Helpful Hints for the Brakes on a 1985 Club Car

Club Cars are most often seen on golf courses throughout the world, though they are common as recreational vehicles in a number of different locations. Dating back to 1985, Club Cars have featured various brake specifications that mechanical-minded owners should be aware of. There are a number of helpful hints that will have you getting the most out of the brakes on your 1985 Club Car.

  1. Accessing the Brakes

    • Brakes on a Club Car are only featured on the back two tires, even dating back to carts produced in 1985. Changes were made to cart brakes around 1994, but older models will feature a number of standard specifications that were nearly universal. You can access your brakes by lifting the car with a floor jack, and leaving enough room under the rear of the cart. You can remove the two rear wheels easily with a socket wrench, and with the wheels off, you will have full access to the brakes. Most club cars will require you to use a 3/4 inch socket.

    Cleaning the Brakes

    • Cleaning and lubricating the brakes of your Club Car is an essential to maintain their effectiveness. You can keep the moving parts clean by using a rag and water, or a rag and a spray lubricant. Keeping the brake parts lubricated will ensure you that they will not rust, and it will allow you to keep them all moving with less friction and less interference.

    Determining the Wear on Your Brakes

    • If your brakes are too worn, the cart will not stop as quickly or as smoothly as you would like, and it also may create an annoying screeching sound. You can determine the wear on your brakes by locating the brake drum and finding the adjustable screw on the outside of the drum. When installed, the screw is completely covered by the normal brake shoe. The more threads showing on the screw will indicate a greater remaining life. With many of these carts, the brakes will not become a problem unless they start screeching.

    Adjusting the Brake Pads

    • The brake pads, in addition to the brake shoes, are also essential to the running of the cart. These can be accessed through the adjusting screw on the back of the brake drum. If adjustments are necessary, you can turn the screw toward the outside of the cart until there is little resistance. At this point, the drum and the pads will be making contact, and you can then continue unscrewing until there is no resistance.