Tag Archives: Preventive

Preventive Maintenance For Your Wheelchair Van Conversion

How To Maintain Your Mobility Equipment and Wheelchair Van

Every Three Months or 3,000 Miles

  • Lightly lubricate the upper, middle, and lower passenger-side, sliding door tracks on the wheelchair van using a silicone spray lubricant found at most hardware stores.
  • Lightly lubricate the ramp hinges with silicone spray lubricant.
  • Check for and remove debris from the passenger-side, sliding-door, lower track area, as well as under the ramp. Inspect the holes for water drainage at the front of the lower track area to make sure they’re not clogged.
  • Check the operation of the ramp and all electronic switches, if applicable.
  • Examine the exhaust for proper clearance from the body and the fuel tank. At all times, there should be at least a one-inch gap between the exhaust system and any part of the vehicle.
  • Rear entry conversions require application of a light coating of silicone spray lubricant to the ramp springs.

Every Six Months or 6,000 Miles
Examine the undercarriage of the van to check for scrapes and scratches from speed bumps or road debris. If you find scrapes and scratches, touch them up with more undercoating for rust prevention.

Wheelchair Tie Down Straps
Never use a wheelchair tie down or seat belt with worn or damaged webbing. Check all wheelchair tie downs, straps, and hooks once a month for signs of damage or wear. This includes all manual, retractable, and electronically retractable wheelchair tie downs, straps, and seat belts.

Electrical retractor straps should be serviced annually to confirm they are operating properly.
Your time spent maintaining the conversion on your handicap accessible van will be well worth it. Conversion issues unable to be resolved via the maintenance recommendations above can be easily addressed when you call us.