The Golf Cart Guru
Is your golf car making a funny sound? Do you have a repair question? Need to know how to install something?
Ask the Golf Car Guru.
The Golf Cart Guru
• When I started writing articles for the golf cart industry many years ago I started with the simple things like battery maintenance, windshield care and the like. Quickly I moved into the deeper more technical aspects and have stayed there ever since.
Recently we received a question from Walker. He asked“ How difficult is it for a novice to replace the front and rear springs on a Club- Car?” He continues,“ I have a 1995 DS with a flip-down rear seat.”
This note reminded me that there are many out there who need assistance and direction on some of the less technical aspects of a golf cart. So Walker, Thanks for reminding me of that, here you go.
Replacing the leaf springs on a golf cart isn’ t too difficult but it is a fairly involved operation. This will be a pretty basic instructional.
First, whether gas or electric shut the car down, key off, F & R in neutral, Run / Tow in tow, etc and disconnect the battery last negative and last positive.
Jack the car up, support the frame on four stable jack stands and remove all four tires.
On the rear, it’ s easiest to replace the springs one at a time.( The main reason is the axle and motor or clutch are on top and heavy. This will cause the axle to flip over if both springs are removed. Obviously, this could cause catastrophic damage to you and the cart so DO NOT DO THIS.) Use your jack to support that side of the rear axle. Remove the front hanger bolt the rear shackle bolt and the U-bolt that attaches the axle to the spring.
NOTE: You will want to loosen the U-bolt on the opposite spring just a bit so you can wiggle things around some.
Is your golf car making a funny sound? Do you have a repair question? Need to know how to install something?
Ask the Golf Car Guru.
Install the new spring with new bushings on this side. be sure to line up the alignment pin on the spring with the locater hole on the spring perch on the axle. Leave the U-bolt just a bit loose for ease of fitment.
Once both springs are in tighten up the U-bolts equally.
NOTE: If you have a rear seat or box you should use heavy duty springs. There are several types on the market.
The front transverse leaf is much simpler. be sure to pay attention to the placement of all the plates and bolts... there are several.
The one main difference is the more complex alignment pin on the front. It’ s an eccentric that is held in place with a lock nut that fits into a slot on the spring perch. This is to allow for camber adjustment. You’ ll have to move this from the old spring to the new one.
Once the front spring is installed you’ ll need to put the wheels back on and get it back on the ground to align the front end.
Leave the spring to perch mounting bolts just a bit lose so the spring will slide left to right. As you rotate the eccentric the camber will change on both wheels. Find the spot where it’ s equal on both sides. a framers square is very helpful with this. When you find that equal alignment tightens up the perch bolts then the eccentric lock nut.
You should check the toe-in alignment at this point. on a DS it’ s a simple tie-rod adjustment. The toe should be 1 / 8”-1 / 4” toe-in on all golf carts.
This is extremely brief. If you need any further instruction don’ t hesitate to write. •
The Golf Cart Guru
Have a question? Send it to Tim at: golfcartguru @ gmail. com
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