19 replies to this topic

[nitrosport_5]

Well, first off i am not sure if that is the appropriate name for them, but that is what i remember them being called(been a while since i ordered this chair). they are the brakes that come out from under the seat frame of the chair.

Anyways, just recently the return spring on one of them broke. this wouldn't be that big of an issue but they flop out and i jam my thumb into them and it really hurts. i have tried to bend the spring back but it just broke in another spot. So, my question is.. is there a web site to get some extra springs? we have asked the place where we got the chair but their service is horrible.. it seems like alot of wheelchair supply places are that way in the nearest town unfortunately. Ive concidered just tanking them off... that would make things more interesting definitely.

TYIA

[guido]

nitrosport_5, on Feb 3 2010, 05:55 PM, said:

Well, first off i am not sure if that is the appropriate name for them, but that is what i remember them being called(been a while since i ordered this chair). they are the brakes that come out from under the seat frame of the chair.

Anyways, just recently the return spring on one of them broke. this wouldn't be that big of an issue but they flop out and i jam my thumb into them and it really hurts. i have tried to bend the spring back but it just broke in another spot. So, my question is.. is there a web site to get some extra springs? we have asked the place where we got the chair but their service is horrible.. it seems like alot of wheelchair supply places are that way in the nearest town unfortunately. Ive concidered just tanking them off... that would make things more interesting definitely.

TYIA

A lot of places would rather sell you a whole new set of brakes rather than tinker with a fiddly part that makes them no money. These people are mostly motivated by money, not the desire to help. Try going direct to the manufacturer and asking them, and if they don't want to help direct, ask them for a decent retailer - and name and shame their distributors who are giving you bad service. But be rational not emotional when complaining. You ultimate threat is that you will vote with your feet and tell everyone you know what bad service "so-and-so company" give. Consumer power is strong when used correctly.

I usually telephone/write to the boss (or at least cc him by name in a letter). It has a far greater effect, as if he isn't interested to help then you should stay away from the company, and often his staff don't want to look stupid in front of him, so make a better effort to get it sorted. A boss/owner can't sort problems he's not aware of, and most company owners want a successful business with lots of goodwill.

Ultimately a company cannot take action against these gits unless customers complain.

Failing that, go online and and ring retailers until you get one you like, then post their details and stick with them!

[t4_5para]

nitrosport_5, on Feb 3 2010, 05:55 PM, said:

Ive concidered just tanking them off... that would make things more interesting definitely.

TYIA

I've never used brakes on my chair, the first chair I had had the scissor type action like yours and I found then useless anyway, so never used them. The second 2 years later was a folding Quickie, with the brakes mounted high and I got feed up after a couple of days of catching my hands in them so took them off. After that, I bought a ridged frame to use for everyday and basketball, so couldn't have the brakes fitted, and now, even when my last chair was delivered in August, the first thing I did was is take them off and it will be the same when my new one is delivered later this year.

As long as your strong enough to lift properly and have quick reactions, it doesn't make a lot of difference. For me it's better, as sometimes my spasms are so strong, when getting in/out or on/off things, if the chair had brakes on, I would just be flipped over, where as without them I can manouver the chair.

Leave them on and try not using them for a little while, and see how you get on, that's what I would advise.

Edited by t4_5para, 03 February 2010 - 07:49 PM.

[nitrosport_5]

i think i probably at least am going to rubber band the one break closed until i can take it off or get a new spring. But i think i will try w/o them.. only transfer that i think would cause me issues would be into my pickup.. just started doing that one without the slide board a few weeks ago altho it is fairly easy. we will see

[t4_5para]

nitrosport_5, on Feb 3 2010, 10:12 PM, said:

i think i probably at least am going to rubber band the one break closed until i can take it off or get a new spring. But i think i will try w/o them.. only transfer that i think would cause me issues would be into my pickup.. just started doing that one without the slide board a few weeks ago altho it is fairly easy. we will see

Using a board to transfer couldmake it more difficult without brakes, however I have had a Land Rover Defender as a company car and a MPV as a family car before without any trouble and my break is higher than yours but, I have never used a board, so you have a WHOLE new game to learn really. It just takes cofidence and self belief, you should be fine. Plus losing the board, will make you feel a whole lot better in yourself and more...independant is not the word but....

Edited by t4_5para, 03 February 2010 - 11:06 PM.

[Tinbasher]

Home Improvement stores or ironmongers often sell boxes of assorted springs.

Tin

[nitrosport_5]

t4_5para, on Feb 4 2010, 12:03 AM, said:

nitrosport_5, on Feb 3 2010, 10:12 PM, said:

i think i probably at least am going to rubber band the one break closed until i can take it off or get a new spring. But i think i will try w/o them.. only transfer that i think would cause me issues would be into my pickup.. just started doing that one without the slide board a few weeks ago altho it is fairly easy. we will see

Using a board to transfer couldmake it more difficult without brakes, however I have had a Land Rover Defender as a company car and a MPV as a family car before without any trouble and my break is higher than yours but, I have never used a board, so you have a WHOLE new game to learn really. It just takes cofidence and self belief, you should be fine. Plus losing the board, will make you feel a whole lot better in yourself and more...independant is not the word but....

