Workshop

Annual Strip-Down Service

Regular servicing and maintenance is vital if you want to keep your mobility equipment reliable and ensure that you can remain as active as possible. Our Annual Strip-down Service is one of our most in-depth services, we strip you mobility equipment down to the frame, and check every component.

During an Annual Strip-down Service we carry out the following tasks.

• Test the condition of the batteries;
• Test the operation of the battery charger;
• Inspect the condition and test the operation of the seating;
• Inspect the condition of the wheels & tyres;
• Check and adjust the tyre pressures;
• Check the condition, and function of the wheel bearings;
• Check the condition, and function of the suspension;
• Check the condition, and function of the Controls;
• Check and test the wiring loom, and wiring loom connections;
• Check the condition, and test the operation, of the Lights, horn, speed and throttle controls;
• Check the condition, test the function, and clean the mechanical and magnetic brakes;
• Check the condition of the chassis frame and tiller;
• Check the condition and function of the steering rack, column/tiller;
• Check the condition and function of the chassis Joints and Transaxle mounts;
• Check the condition, clean, and test the function of the motor(s), replacing any worn bearings;
• Check the condition, clean, and test the function of the transaxle/gearbox(es), replacing any worn bearings or seals and replacing the gearbox grease;
• Where possible we download, and check, the onboard computer logs;
• Conduct a one hour test drive that tests the equipment on a variety of terrains and in a range of circumstances;
• Every Strip-down service includes a mini-valet
• An engineers report that details the work that has been completed and any findings or recommendations. Each report contains detailed written findings with imagery.

The cost of a strip-down service is only £250 with vat relief, a bargain when you consider how much work is involved.

If any major faults, broken components or excessive wear is discovered during the service, we will contact you to offer advice and quote any additional costs before proceeding with the repair.

You can book a service by calling 0800 634 9143, emailing info@ablemobility.co.uk or using the booking form on this page.

Batteries

Your batteries are very important, they make your scooter or wheelchair move, the lights and equipment fitted to it work and help you go where you need to with the freedom that you deserve.

Batteries fail for a variety of reasons, some of these are listed below;

Faulty charging: If your battery charger has a fault or you incorrectly charge your batteries.

Age: When your batteries get old, they begin to fail, this means that the distance you can travel on a full charge will reduce and eventually they won’t be able to use your mobility equipment.

Cold weather: Cold weather affects every part of your wheelchair or mobility scooter which puts more strain on older batteries.

A battery test costs £35 plus vat but is free if your batteries are faulty and you choose to purchase your batteries from us at the time of the inspection.

You can book a battery inspection by by calling 0800 634 9143 or emailing info@ablemobility.co.uk.

Bodywork

Whether it is an insurance repair, or self financed bodywork repair, looking after your mobility equipments bodywork and frame is vital to ensure that it will be as safe as possible. Whether your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair has been damaged by an impact or it has age related damage like corrosion, we can repair it for you.

If you are going through insurance then we can work directly with your insurance company to take all the hassle out of getting the repairs authorised and completed, all you need to do is open a claim with your insurance company then forward us the details and we do the rest.

You can book an investigation or repair by by calling 0800 634 9143 or emailing info@ablemobility.co.uk.

Electrical

Electrical faults can cause your mobility equipment to stop working all together, become unsafe, or be unreliable. Finding the fault or faults and repairing them is vital to ensure that your mobility equipment is as safe and reliable as possible. We carry out hundreds, if not thousands, of electrical repairs every year. If you are having electrical issues with your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair then we can help.

You can book an investigation or repair by by calling 0800 634 9143 or emailing info@ablemobility.co.uk.

Tyres & Suspension

Keeping your tyres, inner tubes and suspension in good working order is vital to ensure that your mobility equipment is safe.

Tyres

Tyres are one of the most important components of your mobility scooter or wheelchair and yet they are often the most overlooked part. Your tyres connect you to the road or pavement, they help you speed up, slow down, steer, avoid sliding and stop safely.

Like most things, tyres are affected by age and either frequent or not enough use. Tyres can crack or split, the tread wear through frequent or heavy use which can cause then to have reduced grip, they can become deflated (if pneumatic) which can cause damage to the tyre or inner tube and this can cause the tyre to become misshapen, all of which can affect their performance and safety.

We have listed some of the questions that we are asked most frequently along with the answers to help you understand the importance of responsible tyre care;

What does my tyre tread do?

The tread of your tyre helps your wheelchair or mobility scooter grip the road or pavement, these grooves help move the water when driving through puddles or surface water allowing the tyre to grip helping you accelerate, slow down and keep control

What is the minimum tread depth?

Whilst there is no minimum tread depth for tyres on wheelchairs and mobility scooters we recommend that you avoid wearing your tyre tread below 1mm, this is the minimum depth for tyre tread for motorcycles in the UK. If you’re in doubt about the safety of your tyres then we can check them for you and advise you on if, and when, to replace them.

How often should I check my tyres?

Your tyres are checked during every annual service, these checks should give you an indication of how long you have left before your tyres need to be replaced. We also recommend that you check your tyres for signs of low tread “balding” of the tyres and low tyre pressure or flat tyres each day before you use your mobility scooter or wheelchair.

