The 9 Golf Cart Parts That Break Most Often

Golf carts, much like cars, have things that tend to break on them over time (with use). After 100,000+ items bought by our customers, here are the parts that get replaced the most often on our customer's carts!

9. Golf Cart Keys

Okay...so these don't 'break' - but they are the most common thing our customers lose!

You’re late for this morning’s round of golf – as you run out to the garage to start up your golf cart, you realize your keys are nowhere to be found. Perfect! This is exactly how it always seems to go…

There are many reasons people buy replacement golf cart keys from us. Some people buy keys from us because they simply lost their primary set. Other customers of ours buy keys because they just purchased a used cart that has just 1 set of keys (or none) at the time of purchase. And some of our customers buy spare golf cart keys to have a second set on hand for their spouse or house guests!

When purchasing golf cart keys look for factory replacement / high-quality keys rather than trying to get a cheap copy made at a hardware store. Keyed ignitions (even on golf carts) are sensitive to the key size and cut. Buying keys from a trusted golf cart reseller will ensure you never get stuck no being able to use your golf cart again! We carry only approved replacement golf cart keys for all EZGO, Club Car and Yamaha Golf Carts.

8. Golf Cart Shocks

Is the rear end or front end of your cart sagging? Is your cart extra noisy when going over bumps or even when driving around gently? Chances are your suspension parts are getting old. Golf cart shocks, struts, coil-over suspension and leaf spring parts fade out over time due to use and age. These parts come in at #8 on our list of most commonly replaced items by our customers.

Golf Carts utilize shock absorbers and/or leaf springs to soften ride quality over the bumps of rough terrain. Heavy duty golf cart shocks (or leaf springs) are recommended if you experience suspension sagging that is causing your wheels and tires to rub in your wheel wells. Sometimes, a golf cart lift kit alone is not enough to prevent tire rubbing if your suspension is old. Heavy Duty golf cart shocks can boost-up your front end 1-2 inches over OEM shocks.

Refreshing the shocks on your old cart can help bring it right back to life, restoring the factory ride quality you’ve been missing out on; while heavy duty shocks can beef up your cart’s ability to tackle hard terrain.

7. Golf Cart Clutch

All golf carts (much like cars) have a clutch, which is the part of the drivetrain that helps the put the power of the motor down through to the wheels/ground. Golf cart clutches are a part of the Continuously Variable Transmission (or CVT). This transmission is comprised of two different clutches connected together by a golf cart drive belt. The two clutches are the:

1. Golf Cart Drive Clutch (Primary)
2. Golf Cart Driven Clutch (Secondary)

The drive (primary) clutch connects to the engine crankshaft while the driven (secondary) clutch is bolted onto the cart’s input shaft.

The Drive Clutch & Driven Clutch work in tandem to smoothly propel your golf cart forward when power is applied via the accelerator pedal. Conversely, these same clutches help with smooth deceleration when the cart is in motion and the accelerator is released (even if the brake is not yet depressed).

Three things can indicate that your golf cart clutch is going bad:

1. Your cart’s initial acceleration is jerky
2. It feels as if power is slipping while your cart is climbing incline terrain/hills
3. Your cart has varying top-end speed (alternating between fast and slow)
   
   

6. Golf Cart Controller

Golf Cart Controllers are an extremely popular part to either replace (due to age or malfunction) or upgrade for your golf carts power. The golf cart controller / golf cart speed controller does exactly what its name implies: controls the speed and power of your golf cart.

If you are looking to either replace or upgrade your golf cart controller, the most important thing you can do is think about how your cart gets used most, which will tell you how much power you need out of your controller (and motor):

1. 200-300 Amp Controller: Perfect for your cart if it will be used for normal rounds or golf or trips around the neighborhood with up to two passengers
   1. A Controller this size is normally paired with a small 2hp to 5hp motor
   2. This is the typical controller size on 36-Volt Golf Carts
2. 300-600 Amp Controller (upgraded): Great for carts with a rear seat or cargo bed, or carts that will need to climb steep hills. When carrying 4 or more passengers/heavy loads, or climbing steep grade, an upgraded controller (and motor) are recommended.
   1. A Controller this size is normally paired with a larger 5hp to 10 hp motor
   2. Typical controller size of 36-48 Volt Golf Carts

Regardless of what you need, we are here to help! Browse our golf cart controller section today!

