How do you change a tire on a golf cart? Do It Yourself.

[Taltarzac725]

I have not been taking the golf cart enough to get it serviced and had had a flat a while back. But the lug nuts are on so hard that they do not seem to budge even with deep penetrating oil. I do have an electric lug wrench but it just seems to make a lot of noise and not do much of anything. It is a two speed electric lug wrench. Do I have to go Tim the Toolman on the project? Hire a handyman? Or just what?

Does the Villages Golf Cart seller that has shops in the various Squares pick up golf carts or do you have to drop it off now?

[MplsPete]

Don't know about lug nuts, but when I have a flat on a car, usually the leak is slow, and I use an electric tire pump / compressor to inflate the tire, then drive it to a repair shop.

[Two Bills]

You need a wheel brace extension
Piece of tubing about 3 foot long as an extension of the brace.
More leverage.

[Toymeister]

Simple problems are best solved with simple solutions.

Use a standard ratchet to loosen but add a long length of pipe which slips over the handle. Leverage. The pipe will cost less than fifteen dollars

More complex solutions:

Use a 'breaker bar' instead of a pipe on ratchet. Here is one for 14.99: harbor frieight breaker bar (https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-18-in-breaker-bar-60818.html). This is cheaper than any cart repair service ($69.95 for one year) or handyman.

Use this telescoping lug wrench for 16.99: Wheel Accessories Parts Extendable Telescoping Lug Wrench Wheel Wrench with CR-V Chrome Vanadium Sockets Long Thin Wall Socket Sizes 17mm 19mm 3/4" 21mm 3/16” 23mm 7/8” fit virtually all vehicles https://a.co/d/fdav8Xi

Purchase decent quality electric impact gun vice the inexpensive one you own. For ten dollars more than a one year subscription to 'Kart rescue' you can get: PORTER-CABLE Impact Wrench, 7.5-Amp, 450 lbs. of Torque, 1/2 Inch, Corded (PCE211) https://a.co/d/9ThmlvC

[Maker]

If getting the tire off is becoming something beyond your desire to DIY, the cart rescue services will help with flat tires.
You can buy a several years of coverage for less than the cost of the tools suggested.

[cjrjck]

I recently used an aftermarket telescoping lug wrench for my toyota car. It came with two sockets, one of which fit the cart well.

[Normal]

A few cautions to address with tires.

1) Make sure the cart is chalked or parking brake is engaged
2) If you use a cheater bar/metal pipe, make sure you have the wrench seated on the nut. A stripped out nut can cost you plenty with the nut removal and stud change.

Be absolutely sure you know your beast before you attempt to slay it. I remember as a kid a guy taking apart split rims. He didn’t even get to the last bolt before it exploded. It could have taken off his head. Be sure you know what you are doing.

[Byte1]

Leave the cart on the ground. Use a standard lug wrench on the lug, step up on the handle and put your whole body weight on the lug wrench handle. Once you have all the lugs broken loose, then jack the cart up off the wheel and remove the lugs bolts. A breaker bar works, but not always handy. Body weight always works for me. I have changed them on two carts, several times, and on cars more than I can count.

[bagboy]

https://hometowntireinc.com/golf-carts/

[tophcfa]

Leave the cart on the ground. Use a standard lug wrench on the lug, step up on the handle and put your whole body weight on the lug wrench handle. Once you have all the lugs broken loose, then jack the cart up off the wheel and remove the lugs bolts. A breaker bar works, but not always handy. Body weight always works for me. I have changed them on two carts, several times, and on cars more than I can count.

Perfect advice and exactly what I did yesterday when rotating the tires.

[MrFlorida]

I recently had a flat, and the lug nuts were extremely hard to get off. I used a 1/2 inch socket breaker bar and they came right off.

[Taltarzac725]

Lots of good advice. Thanks.

[Normal]

Lots of good advice. Thanks.

How many Villagers does it take to change a flat tire?

[Taltarzac725]

How many Villagers does it take to change a flat tire?

Has not been changed. Yet.

[ElDiabloJoe]

A few cautions to address with tires.

1) Make sure the cart is chalked or parking brake is engaged
2) If you use a cheater bar/metal pipe, make sure you have the wrench seated on the nut. A stripped out nut can cost you plenty with the nut removal and stud change.

Be absolutely sure you know your beast before you attempt to slay it. I remember as a kid a guy taking apart split rims. He didn’t even get to the last bolt before it exploded. It could have taken off his head. Be sure you know what you are doing.

