How to Fix Squeaky Brakes on a Golf Cart
To fix squeaky brakes on your golf cart, apply anti-squeal grease on the pads and replace the clips.
With prolonged use, the brake pads of golf carts usually emit a squeaky noise while applying the brakes. This can be one way of alerting you to replace the brake pads.
The process of removal of brake pads on a golf cart and fixing new ones is not very different from other regular vehicles like cars and trucks.
The process is as follows. You will need a floor jack and socket wrench to remove the wheels and nose pliers.
- Your golf cart has to be first parked on level ground.
- Fix a floor jack towards the rear of the golf cart to remove the rear wheels.
- Access the brake pads by sliding the wheel hub off. It will be held in position by a cotter pin.
- Remove the brake pads.
- Fix the new brake pads.
- Apply anti-squeal grease before fixing the new pads. The greasing should be done on the side that comes in contact with the wheel while the brakes are applied.
- Reassemble the wheels just as how you had dismantled them and you are good to go.
If it is only the sound you are concerned about and wish to continue with the existing brake pads on your golf cart, you can follow the same steps as above.
Instead of replacing the pads, apply the anti-squeal grease on the pads and fix them back. You can change the clips if they are worn out.
E-Z-GO RXV Golf Cart Squeaks
Squeaking noises while driving the golf cart around can be caused due to many reasons. Here are a few such cases and how they have been resolved.
- A user driving an E-Z-GO RXV (Electric) heard squeaky noise while driving on an uneven surface, which may be quite normal on a golf course. He noticed the sound while turning the steering wheel of the cart. The issue was sorted out by changing the lower control arm bushings.
- Another user driving the same RXV also had the squeaky noise problem. He took care of it by tightening the bolts that hold the shock absorbers in the front.
So, brake pads alone need not be the reason for the squeaky noise in golf carts.
E-Z-GO TXT Golf Cart Squeaks
The other noise problem reported was in the E-Z-GO TXT golf cart. Here, the user had already replaced several parts like shocks, leaf spring bushings, etc. The noise was heard only when the cart decelerated and not during acceleration.
This user’s problem got solved by changing the two bushings in the front end of the rear leaf springs. He applied grease and the noise is now gone.
Switching the wheel hubs from one side to the other is another practical suggestion. If you are not sure if the hub is creating the noise or if the axle has some issues, inter-change the hubs. If the noise now comes from the other side of the wheel, the hub is the culprit.
Change both. If the noise continues as before, then the axle has to be looked into.
One suggestion on the hubs is that they need to be tightened to a torque of 140ft-lbs.
Keep an eye on the leaf spring bushes regularly.
Squeaky Suspension in E-Z-GO RXV
There have been sporadic complaints from E-Z-GO RXV golf cart users of squeaky noise coming from the suspension in their respective vehicles. The different issues and their solutions are summarized below:
- The problem faced was noise coming from the suspension and the user noticed two sounds. The one while going down was louder while the one while coming up was less noisy. The solution to this was to remove the shock absorbers and find a replacement that is superior in quality. The user did this and succeeded in eliminating the noise.
- Another user had a similar squeaky suspension issue. The solution recommended included applying anti-seize or grease on the poly bushings both on the inside as well as outside.
- The use of white grease spray on the front springs is another solution recommended. To get the best out of this, you can try moving the front of your golf cart up and down as soon as you finish spraying. This will help the grease to enter the space between the frame and the springs.
2008 E-Z-GO Squeaky Rear End Wheel
Specific to the 2008 E-Z-GO golf cart, there was this issue reported of a squeaking noise from the rear of the cart. The user was not clear about what the issue was.
The user was advised to change the bushings in the leaf springs. In this 2008 E-Z-GO model, there are 4 bushings in the rear and 2 in the front. These require replacement once every 4-5 years. The user did as advised and changed the leaf spring bushings which solved the problem.
Noise coming from the rear end of the golf cart invariably leads you to the leaf springs and the way the bushings are seated and greased. Periodic maintenance of these will be very helpful in eliminating any issues that may crop up.
1997 Club Car Squeaks
Complaints of noise from the 1997 Club Car golf carts have different dimensions. The issues and the solutions are as below:
- If the noise in a 1997 Club Car golf cart is while starting the cart, the reason could be the drive belt. It is not very difficult to replace the belt. You must try that out as the first solution. The ideal way is to change the drive and starter generator (SG) belt as well.
- Another source of noise from the rear end of a 96 DS golf cart was traced to the motor. To solve the noise problem, you have to replace the guide rings which are attached to the end of the output shaft. It is glued on to the shaft with Loctite, from the factory. You may have to use a hammer to take it out. While fixing the new guide ring, seat it perfectly on the slots in the shaft so that they don’t move. Use Loctite glue to fix it.
