USER MANUAL
page
34
www.whirlwindwheelchair.org
Repairing or Replacing Nuts and Bolts
If a bolt cannot be repaired it should be replaced, but some repairs are
possible:
Rounded bolt head or nut? File
two opposite sides of the bolt head
or nut until they are flat enough to get a good grip with a wrench. If
the bolt or nut will still not turn then the nut may be rusty.
Rusted nut?
Apply a mixture of
light oil and kerosene
so that it can
flow onto the threads of the bolt and nut, then wait. Try to loosen the
nut periodically over the next few hours. If it is not possible to loosen
the nut,
cut the head of the bolt off
with a hacksaw, remove the bolt,
and replace it.
Your RoughRider uses
lock nuts
in multiple locations so they do not come loose from the vibrations
that happen during normal use. A lock nut is harder to turn than a regular nut and should not come
loose by itself. Your chair will come with either standard commercial “nylocks” or with Whirlwind
split nuts. A nylock is a nut with a nylon ring on the inside. If the nylock is easy to turn it has lost
most of its locking capacity and should be replaced. A Whirlwind split nut is a lock nut that can be
easily made with the correct size standard nut and basic tools (hacksaw and clamp/vise). A worn
out nylock can be replaced with a Whirlwind split nut.
To make a split nut:
•
Firmly grip the nut on the top and bottom faces (as shown in bottom center photo).
•
With your hacksaw blade slightly off center, cut halfway through the nut.
•
Squeeze the nut in a vise or clamp or smash it with a hammer to close the slit (as shown in
bottom right photo).
•
When putting the nut on your RoughRider place it so the wider slice screws on first.
If the Whirlwind split nut becomes easy to turn it may be able to be repaired.
To repair a Split nut:
•
Check that the slit is cut half way through one side of the nut. If it is cut less than half way
through, use a hacksaw to complete the cut to half way.
•
Squeeze the nut in a vise or smash it with a hammer to ensure the slit is closed.
Summary of Contents for RoughRider
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