- Check for loose bolts and nuts
- Inspect the wheelchair frame for cracks
- Check the wheel alignment to assure it doesn’t veer to the side
- Make sure quick-release axles remove quickly
- Inspect leg rests, armrests, footrests and backrests for easy release
How to repair or replace your wheelchair?
Signs You Need a New Mobility Scooter
- Chronic motor issues
- Need to replace the battery frequently
- You had your mobility scooter for more than five years
- You have not kept up maintenance on the scooter and now there are too many problems to fix
- It jerks or does not turn properly
- It’s dangerous to use
- You discover a burning smell coming from the motor
How can I get my electric wheelchair repaired?
When you're looking at wheelchairs, think about:
- whether you're going to be pushing yourself or pushed by someone else
- how often you need to use it
- whether you need to use it indoors or outdoors, or both
- whether it needs to go into a care home
- how comfortable it is
- how much it costs to maintain and repair
How to fix wheelchair?
Suggested Manual Wheelchair Maintenance
- Weekly Maintenance
- Monthly Maintenance
- Annual Maintenance. Finding the right power wheelchair repair company may seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be.
How to clean your power chair or wheelchair?
Weekly Maintenance Checklist
- Drive Tires & Caster Wheels
- Brakes
- Joystick, seat, armrests
- Electrical Connectors
- Clean power wheelchair. Keep all areas of power chair clean. By keeping your power wheelchair well-maintained, you are helping to reduce the need for major repairs.
How do you service a wheelchair?
General wheelchair care and maintenance Check every 3-4 months that all screws are secure. Check that all of the joints that are important for user safety are self-locking with special bolts. Clean the frame of the chair using a mild detergent. The backrest and cushion should only be cleaned using soap and water.
How do you repair a puncture in a wheelchair?
0:4610:45How To Repair a Flat Wheelchair Tire - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAn inner tube that is punctured of course you can do that if you're in a tight you know tightMoreAn inner tube that is punctured of course you can do that if you're in a tight you know tight squeeze but I personally like to just replace it all together.
What are the parts of a wheelchair called?
The key components are the tires, the wheels, the axles, the casters, the leg rests, and the armrests.Tires. Wheelchair tires are either solid rubber or pneumatic (air-filled). ... Wheels. The wheels are usually spoked (wired) or molded (mag). ... Axles. ... Casters. ... Leg rests. ... Armrests.
How do you fix a wheelchair brake?
1:333:26Brake Types and Adjustment for Manual Wheelchairs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo adjust your top adjust your brake you'll require. In this instance a five mil allen key i use a tMoreSo adjust your top adjust your brake you'll require. In this instance a five mil allen key i use a t-bar allen key it's easier to get into the brake block. First you need to loosen off the brake.
How do you put a rubber wheel back on a wheelchair?
1:092:20New Solutions - How to Mount a 24 x 1" Solid Tire on a Wheel | HD SupplyYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRoom. Put the tire on. The top on top of the wheel. Firmly hold the tire on the wheel turning it. SoMoreRoom. Put the tire on. The top on top of the wheel. Firmly hold the tire on the wheel turning it. So the large peg stretches the tire onto the wheel guide the tire on to the wheel.
How do you change a tube in a wheelchair?
0:017:00Wheelchair Maintenance - Changing Inner Tube - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can use a small amount of lubricant such as washing up liquid to help you remove the tyre byMoreYou can use a small amount of lubricant such as washing up liquid to help you remove the tyre by wiping this around the rim of the wheel.
What is a wheelchair axle?
The Wheelchair Axle and its various parts are responsible for maintaining the position of your wheelchair to provide you the comfort of moving out independently. Axles are among the most valuable parts of your mobility aids.
What is the back of a wheelchair called?
Push Handle - The Push Handles are located on the back of the wheelchair. Rubber handles are installed to make them more comfortable to push the wheelchair.
What is the wheels called on a wheelchair?
Manual wheelchairs usually have two sets of wheels: A pair in front (called caster or steering wheels); And a pair in the back (called drive wheels).
How do you open a stuck wheelchair?
To open or unfold the wheelchair:Place your wheelchair on a solid even surface.Make sure the brakes are locked. ... Grab the seat of the wheelchair with one hand in the front and one in the back.Slowly push the seat down in the middle of the seat. ... Push all the way down until the seat is fully opened.More items...•
What are attendant brakes on a wheelchair?
Another standard feature with this type of wheelchair is the attendant brakes that allow the caregiver or another individual to be able to push the user and also allows the person pushing the user to pressure brake when needed.
Do all Wheelchairs have brakes?
Built-in brakes aren't a feature on all wheelchairs, even though they are an incredibly helpful tool. When built into the handles, the companion hand brakes are useful for controlling speed when pushing a loved one on an incline/decline. Some models' rear hand brake doubles as a mechanism to lock the wheels as well.
How do you pump a wheelchair tyre?
1:373:24Changing Wheelchair Tyre Pressure Using Pumps & Valves - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's quite simply done by placing the valve onto the tire valve switching the pump on or pushingMoreIt's quite simply done by placing the valve onto the tire valve switching the pump on or pushing down on the stirrup pump.
How much air do you put in a wheelchair tire?
around 100 to 145 psiAir filled (or pneumatic) tyres offer a more comfortable ride, with tyre pressures adjusted for the user. Many wheelchair users find that higher pressures (around 100 to 145 psi, 6.8 to 10 bar) give a lighter, easier ride whilst allowing for some bumps.
