Loss of Power

[apostle]

1996 Easy Go golf cart a new controller and solenoid recently installed. Now, it sounds like it is slipping when going up a hill. The the motor sounds like it is running faster however, the golf cart slows down additionally, the same sound occurs when trying to accelerate fast, The problem is worse with two passengers. The motor vibrates when the sound occurs. The batteries are fully charged. What could be the problem?

[JohnnieB]

Stripped splines in hubs.
Remove any hubcaps or dust covers on rear wheels so you can see castle nuts. IF nut spins and wheel doesn't the hub is stripped.

[apostle]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

Stripped splines in hubs.
Remove any hubcaps or dust covers on rear wheels so you can see castle nuts. IF nut spins and wheel doesn't the hub is stripped.

The castle nut appears to be turning with the wheel. The problem still persists. When I try to accelerate quickly it seems to be slipping. The motor sounds like it is going fast. However the cart hardly moves. If I accelerate slowly, it does not sound like it is slipping and the cart will continue to accelerate to normal top speed. When going up a small hill. The cart sounds like it is slipping not like it lacks the power. When the rear wheels are off the ground.The rear wheels do not turn freelyThe castle nut appears to be turning with the wheel. The problem still persists. When I try to accelerate quickly it seems to be slipping. The motor sounds like it is going fast. However the cart hardly moves. If I accelerate slowly, it does not sound like it is slipping and the cart will continue to accelerate to normal top speed. When going up a small hill. The cart sounds like it is slipping not like it lacks the power.
With the rear wheels off the ground both wheels do not turn freely. Do you have any further suggestions?

[Gonkulor]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

Stripped splines in hubs.
Remove any hubcaps or dust covers on rear wheels so you can see castle nuts. IF nut spins and wheel doesn't the hub is stripped.

I'm in complete agreement with JohnnieB. You might have other problems but from your original post it sure sounds like your axle splines are on the way out. When your rearend is on jacks your symptoms are typical of all cart dyna rear ends. If you could have superman run with you while you stomp on the go go pedal while you go up a hill I will bet your axle shafts are slipping. Its kinda typical. Because this happens often enough, we will be hard pressed to think there are troubles elsewhere until convinced otherwise. ScottyB sells a great set of replacement hubs. I'm not sure if you can get them to fix your issue now or if you need new axles?

[JohnnieB]

The reason the rear wheels are hard to turn when jacked up is because it is a direct drive system and the motor has to be spun 12.44 times for each time the rear wheels are turned once.

Since it is a direct drive system and the symptom is the motor racing faster than the cart is moving, and everything is working and/or sounding normal when not accelerating hard or climbing uphill, there are 5 places where the slippage is most likely occurring.
1. Right rear Axle/Hub interface. (Spline coupling)
2. Left rear Axle/Hub interface. (Spline coupling)
3. Right rear Rim/Tire interface. (Friction coupling)
4. Left rear Rim/Tire interface. (Friction coupling)
5. Motor/Differential interface. (Spline coupling)

Try towing a car, pickup or other heavy, but moveable, object with cart while two people are is observing rear wheels from the sides.
Because it is an open type differential, slippage on either side will cause the symptoms described.

If none of the four visible interfaces is slipping, you will have to pull the motor to inspect the splines that couple the motor to the differential.

There is the possibility that an axle or something else is broken, but the five places listed are the most common cause of the symptoms you've provided.

[yurtle]

Maybe try putting it on jack stands and have someone press the brakes hard while applying the "gas".