Golf carts are easy to operate compared to ordinary vehicles. Like other motor vehicles, you need to conduct maintenance procedures once in a while.
Changing flat wheels or lifting the golf cart to increase ground clearance are common for golf carts. It is, therefore, important you know how to jack up a golf cart.
I have prepared a step-by-step procedure on how to jack up a golf cart. Stick to the end. If you prefer visual learning, scroll down below the step-by-step to see a video on the process.
Step 1: Gather the necessary tools
You need several tools and accessories to jack up a golf cart.
It is important to have everything figured out and the tools next to you before you begin. Leaving the golf cart unattended while looking for a chock is pretty dangerous.
You will need:
- Jack
- Chocks
- Lift
- Other tools relevant to completing the mission
Chocks are wedges or blocks made of rubber or wood that you put next to the wheel to prevent them from rolling when jacking up.
Step 2: Employ the parking brake
After making sure all necessary supplies are intact, you need to take a few safety measures.
Begin by putting the cart in parking mode so that no forward or back gears remain engaged.
Employ the parking brakes and ensure you hear them engage as a confirmation.
The parking brakes properly lock the wheels into place so that the chances of the cart moving when being repaired are next to zero.
Step 3: Switch off the engine
If you were coming from the golf course and the engine is still running, you need to switch it off when jacking the cart up.
Leaving it running poses a safety risk and drains your resources for those who own gas-powered golf carts.
Twist the key to the point labeled off and take it out.
Step 4: Chock the wheels on the side that will remain on the ground
If you intend to work on the rear wheels, you need to chock the front wheels and vice versa. It’s pretty rare to find anyone working on all four wheels simultaneously.
You can purchase chocks at your nearest service repair shop. They come in different sizes and materials, including rubber, but I prefer the traditional wooden blocks.
I always have some blocks of wood in my garage just in case. Although fairly unstable compared to the purchased ones, they sometimes come in handy.
Skipping the chocking step will increase the chances of the golf cart rolling when you begin jacking it up.
📢 Need To Know: Some golf cart owners make the mistake of “chocking” one wheel, creating more instability. Place the rubber blocks at the front and back of both wheels.
Step 5: Find the rail frame
Once done with the mentioned safety procedures, locate the frame rails under the golf cart.
They are not hard to find because they run parallel to each other from the front wheels to the back wheels.
You must use the frame rails because placing the weight on any other part may result in more damage. It was made for that sole purpose.
Compared to the rest of the undercarriage, the frame is hard enough to bear the combined weight and pressure of the whole cart that you will be unleashing on the jack.
Step 6: Lift the golf cart and slowly slide the jack stand in place
Unless you have a raised golf cart, most of them have low ground clearance, and most jack stands will not fit in. Therefore you need to use a golf cart lift to make enough space for the golf stand.
Don’t worry. You need just a few inches to make room wide enough to slide in the jack. Do the lifting very slowly at the beginning while looking out for any unintended movements.
Once you have gained enough height, slide in the jack stand under the undercarriage.
Make sure that the cart stays firmly in place and that there are no movements.
Step 7: Put the jack stand in place
It’s now time to position the jack stand under the golf cart. Ensure that you do it fast and cautiously.
Some people love going underneath to look out for the best position. However, this is very dangerous, and you need to ensure the cart will not fall on you before sliding underneath.
Since you know where the frame rails are located, reach in using your hands, place the jack stand on level ground, and back away.
The height should be just suitable for the action you intend to fulfill.
For instance, a flat tire change will require you to do the lifting only a few inches.
You may need to raise higher for other operations like lifting the golf cart.
Excessive jacking is unhealthy for your golf cart. The damage would be more pronounced if it slid accidentally from its position.
You should place jack stands appropriately under the jack points.
There are two jack points on either end of the rail frame.
They are usually denoted by a pointing arrow and are often triangular in shape for easy identification.
While the shape may vary depending on the model, just remember that they are located on the rear and front sides. Sometimes, the word “JACK” is engraved on some RXV and EZGO models.
💡 Golfible Tip: If you miss all the above, look for attachment brackets that hold the jack in place when lifting.
Step 8: Lower the lift slowly
Now that the jack stand is directly under the jack points, it’s now safe to lower the lift slowly so you can remove the lift.
The action will require you to transfer the weight of your golf cart to the jack.
We highly advise you to lower the golf cart very cautiously.
Doing it fast may cause an imbalance, and the cart might end up dropping and causing significant damage.
When the jack points finally land on the jack, check to ensure that nothing has shifted from its previous position while you lowered the cart.
All parts being stable and properly placed means it’s now safe to attempt removing the lift.