- A motor-centering kit can solve many issues to do with noise in the 1997 DS golf carts.
How to Stop Club Car Precedent Squeaking?
The squeaking noise from a 2015 Precedent golf cart is usually attributed to the bushings.
- The solution is to replace them with urethane bushings. They are found to be quite superior to the rubber bushings. The process of fitting them is not very tough either.
- For lubricating, a garage door lube is recommended.
- For better results, applying an anti-grease compound is recommended, after unbolting the suspension. This compound can last for years without creating any noise issues.
- One important finding by experienced users is that WD40 is not the right solution for problems related to noise in your club car. Instead, a heavy-duty silicone spray that costs just a little over $2 does a wonderful job. You can cruise in your golf cart noiselessly.
Another complaint related to noise in a CC Precedent golf cart is caused by the extended top. One user got so frustrated with the noise that he decided to remove the top, instead of trying the solutions to stop the squeaky noise.
One suggestion for this is to replace the support poles and secure the top with nylon washers to secure the bolts.
Finally, if nothing works, you could go back to the OE factory-supplied top and fit it to get rid of the noise completely.
How to Stop Yamaha Golf Cart Squeaking?
The noise from an electric Yamaha Golf Cart’s rear can be taken care of by the few actions that are given here.
- Reach under the rear of the cart and spin the axle tubes on either side.
- Tighten the nut holding the bub in place.
- These should get rid of the noise you were hearing.
- The point to be noted here is that the electric Yamaha golf cart does not come with any grease points and there is no point in searching for them.
In a 2012 G29 Yamaha golf cart, if you hear a noise, check the nuts on the axle hub. In particular, check the steel collar in the space between the hub and the bearing. The collar could be moving and making the noise.
You can check on the input shaft splines, the exhaust shield, clutches and the muffler on the exhaust. Any of these could be the source of the noise if you have not been able to identify where the noise is coming from.
Yamaha G16 Squeaking Noise
There are occasions when it is difficult to trace the source of the squeaky noise coming from a Yamaha G16 golf cart. You may feel that it is the clutch while most experts say it could be the drive belt.
You may have to exhibit some patience by eliminating the causes one by one till you find out what is causing the sound. Keeping the belt clean is another effort you have to make. Humidity is one of the underlying reasons.
The starter/generator belt is one source of noise in a G16 Yamaha golf cart. Here’s how you can take care of this issue.
- Loosen the head nut (around half an inch in size) on the tensioner lock bolt.
- Loosen the two head pivot bolts (0.66-inch).
- Loosen the jam nut on the head adjustment bolt.
- Screw-in the adjustment bolt till the belt is tightened as required.
- Leave a slight deflection and do not make it very tight.
- Now go back the route, tightening the bolts one by one – the lock bolt first, the pivot bolts after that and finally tightening the head nut.
Checking that the belt is clean is part of this process.
One common mistake by users is that they spray WD40 on the belt thinking that it could bring down the noise. This should be completely avoided.
Ensure that you have the right size of belt and it is from a reliable and popular brand.
Yamaha G22 Squeaking Noise
With the G22 Yamaha Gas golf cart, noise can come from the drive belt as seen in the other models. There is a need to check the complete alignment of the pulley while ensuring that the pulley’s surface is not slippery. The surface of the belt that faces the groove in the pulley should also have some roughness to it. A glazed surface can mean the belt slipping and sometimes creating the noise while starting. The ideal way is to use sandpaper to remove this shine on the belt’s surface. Be careful while doing this.
- The oft-repeated advice from the experts is that the starter belt needs to be tight. Check the starter belt frequently.
- The other source of the noise in the G22 Yamaha golf cart is the clutch. Check if the noise is from the clutch and remove any offending part.
- There are three other areas in a G22 Yamaha you must check; the shaft splines, input shaft bearing and the exhaust shield.
Yamaha G29 Squeaking Noise
Here’s the solution to the creaking noise that you may experience in your G29 Yamaha golf cart.
- The source of the noise could be the bolts on the supports to the roof. There are in all eight bolts, four each on the top and bottom. They can get loose and create the creaking or squeaky noise.
- Locate and tighten all the nuts and bolts and you should be able to ride the cart without any noise.
Another important advice for addressing the squeaky noise on the Yamaha G29 golf cart is to check the transaxle fluid. It has to be replaced once every two years as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Make sure that you use the Yamalube Friction Modified Gear Oil. You will need two packs since the requirement is for 1.43Qt.
Leave some time for the lubricant to reach all parts and then drive the cart to check if the noise has gone away.