The EZGO clutch system is a two part continuously variable transmission (CVT) that transfers power from the engine crankshaft to the rear wheels on every gas powered TXT and RXV.
Your cart revs hard but barely moves forward.
Takeoff feels jerky instead of smooth.
A burning smell drifts up from the clutch housing after every hill climb.
Symptoms like these turn a dependable cart into a machine you no longer trust. Every trip out of the garage becomes a question mark.
The primary clutch, secondary clutch, and drive belt operate as one connected system. Wear in any single component drags down the other two, and owners who learn how the system works catch failures early and stop replacing parts that were never the problem.
Three failures show up most often:
- A worn primary clutch causes hard, jerky engagement and belt chatter on takeoff.
- A failing secondary clutch produces high engine RPM with low road speed.
- Scored clutch sheave faces destroy new drive belts in a fraction of their normal life.
Carts & Parts, an authorized EZGO dealer with more than 2,000 online reviews, stocks genuine OEM clutch components and ships them nationwide. Read on for a complete EZGO clutch guide covering primary and secondary clutch service, the Team Clutch upgrade, and the tools that make removal safe.
Key Takeaways
What is the EZGO clutch system?
The EZGO clutch system is a CVT made up of a primary clutch on the engine crankshaft and a secondary clutch on the transaxle input shaft, connected by a drive belt. The Kawasaki 13.5 HP engine paired with the Team Clutch system powers most gas TXT and RXV models from 2008 through 2026. Engine RPM controls the ratio automatically, so no manual shifting is required.
What does the EZGO secondary clutch do?
The EZGO secondary clutch is the spring loaded driven unit that receives belt torque and turns the transaxle input shaft. The genuine OEM 624757 secondary clutch uses the TEAM Rapid Reaction design with a black spring and white spacer, is built to run with the 602000 Kawasaki drive clutch and 606136 belt, and replaces part numbers 602001 and 614889.
What does the Team Clutch upgrade kit include?
The OEM HD Team Clutch Upgrade Kit, part number 750410PKG, converts select 2008 to 2014 Kawasaki equipped carts from the discontinued Kawasaki clutch system to the newer TEAM setup. The kit includes the TEAM drive clutch, TEAM driven clutch, and matching drive belt. Torque output rises from 678 ft/lbs with Kawasaki clutches to 1,083 ft/lbs with the TEAM configuration.
Do you need a special tool to remove an EZGO clutch?
Yes. Clutches press onto tapered shafts and cannot be pried off safely. The CP-0035 drive and driven clutch puller fits all EZGO models with the 13 HP Kawasaki motor, while current OEM TEAM primary clutches such as 672686 and 672688 specify OEM puller tool 637566 for removal.
How Does the EZGO Clutch System Work?
The Kawasaki 13.5 HP engine in gas EZGO TXT and RXV carts sends power through the primary clutch, drive belt, and secondary clutch instead of a shifting gearbox. Belt position between the two clutches sets the drive ratio continuously as you accelerate.
Both clutches react to physics rather than driver input. RPM and load do all the deciding.
A full component by component breakdown of every drivetrain system is available in the complete EZGO golf cart parts guide.
What Does the Primary Clutch Do?
The primary clutch bolts to the engine crankshaft and sits open at idle, letting the engine run without moving the cart. As RPM climbs, centrifugal weights force the moveable sheave inward and pinch the belt.
Belt grip tightens progressively, which is why a healthy takeoff feels smooth rather than abrupt. Worn weights or scored sheave faces break that progression and cause the jerky engagement owners notice first.
How Does the Secondary Clutch Respond?
The secondary clutch mounts on the transaxle input shaft and stays spring loaded against the belt. Rising belt tension from the primary side forces the secondary sheaves apart, dropping the belt lower in the groove and raising the effective gear ratio.