Excellent advice. I would add, however, that usually only crime scenes with dead bodies are chalked. Tires are usually only chalked by meter maids to determine how long a car has been parked in a spot. Otherwise, tires are chocked to prevent them from moving.

I keep one of these in my truck for my cross-country trailering. Works great for horrific lug nuts:

18V ONE+ HP Brushless 4-Mode 1/2" High Torque... - RYOBI Tools (https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/33287201181)

Like others have mentioned, make sure you have an impact-compliant thin-walled deep socket of the correct size. I prefer flip sockets with a half-size larger than spec for expansion occurrences.

Hope this helps.

[Keefelane66]

How many Villagers does it take to change a flat tire?
Only one but several neighbors to advise what you might be doing wrong.

[ThirdOfFive]

Have you checked your cart insurance? Some policies reimburse for all or part of a service call for such problems. Ours does. The call may have to be somewhere other than at your home though---say, a flat out on an MMP.

[ckcapaul]

Something not mentioned, I am betting that cart mechanics are NOT torquing the lug nuts. Yes there is a spec 73ft lbs on our Yamaha. If torqued properly should not be a problem to loosen. Recheck torque after driving 5 miles

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/EPAuto-Heavy-Universal-Wrench-4-Way/dp/B01I5RCIUY/ref=sr_1_2_sspa)

make sure that one of the lug nut sizes matches your tires lug nuts. .
I have used body weight on this wrench more than once, and then you can spin it off
with correct positioning, you can also use two hands and two arms to apply leverage to twist off the lug nut if not on too tight or too frozen, or to tighten to the squeak.

When putting the lug nuts back on, use a very light/small/dab amount of anti seize paste on the threads, just a very small amount and torque to mfg standard. The old fashion way is to torque the lug nut until it squeaked.

good luck

[Taltarzac725]

Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/EPAuto-Heavy-Universal-Wrench-4-Way/dp/B01I5RCIUY/ref=sr_1_2_sspa)

make sure that one of the lug nut sizes matches your tires lug nuts. .
I have used body weight on this wrench more than once, and then you can spin it off
with correct positioning, you can also use two hands and two arms to apply leverage to twist off the lug nut if not on too tight or too frozen, or to tighten to the squeak.

When putting the lug nuts back on, use a very light/small/dab amount of anti seize paste on the threads, just a very small amount and torque to mfg standard. The old fashion way is to torque the lug nut until it squeaked.

good luck

I bought one of those from Amazon last week. Or around there. It will come in handy.

[Topspinmo]

I have not been taking the golf cart enough to get it serviced and had had a flat a while back. But the lug nuts are on so hard that they do not seem to budge even with deep penetrating oil. I do have an electric lug wrench but it just seems to make a lot of noise and not do much of anything. It is a two speed electric lug wrench. Do I have to go Tim the Toolman on the project? Hire a handyman? Or just what?

Does the Villages Golf Cart seller that has shops in the various Squares pick up golf carts or do you have to drop it off now?

IMO They were tighten too tight, even if you get long breaker bar the tire will most likely spin due to not enough weigh weighing them down. Either got to use quick jerking motion to break nut loose or big 1/2” impact gun that was probably used to tighten them. Probably 90 foot pounds or more? for steel rim (IMO that’s too tight for golf carts, but that me I like being able to get them off when I rotate them) if you have aluminum alloy rim torque would be less anything over 50 foot points cause the front tire to spin without impact gun.

[Topspinmo]

How many Villagers does it take to change a flat tire?


None they let someone else do it. :throwtomatoes:

[Taltarzac725]

None they let someone else do it. :throwtomatoes:

I do see the various golf cart repair services out and about often.

[jedalton]

same here

[PGApromike]

I sent you a message, I can help you if close by. I have impact gun and spare tire.

[Taltarzac725]

I sent you a message, I can help you if close by. I have impact gun and spare tire.

I need to learn how to do this as I have 3 other tires. But Thanks.

[Topspinmo]

I need to learn how to do this as I have 3 other tires. But Thanks.

Unless you can strap tire down probably going to need on of these if on front?

Access to this page has been denied (https://www.harborfreight.com/85-amp-12-in-impact-wrench-with-rocker-switch-64120.html)

Then after you get them off need one of these so they don’t get over or under tightened.

Access to this page has been denied (https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-10-150-ft-lb-click-torque-wrench-63882.html?_br_psugg_q=inch+pound+torque+wrench)

[Taltarzac725]

Unless you can strap tire down probably going to need on of these if on front?

