EZGO TXT Broken axle

scJohn

I have a limo cart with 26" tires powered by a 25 hp motor. I went to drive off the other day and I herd a POP and the cart wouldn't go. We started to pull it home and the entire wheel fell off due to the axle broke just inside of the bearing. Besides the tall tires, does anyone think the 3" spacers are the culprit or it was just a worn out part. It was originally a 96. I would hate to have to remove the spacers due to the front end being so wide. Thank you for your help.

BGW

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scottyb

The spacers are okay, just get rid of the 26" tires and 25hp motor.

That's a hell of a lot of additional stress on the drive lines. Your build list would read like a 'how to break axles' instruction booklet. IMHO.

scJohn

Thanks for the booklet idea. Im ready to get it published. LOL There are many other carts out there that are bigger and badder. How are they holding together. I also didnt mention that I drive mainly dirt roads.

Pitbull Joe

I know J.Cribbs is running 26" tires and he beats that thing up. I'd talk to a few other guys that are running tires in that range and see if they ever had issues.

scottyb

Yes or ask what everybody who ever broke an axle was running.

BlackBerryHill

I'm running 26" tires with a CPP 18hp BB (rev-kit, high comp head gaskets), rear disc brake kit and almost all of my riding is off-road. I don't want to jinx myself so I'll tell you about others that I've seen in person with similar problems. I also have 1" spacers up front and 2" spacers in the rear. Just keep an eye on those spacers and make sure they are tight.

Essness (EzGo Workhorse) broke his driver rear axle at the hub this spring at CAW. His wheel came off completely with the hub still intact. This was a new axle that had few miles, so age is unlikely a factor. He has a Honda BB with 23" tires, at least I think they are 23". I know his tires are not 26", so he's running the same average size tire as most people with lifted carts. He was driving slowly through a stream when his axle broke, and I know how he drives so he does not abuse his cart.

Dave from VA (Yamaha, Model Unk) broke the output shaft at the rear differential the same day while drag racing at the dirt drag strip at CAW. Dave has the CPP 23hp BB (rev-kit, radical cam, and everything installed at CPP). Dave takes care of his cart and drives carefully, he does not abuse his cart. He is running 22" or 23" tires just like most lifted carts.

When adding the larger tires, wheels, lifts, big block engines, etc. we are placing stress on our carts they were not designed to handle. Unless you leave your cart in factory condition you will find weak spots in the driveline, suspension, and frame. The hubs on the rear disc brake kits are much stronger than the factory hubs. Therefore, the pressure is placed on the axles. The axles become the weak point in your driveline, and it's only a matter of time until they break.

I wish someone made stronger axles for carts that could withstand the added pressure of larger tires and engines. You know what that means, something else will break because the hubs and axles are now stronger.

Pitbull Joe

Great write up BBH!

scottyb

So true. and Scot doesn't always drive like a gramma. He has turned in some great race times with the wife's yard cart.
All the carts you listed were not stretched or on 26s.
That's all I was saying in my original post.
I drive a 25hp workhorse on 25's with 1190 Comet clutch. So far so good.

scottyb

Seems you could buy stock axles and harden them.

BlackBerryHill

I wasn't trying to prove you wrong, just wanted to point out that failures do happen to people with less than 26" tires. I don't want to say too much because I'm heading up to CAW in a week, and hopefully nothing breaks. Scot was driving like an old lady when his axles broke, but that doesn't mean he wasn't being rough with it prior to that moment.

It's possible some hard use was taking place and caused a weakness in the broken axles we have been discussing. Then the axle finally gave out while not giving any indication it was about to break. It's always hard to say what causes parts to break when they are put through the paces.

I watch monster trucks sometimes, and the suspension and drivetrain hold up to abuse that should splinter everything. Then when the driver is driving gently parts start breaking, bending, and falling off. I attribute the broken parts to being weakened by hardcore action.

I run 26" tires with the BB and have broken or damaged parts. Each time I drive my cart off-road I find other areas that need improving. Keeping my fingers crossed for this upcoming trip to CAW, I want to test out my new link bars for durability.