Avoid placing extra weights on the golf cart on a jack because it is precarious. Simply put, don’t lean or sit on the raised golf cart.
📢 Need To Know: Never let your kids or pets near your garage at this time. They may end up jumping and running all over, upsetting the cart.
Step 9: Conduct your repairs
If you need a tire change:
For best results, work on one tire at a time because you have two jack stands on one side. You would need four jacks, one for each wheel, to lift the entire cart at once.
Placing the weight of a golf cart on four jacks is highly unstable and dangerous. Remember to handle everything with care to avoid destabilizing the vehicle.
Jacking up a golf cart involves massive weight transfer, so you should go slowly, one step at a time to prevent damage.
When your repairs are complete, you should use the lift once more to lift the cart.
This will allow you to extract your jack and lower the golf cart.
Finally, when the cart rests on its wheels, move to the last step.
Remove the chocks and power your cart.
Congratulations if you have reached this far! Easy peasy, right?
Visual Learning On How To Jack A Golf Cart
Here’s a detailed youtube video explaining the process:
What Sort of Jack Is Suitable for Golf Carts?
Most golf cart models have a low ground clearance which makes you wonder what type of jack would suit your golf cart.
Like in the steps above, you will need a lift to help raise the cart enough to slide in a jack.
With the compact, scissor-type jack, you will not need extra equipment when jacking up a golf cart. It can contract to resemble a rod and will easily fit under the undercarriage.
A scissor jack is a lifting device that helps lift a vehicle right from the ground because it can fit almost under any vehicle.
The name comes from two diagonal pieces of metal that contract or expands when the jack is in operation, mimicking a pair of scissors. They are convenient because they are compact in the retracted position.
Scissor-like floor jacks suit golf carts because they are compact when contracted.
📋 Keep in mind: You will need at least two jacks to raise the back wheels and keep them balanced evenly.
The floor jack may also act as a lift for other taller types of jacks.
Ensure that you are doing the lifting where there’s sufficient room.
When shifting the weight from the scissor jack to an ordinary one, you may encounter trouble because they are different devices, and the vehicle may tip over when done incorrectly.
💡 Golfible Tip: It’s worth noting that some golf cart models only use specific jack types. Manufacturers install hooking clips or drill holes in the rail frames where the jack should go.
Will Jacking Up Damage My Golf Cart?
The answer is a big NO!
Jacking up is part and parcel of vehicle maintenance just as much as getting injections from the doctor.
As long as you won’t leave it balancing on the jacks for long, go ahead and jack it up.
Your car gets jacked up by the mechanic during certain repairs, and the situation is no different for golf carts.
Sometimes there are repairs to be done, and this has to happen.
Ensure you read the manufacturer’s manual, follow the stated procedures and complete each step cautiously.
Important Safety Measures to Consider When Jacking Up Your Golf Cart
As a vehicle owner, jacking up a golf cart may seem easy and safe at first. After all, you have done it on your other vehicles in the past.
Nothing can be far from the truth.
You have to remember that the procedure can pose a serious safety threat. A golf cart balancing on a jack head isn’t the most stable thing on earth.
If possible, jack up the golf cart inside the closed garage doors.
Look out for the designated jack spots on the undercarriage. Most of the surfaces below are too soft to bear significant weight.
Placing the jack in the wrong spot could end up damaging important parts of the underbelly.
💡 Golfible Tip: We advise you to conduct some background research on your golf cart model. You will know what to expect and the correct tools needed to complete the work.
- Always place the jack on level, hard ground to maximize your chances of success. Jacks placed on soft, uneven ground sink, frustrating your effort or sway when lifting the golf cart.
- If you notice any unusual movements or rocking when changing a tire, stop whatever you are doing and look for the cause. Only resume when you are sure it is safe to do so.
- Always stop pumping when you attain the required height to complete your mission. Why raise the golf cart for half a meter when all you want to do is change a flat?
- Always have a handyman by your side for safety reasons. Sometimes you may not have a lift, and they can help raise the vehicle to slide in the jack.
- Ensure that nothing obstructs your vision or space under the cart when jacking it up.
FAQs
Where is the best place to jack up a golf cart?
The best place to jack up a golf cart is under the rear axle or frame, taking care to avoid damage to the cart’s components and tipping over. It is important to use a jack stand to support the weight of the cart once it has been raised.
How do you change a tire on a golf cart?
To change a tire on a golf cart, first, make sure the cart is on level ground. Loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench, use a jack to raise the cart, remove the old tire and put on the new one, tighten the lug nuts, and lower the cart back to the ground. Double-check the tightness of the lug nuts before driving.
