing and do the required replacement to solve the locking-up problem.
Replace a corroded main cable or ring terminal that connects the solenoid and the battery terminal.
Check for bad connections in the harness where wires are connected, at sockets and plug terminals. Setting them right will fix the issue.
Replace a faulty motor brake. To confirm if you have a defective motor brake, set the cart in Emergency Tow mode by interchanging the plugs below the controller cover and check if the brake engages. If it doesn’t the motor brake has a problem.
The solenoid may stay engaged throughout. Get it replaced with an identical one and check if it solves the problem.

Why are my EZGO TXT/RXV golf cart brakes sticking?

Your EZGO TXT/RXV golf cart brakes can get sticky due to damaged brake shoes or drums.

You can try the following options if you have sticky brakes in your EZGO TXT/RXV golf cart.

Check the brake pedal torque spring that is wound around the pivot point and do a replacement if you find that it is broken.
Remove the pivot bolt present at the bottom of the pedal using a wrench and lube. Clean it thoroughly as the rust can cause sticking and fix it back after the cleaning. Check the bushings and replace them if they appear worn out. You can apply penetrating oil on the pin running through the pedal linkage and the bottom of the brake pedal.
Loosen the metal sheath housing the brake cables using a lube. The brake cables tend to bind if the sheathing gets dried up or rusted.
Inspect the brake shoes and brake drums for damage or wear and tear and replace the worn-out parts.
Replace a toasted motor brake. If you’re not confident of doing this yourself, seek the assistance of an EZGO cart dealer as it’s important to do the installation process correctly.

Club Car Precedent brakes are locking up

You can try the following to release locked up Club Car Precedent brakes.

Clean the glazing from the brake drums and shoes on both sides using fine sandpaper or emery cloth.
Tighten the perch and U-bolts as the axle tends to twist when they become loose and result in grabbing brakes. You can lookout for an axle twist by checking if the paint on the axle tube is scratched.

Club Car DS brakes are locking up

The following are some fixes for Club Car DS brakes locking up.

There may be a leaking seal causing damage to the brake shoe. When this is replaced, the problem gets solved.
Tighten the axle bolts as the axle tends to rotate when the bolts are loose. This will lessen the length of the brake cable and lock them.
Pass the brake cable through the outer hole under the cart. This will loosen it up if the cable is extremely tight.
Look under the cart for binding brake cables, linkage and pedals. Attending to them will fix the problem.

How to fix Club Car DS brakes that are dragging

Some fixes for dragging Club Car DS brakes are given below.

If the cart is lifted, remove the drums and adjust the shoes manually so that they are slightly loose.
Check the sliders for free movement and adjust them if needed.
Adjust the brake cable so that it’s not hard but the pedal remains stiff enough. Spin the adjustment wheel by pushing the locking mechanism below the wheel downward using a screwdriver.

Why are my Club Car Golf Cart Brakes Sticking?

The following are a few solutions for sticky brakes in a Club Car.

Apply penetrating oil on the brake cables if the brake pedal spring is in good condition and the brake pedal has 1/4-inch free play.
Tighten the U-bolts present at the back-end and holding the rear springs in position. Loose U-bolts can trigger brake issues.
Lubricate the brake cables that are connected to the backing plates. You’ll have to loosen the cables at the clevis pins. You can also ensure a little movement of the brake lever at the backing plate.