1999 Electric DS Limo Hard to Turn

[collinscody36]

I purchased this custom 1999 Club Car DS Limo a few weeks back and have been slowly figuring out small issues but nothing I have not been able to fix. The only thing I am having troubles with figuring out is that it is extremely hard to turn the steering wheel. It is easier when moving, but when the cart is not in motion, it takes a significant amount of effort to turn the wheels in the direction you want to go. I have grease every grease point I can find which helped slightly but still not great. Any thoughts? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[CP241]

Should be super easy to turn. Start with the rag joint and make sure the u joints are good and not binding. There’s a bearing at the bottom of the steering column that may have gone out as well. That’s easy enough to check while you’ve got the rag joint out, give the wheel a spin. Should spin smooth and freely. If that’s all good then may have a bad steering gear, new one isn’t too expensive. Around $100 for oem, bit less for aftermarket.

[Fairtax4me]

You'll never get it to turn easily with the giant tires on the front. The limos just put too much weight on the front tires, and that huge contact patch of those tires will make it almost impossible for that tire to move when the cart is sitting still.

You could maybe benefit from replacing the steering rack, and the u-joint coupler, but I think it would be minimal gain.

[simicrintz]

I couldn't tell if those really were huge tires or just an illusion. I agree that if they are that big it's gonna be tough!

[HarryT]

Ours is extremely hard to turn at a standstill in comparison to a Precedent. It has brakes on the front and I have always attributed the stiff steering while sitting still to the brakes.
Harry