EZ GO front end help

vac

I am helping next door neighbor with his EZ GO and need technical help. Problem is the front end is bottoming out on his intermediate steering column. There is very little travel for the left front leaf spring before he gets in the cart, and when he is seated in the drivers seat, it has maybe 1/4" travel left before the intermediate column is completely collapsed and bottomed out. Apparently it has been like this a long time and we just noticed it because I installed a Jake's Spindle lift kit on it for him(he's in his 70's and can't much of this work anymore). His cart is a 2001.5 with newer style steering, and at least the front cowling is the ST style.

What are some options I should look at to create more space without further lifting the cart as it is high enough with the 6" lift? One thought came across my mind was is it possible to remove the intermediate steering shaft and cutoff about an inch from the outer half and if necessary the inner half so as to create a little more room for travel without raising the cart. Would this work?

Thanks for any help.

BGW

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rib33024

WElcome

can you post some pics of what your talking about so we can look at it to give you some help---

DoubleTake

Maybe some new HD leafs for the front? Or I did a 1.25" lift between the body and leaf spring. I would at least add the front HD leafs though.

vac

rib, I am away for a few days on business, so I can't take a picture, but I am attaching a picture of the intermediate shaft from the internet if it helps.

Double, I have to stay away from any further lift as it is as tall as my old neighbors can handle getting into now. That is why I was trying to figure out about shortening the intermediate shaft to increase the travel room it has to collapse and extend in with the axle movements. Thanks for the help

Attached Images

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DoubleTake

To answer your question about cutting it, yes it can be done. I have not done it, I know others have. I do believe if you added HD leafs it wouldn't lift the front anymore than it would with new factory leafs. It would just stiffen it up where the steering wasn't being put in a bind. It sounds like the leafs are old and worn out anyway.

vac

Is there a way to check how worn the old leafs are? The neighbor does use his cart almost daily for about 4-6 miles since he bought it more than 6 years ago on mostly smooth surface.

Double Take, the folks you know that cut it - any issues for them? One of the reasons he id interested in keeping the leafs on there now is from what he can feel out of the right side spring he like that it is not too stiff a ride, so if he can simply create the needed travel space for the left spring it would be comfortable over the few bumps he goes over. If not, then he'll bight the bullet on a stiffer new spring. If his are worn, would regular duty springs give him back some of the original height and not be too stiff? Is there a lot of difference in stiffness between regular and heavy duty for the front springs?

Thanks again for the help.

DoubleTake

I would guess by your description that they are worn out. Not sure on any issues, there are folks on here that have cut them for lowering purposes. Not sure on the stiffness between stock and HD, but it sounds like he definately needs new leafs.

ruredy

seems I remember that a few carts came out that year with leaf springs that weren't the right size (to short) and that's what caused this problem. At any rate I agree it would be best to get a new set of springs instead of chopping on the other parts to make it work. At very least I would check into it.

mikesmotortoys

You need HD leaf springs for the front. WARNING - most after market HD's for your year / model are no stronger than the Factory Standard springs. OEM is what you want...

vac

wow - I had not thought of that one. Is there a way to check what the proper length is for that year?

Mike, how do I know if it is aftermarket or oem, besides going to a EZGO dealer?