How do I remove the rear axle on a Club Car golf cart?
You can remove the rear axle of a Club Car golf cart by taking off the snap ring that is located behind the hub.
How to Remove the rear axle on a Club Car Precedent:
- Remove the rear wheel of the golf cart.
- Take off the brake drum from its place.
- Insert a 90-degree snap ring pliers through the holes in the hub and remove the snap ring.
- Slide the axle out of its position. You may require a slide hammer to help you with releasing the bearing from the axle if it’s stuck on to it.
You can also check for a C-clip at the backside of the golf cart that keeps the axle in position. This clip is often inside the axle tube behind the drum mounting flange. Taking this clip off from its place can help you remove the axle from the Club Car.
Club Car Precedent Rear Axle Removal
You can remove the rear axle on a Club Car Precedent by carrying out the steps mentioned above. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that there is usually limited space to insert a 90-degree spring clip pliers in the gap between the clip and the rear of the axle flange. Taking off the brake shoes and other such components also do not offer much clearance.
Club Car DS Rear Axle Removal
You will need the following tools to remove the rear axle from a Club Car DS.
- Slotted screwdriver
- 3/4-inch or 19mm socket
- Floor jack
- Internal retaining ring pliers or 90-degree C-Clip pliers
The following steps can help you to remove the rear axle from your Club Car DS.
- Press the park brake pad of the golf cart down as much as possible.
- Block the front wheels of the cart so that it doesn’t start moving unexpectedly.
- Take off the wheel cover from the rear wheel using the slotted screwdriver.
- Loosen the screw from the wheels using the 3/4-inch or 19mm socket.
- Lift the rear suspension frame using the floor jack so that the rear wheel is suspended in the air.
- Take off the screws fitted on the rear wheel using the same socket mentioned above.
- Take off the rear wheel and place it below the chassis of the golf cart near the jack. This is done as a precautionary measure in case the jack slips down accidentally.
- Take off the brake drum from its place.
- Take off the clamp spring or C-clip from the axle assembly using the internal retaining ring pliers or 90-degree C-Clip pliers.
- Take off the axle assembly.
In a 2002 Club Car DS, you can remove the rear axle seal from the axle opening by popping it out using a seal puller.
If you want to install a new axle assembly, you’ll have to do the above steps followed by fitting the new assembly in place and redoing these steps once again in the reverse order.
How to remove the rear bearing from the axle
The slide hammer can also be used to remove the axle adapter ring and seal. It’s often advisable to remove both the axle seals at the same time and replace them at the same time.
How to remove the rear axle snap ring of a Club Car
You can remove the rear axle snap ring on a Club Car using a pair of 90-degree snap ring pliers and a flashlight.
- Take off the rear wheel from the Club Car golf cart.
- Remove the brake drum from its place.
- Put the 90-degree snap ring pliers through the holes in the hub and pull at the snap ring till it comes off. The flashlight will help you see the ring clearly through the holes. Alternatively, you can consider wearing a miner’s light.
If you don’t have a pair of 90-degree pliers, you should ensure that the snap ring pliers that you use are of the right size at the tips. Pliers with an offset angle or Snap-on pliers can also be used.
If the groove that houses the ring is damaged with a burr on the edges, you can use the edge of a small three-sided file to knock off the burr. This is often helpful when the axle is installed.
1998 electric Club Car rear axle removal
The axle bearing of a 1998 electric Club Car rear axle houses a retainer nut that is located inside the axle tube. This is often a C-clip and keeps the axle in position inside the tube. This C-clip or retainer nut can be accessed only using a pair of 90-degree C-clip pliers.
The axle flange has holes in it. You will have to put the pliers through one of them and look through the hole to check if you’re able to gain access to the clip.
Once you’re able to get the clip off, the axle will slide easily from its place.
It usually takes a bit of time to remove the C-clip from its place.
If the axle still doesn’t come off after removing the C-clip, you can apply mild heat on the axle tubes while you tap the flange at the same time. Alternatively, a few hits on the bearings with a slide hammer should do the trick.
How to remove rear axle of a 1987 Club Car
The rear axle in a 1987 Club Car can be removed using a pair of C-clip pliers or 90-degree pliers. The following steps guide you on how to go about this process.
- Mount the Club Car on a jack stand.
- Take off the rear wheel followed by the brake drum.
- Remove the C-clip that is located at the back of the axle flange. The hole in the flange will help you see where the clip is positioned. A flashlight may be of help while doing this.
- Insert the C-clip pliers or 90-degree pliers through the hole and take it off. The axle will slide off automatically.
If the axle continues to be stuck to the bearings, you will need a slide hammer to tap the bearings gently a few times and loosen the axle or a bearing puller to take off the bearing.
1999 Club Car DS snap ring removal
The snap ring in a 1999 Club Car DS can be removed using a pair of snap ring pliers following the same steps given in ’How to remove the rear axle snap ring on Club Car’.
Make sure that you use good quality snap ring pliers because cheap ones can make the removal difficult. The right pliers will help you to pull the snap ring off the axle tube easily.
If you’re not able to lay your hands on a snap ring plier, consider opting for a 90-degree plier.
2000 Club Car rear axle removal
The rear axle in a 2000 Club Car can be removed following the steps given here, with a pair of C-clip pliers.
- Chock the front wheels of the Club Car to prevent it from moving.
- Loosen the lug nuts present at the back of the golf cart.
- Loosen the nut present on the axle at the end.
- Raise the rear end of the cart and place it on the jack stand.
- Take off the rear wheel followed by the brake hub.
- Check where the axle is positioned at the rear end. You’ll also notice the C-clip just before the axle bearing.
- Remove the C-clip using the pair of C-clip pliers. The axle will slide off automatically.
How to remove the axle shaft on Club Car DS
You will need a few chocks, a pair of 90-degree internal snap ring pliers, a floor jack and jack stands to remove the axle shaft on a Club Car DS. The steps given below can help you to take off the axle shaft from the golf cart.
- Keep the chocks before the front wheels of the Club Car.
- Raise the back part of the cart using a floor jack.
- Support the cart by keeping jack stands below the axle tubes.
- Take off the back wheel and rim followed by the brake drum.
- Take the internal retaining ring off from the axle tube using the pliers.
- Pull out the axle shaft from the axle tube.
If your cart has a C-clip, you’ll have to remove it with a pair of C-clip or needle-nose pliers. You can see the clip through the hole in the axle flange. After this, screw a bearing puller in the middle of the axle and tighten it around the rear of the bearing housing until the bearing gets released. Once this is done, you can pull out the axle from the cart.
Symptoms of a bad rear axle bearing
The most common giveaway sign of a bad rear axle bearing is a loud noise coming from the axle assembly. You can try one of the following tips to solve the problem.
- Take your axle assembly to a reliable machine shop and get them to press off the retainer and the bearing.
- In case you are using an ordinary brand of lube oil, consider using good quality transmission oil such as Amsoil Lube.