Wheelchairs are fairly simple machines, but there are several moving parts that need constant attention to prevent premature wear. Fixing those parts of a wheelchair is essential to ensuring safe use.
Wheelchairs need regular maintenance, just like any other machine, to perform as they should. Wheelchair components that are allowed to deteriorate will suffer in performance and can create an unsafe condition for the rider.
Today, we will discuss how to make basic repairs to a typical wheelchair and what the projects usually involve.
How Do I Fix a Wheelchair Brake?
Most wheelchair designs use a device known as an underseat scissor brake. Exceptions may include powered wheelchairs that are much heavier and require more braking power. Generally, all manual wheelchairs will use some form of scissor brake, so we will focus on that today.
In many instances, a malfunctioning brake is the result of a low tire. Scissor brakes literally grab the tire and prevent it from turning, so if the tire is underinflated, it may not extend far enough to contact the brake in the fully locked position. Make sure the tires have the appropriate pressure before continuing.
To adjust or replace a scissor brake on a wheelchair, you’ll probably need a set of allen wrenches. Most are attached to the wheelchair frame with an allen screw, so simply loosen the screw and adjust the scissor brake until it just contacts the tire, then retighten the allen screw.
How to Repair the Wheel Locks On a Wheelchair
To adjust the wheel locks on a standard wheelchair, you’ll need to see which type of wheelchair lock you have.
Bolt Through Wheelchair Lock
Bolt-through wheelchair locks are mounted to the frame, usually on either side of the seat support, near each wheel. These wheelchair locks can be removed, installed, loosened, or tightened by simply using a box wrench to loosen the nut under the seat.
Next, just slide the bolt-through lock forward to lessen the force against the wheel, or backward to increase it. Once you’ve made the adjustment, snug the nut up just enough to test it. If the wheelchair still moves a little with the lock engaged, move the bolt through lock one notch closer (⅛”) to the wheel.
Over Bar Wheelchair Lock
Instead of running a bolt through the frame of the lock like a bolt-through wheelchair lock, over-bar wheelchair locks are designed like a clamp. An over-bar wheelchair lock simply slides over the frame and two bolts are tightened under the bar, as opposed to through the bar.
To adjust an over-bar wheelchair lock, use a box wrench to loosen the two nuts under the seat. Most over-bar locks have about a ½” range of motion, so once the lock is about ½” away from the wheel, tighten the nuts and test. If you need to re-adjust, move the lock about the width of a matchstick at a time and re-test until it is secure.
How to Repair a Wheelchair Seat
If you can, avoid trying to repair a worn out wheelchair seat with duct tape or other adhesive. A better, safer solution is to either purchase a replacement seat for your particular wheelchair, or you can often find a universal replacement seat available. Both are installed the same way, with one exception.
If you are replacing your wheelchair seat with a replacement from the manufacturer, the job is super easy. Simply remove the four screws (usually phillips or torx) on each side of the seat and remove it. The holes in the new seat will align with the holes in the frame, so just replace the screws and you’re done.
If you are using a universal replacement wheelchair seat, you might need to move the screw locations so that they match your particular wheelchair. If some holes align and others don’t, just remove the screw inserts that don’t and use a different pre-cut hole in the seat. Once the holes line up, just replace the screws and you’re done.
How to Replace a Wheelchair Caster
Wheelchair castors (the front wheels) are also easily replaced. With most wheelchair models, all you need is either two wrenches, or a wrench and socket/ratchet. Just remove the carriage bolt passing through the hub of the wheel, replace the wheel and re-tighten the carriage bolt.
How to Repair a Wheelchair Footrest
To remove, repair, or replace a standard wheelchair footrest, you’ll probably need both an allen wrench and a box wrench. Wheelchair footrests have two adjustments, one for leveling and the other for length.
To adjust the leveling, use the wrenches to loosen the ball joint between the footrest and the frame. The ball joint moves in all directions, so level the wheelchair footrest side to side first. Now have the rider sit in the chair and once it’s comfortable, make the same adjustment from from to back.
If the wheelchair is new to the user, you might have to adjust the length of the footrest support as well. This adjustment is made by loosening the set screws on either side of the frame, often using an open end box wrench. These set screws are not removed, just loosened to allow the support to slide inside the frame.
Once the set screws are loosened, just move the support to a comfortable position for the rider and re-tighten the set screws.
How to Replace a Wheelchair Seatbelt
Replacing a wheelchair seatbelt is very easy and usually only requires a Phillips screwdriver. On the back of the backrest, there are usually eight (8) screws holding the backrest to the frame. Two will be located above the middle support bar, and two will be located under it. Some wheelchair seat belts may attach differently, but they should all be similar.
To replace a wheelchair seatbelt, just remove the bottom two screws from the backrest, one from each side. Note that the screws pass through both the grommet for the seat belt and the grommet for the backrest.
To install the new seat belt, just pass the phillips screw through the backrest grommet first, then the seat belt grommet. Now, tighten the screw until it is firm, but not over-tightened. These screws are easy to strip inside the frame, and the repair is expensive. A smart trick is to set the clutch on your cordless drill to about 10, and slowly add more torque as needed.
How to Replace the Grip On a Wheelchair Push Handle
The grips on wheelchair push handles can sometimes loosen up over time, causing the handle to slide off. This can be dangerous, because if the handle comes off during operation, the pusher can lose control of the wheelchair.
Generally, if a push handle grip is loose, don’t attempt to push it back on. The grip probably loosened due to wear, so it will loosen again. To finish removing a loose push handle grip, just use a utility knife and cut it off, being careful not to damage the frame.
To install new push handle grips, the pros sometimes apply a drop of dishwashing liquid to the frame. This helps the new handle slide on more easily and when the dishwashing liquid dries, it makes the frame sticky, helping to improve the adhesion.
How to Repair a Wheelchair Tire (Drive Wheels)
The rear wheels on a wheelchair provide the power as the wheelchair is pushed forward. Also known as the drive wheels, most rear wheelchair tire repairs will involve replacing the tire and/or the inner tube. A wheelchair tire is very similar to a bicycle tire, so the easiest way to replace a wheelchair tire is with bicycle tire repair tools.
Depending on what kind of drive wheels your wheelchair has, you might need a couple of box wrenches to remove the wheel from the wheelchair. Just remove the axle bolt running through the axle of the wheel to remove it.
Some wheelchairs are a little more advanced. Wheelchairs often need to be packed and stored, so the ability to easily break the wheelchair down into smaller components without the need for tools is handy. Some wheelchairs have a simple lock on the outside of the axle for quick removal. If yours does, look for a small button in the center of the axle and follow the directions.
You’ll want to get a set of tire levers, which are often just small plastic pry bars. Starting on the side opposite the valve stem (on the inward facing side of the wheel), just slide a tire lever between the flat tire and the tire rim and pull down. You’ll want to start on the inward side first, because the push rim (the rim outside the wheel that the user turns) will be in the way.
Next, clip the other end of the tire lever to the closest spoke on the rim, which will prevent the tire lever from popping back out. Continue adding tire levers (you’ll probably use 6-10, depending on the tire) until the tire is hanging from the rim. Now just do the same to the other side of the same tire, removing it from the rim.
Before you replace the tire and/or inner tube, the pros recommend identifying what caused the tire to go flat. There may be a burr or debris collected during use that will also flatten your new tire unless it is removed.
After the new tire is back on the frame (using the opposite procedure used to remove it), only air the tire up about half way and squeeze the tire a few times to help the inner tube seat against the inside of the wheel. Then air up the tire, test, and you’re done.
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