Dragging brakes on 1991 Club Car DS

impalass88

I am in the process of doing an upgrade on my cart. I have the cart up on jack stands and when I spin the rear wheels by hand it drags in a certain spot. I rolls smooth for 2/3 of a turn and then the brakes seem to rub. Could this be a bent axle? From looking at it with the naked eye it looks straight. It does not wobble at all., or would this possibly be just a worn brake rotor? The cart is a 1991 and has never had the brakes re-done. I'm thinking out of round brake rotors, but I would like some other opinions. THANKS!!!

BGW

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scottyb

In my opinion this is perfectly normal brake operation .... as long as it is not alot of drag.... can you spin it with one hand? ..... then it is probably okay.....

impalass88

Thanks for the reply scotty!!!

Yes, I can spin it with one hand. It just spins easy and the drags for a bit and then loosens up again. I think the drum is out-of-round and the pad just touches a certain part of the drum more the others.

So you think this is normal? You have seen this before? Do you think I should put new drums and pads on it?

I'm currently doing a 48 volt upgrade. New All Trax AXE 650 amp controller, PB-6 pot box, new custom 2 gauge welding cable battery cables, Heavy Duty Allbright contactor, new 8 volt Interstate batteries. So if these need to be done I might as well get it done now.

Xact1

What happens if you swap drums from left to right side? Does the same side still rub?

My guess is that you have an out of round brake drum, and that it will follow the drum if you switch sides.

However, I voted for Remy Perot for President back in the 90's. So, I MAY be wrong.

scottyb

The drag as you describe it was the way that I was taught to adjust automotive brakes back when I was a young man... It is as close as you can get without really dragging the shoes

impalass88

Thanks guys!! I'll do some more looking. I will probably give Xact's suggestion a try. Either way I think that I should pull the drums and inspect them anyway. These are the original brakes and the cart is 18 years old so they might need replacing. Also I think I will put a dial indicator on the axle to see if it is straight.

scottyb

Stock shoes carry about 1/4 inch of pad .... replacement is when metal hits metal ( or less than 1/16) It's a golf cart for goodness sakes

Lightninn

If it makes you feel any better, my cart does the exact same thing. There is one spot the pad just makes contact with the drum and it will drag ever so slightly in that spot.

impalass88

Sorry Scotty. Sometimes I get a little carried away!!!