1989 Electric Columbia Par Car Clunking

[Middleagedmaniac]

Hi - I just bought this little red buggy, but it clunks a little bit when I hit the accelerator. Can someone help me out, or direct me to a thread that can help me fix it? Thanks.

[CSF1975]

Where is the clunking sound comming from? the motor or rear end? your going to have to jack it up, and narrow down the clunking sound,
is it a constant noise or does it come and go?

[Middleagedmaniac]

Not sure where it is coming from. I'll check that. It only happens when I hit the pedal and take off. Feels like the rear-end.

[CSF1975]

check the oil in it then go from there..

[Cartguy2000]

What year & model is it? Is this something that has just started or has it always done this?

Interesting issue... ya got us thinkin'

[Middleagedmaniac]

The serial number is 6K10253C9. I think it is a 1989, but am not sure what model it is. It's in great shape and I got it for $700. Score!

There are two problems, however:

1) sometimes when I press the accelerator, it doesn't move at all, then suddenly lurches forward.

2) when fully charged as I press the accelerator, it makes a "clunk" sound. Could be due to the fact that the previous owner installed a larger motor and the torque is causing the tranny to clunk a bit.

[Cartguy2000]

Yep, you've got a 1989. This was the first year that the helical gear rear axle was used, so you have the late model Dana differential. 700 is a good price if there is nothing really expensive wrong with it.

If the clunk is comming from the rear, would be a good idea to pull the motor and check the splines where the motor couples to the rear axle. If the splines are ok, clean the splines well (inside and out) and paint them with a liberal amount of anti-sieze compound. There should also be a rubber bumper in the coupler at the end of the motor.