Hill climbs reverse the process, letting the belt ride higher for more torque. Engine mechanics behind the clutch, including the crankshaft and governor, are covered in the EZGO gas motor guide.
| Component | Part Number | System / Fitment | Works With |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM Secondary (Driven) Clutch | 624757 | Kawasaki clutch system, TEAM Rapid Reaction design. Replaces 602001 and 614889. | 602000 drive clutch, 606136 belt |
| OEM HD Team Clutch Upgrade Kit | 750410PKG | Converts select 2008 to 2014 Kawasaki equipped carts to the TEAM system. Torque rises from 678 to 1,083 ft/lbs. | Includes TEAM drive clutch, driven clutch, and belt |
| Drive and Driven Clutch Puller Tool | CP-0035 | All EZGO models with the 13 HP Kawasaki motor. | Kawasaki generation drive and driven clutches |
| OEM Puller for TEAM Primary Clutches | 637566 | Specified for removal of TEAM primary clutches 672686 and 672688. | TEAM Rapid Response primary clutches |
Source: Carts & Parts OEM product documentation. Call or text (937) 459-8891 to confirm fitment before ordering.
How Do You Identify Which EZGO Clutch Setup You Have?
Kawasaki powered EZGO carts left the factory with two distinct clutch systems: the original Kawasaki Drive Clutch on 2008 to 2014 builds and the Team Clutch on 2010 through 2026 builds. Parts between the two systems do not interchange, so identification comes before any ordering.
Your EZGO serial number confirms the model year and production configuration in seconds. A photo of the clutch itself settles any remaining doubt.
Fitment help by photo is exactly how Clayton Yeakle solved his parts puzzle, and his experience reflects what more than 2,000 reviewers describe:
"Great people, very helpful too. We needed a head gasket but wasn't sure exactly which one and they let us text them a picture and let us know within the hour if they had it. While putting my golf cart back together we ran into a small problem and again texted a picture and asked, with a quick reply they were able to find the item and got it ordered as soon as possible. When your local golf cart shop is no help and rude, I would 10/10 recommend them."
What Is the Plan for a Clutch Repair Done Right?
A clutch repair on a Kawasaki or TEAM equipped EZGO follows four steps:
- Confirm your model year and clutch type using the serial number plate.
- Match the correct OEM part numbers for the primary clutch, secondary clutch, and belt as a set.
- Gather the correct puller tool and a torque wrench before removing anything.
- Install, torque to spec, and test drive at low speed before returning the cart to service.
What Is a Golf Cart Clutch and Why Does EZGO Use a CVT?
A golf cart clutch on a gas cart is not a pedal operated friction clutch like a manual car. Gas carts from EZGO, Club Car, and Yamaha all use paired CVT clutches that vary the drive ratio automatically through belt position.
CVT design suits cart duty perfectly. Low speed torque arrives without shifting, and the engine stays in its efficient RPM band whether the cart hauls feed bags across a farm or cruises a neighborhood street.
Specifications for each engine and drivetrain pairing are published on the official E-Z-GO manufacturer site, and matching those specs is the difference between a repair that lasts and one that repeats.
💡 Tip: Diagnose the clutch and belt together, never separately. Black rubber dust inside the clutch housing points at belt wear, while polished or bluish sheave faces point at the clutch itself.
When Should You Replace the EZGO Secondary Clutch?
The EZGO secondary clutch fails gradually, and the symptoms follow a clear pattern.
Symptom: Engine RPM climbs but road speed lags far behind.
Cause: A fatigued secondary spring no longer squeezes the sheaves against the belt.
What it means: Power is slipping away as heat instead of reaching the transaxle.
Symptom: Backshift feels lazy on hills, and the cart bogs instead of pulling.
Cause: Worn ramp buttons or a sticking moveable sheave prevent the ratio change under load.
What it means: The clutch body needs replacement, not another belt.
