Rollator brake problem

Nolly53
Nolly53 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
edited July 2024 in Housing and independent living
My son uses a Drive 4 wheel rollator.  His mobility is extremely poor, he is heavy and has to lean quite heavily on the rollator to get around.  Consequently, one of the nuts on the brake cable continually loosens and has to be re-tightened every few days.  He is unable to do this himself.  Has anyone else encountered this problem and come up with a solution.  Basically, I want to stop it loosening but want to still be able to adjust it when necessary.

Comments

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Hi and welcome to the community 

    Sorry you haven't had a response . I'm not very mechanical minded I'm afraid 

    Maybe there is a better model put there more suitable for his needs 
  • Steve_in_The_City
    Steve_in_The_City Scope Member Posts: 810 Trailblazing
    @Nolly53 The rollator I use is only a 3 wheeler, it is lightweight and compact and definitely not suited for your son. I have problems with the brakes as well. I wondered  if it would be possible to take the rollator to a cycle repair shop? They may be able to stop the nut loosening as frequently as it does, which would alleviate the problem at least a little. 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    That's quite frustrating @Nolly53 especially when the best thing for independence is a mobility aid we can rely on and trust to work safely!

    Visiting a cycle repair shop is great advice from Steve, another place to try, if you have one local to you, is a supplier of mobility aids, as they may be able to refer you to somewhere which offers more specific repairs.

    If all else fails it may be worth looking into a different model as Jane has suggested.

    Let us know how things go for you, and if we can help further please ask :)

    Alex 
  • newborn
    newborn Online Community Member Posts: 828 Trailblazing
    Yes a garage or a bike shop would help. Or a practically minded neighbour? People normally use Locktight. The other option is extra or different washers.
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    Thanks for sharing your tips @newborn. Hopefully, your tips will help @Nolly53.

    @Nolly53 Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if we can do anything else to help. We are all here for you and listening to you  :)
  • ReMob
    ReMob Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    That sounds frustrating, especially since reliable brakes are so important for safety.

    A few things you might try:

    • Nylon lock nuts (nyloc nuts): These resist loosening from vibration and pressure but can still be adjusted when needed.
    • Threadlocker (like Loctite): Apply a medium-strength one so the nut stays put but can be undone with tools if adjustments are needed.
    • Check the brake cable housing: Sometimes the issue is that the housing or adjuster isn’t seated properly, which causes extra slack.
    • Heavy-duty rollator models: If your son is leaning heavily, it may also be worth looking into bariatric rollators that are designed for higher weight and stress; they often have sturdier brake systems.

    A mobility equipment shop should be able to fit a more permanent solution quickly, so you don’t have to keep tightening it every few days.

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