2012 RXV spring noise - is it normal?

[ericshufro]

Hello. I recently purchases a custom stretched RXV with a Kurtis controller and 6 new 8v batteries. It mostly runs fine but I have a few questions as a first time cart owner.

1. After it rained, we are hearing significant noise in the suspension. It can be emulated by standing on the cart and shaking it back and forth. is this normal? What should be done? Do the bushings need to be replaced or just greased?

2. Upon starting or near stopping, I hear a noise like 'tickticktickticktick' but only at low speeds. I cannot reproduce this standing still or once rolling past a few mph. Any idea what this could be?

3. After charging my battery gauge usually shows 100% (or over the max line) and degrades gradually with several hours of driving to 50% or so. However, sometimes the gauge will jump from 50% to 75% or more. Is this normal? My local guy says the gauge is controlled by the controller; nothing can be done. He says that sitting batteries may show a higher voltage but I think this occurs without much sitting or 'off' time. Sounds like I am being fed fluff. I expected the gauge to monotonically decrease without charging, never increase. Is this a correct expectation or am i seeing normal behavior?

4. When i charge the batteries, sometimes you can hear them boiling. They are filled to the correct level. I don't know if its normal or if the charger simply has not shut off and the batteries are overcharging. Any advice?

Thank you in advance.

--Eric