G16 or G8 shock replacement help

joshfish

I own a Yamaha golf cart of seemingly unknown model or year. Durring some spirited driving on a trail I broke the bottom mounts off both rear shocks.

Needing replacement I researched shocks and what I thought was my carts serial number. Not wanting to repeat the same problem I figured why not opt for the heavy duty stuff Jakes sells.

Here is my problem,

I ordered "Yamaha G2/8/9 Heavy-Duty Rear Coils on New Shocks" from Side By Side Sports, parts assembled and delivered from Jakes Lift Kits.

Upon receiving the shocks and matching them up, the mounts have smaller diameter holes in the new shocks. A call to SBS was a dead end as they just referred me to Jakes. A call to Jakes, where Glen told me that he "sells thousands of these shocks, they are one size fits all for Yamaha carts."

Per Glens request I took some pictures and sent them off, to which he replied,

"The problem you are having is your serial # is for a 1998 Yamaha G16. The rear end and shocks are definitely off of a G8, which were made from 1991-1995. Looks like the cart is a G16 with a G8 rear and shocks. If you had a true G16 you would bolt the shocks directly to the cart with the stock hardware. For a Yamaha G8 rear you will need to get smaller bolts and mount the new shocks to the same location as in picture 14 of 19."

This confused me due to the fact that he previously told me that his shocks were "one size fits all Yamaha". Not to mention the fact that my G8 rear end falls directly into the part description by Jakes and SBS for the shocks. If its a G8 rear, why should it be modified?

Pictures here

So, to the collective wisdom of Buggies Gone Wild, what replacement shocks?

BGW

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Mike Mac

Josh, if the new shocks fit on the studs on the 8 rear end, go ahead and mount them. Then get new 7/16" bolts or metric equivalent for the top mount holes.
I noticed the bind on the bottom shock end, from the steep angle of the swing arm. You need to think about lowering the front of the swing arm, to make it more compatable with the shock ends.
Nice car! Need more pictures tho.! Mike

joshfish

to clarify, the new shocks mounting holes were smaller than the existing shocks on both the top and bottom mounts. The existing shocks mounts are the same diameter studs on the top and bottom.

My problem is, Jakes / Side by Side sold me a pair of shocks listed as fitting "G8". Jakes told me that my rear was a G8 and that all Yamaha shocks are essentially plug and play.

they did not fit. After a long dispute about the return both parties reluctantly accepted the product back and Jakes declined any further help.

looking at the pictures and the measurements of the mounting holes of the old shocks, can anyone tell me a part number or some sort of lead to get some rear shocks!?

Mike Mac

Josh, I had a similar problem. Went to Performance Suspension in Phoenix, and bought nylon bushings that fit in my after market shocks for my G8 application.

smallblock450sl

Man I'm getting old! From the serial # and pic's, I know you have a G16 frame and engine, but the transaxle is an early Yamaha style (someone replaced the Dana, probably grenaided). I know I've seen the axle housings with the lower shock bolt welded on the axle tube before, but I can't find it any the parts manuals Went back and looked at "Wilson's" build pic's (It started as a G, but didn't see the studs. I ordered the Jakes HD springs and had to modify the upper retainer to make them work. I will check it out more tommarow at work. Hang in there!

Mike Mac

Dave He has the G8 axle tubes, they are like mine (mounts for trailing arms under shock mounts). He has the whole G8 rear end.

smallblock450sl

I new I wasn't going insane (well maybe alittle) seems G8's from 1990 to 1992 used axle housings with the "stud" style mounting of the lower shock mount, 1993 and 1994 (like "Wilson") have a mount like later Yami's (were a bolt go's thru. Altough all G8's call for the same rear shock (jf2-22210-01-00) seems they are special to the G8 only (large bolt holes and no pretruding steel collar). Like I said before, I really had to work to make the Jakes HD springs work. Like your creative fix Mike. Lastley, I to have bought parts that said they would work on "all" Yamaha's and is not the case. Hope you get what you need worked out Joshfish

joshfish

first off let me say THANKS for the great info guys!

if I just pass on the HD springs, is the above part number a bolt in application?

smallblock450sl

Yes it is the part number for stock G8a rear shocks, but very spendy! You could also use (I'm 99% shure) JF3-22210-01-00 G8e (electric cart) shocks, they would be "slightly" stiffer, but not much. Yamaha's parts site say's JF2's are available, but not JF3's? Why are you changing the shocks..If I may ask.

joshfish

Replacing the shocks after a spirited ride through the property, ended up busting the bottom mounts off both rear shocks. Failed at the weld, lost all fluid. I was able to weld the mounts back on just so I could re-install them just to get it around the property.

Just noticed your location BTW, I live in Tacoma as well ; )