Suspension issues with lifted cart - need help!

Marko44

I'm new to the cart world so please be patient with this



I purchased this 1999 EZGO a year ago for my disabled son who absolutely loves this thing. The gentlemen who sold me the cart said his sister purchased it from a custom cart shop in Arizona.

My main concern is the suspension. What drew my attention the most was the ISO mount bushings and ISO mount caps. You can stick your finger between the ISO mount bushing and the bottom of the axle.


http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...-GO/EZGO-2.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...-GO/EZGO-4.jpg


The ISO mount caps on both sides are broken.


http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...-GO/EZGO-5.jpg


You can also see it appears they kept the stock 2 leaf spring setups when they added the 4 seat option instead of going to a stronger spring. At this point, the leaf is completely sacked out from the weight.


http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...-GO/EZGO-3.jpg

Can I buy any heavy duty spring for this or do I need a special size since the cart is not stock?

Also, can I still buy stock shocks since this has been lifted?

Upon reading around the forums, I'm assuming from the pics that the centering pin on top of the axle has been cut/ removed since the leaf is sitting on top without a block in between. I'm looking for suggestions on what would be the best route to take to fix this.


In looking at the front axle, I noticed the letters "ST" on the arms that control the steering. Is this a factory "ST" lift up front or something else?


http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...-GO/EZGO-8.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...-GO/EZGO-9.jpg


If I haven't explained myself clearly, please let me know and I will do my best to clarify.
Thanks

Mark

BGW

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pachanga90

I'm not sure about the front-end stuff as far as being ST factory stuff(never dealt with one before),But you definitely need Heavy-Duty rear springs and new bushings on the axle-mounts and the shocks.The H-D stock replacement springs will be fine for your application,but they will raise the rear of the cart a little.Maybe someone else will have more info as far as how much it will change the ride-height.Hope this helps.

Miah85

For sure replace the stock leaf springs to the HD 4 leaf. I just did this on my cart and the person who had it before me added the rear seat with no HD springs, my stock springs where almost bent backwards. I would not get new shocks; the leaf springs take most of the bumps. I would buy new ISO mount caps because those do not look right. You can buy those for fairly cheap. Shop around because some places are charging over 30, which is way too much. Check out the site sponsors before you buy anywhere else. Replacing the springs and ISO mount caps are fairly easy, I just replaced my springs and an ISO mount cap (one of the ears were broke) last week.

blake80

the bushings in the iso mounts are worn slap out, i had the same thing happen to mine. the iso mounts being broke are from someone trying to over tighten it to close the gap which means you get to buy new ones or get the u-bolts from a after market lift kit. the st spindles are for a factory 3" lift which is what you have. my cart had the exact same lift when i got it. replacment iso mounts and bushings are not that pricey so replacing them is not that big a deal. as far as the rear leafs, i put the hd leafs on my cart because of the rear seat kit that was on it and man what a stiff ride. the only time is would ride comfortably was when it was loaded down. me personally i would put new oem leafs and find those air shocks that are made for golf carts. i did take the hd leafs off when i built my roll cage that incorporated the rear seat.

scottyb

There are HD rear leafs with 3 or 4 leafs available. I like the 3 leaf stack. It rides okay with the added weight of the rear seat.
Diddo on the ISO and U bolts.
NICE looking Ezgo

blake80

it was the 4 leafs that i put on then went back to the 3 leaf. i couldnt remember which it was. the 4 leafs would be good for workhorses and such that does alot of heavy hauling but i think they are to much even with a rear seat kit

Marko44

Wow, what a wealth of info . . . .thanks for all of the replies guys. . . . I truly appreciate you taking the time to help me out here

It sounds like new leafs are a must do now item so I will order these ASAP

I will price new ISO bushings and caps but Blake80's suggestion of using U bolts from an aftermarket lift kits has raised my curiosity. If I replace the bushings and caps, is this a fairly long term fix or will I be doing again in the near future? I imagine by using U-bolts, these would go around the axle and keep everything good and tight vs. having the cushion of the ISO mount bushings and caps. Is one method preferred over the other? Anyone have a pic using U-bolts?

Is this method of flipping the axle/spring a good way of lifting the rear?

Since I have the 3" lift up front and not sure what the back equates to, I currently have some worn sand looking tires on the cart which are 20X11-10 Can I replace them with some ATVs in size 22X11-10?

Sorry for the basic ??? but can someone confirm what I purchased is a TXT model? I know from the tag is a 1999 model.

I would really like to dial in the thing over the next few months. The possibilities for these things is endless and very addicting

Thanks again

Mark

blake80

your cart is a txt, they went from marathons to txt's back in '95 or '96. the u-bolts will more than likely never need changing unless that freak of nature thing happens plus there shouldnt be any movement from the axle with u-bolts. i know with the iso mounts will let the axle slide side to side and get out of allignment. i do know that you can run 22's on the 3" lift but they might rub a little on the front if your making a hard turn and bump. i was running 22x11-10 super swampers on mine when it had the same lift yours does. but ive since gone with the jakes 5" lift (got it for a really really good price from a fellow member) and im now running 23's on 14" wheels.

now just wait till that bug really bites you and you find yourself everyday thinking and looking at things to do to and with it. my cart is on its third make over and third engine since i got it 3 years ago and im already thinking of what i might do next

Marko44

Thanks Blake80 . .. . do you who I would call to check on availability for the u-bolts and related hardware?

I want to weigh out both options (replacement ISO components vs U-bolts) because from what I've read, the centering pins on top of the axle must have been removed since the leaf is now sitting on top of the axle with no block in between. Without the centering pin, there wouldn't be anything there to prevent lateral play causing axle alignment issues you mentioned. Being new to these carts, I don't know if it's an issue or not but seems to me, it COULD be.

Sounds you are having fun with all of the mods you have mentioned. I'm on a bit of a budget so I will have to take things a little slower but still get them done.

My son grins from ear to ear every time he goes for a ride so I want to take this to the next level.

blake80

I would call Tom at cartspartsplus.com he is a site sponsor and has helped me in a huge way with my new engine. Tell him you just need the u-bolts that come in a allsport lift for a ezgo. If I had a set I would send them to you. The pin is probably still there, its pretty short. I had that same lift when I got my cart and the pins are still there.