Cart sounds like loose golf balls in rear

[sutclifc]

In December 2012, I bought a used 2008 Yamaha Electric cart. Never owned (or drove) a golf cart before, so really didn't know what I was getting. I noticed when I let off the accelerator that it sounded like a couple of golf balls were bouncing around somewhere behind me. Since December, the noise has increased and I must now have at least a dozen golf balls. I put the cart in for repair -- and the shop tried for 3 weeks to figure it out. They replaced the hubs and sent the cart back today. It makes as much noise now as it did when I gave it to them. Does anybody have any ideas to held this newbie cart owner out?

[dmi518]

Did they take the differential apart to look for gear or bearing Damage?

[sutclifc]

They said they looked at the gears and they looked good. They didn't mention the condition of the bearings.

Someone (not from the fix-it place) suggested it might be the "input shaft." Thoughts?

[dmi518]

i just did the input shaft bearings on one of my esgo's, that is a god awful grinding noise when they are bad.

[sutclifc]

This really sounds more like a huge rattle -- only if I'm not accelerating and only going forward. I live on an island and golf carts are the only form of transportation. I'm afraid that I'll be out somewhere in the dark one night and the cart will just give out on me. I'm frustrated that the shop (and supposedly the techs at Yamaha) can't solve my problem. I appreciate your willingness to help.

[smallblock450sl]

Sounds crazy,I know, but look to see if the roof rain tubes are rattling against the frame in the battery compartment. They should be "zipp tied" to the frame members.

[sutclifc]

Originally Posted by smallblock450sl

Sounds crazy,I know, but look to see if the roof rain tubes are rattling against the frame in the battery compartment. They should be "zipp tied" to the frame members.

That's out. We don't have roof rain tubes. Thanks, though!

[shoelessjoe]

I'm a gas Club Car buy (boo, hiss.... I know) but saw the topic and had to check it out.

It sounds like a rear end issue to me. Was the "pennies and magic grease" solution some type of a shim of some sort? If so I would guess that the new whine and smell was likely gear whine and burnt gear lube. There was probably some play in the rear end which you resolved with the shim but likely the shim has now removed the required gear lash and has the gears running way to tight, hence the whine and excessive heat that is now baking your gear oil.

I could be wrong, but that's my thoughts. Good luck with getting it resovled!!!

[sutclifc]

I'll check-- but I'm not even certain that I've GOT roof rain tubes. I think that's something I'll look at in the morning...

I know the 'fixer' has tried replacing the oil with a heavier grade -- and I found today (since it's kind of cold -- that when I start out, there is almost no noise. As I go further, the noise gets louder and louder. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a mechanic, bu it seems to me that this could be a sign that as the oil warms, it gets thinner, and the noise gets louder. Anybody want to buy a Yamaha?

[cgtech]

Uh-Uo, see my other post about "white tag" team axle. and associated gear hardness problem, bad news if you have a "white tag" , But problem solved in newer blue or green tag. If they only tightened the hubs and didnt fix the problem, i doubt they opened the axle to inspect the gears (the only true way to inspect them, requires removing the axle, splitting it in half, then reinstall after inspection, AT LEAST 2.5 hr labor if they are real fast.), the hub tightening job is about 15 minutes. How much labor did they charge?