The genuine OEM EZGO Secondary Clutch, part number 624757, is the factory answer for Kawasaki clutch system carts. The TEAM Rapid Reaction design with its black spring and white spacer is engineered to run with the 602000 drive clutch and 606136 belt, and it directly replaces part numbers 602001 and 614889. Fitment applies to Kawasaki clutch applications specifically, so verify your drive clutch before ordering.
A fresh belt belongs in the same service visit whenever sheave wear is found. Inspection steps and belt fitment by year are covered in the EZGO drive belt guide for Kawasaki carts.
⚠️ Important: Never install a new drive belt between scored clutch sheaves. Damaged sheave faces shred a fresh belt in weeks and turn one repair into two.
Ed Greenrod ordered his replacement part the same way most clutch customers do, and the fitment came out exactly right:
"Carts and Parts were a great help with getting my cart back up and going. The part fit perfect, worked perfect, the price point of my part was great and the process was easy. I recommend them for sure. The coozies were a nice add."
Is the Team Clutch Upgrade Worth It on a Kawasaki Cart?
The team clutch upgrade exists because E-Z-GO discontinued the original Kawasaki drive and driven clutches used on 2008 to 2014 gas carts. Owners of those carts face a choice when a clutch fails: hunt for scarce old style parts or convert the whole system.
Situation: Your 2008 to 2014 Kawasaki equipped cart needs a clutch, and the original components are no longer produced.
Insight: The factory approved conversion replaces both clutches and the belt as a matched set, raising torque output from 678 ft/lbs to 1,083 ft/lbs in the process.
Recommendation: Convert once and gain a stronger, fully supported drivetrain instead of patching a discontinued system.
The OEM EZGO HD Team Clutch Upgrade Kit, part number 750410PKG, packages the high torque TEAM drive clutch, TEAM driven clutch, and matching drive belt in one genuine E-Z-GO kit. Hills, hauling, towing, and utility work all benefit from the added torque, which is why fleets and rural owners order the conversion even before their original clutches fail.
Greg Hier ordered his parts from the far side of the country, and the free shipping threshold worked in his favor:
"Great price and free shipping. Shipped fast. Great communication. Cade was awesome. I'm in Texas but they might be my go-to parts source."
What Tools Do You Need to Service an EZGO Clutch?
Clutch removal on an EZGO Kawasaki cart requires a puller, because both clutches press onto tapered shafts. Prying with a screwdriver or hammering the clutch body cracks sheaves and bends shafts.
The E-Z-GO 13HP Kawasaki Drive and Driven Clutch Puller Tool, part number CP-0035, threads into the clutch hub and presses it off the shaft cleanly on all EZGO models running the 13 HP Kawasaki motor. Current OEM TEAM primary clutches, including 672686 and 672688, specify OEM puller 637566 in their service documentation, so match the puller to the clutch generation on your cart. Call or text (937) 459-8891 and the team will confirm which puller your clutch requires before you order.
A complete clutch service also calls for:
- A torque wrench for reinstalling the clutch bolt to E-Z-GO specification.
- A breaker bar or impact wrench for initial bolt removal.
- Safety glasses and gloves for every step of the job.
Machine guarding rules under OSHA standard 1910.212 require rotating power transmission components to be fully guarded during operation, and the same logic protects home mechanics.
🚨 Warning: Never start the engine with the clutch cover removed. Belt and sheaves spin at engine speed, and even a short test without the cover is a serious injury risk.
What Happens If You Ignore Worn EZGO Clutches?
Clutch wear on a Kawasaki or TEAM system never stays contained. Damage spreads outward through the drivetrain the longer symptoms are ignored.
- Belt destruction accelerates, because scored sheaves chew through replacement belts one after another.
- Slipping generates heat that glazes sheave faces and fatigues the secondary spring, adding components to the repair list.
- Sudden failure strands the cart, since a seized or shattered clutch stops it wherever it happens with no limp home option.
- Engine strain grows as constant high RPM operation against a slipping clutch shortens the life of the Kawasaki engine itself.
What Does a Healthy EZGO Clutch System Feel Like?
