Rear Driver wheel - Resistance?

[mtollin]

Trying to track down why cart slows down so much up hill with approx 75% battery left. Obe hill didn't think I'm make it.

Batteries check out total pack (6 x 8v = 48V Lead acid Trojan) 52.1v, each battery about 8.7 v and under 80% load approx 8.1 v.

So noticed rear passenger wheel turns pretty freely by hand, won't spin put turns fairly easily, but rear driver wheel seems to grab and is gets hard to turn, but if keep turning gets easier, but grabs again.

Brakes or springs? Never worked on brakes or inside drum area before. It is under warranty but they want $125 to pick it up and keep it for 10 days.

Ideas for a cart repair newbie?

[mtollin]

As a follow up, I removed wheel, drum came off easy, no pad pressure. Put back together, notice wheel will turn freely moving forward, but not reverse. Is this normal? Is it the motor/drive from passenger side affecting it? Sounds like my issue may not be the brake pads, but still interesting in knowing.

[derelicte]

That is weird.

Is there a decent amount of play in your rear axle? I mean when you turn a wheel, does it rotate a ways before you feel the gears mesh? Mine seems really excessive.

[mtollin]

Yes, if I turn passenger rear wheel seems free then gets tight, then frees up again.