My Yamaha G29 golf cart has started making this unbearable squealing noise whenever I hit the pedal. Why is my golf cart making this noise?
Response
I totally feel your pain. I had a similar nightmare with my Yamaha cart. Turns out, a simple adjustment to the starter belts did the trick for me. Let’s dive into some detailed solutions that might just save your day.
Solutions that worked for users
| Solution | Users Who Found Success | Approx. Cost (USD) | Approx. Time Needed (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusting Starter Belts | Multiple | $20 – $40 | 30 – 60 |
| Tightening Castle Nuts on Rear Hubs | Multiple | $0 – $10 | 15 – 30 |
| Greasing Axle Bearings | Multiple | $5 – $15 | 20 – 40 |
| Replacing Drive Belt with OEM or Kevlar Belt | Multiple | $40 – $80 | 45 – 90 |
Symptoms
- High-pitched squealing noise during acceleration
- Noise intensifies with continuous use
- Occasional squeal when coasting downhill
Possible Causes
- Loose or worn starter belts
- Loose components in clutch or rear hubs
- Degraded drive belt
- Dry or dirty axle bearings
Solutions that Worked
- Adjusting Starter Belts
- What I Did: Checked and adjusted the tension of the starter belts for proper alignment and tension.
- Outcome: Reduced belt slippage and eliminated the squealing noise.
- Personal Experience: After fine-tuning the belts, the squealing noise during startup and acceleration was significantly reduced.
- Estimated Cost: $20 – $40
- Time Needed: 30 – 60 minutes
- Detailed Steps:
- Locate the starter belts near the engine.
- Use a wrench to loosen the mounting bolts slightly.
- Adjust the belts to achieve the right tension – not too tight, not too loose.
- Retighten the mounting bolts securely.
- Run the cart to test if the squealing has stopped.
- Expert Tip: Regularly inspect your belts for wear and tear. A belt that’s in good condition but improperly tensioned can cause as many problems as an old, worn-out belt.
- Tightening Castle Nuts on Rear Hubs
- What I Did: Ensured the castle nuts on the rear hubs were securely tightened.
- Outcome: Stopped the squealing noise when turning.
- Personal Experience: This simple fix eliminated the noise, especially noticeable when making sharp turns.
- Estimated Cost: $0 – $10
- Time Needed: 15 – 30 minutes
- Detailed Steps:
- Jack up the rear of the cart to access the hubs.
- Locate the castle nuts on each rear hub.
- Use a socket wrench to tighten the nuts firmly.
- Replace the cotter pins if necessary.
- Lower the cart and test drive to check for noise.
- Expert Tip: Loose nuts can lead to more than just noise; they can cause significant wear and tear on your cart’s components. Regular checks are key.
- Greasing Axle Bearings
- What I Did: Applied high-quality grease to the axle bearings.
- Outcome: Resolved the screeching noise when coasting downhill.
- Personal Experience: This maintenance step made a significant difference in reducing noise.
- Estimated Cost: $5 – $15
- Time Needed: 20 – 40 minutes
- Detailed Steps:
- Safely lift the rear of the cart and remove the wheels.
- Locate the axle bearings and clean any old grease or debris.
- Apply a liberal amount of high-quality grease.
- Reassemble the wheels and lower the cart.
- Test the cart for any remaining noise.
- Expert Tip: Using a high-quality grease can extend the life of your bearings and reduce the need for frequent maintenance.
- Replacing Drive Belt with OEM or Kevlar Belt
- What I Did: Swapped out the old drive belt for a new, high-quality OEM or Kevlar belt.
- Outcome: Eliminated the squealing noise from the clutch area.
- Personal Experience: This upgrade provided a more durable solution and smoother operation.
- Estimated Cost: $40 – $80
- Time Needed: 45 – 90 minutes
- Detailed Steps:
- Locate and remove the old drive belt from the pulleys.
- Compare the new belt with the old one to ensure correct sizing.
- Install the new belt, ensuring it sits properly on the pulleys.
- Adjust the belt tension as needed.
- Test drive the cart to ensure the noise is gone.
- Expert Tip: Choosing a high-quality belt like OEM or Kevlar can greatly reduce the frequency of replacements and provide a quieter ride.
Extra tips
- Check for Misalignment: Sometimes, the issue isn’t just with the belt or nuts being loose, but with misalignment in the pulley system. Ensure everything is aligned correctly.
- Inspect for Cracks and Damage: While you’re checking for loose parts, keep an eye out for any cracks or damage, especially in the belt and clutch area.
- Listen for Variations in Noise: Pay attention to when the noise occurs and its characteristics. This can help pinpoint the exact issue more effectively.
Golf cart models where this worked
- Yamaha G9A
- Yamaha G29 Electric
- Yamaha G29 Gas (specifically the 2007 model)