[millerton]

As a new Villager I purchased my first Golf Cart a Yamaha QT. I like it but the braking power is terrible. I don't drive like an Indy driver and keep at 20 MPH and try to anticipate what other drivers will do but in an emergency this thing could be downright dangerous.

I asked my neighbor to try mine to see if there was a problem but he said mine stops just like his, no problem. I see other makes of Golf Carts have disc brakes and stop quite well. So my question is are there brake upgrades available and if so who does them?

[dewilson58]

Google is your friend,

[Deckboat234]

Goggle and you will see there is an easy adjustment you can make. you will need to remove some screws to get to the metal plate below the pedals

[Topspinmo]

I guessing it has rear drum brakes with in Cable running from the brake peddle to pads (no hydraulic assistance) plus cart only has rear brakes. So it’s going to take some force from 20 MPH or down hill, Which creates problem when cart speed is raised from 12-15 MPH. Some of us had stronger legs and can put enough pressure on brake pedal leverage enough clamping power to satisfactory slow cart at higher speed on on down hill. I had older club car and brakes required annual maintenance cleaning dust and adjustments. My current cart has internal brakes all that’s required change transaxle gear oil change ever 4 years. IMO all village ready street prepared carts should have disk brakes for price we pay for them. 16K plus should get better brakes IMO

[mrf6969]

Just need to remember that the rear drum brakes on golf carts are originally designed for golf use on golf courses going 10 MPH. How we use these carts here in TV is not what they were designed for. Be careful out there!!

[MrFlorida]

They only have rear brakes, so they don't stop all that well.... Best keep speed around 20 mph.

[PersonOfInterest]

Rear drum brakes on a cart that will go 20 mph will never produce enough braking power for the vehicle. In wet weather it can be even more hazardous when rear braking only can easily cause a loss of traction and spin out of the vehicle. It surprising that Yamaha has not seen to improve braking on these vehicles

[Rocksnap]

It’s only a low speed golf cart. Plan ahead and you will almost never even need to use the brakes. I hardly touch mine.

[PGApromike]

Where are you located? Could be a very simple adjustment. Happy to check them for you, no charge, just a Villager helping another.

[KennyP]

So let me freak all of you out........most shops adjust the brakes wrong...
Had a customer who had to stop at the top of the bridge at spanish springs and make sure no one was at the bottom. Had the shop he was using come out 6 times,,,,yes 6 times, finally decided to try someone else, I fixed it right, customer ever since. Its very common, just find the few that know how to do it right and a 5 year old can stop the cart.

[Mrmean58]

Originally Posted by Deckboat234

Goggle and you will see there is an easy adjustment you can make. you will need to remove some screws to get to the metal plate below the pedals

The adjustment at the base of the brake pedal is for travel of the pedal and minimally improves the braking power. An adjustment can be made at the rear brake the greatly improves the braking power. I had similar concerns on my '18 Quietech even after adjusting the pedal. Until I made the rear adjustment, I didn't see much braking improvement.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by PersonOfInterest

Rear drum brakes on a cart that will go 20 mph will never produce enough braking power for the vehicle. In wet weather it can be even more hazardous when rear braking only can easily cause a loss of traction and spin out of the vehicle. It surprising that Yamaha has not seen to improve braking on these vehicles

I'm a bit confused... if the rear drum brakes can lock up the rear tires and cause a loss of traction then how can they also never produce enough braking power? They have enough to stop the tire rotation entirely, what would any more braking power achieve?

The rear drum brakes on my Yamaha are no less effective than the brake system on my electric EZGo. Press the brake a little and the cart slows a little. Press the brake a bit more and the cart slows a bit more. Press the brakes hard and the rear wheels stop rotating... on both carts. Yes, I need a bit more pressure on the Yamaha pedal, nothing that feels excessive to me bu YMMV.

[bark4me]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I guessing it has rear drum brakes with in Cable running from the brake peddle to pads (no hydraulic assistance) plus cart only has rear brakes. So it’s going to take some force from 20 MPH or down hill, Which creates problem when cart speed is raised from 12-15 MPH. Some of us had stronger legs and can put enough pressure on brake pedal leverage enough clamping power to satisfactory slow cart at higher speed on on down hill. I had older club car and brakes required annual maintenance cleaning dust and adjustments. My current cart has internal brakes all that’s required change transaxle gear oil change ever 4 years. IMO all village ready street prepared carts should have disk brakes for price we pay for them. 16K plus should get better brakes IMO

Totally agree!

[roadrnnr]

Yamaha Brakes suck for the situation Period.

I am so longing for Yamaha to catch up to all the other brands and make a Lifted forward facing Gas Cart with disc brakes and more modern options and some bit of Bling.

Yes they are bulletproof but so Boring

I have owned several Yamaha Side by sides and until they came out with the Dual Cylinder Wolverine a few years back they were always years behind, Can Am, Polaris and Honda.

Seems the same in the Golf cart world!

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by roadrnnr

Yamaha Brakes suck for the situation Period.

I am so longing for Yamaha to catch up to all the other brands and make a Lifted forward facing Gas Cart with disc brakes and more modern options and some bit of Bling.

Yes they are bulletproof but so Boring

I have owned several Yamaha Side by sides and until they came out with the Dual Cylinder Wolverine a few years back they were always years behind, Can Am, Polaris and Honda.

Seems the same in the Golf cart world!

IMO for price of these villages prepped golf carts close to 20k it should have disc brakes with anti skid.