Mobility scooter repair doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, many users attempt to make quick fixes on their own without paying a bill to medical equipment companies.
Take a look at the following scenario:
Charlotte is a 72 year old female who lives in her private resident with her spouse. 2 years ago, she purchased a mobility scooter for community outings only. Because she can’t fit the scooter in her home, she keeps it out in her garage. Thanks to the frigid and humid air of the Midwest, the scooter took a superficial beating last winter while staying outside. One of the wire covers to her joystick split open, her adaptive mirror cracked, and a previous crack in her seat cushion has welcomed a bout of mold. Her husband thinks that they could complete all of the repairs themselves without taking it into the shop in order to save some money.
See Our Best Mobility Scooters Guide Here
Minor repairs can be successfully completed with a few screws and a roll of duct tape. However, in Charlotte’s case, a few things need to be acknowledged before touching the scooter.
Furthermore, this list goes for anyone who is considering repairing a scooter without the assist of a professional:
Know Your Limits
If you can handle glue, a staple gun, needle and thread, or a roll of tape then superficial repairs that have absolutely nothing to do with the motor might be appropriate for home repair. Such examples include wear and tear to upholstery, cracked arm-rests, and loose Velcro. If you’re comfortable with moderately complex tasks that include tightening screws, then repairing loose parts could easily be done from home as well.
Run A Cost-Benefit Analysis
Is it financially worth it to you to complete a mobility scooter repair?
Completing such repairs takes extra time out of your day, time in which you are welcome to dedicate to a project like this. However, for people who don’t have a lot of time (especially full time caregivers of aging or disabled family members), it may be worth the extra cost to hire someone to perform the repairs. Furthermore, it may cost less to send the scooter to the shop depending on what part needs fixing. Do a price comparison before diving into financial patches.
Consider If A Mobility Scooter Repair Safe For You
You don’t want to conduct any repairs if you are partially unsure of what you are doing, especially if it involves parts that could injure or inconvenient the user. Examples include any repairs to the motor, to the control system, to any tilt-in-space features, to any expensive pressure-relieving cushions, and to anything that involves the battery and charging systems. The last thing the user needs is having the scooter stall causing them to get stranded in unsafe places alone.
Consider If The Repairs Are Safe For Others
This particularly pertains to any attempts to repair the control system, including speed settings and joystick settings. There is an underlying assumption that a competent scooter user will safely propel it while avoiding hitting anyone or anything around them. Any minor problems with the control system could make the chair start making the steering and speed decisions instead of the user, which is especially dangerous for others in the immediate environment.
Keep In Mind How The Repairs Impact The Living Space
If the mobility scooter repair is small, then this might be irrelevant. However, if repairs include adding anything onto the chair that protrudes from the chair (i.e. adaptive mirrors, flags, umbrellas, etc.), then consider how it affects the surrounding space. This includes door frames, hallways, porch rails, or any type of barrier in the living space that the scooter will most likely come across.
If You’re Not An Electrician, Just Don’t
If you lack intricate, or even general, knowledge of electrician work, play it safe and do not touch anything with wires. Leave any damaged electrical units to the professionals because in the long run it will be cheaper.
Make Sure The Mobility Scooter Repair Lasts
If you want to save money by not repeatedly fixing the same problem on the scooter, make sure you take the time and effort to ensure your first mobility scooter repair job lasts. This may require getting some training or education from others on how to properly complete a mobility scooter repair.
Sometimes, malfunctions in a mobility scooter have to do with replacing entire parts rather than fixing broken equipment. If you still have it, go back to the manufacturer and User Manual information that came with the scooter when you initially bought it.
There may be some details about parts that could be easily replaced with a screw driver.
Such examples include:
Caster Wheels
Numerous caster wheels are available online. The customer just needs to make sure it matches the scooter that is being repaired.
Arm-Rests
There are two things available online, but it depends on what is broken: a full arm-rest or an arm-rest pad. Figure out to what extent the arm-rest is broken before purchasing the part.
Foot Plate
This is helpful for scooters that actually have a foot plate like Jazzy and Quantum models. Foot plates do break off, especially if the chair hits any low obstacles
Batteries
Batteries are meant to be taken out and replaced, and it is definitely a waste of time and money to take it to a professional to replace a battery (but if you are truly lost about how, please see a medical equipment specialist).
- UPG # D5722 UB12350 12V 35Ah. Pack of 2
- Dimensions: 7.75 inches x 5.19 inches x 7.13 inches. Weight: 22.50 Lbs
- SLA/AGM maintenance free, spill proof battery
- Rechargeable battery that can be mounted in any position, resists shocks and vibration
- 1 Year Warranty
Joystick Caps
Caps fall off all of the time, so it doesn’t hurt to stock up in the event that you lose more than one.
- It is a brand new replacement joystick knob & gaiter used on most joystick contollers
- All size view the pictures please.
- Note: Disassembly of the joystick using basic hand tools is required for installation of the boot.
- This knob & gaiter will fit on a variety of joysticks, if yours compares to the pictures shown it will fit. These knobs & gaiter are used on the following wheelchair joysticks
Seat Cushions
It is difficult to replace a captain seat cushion; however, seat cushion inserts are good option for improved padding and to cover superficial cracks or tears on the seat.