A rollator is a mobility aid featuring a frame with wheels, handlebars, and a seat. Over time and with regular use, the brake cables can stretch or slip, leading to reduced stopping power and compromised stability. Ensuring the brakes are properly adjusted is a straightforward maintenance task that directly impacts user safety and helps prevent accidental falls. The process of adjusting these brakes is similar across most models, drawing inspiration from bicycle brake systems.
Essential Safety Checks and Required Supplies
Before attempting any brake adjustment, ensure the rollator is stable and secure to prevent movement during the procedure. Place the rollator on a clean, flat surface and position it against a wall or lock the wheels temporarily. Confirm the wheels are seated correctly and roll smoothly without wobbling. The brake cable casing should be examined for any visible signs of damage, such as cuts, severe kinking, or fraying, as a compromised cable requires replacement rather than adjustment.
The tools required for this maintenance include a small adjustable wrench or a set of pliers for minor adjustments. For major adjustments involving the anchor bolt, a set of metric wrenches or Allen keys may be necessary, depending on the rollator’s specific hardware. A clean rag is useful for wiping away grime, and a small amount of lubricant can be beneficial if the adjuster nuts appear seized.
Adjusting the Brake Cable Tension
Adjusting the brake cable tension involves taking up the slack that develops over time to restore responsiveness. Minor adjustments are made using the barrel adjuster, a threaded cylinder located near the hand brake lever. To increase tension and tighten the brake, turn the barrel adjuster counterclockwise, pulling the cable housing away from the brake lever. Turning the adjuster clockwise will loosen the brake if it is too tight.
Barrel adjustments should be made in small increments, often a half-turn at a time, before testing the brake engagement. This method is ideal for correcting minor looseness. If turning the barrel adjuster does not resolve the issue, or if the brake has become significantly loose, a major adjustment at the anchor nut is required. This anchor nut secures the cable’s end to the brake mechanism near the wheel.
To perform a major adjustment, loosen the anchor nut with a wrench, releasing the cable. Manually pull the cable taut to remove excess slack before retightening the anchor nut to secure the new, shorter cable length. This is the most effective way to restore tension lost due to cable stretch. The goal is for the brake handle to engage the wheel firmly when squeezed, but the wheel spins freely when the handle is released. Adjusting the bottom anchor point first provides the most immediate impact on the brake’s contact with the wheel.
Verifying Proper Function and Lock Engagement
Once the tension adjustment is complete, test the brakes under two conditions: the rolling brake and the parking lock. The rolling brake function is tested by squeezing the handles while pushing the rollator. When the handles are squeezed, the wheel should stop immediately and smoothly without excessive force. If the wheel continues to roll easily, the cable remains too loose and requires further tightening, usually by another half-turn of the barrel adjuster.
The parking lock immobilizes the rollator for standing or sitting. It is engaged by pushing the brake levers down or flipping a specific mechanism. Once locked, the wheel must be completely immobilized, resisting attempts to push the rollator forward or backward. If the wheel moves slightly, the parking brake is not engaging fully, indicating the need for a minor fine-tuning adjustment to increase tension.
When Simple Adjustment Fails
In situations where adjusting the cable tension does not restore effective braking, the issue may be severely worn brake pads. These components press against the wheel to create friction. If the pads appear thin, glazed, or unevenly worn, they must be replaced as they have lost their ability to grip the wheel.
Damage to the brake cable itself is another issue; it can fray inside the housing or become permanently kinked, preventing smooth movement. Frayed cables should be replaced immediately upon discovery, as they can snap and cause a complete loss of braking function. Uneven braking, where one side slows faster than the other, might indicate an alignment problem or a bent or seized wheel mechanism. If simple tension adjustments fail and complex issues are diagnosed, consult a professional repair technician or the manufacturer for service.