How to Change the Brake Shoes on a Golf Cart

Nowadays, people are purchasing golf carts to use at their leisure. It's not uncommon to see a golf cart doing the work of traditional ATVs and handling an increased workload. To keep up with hardier off-road vehicles, it's imperative that you maintain the integrity and safety of your golf cart's braking system. A high-pitched squeal coming from the wheels lets you know that it's time to change the brakes.

Things You'll Need

  • Wheel blocks
  • 2-ton jack
  • 3/4-inch socket and ratchet
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Brake pads
  • Anti-squeal grease
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pull the golf cart onto a level surface. Place wheel blocks in front of the drive tires to prevent the cart from rolling forward.

    • 2

      Place a 2-ton jack under the rear frame. Pump the handle up and down to lift the cart off the ground. A golf cart is light enough to be lifted by the frame without causing damage.

    • 3

      Use a 3/4-inch socket and ratchet to remove each lug nut on the rear wheels. Place the lug nuts in a container to prevent loss. Pull off the tires and set them aside.

    • 4

      Grasp the cotter pin located in the center of the wheel hub and pull it out using needle nose pliers. The cotter pin acts as a lock to hold the hub in place. Slide the hub forward off the axle and the brake pads become exposed.

    • 5

      Remove the retaining clip on the brake pads with needle nose pliers. Apply a liberal amount of anti-squeal grease to the new brake pads. Align the brake pads with the rotor and reinstall the retaining clips.

    • 6

      Reinstall the wheel hubs. Use a new cotter pin if this is your second brake change to prevent mechanical breakdown. Put the tires back on and tighten the lug nuts.

    • 7

      Let the golf cart down off the jack and remove the wheel blocks. Drive your cart forward and backward to assess the breaking ability. Drive the cart further to check brake responsiveness at higher speeds.