A properly serviced EZGO clutch system announces itself the moment you press the pedal.
- Takeoff is smooth and immediate, with no chatter, squeal, or hesitation.
- Hills pull strong as the CVT backshifts correctly under load.
- Cruising stays quiet, with no vibration through the floorboard and no burning smell after hard runs.
- Belts last their full service life because the sheaves they ride on are true and clean.
✅ Good to Know: Matched components make the difference. A clutch, belt, and puller sourced as compatible part numbers deliver factory feel, while mixed generations produce the very symptoms you set out to fix.
Get Professional EZGO Clutch Parts and Fitment Help
Carts & Parts is an authorized EZGO dealer serving East Central Indiana and Western Ohio with nationwide parts shipping and free shipping on orders over $50.00.
More than 2,000 online reviews back a simple promise: genuine OEM clutch parts, straight fitment answers, and fast turnaround. Call (937) 459-8891 with your serial number and get the right clutch components the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions About EZGO Clutch Parts
What is an EZGO clutch?
An EZGO clutch is one half of the CVT system on gas powered carts. The primary clutch mounts to the engine crankshaft and the secondary clutch mounts to the transaxle, with a drive belt linking the two. Together they vary the drive ratio automatically based on engine RPM and load.
What is the difference between the primary and secondary clutch?
The primary clutch is centrifugally operated and engages as engine RPM rises, gripping the belt tighter with speed. The secondary clutch is spring loaded and responds to belt tension, shifting the ratio for hills and cruising. We stock genuine OEM versions of both for Kawasaki and TEAM systems.
How do I know my EZGO secondary clutch is failing?
High engine RPM with low road speed is the classic sign of a worn secondary clutch. Lazy backshift on hills, bogging under load, and repeat belt failures also point to the driven clutch. You can text us a photo of your clutch and we will confirm the diagnosis and part number.
Which carts does the Team Clutch upgrade kit fit?
The 750410PKG HD Team Clutch Upgrade Kit fits select 2008 to 2014 gas EZGO carts originally equipped with the Kawasaki clutch system. The kit converts the cart to the newer TEAM setup with matched drive clutch, driven clutch, and belt. Call us with your serial number and we will verify fitment.
Does the Team Clutch upgrade kit fit an EX1 cart?
No. The EX1 Smart Engine platform introduced in 2020 uses its own drivetrain components, and the 750410PKG conversion applies to Kawasaki equipped 2008 to 2014 models only. If your cart runs an EX1, we will point you to the correct EX1 specific parts instead.
Do I really need a clutch puller tool?
Yes. Both clutches press onto tapered shafts, and prying or hammering damages the sheaves and shaft. The CP-0035 puller handles drive and driven clutches on 13 HP Kawasaki models, while OEM TEAM primaries such as 672686 specify puller 637566. We can confirm which one your cart needs.
Should I replace the drive belt when I replace a clutch?
Yes, in nearly every case. A worn belt running on new sheaves transfers its wear pattern immediately, and old rubber deposits shorten the new clutch's life. Pairing the 624757 secondary clutch with its matched 606136 belt restores the system to factory specification in one service.
Can I install an EZGO clutch myself?
Owners with basic mechanical skills, the correct puller, and a torque wrench can handle clutch replacement at home. The critical steps are pulling the clutch with the proper tool and torquing the retaining bolt to E-Z-GO specification. We are happy to talk you through the job before you start.
Why does my cart rev high but move slowly?
High revs with weak movement almost always trace to belt slip or a worn secondary clutch spring. Glazed sheave faces and stretched belts produce the same feel. Send us your symptoms and serial number, and we will narrow the cause before you spend money on parts.
How does Carts & Parts confirm clutch fitment before I order?
We match your EZGO serial number to the exact model year and clutch generation, then verify compatible part numbers for the clutch, belt, and puller together. You can call or text a photo of your existing clutch, and our team confirms fitment before anything ships.
