Brakes

Most golf cart brakes are cable-operated drums, with hydraulic discs on some newer vehicles, and the guides in this category cover the faults both kinds develop: a long or spongy pedal, gradual fade, worn shoes, dragging brakes that hold the cart back, squeal, a parking brake that creeps on a hill or refuses to release, cable replacement, and bleeding hydraulic systems. Because drum brakes fade slowly as the shoes wear, adjustment fixes more carts than parts do. The standard approach is to tighten the adjuster until the shoes just lock the raised wheel, then back it off until the wheel spins freely with no more than a light rub. Set both sides evenly, or the cart will pull to one side under braking. Drag is the opposite problem and takes one test to confirm: drive a short distance without touching the brakes, then hold a hand near each hub. A hub that is noticeably warm points to an over-adjusted or seized mechanism at that wheel. A parking brake that will not hold on a hill usually wants cable adjustment before anything else is replaced. Brakes are a safety system and deserve a higher bar than the rest of the vehicle. Inspection and adjustment are reasonable owner jobs with the cart properly supported on stands. If adjustment does not restore firm, even braking, or the fault involves hydraulics, fluid loss or grinding, stop driving and send us the details through our support request form.