Ask Bob

Just as with your automobile, preventive maintenance on your golf car can extend its life and prevent costly repairs.

For electric cars, once a month

• Wash off the tops of the batteries and posts with a strong stream from a garden hose. Wash off debris from the tops of the batteries and the rack underneath to dilute any spilled acid.
• Examine the posts for signs of corrosion, wash again, if necessary.
• Check all nuts with a wrench to ensure they are tight.
• When batteries are dry, spray a good coat of battery protectant.
• Check air pressure in tires, I recommend 20-25 lbs per tire.

You should check your golf car every six months to one year in these areas;

1. Check the bolt fittings holding your top frame in place. A loose fitting causes it to rattle and shake.
2. Jack your car up from the center and check your front wheel bearings by rolling the front wheels. Listen for noise and ease of movement. If they roll very easily, they need grease.
3. Grease whatever fittings your car has and wash off the underside of the car.

Doing this should keep your golf car working for you. If you have any problems or questions, please do not hesitate to call.

Bob

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I was wrong??

It has been brought to my attention there is a difference between rebuilt batteries and reconditioned batteries.

In the "old days," batteries were tested and bad cells were removed and replaced with good ones. This was possible in the asphalt case batteries. It is not possible with the plastic cases.

Reconditioned batteries, if done properly, have a special chemical added that washes the sulfate off the plates, then new acid is added, the batteries charged and tested. This can add life to a battery until the lead is gone from the plates.

I will be bying some cars with these reconditioned batteries soon and will monitor their life.

I will keep you up to date on the results.

Bob

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With the advent of the plastic battery case, which is glued together, rebuilt batteries are a thing of the past because you cannot get inside the battery to replace defective parts. Today's batteries deemed 'rebuilt' are only used batteries that have been cleaned, charged, and tested.

Once a battery has had acid added, it starts dying due to sulfation and wear on the plates. Each time it is used, some the lead 'disappears' to the point that holes actually begin to appear on the plates. When this happens, the battery will no longer hold a charge.

Be aware the so-called rebuilt battery has only a short life left.

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The time to get your hunting cars in for preventive maintenance is almost gone Getting your brakes and running gear serviced, tires and other systems checked, can keep you in the woods longer and with fewer distractions. Call or come in for a once over system check before you hit the trails.

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It is summer time and we are seeing a rise in charger repairs. Those pesky afternoon thunderstorms are the main culprit. Your golf car charger is sensitive to surges and lightning damage.

Your first line of defense is a good surge protector, even if you have a power company system installed. Most surge protectors have a flickering light which tells you it is still working properly. If the light is steady, the protection function is blown and needs replacing.

Some people unplug their chargers from the wall when not in use. This works great most of the time, however, the Club Car charging system will sometimes appear to be off when it is really in a maintenance mode. If you unplug it in this cycle, the yellow light will come on to tell you it is NOT finished. This feature is a good reason not to unplug yur charger.

If you find your charger is not working, give us a call or bring it by for us to fix.

Have a great summer!    Bob

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Today, we're talking about front wheel bearings.

When doing preventive maintenace on your golf car, remember the front wheel bearings need attention on a yearly basis.

Older cars have roller bearings which can be hand packed or packed by a packing machine. Please note: there is not enough grease on these bearings when new to last a year; they must be packed

On these roller bearings, tighten your casseletted nut tight, then back off until the bearings roll and there is minor movement of the hub up and down; then, install cotter pin

Newer cars have sealed bearings, which cannot be greased, but still have to be inspected on a yearly basis. Some manufacturers say you cannot change out these sealed bearings, but you can. Just be gentle when removing them so you do not crack the aluminum housing or hub.

When changing sealed bearings, tighten your nut tight-there should be no movement. Check your factory manuel for torque specifications.

If you are not sure how to grease or change bearings, take your car to your local dealer to have this done.

Montgomery Golf Car will be happy to do this for you.

Remeber, preventive maintenance now is always cheaper than repairs later.

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Brakes can last from one to six years, depending on usage and connditions. If you clean and inspect your brakes yearly, you can optimize their life.

For you do-it-yourselvers, when you clean and inspect your brakes, make sure the cables have enough looseness to allow the self adjuster to ratchet all the way back. Also, check the lever mechanism to make sure it slides back and forth when you bump the bottom of the shoes with the heel of your hand. If it does not, clean and lubricate.

If you are not a mechanic, take your golf car to a reliable shop for maitenance.

If you can hear a squeak, DO NOT DELAY, your brakes are probably rubbing metal to metal.

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It's always best to wash off your batteries with a strong stream from your garden hose to remove dirt and debris from the tops before filling, being sure to use enough water to wash off the frame, as well, to dilute any spilled acid.

Using distilled water when you fill your batteries increases the overall life of your batteries.

After your batteries have dried, it is best to coat the terminals with an anticorrosive protectant.

Be sure to wash your batteries over grass or dirt as acid may stain your drive.

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A question we're asked often is this; 

Should I plug my charger in every time I take out my golf car?

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