Wheel locks: check to make sure the tips are not worn or torn or missing. Check
tension of wheel lock when engaged on the wheel make sure the wheel doesn’t
slide and that it isn’t too hard to engage. If it is a knurled style wheel lock
that the post is not worn smooth. Check the side to side motion on the wheel
lock. If it is to loose do to the top 2 bolts that can usually be tightened to
take the slop out but if the holes are wobbled out or out of round the wheel
lock will need to be replaced. Also make sure that the spacers are still
attached. If the wheel lock is loose because the rivets have worn out, the
wheel lock will need to be replaced. If wheel lock has a grade aide option on
it make sure it is adjusted properly and rolls freely forward while engaged but
holds chair in reverse.
Wheels:
Most common wheel options are; Spoke
or Mag. Mags are generally plastic or composite but could also be metal. On mag
wheels make sure that that aren’t breaking or cracking on spoke wheels make
sure they are all tightened properly and not loose or broken or bent. Tires
check the wear of the tread of the tires check the side walls of the tires to
make sure that they haven’t started to crack on the sides do to age and
weather. Check you hand rim options make sure that they are tightened and that
there is no wiggle in the hand rims. Tires options tire with pneumatic tubes or
a tire over an “insert” or solid tires. Check the bearings in the wheels to
make sure that they are not worn out or “grinding” that the do spin but not too
much.
Casters
Check caster to make sure that the tires have good
tread left on the tire, if replacement is need they are usually replaced has an
assembly. Check to make sure that the tires are tight on the rim and won’t pop
off. Check to make sure that the wheels spin and the bearings are good. Check
fork assembly in the journal housing to make sure it is adjust properly and
that it sine to loose. Looseness is usually do to bad or worn out bearing or
the stem nut could just need tightened this is how a properly adjust fork
should spin on a test if the journal housing is adjustable check to make sure
it is tight and properly squared up in proportion to the chair check t make
sure chair has dust caps on chair this is important to extend the life of the
bearings, to keep it free from foreign substance
Axels
Check to
make sure that they are clean and remove any foreign substance that has gotten
entangled around the axels
Anti-tips
Are they missing? If on the
chair make sure the push pins depress properly and remove easily. And they spin
properly to engage and that the pin engages properly. Check to make sure the
wheels are intact
Footrest or legrests
Swing away option, check that they
swing away properly and remove easily and the cam or latch lock springs back
properly check that the extension tubes are secured properly and that the holes
aren’t out of round. Check footplates to make sure that they are properly
adjusted (if adjustable) and have good tension
Armrests
Height
adjustable check all lever options to make sure they adjust and remove easily
and free of foreign substance.
Upholstery
Check to make sure it is
clean that it doesn’t have in snags rips or tears. Check that the upholstery
doesn’t have extensive sagging check the attaching hardware that they are
smooth with no sharp edges so it doesn’t cause skin breakdown
Arm
pads
Also make sure that there is no rips or tears in the pads which can
cause skin breakdown
Hand grips
Make sure that the hand grips
aren’t missing, loose or worn or torn.
Folding
Some chairs have a
convenient folding strap built into the seat upholstery. Check to make sure the
chair folds properly
Tilt options
Make sure levers depress properly
and that the chair tilts easily