2000 Club Car DS dragging its rear end

[indawoods]

I have an early 2000 DS (split seat backs) that has begun to drag and doesn't glide like it used to. It's also difficult to push. I checked the brakes and loosened the star wheels to free up the drums but this didn't solve the problem. It seems to be a rear end problem of some sort. The wheel hubs turn by hand but with some difficulty. The cart had its original 3.75 HP motor reinstalled by a dealer recently (my bigger 5.25 HP motor burned up) and I wonder if something happened to the gears or axel then?

I'm getting 15 mph from it which is about right but maybe 2 mph slower then it should be going. I'm concerned that the dragging will put too much strain on this motor and burn it up too!

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!!!!