changing leaf springs - help needed

ROBinGA

Need advice on if I should handle changing the front and rear leaf springs by myself on my 96 TXT 4 passenger non-lifted cart. I have installed a clays basket on front and think I need to get HD springs for front and back. Are special tools needed or can I tackle this with my standard homeowner garage tools? I have access to a floor jack and also scissors style jacks. I cannot find any info online that has a video or step by step instructions on changing leaf springs so if anyone would summurize the steps in a reply I would really appreciate it.

BGW

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

yurtle

I just changed my rear springs, and the only trick is to do one at a time. I also learned the hard way to connect the springs to the axle with the two U bolts first, then connect the front of the springs and finally the rear. Simple process. No special tools needed. Front springs look easier.

gornoman

No special tools needed, simple common sense should be employed. It's best if the chassis is supported on jack stands and the floor jack can handle the differential and the front axle.

scottyb

You will need a pr of jack stands and a floor jack. Small and lightweight is okay, we are only lifting a portion of the 800-1000 # total.

Put the jack under the center point of the front axle and jack it up off the floor. Place the frame rails on the jack stands and lower the jack.
Rock or other wise push the cart as you might when working on it and check your setup for stability. Adjust as necessary for safety.

Remove the front wheels.
place the jack under the front axle and raise it until a few pounds rest on the jack but no so you lift the cart at all from the jacks.
Re-test stability of the cart.
Place the removed tires and wheels under the cart, behind the jack stands where they may catch the cart if it falls.

With a 9/16 remove the lower shock nuts.
With a 5/8 remove the 3 bolts from the front & rear of one of the leaf springs set.
Remove the spring and replace with the new one.
Repeat on the other side. Torque all 5/8 nuts to 110 ft.pds. dry or 80 if they are oiled.
Replace shock bushings and nuts.
Replace tires. Remove jack stands.
Aren't Ezgos NICE?
Put the tools away, Grab an adult beverage and test the cart on a closed course

ROBinGA

Thanks Guys!! Learning alot here. I am ordering the sets of front and rear springs and bushings for rear set. I read somewhere that I may need longer ubolts for HD rear springs. Any other veteran tips that I might need to know to avoid mulitple orders? I appreciate the hospitality very much.

scottyb

The 4 leaf sets need longer U bolts.

yurtle

FWIW,
My 1998 TXT had rear two leaf springs and I just installed 4 leaf HD using the same u-bolts. Dunno if this is typical, but mine had so much extra length, I needed a deep-well socket to remove the nuts. Even with twice the leaves, I still have over 1/2" of threads beyond the top of the nut.

The one thing I did have to do was to go after the nut on the new springs with a Dremel. The nut (or bolt, depending on who's brand you buy) is supposed to fit into a hole in the bottom of the axle AND be small enough to allow the axle and springs to mate up with no gaps. Mine wasn't.

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...today-487.html

post 4862.

dave1963

DIY Golf carts has a video on there web site on replacing springs. Just google D I Y and there site will pop up

madoc1

be sure you only do one side at a time in the rear. the weight of the motor makes the axle want to spin down. you don't need to ask how i know.

cableguy_hd

I did my rear springs, no problem. The only thing that I did notice was my u bolts were barley long enough going from stock springs to hd ones