Wheelchair Wheel Bearing Maintenance

Wheelchair maintenance is essential to ensuring that you always have accessibility to a reliable wheelchair. Many people ask about replacing their wheelchair bearing. How often should you replace your wheelchair bearing? How do you know when it is time to replace your wheelchair bearing? And, is it even necessary to replace the wheelchair bearing? These are all valid and important questions. Find some answers here.

What are Wheelchair Bearings?

Bearings are an integral part of the wheelchair wheels. They allow the wheels to spin unencumbered. They are ball bearings encased in a metal ring. Most manufacturers recommend that these bearings be replaced annually. Of course, if you live an active lifestyle, you may need to replace them more often.

Oddly enough about 10% of the world’s population suffers from some disability and many of those people depend on wheelchairs for mobility, yet they are not aware that bearings need to be replaced.

High-quality Spinergy wheelchair wheels often require replacement less often. Follow your manufactures instructions. It is important that you use the right tools to remove and replace the bearing. The manufacturer can provide you with the information you need about which tools are right for your wheelchair.

Signs You May Need to Replace the Bearings On Your Wheelchair Wheels

There are a few signs you should look for to determine if it is time to change your wheelchair bearing. If your wheels are starting to noticeably squeak more than usual this may be a sign it is time to change the bearing.

If the wheels on your wheelchair are not moving smoothly you may have a bearing problem that needs attention. Before you pull out the tool kit, try lubricating the bearings, if that does not help, it is best to change the bearings.

Regular Maintenance

Regularly maintaining your bearings can help reduce the frequency with which they need to be changed out. Cleaning out the bearings every two weeks (or after using the wheelchair on tough terrain) is necessary. Hair, dirt, and debris can get stuck in the bearings and cause a malfunction.

You can clean the bearings by hand to remove any noticeable debris. You can use forced air to blow out any debris you cannot reach. Never use a sharp tool to clear debris you can damage the bearing housing.

You should lubricate your bearings monthly to ensure smooth operation. With a little care and attention, the wheelchair bearings will perform as they should for a long time.