How often should I replace my tyres?

Your tyres should be replaced if they become damaged or if the tread depth is below the recommended limit. Whilst we would love to give you a timescale for this, it really depends on how often you use your mobility scooter or wheelchair and how far you travel when you do, the simple rule is the more that you use your mobility scooter or wheelchair, the more often you will need to replace the tyres.

Which is best, Solid “puncture proof” tyres or inflatable “Pneumatic” tyres?

This is mostly down to personal preference although some mobility scooters come with only solid tyres.

Pneumatic tyres: These tyres are inflatable so they give a smoother ride, they must have the correct air pressure set to ensure that they have good grip and that the tyre lasts for as long as possible.

Solid tyres: These tyres are puncture proof which ensures that you will not get stuck with a flat tyre but it does mean that the ride is more bumpy and less comfortable.

Suspension & Steering

Suspension & steering are incredibly important components, they help ensure a smooth and comfortable ride, they also help you safely control your mobility scooter or wheelchair and ensure that your tyres wear evenly.

Suspension

Suspension can be made up of many different components, these include shock absorbers, springs, bump stops, swing arms, and bushes. It is worth noting that not every mobility scooter or wheelchair has all of these suspension components, and some mobility scooters and wheelchairs don’t have suspension fitted.

Like tyres, suspension components are affected by age and either frequent or not enough use. Bushes and seals can crack or split, the metal components can corrode, the bushes can also wear through frequent or heavy use which can cause them to become loose, the springs can also break or become distorted, all of which can affect their performance and safety of the suspension, so it is very important to have the suspension regularly inspected and repaired it necessary.

We have listed some of the questions that we are asked most frequently along with the answers to help you understand the importance of responsible suspension care;

What does my suspension do?

The suspension helps your wheelchair or mobility scooter drive smoothly on the road or pavement, the suspension also helps you navigate obstacles safely, helps with ground clearance, helps you drive in a straight line, helps you drive safely around corners, and reduces vibration.

Does every mobility scooter or powered wheelchairs have suspension?

Whilst many mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs have suspension, their are some that don’t.

Does every mobility scooter or powered wheelchairs that has suspension have shock absorbers and springs?

Whilst some mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs have springs and shock absorbers, others may only have shock absorbers but no springs, or may have springs but no shock absorbers.

How often should my suspension be checked?

Your suspension is checked during every annual service, these checks should give you an indication of their condition and if they need to be replaced. We also recommend that you get the suspension checked if you hear any squeaking, have difficulty controlling your mobility scooter or wheelchair, or if you have an accident with your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair.

Steering

Steering on mobility scooters can be made up of many different components, these include the tiller, bearings, link arms, rod ends, and pivot points. It is worth noting that steering on most powered wheelchairs is activated by the joystick and is controlled by the rotation of the drive wheels, so they don’t have link arms or rod ends. On mobility scooters the steering is activated by rotating the tiller, the link arms then move the front wheels either left or right.

Like tyres and suspension, the steering components are affected by age and either frequent or not enough use. The bearings and rod ends can become seized if the mobility scooter has not been used for a long time, the metal components can corrode, the rod ends and bearings can wear through frequent or heavy use which can cause them to become loose, the link rods can also become distorted through heavy use or impact damage, all of this can affect the performance and safety of the steering and can cause uneven or excessive tyre wear, so it is very important to have the steering regularly inspected and repaired it necessary.

We have listed some of the questions that we are asked most frequently along with the answers to help you understand the importance of responsible steering care;

What does my steering do?

The steering helps your wheelchair or mobility scooter drive smoothly around corners, the suspension also helps you navigate obstacles safely, helps you drive in a straight line, correctly set steering geometry (wheel alignment) also ensures that your tyres wear evenly and that they don’t wear too quickly.

What is steering geometry (wheel alignment)?

Steering geometry is the setting of the angle of the wheels when the steering is set in the straight ahead position.

Why is it important to have steering geometry set correctly?

Incorrectly set steering geometry causes excessive and uneven tyre wear, it also causes the mobility scooter to be difficult to control and may even cause the scooter to pull to one side when driving in a straight line. So having the steering geometry checked and set correctly can make it easier to safely drive your scooter, and save you money in future as you won’t need to replace your tyres as often.

Can every mobility scooter or powered wheelchair have their steering geometry (wheel alignment) adjusted?

Whilst all mobility scooters can have their steering geometry adjusted, most powered wheelchairs don’t have adjustable steering geometry.

Is it just road scooters that have adjustable steering geometry?

No, pavement scooters also have adjustable steering geometry.

How often should my steering be checked?

Your steering is checked during every annual service, these checks should give you an indication of their condition and if they need to be replaced or if the steering geometry needs to be adjusted. We also recommend that you get the steering checked if you hear any squeaking, have difficulty controlling your mobility scooter or wheelchair, if you bump up or down very high curbs, or if you have an accident with your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair.

You can book a tyre, Steering or Suspension inspection or repair by by calling 0800 634 9143 or emailing info@ablemobility.co.uk.