How do you measure wheelchair tire size?
0:151:43How to Measure a Wheelchair to Find the Right Size Scale - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo find the width measure between the set of wheels that are farthest apart keep in mind theMoreTo find the width measure between the set of wheels that are farthest apart keep in mind the wheelchair's footprint may change when the wheels.
How do you remove a wheelchair wheel?
0:244:43How to Replace Office Chair Casters - Full Install Video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you don't want to strain yourself uh you can simply pull it out as far as you can get it. ThenMoreIf you don't want to strain yourself uh you can simply pull it out as far as you can get it. Then you put the flathead in between the caster and the base of the chair.
What is manual wheelchair?
The manual wheelchair will keep your upper body mobile especially your arms and you don’t have to become totally dependent on the power chair or scooter.
Can you repair a medical equipment part yourself?
Once you get the part you can make the repair yourself if you are able or have a friend or family member help you out. This is much less expensive than having the medical equipment company do the repair. A friend or family member will be happy to help you out in any way.
Can you find a used wheelchair that is in better condition than the one you have?
You might find a used wheelchair that might be in better condition than the one you have. In this case just use the wheelchair you found and make a second good chair from the other spare parts. Now you have a spare manual wheelchair.
Can a medical company replace a manual wheelchair?
Rules and Regulations for Medical Companies. If you have a power chair or scooter, medical companies take it to mean you no longer need a manual wheelchair and they will not repair or replace your manual wheelchair. The cost again will be out of your pocket or you will simply have to do without a manual wheelchair.
Can you use a manual wheelchair with a power chair?
A friend or family member will be happy to help you out in any way. If you do have a power chair or scooter, you should still use your manual wheelchair as much as possible, unless your doctor advises otherwise .
Which type of wheel can go flat?
The second type of wheel is pneumatic tires that can go flat if punctured and go soft even without any damage, yet provide a very comfortable ride because, unlike solid wheels, Pneumatic wheels absorb shocks.
What is the third wheel?
The third type of wheel is the flat free tire made like the pneumatic tire, but instead of having an air-filled inner tube, it is filled in with rubber or semi-solid foam.
Why is my wheelchair cable crimping?
For electric wheelchair users with swingaway joystick mounts, cable-crimping errors are very common due to the stress that the stretching of the cable causes.
What is the function of the electric wheelchair?
It regulates all of the necessary electronics to operate the motors and govern acceleration, deceleration, and braking. Since this is such an important part of the electric wheelchair if damaged or broken you need to replace it immediately.
Why is my joystick broken?
Sometimes, users think their joysticks are broken because it becomes locked after they accidentally perform a sequential code such as hitting your power button twice. All joysticks have a lock mode which prevents the use of the joystick and restricting all functions of the power wheelchair. A simple search in the owner’s manual can show you how to unlock it.
How to tell if a joystick is broken on a power chair?
Important signs a joystick needs repair include sluggishness and an obvious delay after pressing the lever in any direction.
How long does a power wheelchair battery last?
The electric wheelchair battery life varies and is dependent on several different factors but with proper care, the battery should last for at least three years.
How many motors does a power chair have?
A power chair contains two motors. (A mobility scooter will have one motor.) Each motor operates a drive wheel on either side of the electric wheelchair that draws from the chair’s batteries in order to move the wheels.
What to do if a power chair starts to rust?
Once a power chair starts to rust, it is beginning to deteriorate. Rust remediation efforts include grinding out rust spots and repainting.
How to clean a wheelchair?
A great tip for cleaning your wheelchair is to use the same dish detergent you use for your pots and pans. Dilute half a cup of detergent with water in a bucket and use a soft rag to wipe down all the surfaces and moving parts. Use a small, very soft toothbrush to remove dirt and debris from hard to reach places.
How to keep a wheelchair in top shape?
Your wheelchair gets you where you need to go every day however avoidable mechanical issues can slow you down. With a little simple upkeep and maintenance, you’ll be able to keep your wheelchair in top shape. This can help extend the life of your wheelchair 1 while reducing potential repairs - with their related ...
What is a wheelchair owner's manual?
Your owner’s manual can provide you with information for maintaining and repairing your specific wheelchair model. The manual will also include details on your warranty and any specific tools you might need to complete simple maintenance.
How to check tire pressure?
Checking tire pressure is easy with a standard pressure gauge. Try a simple hand or bicycle pump to add air to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. It’s also a good idea to keep a spare tire on hand in case your tire gets punctured.
What to keep on hand for simple maintenance?
It’s a good idea to keep a couple of screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, and a set of Allen wrenches on hand for simple maintenance. Check each connection and if anything is loose, tighten it. It’s much easier to tighten loose screws and bolts than to replace them after they fall out.
How to keep a wheelchair functional?
Basic maintenance helps keep your wheelchair functioning effectively for both your safety and comfort. Identifying and handling small issues before they become problems is key. If you encounter challenges beyond your skill set, escalate to an expert repair service. Simple maintenance can help keep your wheelchair functional - and allow you to enjoy the freedom and independence it provides you.
What are the brakes on a wheelchair?
Brakes are one of the most important features of your wheelchair. You may be able to do some basic tightening on your own, but since your safety is at stake, if you suspect anything is wrong with your brakes, take your chair in for professional service immediately.