G22 with atv front shocks

someonestolemyusername · 09-19-2014, 08:04 AM

Ok so if anyone out there like me was wanting to do this, and couldn't find info on it here it is.. I moved my top brackets up, cut the old shock off the a-arm, welded new brackets on the bottom, and set my camber just like i wanted it. Backed it up and the back of the spindles almost went to the ground. I mean the front tires really flattened out (neg camber i guess you would call it).. Thinking i had made and huge error on the coil overs (grizzly 660 front), or my initial set up with the shock mounts-camber-preload, I was disappointed to say the least!

Then I had a a-ha moment.. The old ones were welded on at the bottom so this must be the key. I put 2 heavy tacks on each side of the bottom, shock to mount... Test drove and worked like a charm! Finished up my welds and drove about 3 miles..The coil-overs are plenty strong and a comfy ride. Way better than stock!

Just a little FYI for g22's

Mike Mac · 09-19-2014, 08:44 AM

Pictures please! If someone did't steal your camera!!

...

Members would want to know about this!!

someonestolemyusername · 09-19-2014, 09:03 AM

I will later.. when im cutting and welding the last thing im thinking about is pics

someonestolemyusername · 09-19-2014, 06:23 PM

slonomo · 09-20-2014, 07:39 AM

I'm not understanding why welding the shock in place is a good idea. The shocks were never welded from the factory. The bottom shock mount is designed to move because when the suspension cycles the a arm actually travels in an arc. So the bottom mount is designed to rotate with that arc. By welding that you have eliminated the ability for the shock to move and now the suspension won't cycle the way it was designed. You now have a semi rigid front suspension.

The reason your suspension compressed when you backed the cart up is because of the design of the single a arm suspension. It's likely the shocks are too soft and have too much travel for this design suspension. Your toe is also probably set too far in. The toe needs to be set nearly to zero, possibly 1/16" in.

Question: When you backed up, were you on a paved surface? I'm guessing yes.

Mike Mac · 09-20-2014, 07:59 AM

Slo, the G22 was designed as a strut suspension.

He may have a toe-in adjustment needed.

someonestolemyusername · 09-20-2014, 12:09 PM

The g22 is a 2 piece single a-arm and the angle of the factory welded shock-strut is straight up and down..I think the angle and 2 pivot points let it over pivot in the wrong direction? I think if i had more room to move the bottom shock mount toward the wheel more it would have worked like that..All i know is that when i tacked it in place it feels perfect now. Nice tight ride with suspension travel.

slonomo · 09-20-2014, 04:28 PM

So is the factory shock like this?

If so, how did you cut the old shock out and how did you attach the new one? This looks like there was some serious fab work to get this done. Not just changing the shock, huh? Were the stockers worn out? Just curious why you did it this way?

The stock suspension pieces are only designed for a small amount of movement, maybe say 2-3" of stroke. When you switched to the long travel shocks the a arms now are allowed to move way farther than they were designed for, say 6" of stroke. This will throw the whole operation of the suspension off, which is why you had issues.

someonestolemyusername · 09-22-2014, 08:29 AM

Sawsall across the weld at the bottom of shock..The old ones were tired, saggy, and one was bent. Just looking for other options than paying 80ish bucks a piece for stockers. I can always go back to stock by moving the top shock mount.. Its not a bolt on by any means, never said it was. There is just no info out there on g22 front shock mods so i was just stating what i did.

slonomo · 09-22-2014, 08:05 PM

Got it.

Sorry if I came across the wrong way, after reading my posts I see that I could have worded it a little more friendly. I was just trying to figure out why you were having a problem. I tend to try to figure things out for other people, LOL even if they don't want me to.

After I saw how extensive your modifications were I was just surprised. That's a lot of work to fix worn shocks. I prob would have just got new ones, or maybe I would have invested 1000 hours in fabbing a completely new front end.....Oh wait....I already did that. LOl

As long as it fixed your problem, that's the main thing. Nicely done.

