Early 2000's TXT Rough Ride

[birddog5]

Need some help - I've got a early 2000's txt that is bone stock - does have rims and tires but "normal sized".

My issue is that it rides like a lumber wagon - it doesn't even try to ride nice - every bump is spine jarring. The suspension works (I bounced it) so nothing is locked up - but its really really rough....

I only use the cart for golfing and getting to and from the course - and its almost unbearable. Could it be shock? too much tire pressure? I'm kind of at a loss here

[Clemsoncartguy]

Is this your cart since new? Could a previous owner put HD springs on it? Are your tires over pressurized?

[kab69440]

Your shocks are likely dead. You're also likely to find your kingpin bushings severely worn or non-existant. Same with your leaf spring bushings. Stuff seemingly wasn't designed for durability or longevity!

[birddog5]

Originally Posted by kab69440

Your shocks are likely dead. You're also likely to find your kingpin bushings severely worn or non-existant. Same with your leaf spring bushings. Stuff seemingly wasn't designed for durability or longevity!

bought used - might be HD springs - not sure how to verify? What tire pressure should I be running? I'm sure I filled them to what was on the tire.

Just replaced the spring bushings - terrible squeak - $24 and 15 minutes later its silent. I supposed I can try shocks next, it's not overly bouncy - more like direct banging.

What's a king pin bushing? #cartnewbie

[Helirich]

I would look at shocks. Just unbolt them and move them by hand. If there's no resistance, their dead. The rear springs are HD if they have three or four leafs. But you said stock, so I doubt that. I will tell you that low pressure, off road balloon tires ride nicer than stock.

Edit, also you might check if the springs have sagged. If they don't have any travel, it's going to ride rough.

[birddog5]

Originally Posted by Helirich

I would look at shocks. Just unbolt them and move them by hand. If there's no resistance, their dead. The rear springs are HD if they have three or four leafs. But you said stock, so I doubt that. I will tell you that low pressure, off road balloon tires ride nicer than stock.

Edit, also you might check if the springs have sagged. If they don't have any travel, it's going to ride rough.

I'll double check the shocks and the number of leaf springs tonight if I can.

what are we considering low pressure? 5-10 psi? I think I'm twice that for sure.

[kab69440]

There is a long vertical bolt that ties your spindles to the weldment. If you remove that bolt, you will find a thin plastic bushing that isolates the metal surfaces from one another.

[Helirich]

Originally Posted by kab69440

There is a long vertical bolt that ties your spindles to the weldment. If you remove that bolt, you will find a thin plastic bushing that isolates the metal surfaces from one another.

While a warn King pin bushing might make noise or handling issues, I don't see it making much difference in the ride.

[kab69440]

That little bit of slop from a disintegrated bushing will in fact exacerbate jounce from pavement imperfections and cause quite a bit of intolerable rattling. It also makes the steering feel sloppy and unresponsive. I bet you're wondering how I know that, aren't you? Haha!

[birddog5]

Originally Posted by kab69440

That little bit of slop from a disintegrated bushing will in fact exacerbate jounce from pavement imperfections and cause quite a bit of intolerable rattling. It also makes the steering feel sloppy and unresponsive. I bet you're wondering how I know that, aren't you? Haha!

Those don't really sound like my symptoms though - I'll check it out for sure!

I've got more of a hay wagon thing going on. Every bump is like it is a hardtail. Steering is pretty tight still and no real 'grandpas old cadiliac' bounce going on. More like a 'make sure you slow way down for any bump you have to hit straight on' thing