Why is my golf cart ride so rough?
Your golf cart ride can be rough because of tire problems, suspension problems or issues with the transmission.
- Tire Problem
- Suspension Problem
- Transmission Problem
Tire Problem: Incorrect air pressure and wrongly aligned tires are two key tire-related problems that can trigger rough golf cart rides.
Suspension Problem: Worn out struts and shocks can affect the suspension system of the golf cart and cause bumpy rides.
Transmission issues: Leaking fluid, vibration, loss of power, as well as weird noises like whining and grinding, are some giveaway signs that you have a transmission problem.
How to make a golf cart ride smoother
You can make your golf cart ride smooth by checking for the above-mentioned problems in the cart and attending to them.
- Correct tire pressure
Check if the front and back tires have the correct and even pressure according to specifications. They may need different pressures based on the conditions and seasons. If you cannot do this yourself, consider getting the assistance of a cart dealer. Too high a pressure makes the cart ride bumpy while too low pressure causes the cart to drag. Rotating the tires occasionally for uniform use is a good idea.
- Replace worn-out shocks and struts
To confirm if your shocks need to be changed, get on to the bumper of the cart and push it down three to four times continuously. Listen for a squeaking sound. Also, check if the cart takes a longer time than usual to get back to the original height or if it doesn’t at all. Additionally, check if the return appears to be bouncy or if it doesn’t move upward and downward at all. If the answer to all these questions is a YES, you must go in for changing your shocks.
- Check the fluid and filter
Get the fluid and filter checked and also do a flush-out if needed. It’s a good idea to do this on a regular basis.
- Worn-out clutch
If you notice the golf cart vibrating, it is very likely to have a worn-out clutch. Get the clutch checked and replaced if it’s faulty.
When to replace golf cart shocks
You can replace the golf cart shocks when you notice a sagging suspension that results in the tires and wheels rubbing in the wheel wells. These parts often get worn out due to age and extensive use.
You might want to use heavy-duty shocks if you use the cart on hard terrain.
Another sign that you have to get the shocks replaced is when you notice that they are rusted or leaking.
You may also consider changing them if you find that your cart ride is bumpy even if your tires have the right and uniform pressure and there is no transmission problem.
Why an EZGO RXV rides rough
Your EZGO RXV often tends to ride rough because of the following reasons.
- Too much air in the tires
If the golf cart tires have too much air and uneven pressure, the rides may be rough. You can consider checking this out and releasing the excess air or pressure. In case the tires are hard, try lessening the spring rate. It’s a good idea to opt for flotation type tires. You can also use this chance to look out for stiff tires or heavy sidewalls.
- Lift kit needs to be changed
Consider replacing the existing lift kit of the cart with a long travel lift kit. The long travel kit has a better suspension geometry that improves the ride experience drastically.
- Loose wheel bearings
Check the wheel bearings to see if they have become loose. Tighten them if necessary. Loose bearings can also lead to a rough ride.
- Dragging brakes
Inspect the brakes to see if they show signs of dragging. If so, setting them right may stop the rough ride.
- New tires
If your cart has new tires and haven’t been used for a while, the tires may experience flat-spotting and cause a rough ride because of vibration.
Once you ride the cart around for a while, the problem usually disappears. If the vibration still doesn’t stop, rotate the tires to check if the vibration moves along with them.
- Improper toe alignment
Check the toe alignment of the tires. It’s advisable to have the toe adjusted so that it’s lesser at the front than at the back of the tires by about a quarter of an inch.
- Worn-out bushings
Look out for worn-out shock rubber bushings and worn out bushings in the springs. If the brushing are worn out, you should replace them.
You can perform this check by getting the front tires jacked up and firmly shaking each tire to check for excess movement. If you sense sloppiness, it’s time to change the bushings.
Why an EZGO TXT rides rough
Your EZGO TXT may run rough due to one or more of the reasons given below.
- Excess pressure in tires
Check if the tires of the cart have too much pressure. If they have about 20 PSI pressure, you can try lowering it to 12 PSI in the front tires. The rear tires can have a pressure between 20 to 22 PSI each.
- Dead shocks
Check the shocks to see if they show resistance to moving them by hand after unbolting them. If not, you must change them. You can also consider positioning the lower shock mounts as close as possible to the wheel.
