What would make this sound?

[Silverstreak]

My cart has developed a new loud sound in the back when I go over a bump (of which I go over lots of!). It sounds like the click you get when you engage the controller, but much louder. Would this be a shock going bad?
Sorry for my ignorance. Is there anything that would be obvious I should look for underneath? Nothing is broken and dragging on the ground.
Is it okay to ride it until I get someone to look at it?

Thanks!

[scottyb]

When is the service tech comin?

[Silverstreak]

Well, probably not for a little while. I just emailed the service department to find out how it works. I'm thinking they might not answer me until next week. I was hoping to wait until September/Oct when it might be cooler. We're in a horrible drought with unusually high temps. and I didn't want him to be too uncomfortable. But now that I'm hearing that sound, I think I'd better have him come sooner.

I'll be so relieved to have someone finally give it a good check-up. I imagine its not going to be cheap though. But I don't care. That cart is so important to me, I don't mind spending what I need to, to get it in good shape.

Once he does come though.......I'll be sure to let you know what they do. Hopefully, he'll be good at what he does!

[scottyb]

Since it happens when you go over a bump it COULD be related to the suspension... and it could be making a click noise because something broke, like a U bolt, a spring, a shackle, a shock, any number of things....

[simple man]

Originally Posted by Silverstreak

My cart has developed a new loud sound in the back when I go over a bump (of which I go over lots of!). It sounds like the click you get when you engage the controller, but much louder. Would this be a shock going bad?
Sorry for my ignorance. Is there anything that would be obvious I should look for underneath? Nothing is broken and dragging on the ground.
Is it okay to ride it until I get someone to look at it?

Thanks!

Seeing that this could possibly be a safety issue, I wouldn't use the cart until it's looked at! The noise may be as simple as a bad shock absorber bushing, or as bad as a broken spring.

[Silverstreak]

Thanks Scotty and Simpleman.
Would I be able to see a broken spring by just leaning over and looking underneath?

[scottyb]

The springs are stacked leafs, it takes a close inspection and sometimes dis-assembly to find a break, but this definitely warrants a look see, heck you might find something simple? Grab both shocks and give them a heave ho.

[Silverstreak]

Thanks Scotty.
What would make it unsafe to drive, if it were the springs?
I guess my hearing is too acute. My husband has trouble even hearing it, but its really obvious to me. Hopefully its just something little that a little grease will take care of.

[Silverstreak]

I think I've figured out where the clicking is coming from........the driver's side spring where it attaches to .....something.??
Maybe a bad bushing? I don't really know what I'm talking about.......but I found this You Tube video that's great in showing how to replace the springs. And I learned about leaf springs. No wonder I couldn't find my springs.........I was looking for the helical ones! duh!
Could a bad bushing cause the clicking on bumps?
What exactly are the function of bushings? On the video, they just looked like tubes.

Also........just by looking at my springs, can I tell if they are worn out........like if they don't have much arch in them anymore?
Thanks!

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9vC2d6L5Ak

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9vC2d6L5Ak

[Silverstreak]

I figured out what bushings are used for. I guess they are rubber-type tubes. I was thinking they were metal, and that didn't makes sense.