Erratic steering / drifting (caddy won’t track straight)Updated 3 hours ago
If your Cart Tek caddy is pulling to one side, drifting, or steering unpredictably, the cause is usually one of these:
a wheel isn’t fully engaged in the drive system
a drive collar pin is broken (wheel/axle slipping)
low remote battery / weak signal
tracking/alignment needs adjustment
uneven load or slope is exaggerating drift
Follow the steps below in order.
Step 1 — Quick checks (best test conditions)
For the most accurate test, check tracking on flat grass / turf (a park lawn, practice area, or fairway-like surface).
Avoid using concrete/asphalt as your main test surface — it has different rolling resistance than grass and can change how the caddy tracks.
Before testing:
Make sure your golf bag is centered and strapped tight (a lopsided load can cause drift).
Test on the flattest turf you can find (even slight slopes will pull the caddy).
Start at a moderate speed and let it roll 10–15 feet before making adjustments.
Step 2 — Confirm both wheels are fully engaged (most common cause)
Many models allow the wheels to be installed in different modes. For normal powered operation, both wheels must be fully engaged.
Remove each wheel and reinstall it firmly.
Confirm both wheels “click”/lock into place and don’t wobble.
Step 3 — Check the drive collars (critical test)
A slipping drive collar can cause drifting or erratic steering.
Drive collar pin test
With the caddy OFF, try to rotate the axle and the drive collar independently.
You should NOT be able to rotate them separately.
✅ If you can rotate them separately, the drive collar pin is likely broken and will need replacement.
(When this happens, it often feels like the cart “loses” one side intermittently.)
Step 4 — Remote battery / signal check
Low remote power can cause delayed inputs, weak turning, or inconsistent steering.
If your remote uses batteries: replace with new, name-brand batteries.
If your remote is rechargeable: charge fully, then retest.
Stand within 10–15 feet and retry on flat grass / turf.
Step 5 — Tracking / alignment reset or adjustment
If the wheels and drive collars are fine and the remote power is good, the caddy likely needs a tracking/alignment adjustment.
Reset the caddy to factory settings (if your model supports it), or
Adjust tracking/alignment using your model’s procedure.
Important: Always dial in tracking on flat grass / turf first, with you golf bag installed. Slope will naturally pull the caddy and can make tracking seem worse than it is.
If it still drifts / steers erratically
Contact Support / Report an Issue:
https://carttek.gorgias.help/en-US/contact
Please include:
Your model (FORMULA / 1500 V3 / GRi-1500Li / Yellowstone / 975 / Titan)
A short 10–20 sec video showing the drift on flat grass / turf
Photos of both rear wheels + drive collars (close-up)
Whether the drift happens:
only in remote mode, or
also when using handle controls
Result of the drive collar pin test (pass/fail)