- Worn out bushings
Inspect the kingpin and leaf spring bushings to see if they are damaged or have been subject to wear and tear. Such bushings need to be replaced.
Club Car DS bumpy ride
You are likely to experience a bumpy ride in your Club Car DS because of the following reasons.
- Worn out shocks or dampeners
Shocks with dust and oil are often indications that they have reached their maximum lifespan. At this stage, you might consider replacing them. If the cart has three or more heavy-duty rear springs, you can opt to remove the rear shocks as they don’t have any use if you don’t have much weight at the back of the cart.
- Too much pressure on tires
Check the pressure on all tires and release some pressure if you find that it’s too high as this can cause bumpy rides.
- Incorrect tire direction
Check if the tires are marked with a direction of rotation. If so, make sure the tires are fitted properly according to the direction. If not, swap the tires so that they move in the specified direction.
- Flat spot in tire or tire out of round
You can check this by spinning each tire. The cart will have to be raised and the rear tires will have to be removed and fitted in the front to spin them. Once the faulty tires are identified, do a replacement.
- Change the type of tire or wheel
In some cases, a particular type of tire or wheel may give you a bumpy ride. Making a change from one type of tire and wheel to another might do the trick and offer you a smooth ride.
Club Car Precedent bumpy ride
You are likely to experience a bumpy ride in your Club Car Precedent because of the reasons given below.
- Heavy-duty leaves
Check if your golf cart is fitted with heavy-duty leaves. These are often known to cause bounce. Replacing them with stock leaves or removing a couple of them should solve the problem.
- Too much air pressure
Check the pressure of all the tires in the cart. If it’s above 30 PSI, you might want to release some pressure so that it’s in the range of 20 to 22 PSI per tire. On a golf course, 8 to 10 PSI is more than enough. You can also check out with a tire shop to get the tires balanced.
- Worn out suspension bushings
Check the spring bushings in your cart suspension to see if they are damaged. If so, replacing them with new ones should help.
- Idle cart
If the golf cart has been sitting idle for a long time, you might have a bumpy ride when you use it. You can consider taking the cart for a ride more often, even if it’s for short distances.
Yamaha golf cart rides rough
Your Yamaha golf cart rides rough because of a small lift and a leaf spring type suspension. Both of these components can give you a harsh ride.
Consider replacing the existing lift with a long travel lift. Similarly, it’s a good idea to use a long travel A-arm in place of the leaf spring suspension.
You can also try reducing the air pressure in tires if you think it is too much. The front tire pressure depends on the rear seating to a great extent.
When you’re going to have passengers on the rear seat, the front tires should have lesser pressure than the rear ones. Some cart owners prefer 20 PSI for the rear and 15 PSI for the front tires when they have four adult passengers in the rear.
How to get a smoother ride from a Yamaha G16 golf cart
You can get a smooth ride from your Yamaha G16 golf cart by ensuring the following.
- Ensure that there is no air leak in the gaskets between the intake and the carburetor as well as the spacer. You can pull out the airbox and check for a damaged gasket or spacer. If found damaged, go for a replacement.
- Check if the cart makes use of heavy springs on the shocks. Replace them with lighter springs so that they don’t drop much at the rear end. Using a lithium pack battery also helps to reduce the overall weight of the golf cart. Also, if the cart uses electric cart shocks, replace them with gas shocks.
- Check the air pressure on the tires and reduce/increase as required. Excess pressure can be one of the reasons for a rough ride.
- Check for stiff or over-sprung springs. If you notice such springs, replace them with softer springs.
How to get a smoother ride from a Yamaha G29 golf cart
You can get a smooth ride from your Yamaha G29 golf cart by doing some adjustments as given below.
- Raise the golf cart a little more from the ground than it currently is, using a lift kit. The Jake’s Long Travel front suspension is often a preferred choice.
- Opt for tires with 22 or 23 inches diameter and 10-inch wheels. Consider replacing the existing tires and wheels if they are not of this size.
- Replace the A-arm bolts if you find them rusty or overly tight. This tends to happen over time resulting in minimum flex.
- Keep a regular check on the pressure of the tires. Ideally, 8 to 9 PSI pressure is more than enough for a smooth ride.