Access to this page has been denied (https://www.harborfreight.com/85-amp-12-in-impact-wrench-with-rocker-switch-64120.html)

Then after you get them off need one of these so they don’t get over or under tightened.

Access to this page has been denied (https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-10-150-ft-lb-click-torque-wrench-63882.html?_br_psugg_q=inch+pound+torque+wrench)

Back tire today. But this could happen again on front. And I have those two items.

[FredMitchell]

Leave the cart on the ground. Use a standard lug wrench on the lug, step up on the handle and put your whole body weight on the lug wrench handle. Once you have all the lugs broken loose, then jack the cart up off the wheel and remove the lugs bolts. A breaker bar works, but not always handy. Body weight always works for me. I have changed them on two carts, several times, and on cars more than I can count.

if you are fit, and body weight does not give you enough torque, try rotating the wrench 180 degrees and lift. You probably can lift a bit more than body weight.

[Justputt]

I bought my cart from TV and it came with a "free" 1 year membership for their service. These repair issues are so infrequent, why bother? It's unlikely you'll have your tools, repair kit, parts, etc. in your cart or home and will still need a tow & ride home. IMO, while flats can be handled, unless you're mechanically inclined, can tow your cart when needed, etc. just pay the nominal fee to renew it and let someone else fix it for you.

[Taltarzac725]

I bought my cart from TV and it came with a "free" 1 year membership for their service. These repair issues are so infrequent, why bother? It's unlikely you'll have your tools, repair kit, parts, etc. in your cart or home and will still need a tow & ride home. IMO, while flats can be handled, unless you're mechanically inclined, can tow your cart when needed, etc. just pay the nominal fee to renew it and let someone else fix it for you.

Does AAA do golf carts? I suppose this would really only work if you were using regular streets though as you would need a golf cart to get on the greens. Or AAA would. I probably already answered my question though. Just curious if AAA will help with a golf cart that broke down at or near your home?

[Kathyo]

Simple problems are best solved with simple solutions.

Use a standard ratchet to loosen but add a long length of pipe which slips over the handle. Leverage. The pipe will cost less than fifteen dollars

More complex solutions:

Use a 'breaker bar' instead of a pipe on ratchet. Here is one for 14.99: harbor frieight breaker bar (https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-18-in-breaker-bar-60818.html). This is cheaper than any cart repair service ($69.95 for one year) or handyman.

Use this telescoping lug wrench for 16.99: Wheel Accessories Parts Extendable Telescoping Lug Wrench Wheel Wrench with CR-V Chrome Vanadium Sockets Long Thin Wall Socket Sizes 17mm 19mm 3/4" 21mm 3/16” 23mm 7/8” fit virtually all vehicles https://a.co/d/fdav8Xi

Purchase decent quality electric impact gun vice the inexpensive one you own. For ten dollars more than a one year subscription to 'Kart rescue' you can get: PORTER-CABLE Impact Wrench, 7.5-Amp, 450 lbs. of Torque, 1/2 Inch, Corded (PCE211) https://a.co/d/9ThmlvC
My husband's experience, an 18 inch breaker bar was not enough, a 3 foot piece of pipe over the ratchet handle did the job but still with great difficulty. I believe the use of an impact wrench is totally unnecessary and cause these kinds of problems.

[Topspinmo]

Back tire today. But this could happen again on front. And I have those two items.


How much torque does the impact produce? I have 3/8” impact and it don’t get tight ones off. But the 1/2 inch buzzes them right off.

[Topspinmo]

My husband's experience, an 18 inch breaker bar was not enough, a 3 foot piece of pipe over the ratchet handle did the job but still with great difficulty. I believe the use of an impact wrench is totally unnecessary and cause these kinds of problems.

Liability IMO, they make sure they’re good and tight.

[jimmy o]

One trick to getting a lug nuts off is to tighten a bit first. Use a hammer to tap lug wrench in tighten direction, then tap in loosen direction. That procedure is usually very helpful.

[Taltarzac725]

One trick to getting a lug nuts off is to tighten a bit first. Use a hammer to tap lug wrench in tighten direction, then tap in loosen direction. That procedure is usually very helpful.

That will help. Thanks.

[HogPilot]

Call AAA, they do golf carts. It’s covered in their basic policy.

