One day, my friend (a wheelchair user) and I went for our first outing, where I was driving him to our destination. When it came time to assemble his wheelchair and open it up, it wouldn’t open. I panicked. Let’s say I ended up enlisting the help of a homeless man awhile troubleshooting orders were coming from the passenger seat. It was stressful then, but we can laugh about it now.
A wheelchair won’t open if there is a problem with the frame or movable parts. For example, the problem could be due to loose nuts and bolts or a lack of lubrication. Other possible reasons why a wheelchair won’t open include an object jamming the joints or an engaged safety mechanism.
There was nothing wrong with my friend’s wheelchair – I was the one who didn’t know the method of opening it correctly. Between my ignorance and the various buttons I needed to press, I couldn’t figure it out in a hurry. But I’m better informed now and ready for our next adventure. So, below are some great tips to help if you find yourself struggling, as I did, with a wheelchair that won’t open.
Possible Reasons Why A Wheelchair Won’t Open
The most common reason for a wheelchair to not open is a problem with the frame. However, it could be any one of the following reasons, too:
- Something is obstructing a joint or tangled in the frame,
- A lever or latch must be adjusted,
- The person opening the wheelchair doesn’t know the correct method of opening the wheelchair, or
- The wheelchair needs a little bit of cleaning, maintenance, or repair.
Inspect, Clean, And Lubricate Your Wheelchair Frame
The most common reason why a wheelchair won’t open is that some of the moving metal parts are loose, seized, or worn. For example, nuts and bolts that are too loose will definitely interfere with the opening of a wheelchair.
You will need to grab some solvents, a few rags, and some lubricant to perform a little maintenance service on your wheelchair. Additionally, keep a toolkit for the wheelchair with the correct screwdrivers, wrench, and Allen or hex keys for minor maintenance.
This video advises cleaning and lubricating your wheelchair frame to help it open and fold properly. Some of the salient points from the video are as follows:
- Clean the frame with a solvent like WD40. A common misconception is that WD40 is a lubricant, but it is not. It cleans grime and build-up. Instead, use proper lubricants for movable parts and car polish or wax to protect your wheelchair’s frame.
- Use penetrating oil to loosen stubborn clamps or joints, e.g., wheel lock clamps, washers, and bolts. Once you have applied the penetrating oil, leave it overnight (preferably). Again, penetrating oil is not a lubricant.
- Once the frame is clean of grime and build-up, lubricate moving parts with a Teflon or silicon spray. It’s better to use a lubricant that dries quickly and leaves little to no residue.
- Use an anti-seize for joints where there has been ionic action between mixed metals, e.g., an aluminum clamp with a steel bolt.
- Don’t mix your lubricants.
- Lubricate the movable metal parts at least four times a year or more, depending on your environment. For example, sand, water, or sea salt will corrode the metals faster and make it difficult to open or close the wheelchair.
Check For Dents, Scratches, And Other Damage
While inspecting your wheelchair, check it for damage, including dents and scratches. Dents can affect the ease of movement when opening or closing the wheelchair. Deep scratches that expose the metal can result in premature rusting of the wheelchair. Rust on the movable metal parts of a wheelchair is sure to create friction, affecting how easily it opens and closes.
Check For Objects Interfering With The Opening Motion
First, you should check that no straps or objects restrict the mechanisms and joints for unfolding the wheelchair. For example, if a strap is hooked around a frame where it shouldn’t be, it will undoubtedly make it difficult to open the wheelchair. Unhook the strap so that it doesn’t hinder the unfolding motion of the wheelchair.
You can also check for objects that might have become wedged around the nuts or bolts on the frame. For example, it could be that a foreign object became wedged in the joint when folding the wheelchair. Or, something could have become entwined in the wheelchair’s frame while in transit.
Have You Checked The Necessary Wheelchair Levers?
Sometimes, in the thick of feeling frustrated, you overlook something obvious. For example, depending on the type of wheelchair you want to open, there might be safety latches or levers that must be adjusted before you can open it. If you don’t see any visible obstructions and the wheelchair won’t budge, check if any safety locks are latched.
Also, check the wheels are locked in place and facing the right direction before opening the wheelchair. Depending on the wheelchair, it might be a safety feature that the chair won’t open without the wheels securely attached and locked.
There’s A Method To Opening Wheelchairs
Ok, this part is for us who haven’t got the knack for opening a wheelchair or know where to start. Failure to do any of these steps properly might result in you being unable to open the wheelchair. Additionally, it’s wise to open or close the wheelchair on a level and solid surface.
The method for opening a wheelchair with a cross-brace frame is as follows:
- Take the folded chair and slide the rear wheels into place. You will need to press the button at the center of the wheel for it to click into place and be secure. Make sure you put on the wheels the correct way and on the correct sides, i.e., left and right.
- Lock the brakes on the wheels to prevent the wheelchair from rolling away from you.
- While holding the two handles at the back of the wheelchair, lift the rear wheels off the ground. The two front wheels will still be on the floor. In this position, open the back by pulling the handles apart horizontally.
- Lower the back wheels and move to the front of the wheelchair. The seat should still be partially closed.
- With your hands open and flat and fingers pointing inward, push down firmly on the seat until you hear a clicking sound. It’s essential to keep your hands out of the way of the seat rails and frame during this step to avoid injury.
- Replace the armrests, the footrests, and the seat cushion in the correct position.
You can watch the following two videos for instructions on how to fold and unfold a cross-brace frame wheelchair (watch from 2:05) and a rigid wheelchair.
Regular Wheelchair Maintenance To Avoid An Unfolding Crisis
It’s crucial to have a regular maintenance schedule for your wheelchair. You should perform a wheelchair inspection daily and clean and lubricate it at least four times a year.
Wear and tear is inevitable on the nuts, bolts, and bearings. When these are loose, seized, or worn, you will have trouble opening your wheelchair. Therefore, you should check the nuts and bolts on your wheelchair at least once a month.
Conclusion
The main reasons a wheelchair won’t open are that the movable metal parts need lubrication or the nuts and bolts are loose. Regular maintenance and inspection of the wheelchair can help to avoid reaching the stage where parts seize. Other reasons a wheelchair won’t open are that there’s an obstruction impeding movement or a safety mechanism must be unlatched.