Rough ride

[slugo]

Have an '03 EZGO Txt electric cart. The ride was rough so 2 years ago, I changed the leaf springs and all 4 shocks. It's still a pretty rough. So rough that plastic housings for the headlight crack. It's only driven on the golf course and it's like driving with concrete tires. It's not lifted, and tire pressures around 10 -15. Upgraded it from a 36 to 48 volt and added an 8 hp motor so don't really want to get rid of it. Originally ordered heavy duty leaf springs and felt like they were worse. Went back to 3 leaf springs. Pretty sure these bumps aren't doing the electronics any good. Without going overly cost crazy, any ideas on other options to soften the ride. Thanks.

[Sir Nuke]

considering how much weight a cart carries (the batteries are roughly 700-800 lbs) its why the stock springs are what they are....

NOW what you can do is lower the tire pressure......running them at 15 psi makes them pretty hard.....try 5 psi.

[Capt. Lenny]

I have an 03 also that rode rough, too rough for the wife. So I had a set of HD 3 leaf springs that I used the main leaf and took the small bottom leaf out of the stock aftermarket set because it was longer but the same thickness and made a 2 leaf pack out of them. The HD main leaf is thicker than the stock one. The ride is better and still carries the weight with 2 average people on the back. On the front I have a single main leaf from a HD set. Just took 300# of lead batteries out and replaced with lithium so now it sit a little higher in the rear.

[scottyb]

My solution was to put bigger sidewall tires with fewer ply on the cart. I found some ATV tires that fit without a lift kit. Increased sidewall flexes more and softens the bumps.

[Cobra,1]

I replaced hd rear springs with dual action springs.stock springs up front.
Finally got rid of the stock tires and put on tires for lawn tractors that are 1 “ taller in overall height. I run 12 psi in all four tires.
Replacing rear springs and tires made the big difference .🙂

[HyperSlowButFast]

Originally Posted by Capt. Lenny

I have an 03 also that rode rough, too rough for the wife. So I had a set of HD 3 leaf springs that I used the main leaf and took the small bottom leaf out of the stock aftermarket set because it was longer but the same thickness and made a 2 leaf pack out of them. The HD main leaf is thicker than the stock one. The ride is better and still carries the weight with 2 average people on the back. On the front I have a single main leaf from a HD set. Just took 300# of lead batteries out and replaced with lithium so now it sit a little higher in the rear.

Have you posted about your lithium battery setup anywhere?
Unless I'm mistaken LiFePO4 is not a good choice for a cart if you're somewhere where it gets really cold. But I'd be very interested in the weight savings myself.

[Capt. Lenny]

If you live in a cold area, you need to warm the cells before charging from what I understand. Cars have battery warmers built into the system. I'm not the elite brain on this subject.

[Capt. Lenny]

Originally Posted by HyperSlowButFast

Have you posted about your lithium battery setup anywhere?
Unless I'm mistaken LiFePO4 is not a good choice for a cart if you're somewhere where it gets really cold. But I'd be very interested in the weight savings myself.

Why did you post your question here? Yes, It's in the "All Things Lithium" section and titled "New To Lithium Building".