Does this mean I need to replace my rear leaf springs

[Aguasport]

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I think my rear leaf springs need to be replaced. How would I know? The pictures that I attached are of the locked down leaf spring and the other is still up? Either way currently my springs are I believe are heavy duty (98 EZGO). But while driving if I hit a bump the leaf spring get locked down in place. In order for me to not drive crooked I have to hop out and pull up on the back corner of the cart. Sometimes it happens to only one side but it usually happens to the side with the weight on it. Any ideas on what I should do?

[BobBoyce]

Originally Posted by Aguasport

[ATTACH]Attachment 144974[/ATTACH]

I think my rear leaf springs need to be replaced. How would I know? The pictures that I attached are of the locked down leaf spring and the other is still up? Either way currently my springs are I believe are heavy duty (98 EZGO). But while driving if I hit a bump the leaf spring get locked down in place. In order for me to not drive crooked I have to hop out and pull up on the back corner of the cart. Sometimes it happens to only one side but it usually happens to the side with the weight on it. Any ideas on what I should do?

Look at your shackles. The shackle length is not matched well to your obviously longer than stock leaf spring length. So your shackle is going flat, locking the leaf spring. You need to go with a shorter set of shackles, or a longer set of shackles, to get far away from that locking length. I would go shorter by a few inches to prevent the issue. it'll actually raise the cart due to the better shackle angle. You can also drill new holes in your existing shackles to fix this. If you do that, clamp them together with bolts at both ends and drill them together and squared to make sure the holes all line up to make them all the same.

Bob

[rib33024]

Looks like you need some new bushings in the springs

[Aguasport]

Bob thank you. That makes total sense to me now. You saved me a bunch of cash!

[rileymon]

For it to stretch back that far the front spring bushing must be gone also. if not the springs might be a bit to long for the application. And that could be remedy with a longer shackle

[BobBoyce]

Originally Posted by rib33024

Looks like you need some new bushings in the springs

I agree. both sides need new bushings. Some cracked, some totally missing. The increased stress on those bushings created by the bad angle on the shackle helped to take them out I'm sure.

When buying HD leaf springs, it's best to size them correctly so that the shackles are as vertical as possible between the leaf spring and the shackle attachment at the frame.

[Gearhead1956]

If you have had this cart for a while? and it use to operate fine?

Then the geometry of the spring and shackles is ok. If the cart is new to you or the springs have been replaced, I would agree the springs do look to long!
I would get the spec on the length of stock spring and compare it to yours!

But one can tell from your pic's that your bushings are shot and nonexistent!

And is most likely causing to much travel allowing the shackle to brake over center and not allowing the spring too travel back.

Also I am betting your shocks are shot!

Good luck