A rollator is a mobility aid designed with a frame, four wheels, and hand brakes, which allows users to walk without lifting the device from the ground. Unlike a standard walker, the continuous rolling motion requires a highly functional braking system for safety and control. Brake adjustment becomes necessary when the cables stretch or components wear. This wear causes the brakes to feel too loose, requiring too much hand pressure to stop, or too tight, causing the wheels to drag while rolling. Maintaining the precise tension of these cable-activated brakes is essential for preventing falls and ensuring the device stops reliably.
Essential Safety Checks and Tools
Before attempting any mechanical adjustment, position the rollator on a flat, level surface and ensure it is stable. Inspect the entire brake cable system, checking for any visible signs of fraying, kinks, or damage to the outer housing, which indicates a need for replacement. Also, visually examine the brake pads near the rear wheels to confirm they are not excessively worn down, as worn pads will not respond fully to a cable adjustment.
Gathering the correct tools will make the adjustment process smoother and more precise. Most rollator brake systems use metric-sized nuts, often requiring a small adjustable wrench or a specific set of metric wrenches, typically 8mm or 10mm. Depending on the model, needle-nose pliers or a small flathead screwdriver may also be useful to hold components steady or access recessed parts.
Step-by-Step Cable Adjustment
The primary mechanism for fine-tuning brake tension is typically a barrel adjuster located either near the hand lever or near the wheel where the cable meets the brake pad. This adjuster consists of two main parts: a locking nut and an adjustment barrel. The process begins by using a wrench to gently loosen the locking nut, which secures the adjustment barrel in its current position.
Once the locking nut is loose, you can turn the main adjustment barrel to change the cable tension. Turning the adjustment barrel clockwise shortens the cable housing, which pulls the cable tighter and moves the brake pad closer to the wheel, effectively tightening the brake. Conversely, turning the adjustment barrel counter-clockwise lengthens the housing, loosening the cable tension and making the brake pad sit further from the wheel.
Make only very small adjustments—a quarter-turn at a time is often enough to create a noticeable change in tension. After each small turn, check the brake action by briefly squeezing the hand lever. Once the desired tension is achieved, where the brake lever feels firm, securely re-tighten the locking nut against the adjustment barrel to prevent the setting from vibrating loose during normal use.
Testing the Brake Mechanism
After adjusting the cable tension, it is necessary to test both the primary rolling brake function and the parking lock mechanism to verify the successful adjustment. The rolling brake test involves walking the rollator forward and squeezing both hand levers simultaneously and smoothly. The device should slow down or stop evenly on both sides without pulling sharply to the left or right, which indicates an uneven tension adjustment between the two wheels.
Next, fully engage the parking brake by pushing the hand levers down into the locked position. Once locked, attempt to push the rollator forward and backward to ensure the wheels are completely immobilized. If the wheels still move slightly while the parking brake is engaged, the cable tension is too loose and requires further tightening. If the wheels drag or rub when the brakes are disengaged, the tension is too tight and requires slight loosening.