Does AAA do golf carts? I suppose this would really only work if you were using regular streets though as you would need a golf cart to get on the greens. Or AAA would. I probably already answered my question though. Just curious if AAA will help with a golf cart that broke down at or near your home?

[Taltarzac725]

Call AAA, they do golf carts. It’s covered in their basic policy.

Good to know especially if I have a problem in a golf cart out on the streets of the Villages. I do not golf so would not be on a course.

[jimjamuser]

I have not been taking the golf cart enough to get it serviced and had had a flat a while back. But the lug nuts are on so hard that they do not seem to budge even with deep penetrating oil. I do have an electric lug wrench but it just seems to make a lot of noise and not do much of anything. It is a two speed electric lug wrench. Do I have to go Tim the Toolman on the project? Hire a handyman? Or just what?

Does the Villages Golf Cart seller that has shops in the various Squares pick up golf carts or do you have to drop it off now?
Provided that the bolts are NOT left-hand threads, then you would need a lot of torque - coming from a long 1/2 or 3/4 breaker bar (and maybe even a metal pipe added for more torque).
...........I wonder if you have uncovered a CONSPIRACY of the shop over-tightening to require professional service. Just asking.

[Taltarzac725]

Provided that the bolts are NOT left-hand threads, then you would need a lot of torque - coming from a long 1/2 or 3/4 breaker bar (and maybe even a metal pipe added for more torque).
...........I wonder if you have uncovered a CONSPIRACY of the shop over-tightening to require professional service. Just asking.

I would not be surprised. But we can always Tim the Tool Guy them as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_iANf1BH4U

[flsteve]

I have not been taking the golf cart enough to get it serviced and had had a flat a while back. But the lug nuts are on so hard that they do not seem to budge even with deep penetrating oil. I do have an electric lug wrench but it just seems to make a lot of noise and not do much of anything. It is a two speed electric lug wrench. Do I have to go Tim the Toolman on the project? Hire a handyman? Or just what?

Does the Villages Golf Cart seller that has shops in the various Squares pick up golf carts or do you have to drop it off now?

So I had the problem of the wheels (any one of the 4) spinning from the REMOVAL torque. A friend mentioned to me that I needed to do it in the street. Moving the cart out there worked. The asphalt provided the necessary friction for removal with all my body weight and pulling on a 4-way wrench. It is not a quick battle! Fortunately, once you break all 4 wheels free, you can re-install them in a more practical fashion with a MUCH lower than factory torque. Good luck with it!

[Taltarzac725]

So I had the problem of the wheels (any one of the 4) spinning from the REMOVAL torque. A friend mentioned to me that I needed to do it in the street. Moving the cart out there worked. The asphalt provided the necessary friction for removal with all my body weight and pulling on a 4-way wrench. It is not a quick battle! Fortunately, once you break all 4 wheels free, you can re-install them in a more practical fashion with a MUCH lower than factory torque. Good luck with it!


Finally got the tire changed. I have not been in a hurry to get out in cold weather in a golf cart.

The 4 way wrench and the "Telescoping Lug Wrench Wheel Wrench with CR-V Chrome Vanadium Sockets" Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J1RW8JF?ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_FYJDSAT2ZVVHM8DF4R NF&language=en-US) worked well.

[Topspinmo]

One trick to getting a lug nuts off is to tighten a bit first. Use a hammer to tap lug wrench in tighten direction, then tap in loosen direction. That procedure is usually very helpful.


For me One of these has never failed to break any nut loose providing you get good blow on wrench or breaker bar.

Access to this page has been denied (https://www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-neon-orange-dead-blow-hammer-59487.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12169518939&campaignid=12169518939&utm_content=142914867503&adsetid=142914867503&product=59487&store=468&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh4udqfKGhAMVx51aBR0tcAGWEAQYASAB EgJyV_D_BwE)

[threeonemiles@outlook.com]

You need a wheel brace extension
Piece of tubing about 3 foot long as an extension of the brace.
More leverage.
Cheater bar. Lefty loosey, righty tighty.

[Taltarzac725]

For me One of these has never failed to break any nut loose providing you get good blow on wrench or breaker bar.

Access to this page has been denied (https://www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-neon-orange-dead-blow-hammer-59487.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12169518939&campaignid=12169518939&utm_content=142914867503&adsetid=142914867503&product=59487&store=468&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh4udqfKGhAMVx51aBR0tcAGWEAQYASAB EgJyV_D_BwE)

I have a hand sledgehammer.

[Taltarzac725]

Two tires changed out. Thanks for the many good tips.