I know what you mean. I used to use the board to get into m pickup cuz it was a bit taller but recently taught myself to not use it. Its much faster and I think I could manage without brakes.


Tin, I think I could find any spring but the one on there is sort of hooked. Was just going to try to get the correct one before doing that. But will keep it in mind

[dangerousdave]

As some have stated - brakes, what brakes, throw em away
Was my attitude until last year when several little issues have become bigger issues

So E-mail the manufacture, tell them the problem and purely for future customer relations, they should do somin

Comunication is the start of problem solving

[nitrosport_5]

I have one problem. I don't know the manufacturer of the brakes. Its been 6 years since I ordered the chair and the place I ordered it ffrom installed them as far as I know

[dangerousdave]

Then photo the broken alongside the unbroken springs
Mention a few dimensions
Re-post
Maybe 1 of us can help ..... maybe not

[t4_5para]

nitrosport_5, on Feb 4 2010, 03:37 PM, said:

I have one problem. I don't know the manufacturer of the brakes. Its been 6 years since I ordered the chair and the place I ordered it ffrom installed them as far as I know

What chair is it?

Normally, well here in the UK, brakes are fitted by the manufacturer.

[nitrosport_5]

t4_5para, on Feb 4 2010, 07:48 PM, said:

nitrosport_5, on Feb 4 2010, 03:37 PM, said:

I have one problem. I don't know the manufacturer of the brakes. Its been 6 years since I ordered the chair and the place I ordered it ffrom installed them as far as I know

What chair is it?

Normally, well here in the UK, brakes are fitted by the manufacturer.

It is an invicare A4 titanium. I acually found an old part of the chassis that i had previously broke, and it had my old set of brakes attached to it. and there was still a spring left on it. so i am going to use that for now, and tomarrow ehn i switch them out i will get a picture of the brake assembly itsself.

[Darkghost]

Hi,
I have a quickie argon,which originally had scissor brakes.These didn't last to long and they replaced them with "crocodile " type brakes.They seem a lot more effective and easier to use.
Worth a look at.
George

[nitrosport_5]

well i finally snapped a couple pics of them.. not the best cuz i was tyring to take a pic wth my phone while holding the piece of the chassis in my other hand. haha. anyways.

[oldwheelz]

I have a A4T. What you have is what they call under mount brakes. I wore mine out and switched to the high mount ones. Good luck with getting a part. Needed a part for mine and the dealer gave up and took it from a old chair.

[nitrosport_5]

oldwheelz, on Feb 10 2010, 12:03 AM, said:

I have a A4T. What you have is what they call under mount brakes. I wore mine out and switched to the high mount ones. Good luck with getting a part. Needed a part for mine and the dealer gave up and took it from a old chair.

Thanks for letting me know what they are called. I have a brand new set of high mount ones that came on my first chair, but i always hit my hands on them and that is why i went with these ones. i got a spring off an old set of brakes to work, but i dont know for how long. i am thinking about stopping into my local dealer this friday and asking about a new set of springs.. dont know where that will get me but its worth a shot.

[Rotarymotion]

Looking at your photos, I think my brakes are roughly the same style.
Not sure whether this will help, but my brakes don't have springs on them. I took them off because I kept getting my fingers hit by the spring-assisted release. I overcame the problem you have of them vibrating out into the path of your thumbs by tightening the pivot nuts; on mine there are a couple of plastic washers and a nylock nut on the pivot bolt.
I now have enough friction on them for them to stay out of the way when released. They stay where I push them, whereas before, they "flew" off and often hurt my fingers.
Guess we all like things a different way.

[Denny]

There are many designs of scissor brakes available and most can fit almost any chair as long as brackets are there. Till I read you post, I had not noticed that the spring on brake not working. I fixed it also I replace one of the brake. Here is the picture of Brake I purchased from Bromakin (uk) for £20.

[nitrosport_5]

Rotarymotion, on Feb 11 2010, 09:09 PM, said:

Looking at your photos, I think my brakes are roughly the same style.
Not sure whether this will help, but my brakes don't have springs on them. I took them off because I kept getting my fingers hit by the spring-assisted release. I overcame the problem you have of them vibrating out into the path of your thumbs by tightening the pivot nuts; on mine there are a couple of plastic washers and a nylock nut on the pivot bolt.
I now have enough friction on them for them to stay out of the way when released. They stay where I push them, whereas before, they "flew" off and often hurt my fingers.
Guess we all like things a different way.

i had that type innitially, and i did not like having to manually return them. i would forget and really rack my fingers on them. Worst case i will do just as you did and tighten the bolts.

Denny, on Feb 12 2010, 10:38 AM, said:

There are many designs of scissor brakes available and most can fit almost any chair as long as brackets are there. Till I read you post, I had not noticed that the spring on brake not working. I fixed it also I replace one of the brake. Here is the picture of Brake I purchased from Bromakin (uk) for £20.
ill look and see how much a brake set would be around here. thanks

[adaptiveone]

I have a set I would be willing to sell. I have been in a chair for 10 years and just never have like them. make me an offer and their yours.