5. Golf Cart Solenoid

Solenoids act as a relay/switch between your golf cart batteries and your golf cart starter/generator or traction motor. Think of a solenoid as the gate keeper of battery current. It allows (or disallows) current to flow through to your cart’s starter/generator to start your engine (on gas carts). On electric carts it functions the same way, except the solenoid allows or disallows current to the traction motor (instead of the starter).

Solenoids in golf carts are designed to work the entire time you press the pedal down when accelerating/driving. This means solenoids work hard all the time; so they tend to go bad. It’s just a fact of life! Luckily, they aren’t too expensive and we carry golf cart solenoid replacements for all golf carts.

How to check if your golf cart solenoid is bad:

4. Golf Cart Battery Cables

Battery cables come in at #4 on our list of parts that our customers replace most often. Battery cables can go bad from age, corrosion, fraying and other reasons.

Standard golf cart battery cables come in 6-gauge thickness. High Performance battery cables come in 4-gauge and 2-gauge thickness. When shopping for battery cables, remember that the smaller the gauge of the wire, the thicker the wire will be.

Another important feature of high-quality battery cables is the the strand count. The higher the cable’s strand count is the better it will conduct current/flow. We only carry high-quality, high strand count battery cables on our site.

3. Golf Cart Bodies

This one is as simple as it’s name implies. Whether your golf cart body is beaten from age, your grand kids crashed your cart, or you simply hate the scratches on those 10-year old panels… golf cart bodies come in at #3 on our list of most frequently purchased items.

When searching for a golf cart body for your cart, keep in mind that you can purchase replacement golf cart bodies or totally custom golf cart body kits depending on the look you are trying to achieve.

2. Golf Cart Motor

Just like solenoids (mentioned above), your golf cart motor works HARD. When properly taken care of, the typical gas or electric golf cart motor can last many, many years (20 to 30+). But the fact of the matter is, many people neglect taking proper care of their golf cart motor.

One thing you can do to extend the life of your current gas motor is give it a nice fresh tune up with one of our golf cart tune up kits. To extend the life of your electric golf cart motor, we recommend keeping your motor paired with your OEM/stock golf cart controller.

If, however, it is too late to save the motor on your cart now; have no fear! We stock hundreds of golf cart motor offerings for all EZ-GO, Club Car and Yamaha golf carts. Whether you are looking for a simple replacement motor, or an upgraded high-performance motor to tackle bigger hills and achieve higher top speeds with your cart – we have what you’re looking for.

1. Golf Cart Batteries

While not the most fun (or cheapest) thing to purchase for your golf cart… golf cart batteries come in at #1 on our list of things our customers replace. Golf cart batteries, when properly taken care of, last for approximately 7-10 years.

If you clean your golf cart batteries and check the water level in each battery once per month, you can dramatically increase your battery life. Also be sure to remove any corrosion promptly when found. Be sure your cart is properly turned off (with key fully removed) after each use. Also ensure no lights or other accessories are left on while parked, and plug your cart into a golf cart battery charger / maintainer.

Don't want to mess with measuring battery levels or long charge-up times? Then you'll want to look into replacing your Lead-Acid batteries with an amazing set of Lithium Golf Cart Batteries.

In general, with all batteries it is best to try to avoid routinely carrying heavy loads with your electric golf cart. Putting extra stress on your batteries while hauling heavy items will shorten the life of your batteries.

Regardless of how careful you are, eventually your golf cart's batteries will stop working. It is important that you purchase high-quality replacement batteries that will last you the 7-8 years outlined above… rather than cheap batteries that can die in just a few years (costing you double over time).

---

While these are the top 9 most popular golf cart parts that we sell on our site, there are thousands of parts and accessories out there to choose from! It is important that you purchase your golf cart parts from an experienced professional who will not misguide you (both costing you money and wasting your time).

We are happy to help you with any and all golf cart related questions you might have. And as always: we guarantee your satisfaction.

Happy carting!

Alex
Golf Cart Tire Supply