09-19-2014, 08:04 AM	#1
someonestolemyusername Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 15	G22 with atv front shocks Ok so if anyone out there like me was wanting to do this, and couldn't find info on it here it is.. I moved my top brackets up, cut the old shock off the a-arm, welded new brackets on the bottom, and set my camber just like i wanted it. Backed it up and the back of the spindles almost went to the ground. I mean the front tires really flattened out (neg camber i guess you would call it).. Thinking i had made and huge error on the coil overs (grizzly 660 front), or my initial set up with the shock mounts-camber-preload, I was disappointed to say the least! Then I had a a-ha moment.. The old ones were welded on at the bottom so this must be the key. I put 2 heavy tacks on each side of the bottom, shock to mount... Test drove and worked like a charm! Finished up my welds and drove about 3 miles..The coil-overs are plenty strong and a comfy ride. Way better than stock! Just a little FYI for g22's

09-19-2014, 08:44 AM	#2
Mike Mac G8 Specialist Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 7,799	Re: G22 with atv front shocks Pictures please! If someone did't steal your camera!!... Members would want to know about this!!

09-19-2014, 09:03 AM	#3
someonestolemyusername Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 15	Re: G22 with atv front shocks I will later.. when im cutting and welding the last thing im thinking about is pics

09-20-2014, 07:39 AM	#5
slonomo Searching for The Way Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Medina, Ohio (NEOHIO) Posts: 11,441	Re: G22 with atv front shocks I'm not understanding why welding the shock in place is a good idea. The shocks were never welded from the factory. The bottom shock mount is designed to move because when the suspension cycles the a arm actually travels in an arc. So the bottom mount is designed to rotate with that arc. By welding that you have eliminated the ability for the shock to move and now the suspension won't cycle the way it was designed. You now have a semi rigid front suspension. The reason your suspension compressed when you backed the cart up is because of the design of the single a arm suspension. It's likely the shocks are too soft and have too much travel for this design suspension. Your toe is also probably set too far in. The toe needs to be set nearly to zero, possibly 1/16" in. Question: When you backed up, were you on a paved surface? I'm guessing yes.

09-20-2014, 07:59 AM	#6
Mike Mac G8 Specialist Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 7,799	Re: G22 with atv front shocks Slo, the G22 was designed as a strut suspension. He may have a toe-in adjustment needed.

Today
BGW	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

09-20-2014, 12:09 PM	#7
someonestolemyusername Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 15	Re: G22 with atv front shocks The g22 is a 2 piece single a-arm and the angle of the factory welded shock-strut is straight up and down..I think the angle and 2 pivot points let it over pivot in the wrong direction? I think if i had more room to move the bottom shock mount toward the wheel more it would have worked like that..All i know is that when i tacked it in place it feels perfect now. Nice tight ride with suspension travel.

09-22-2014, 08:29 AM	#9
someonestolemyusername Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 15	Re: G22 with atv front shocks Sawsall across the weld at the bottom of shock..The old ones were tired, saggy, and one was bent. Just looking for other options than paying 80ish bucks a piece for stockers. I can always go back to stock by moving the top shock mount.. Its not a bolt on by any means, never said it was. There is just no info out there on g22 front shock mods so i was just stating what i did.

09-22-2014, 08:05 PM	#10
slonomo Searching for The Way Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Medina, Ohio (NEOHIO) Posts: 11,441	Re: G22 with atv front shocks Got it. Sorry if I came across the wrong way, after reading my posts I see that I could have worded it a little more friendly. I was just trying to figure out why you were having a problem. I tend to try to figure things out for other people, LOL even if they don't want me to. After I saw how extensive your modifications were I was just surprised. That's a lot of work to fix worn shocks. I prob would have just got new ones, or maybe I would have invested 1000 hours in fabbing a completely new front end.....Oh wait....I already did that. LOl As long as it fixed your problem, that's the main thing. Nicely done.

Similar Threads
Thread	Forum
Replacing Front Shocks w/o Front Cowl Removal	Electric EZGO
Air shocks on front?	Lifted Golf Carts
G22 / G29 front shocks	Gas Yamaha
g1 front shocks	Gas Yamaha
Front CC Shocks	Golf Carts and Parts