Legrest spring too hard

[faico_26]

Hi,
I have a problem with the legrests of my Q300R. The lever to open the footrests is very stiff because the spring is very hard. The problem is that there is no way to take the spring out to replace it for another one softer. I have weak hands and it’s a problem.
Any idea how could I soften the spring or how could I take it out from the legrest to replace it?

[martin007]

Consult the parts manual...

[faico_26]

Here the legrest.

[faico_26]

Another pic.

[faico_26]

Consult the parts manual...

I didn’t find anything helpful in the parts manual.

[martin007]

That piece looks like it is not removable or repairable.

[faico_26]

That piece looks like it is not removable or repairable.

Exactly. So i don’t know how can i soften the spring.

[Burgerman]

Centre foortest. Those make your chair too long. Here comes my legs. Here comes me. You are forced to sit over the front casters.

[Raro]

I can't tell you how to dismantle it, but that system is crap in my opinion. Some that work wonderfully with little effort and are much smaller are the ones that the old Quickie used, maybe you could adapt some.

[Raro]

Using a central one is a better solution if you can bend down to pick it up; if you depend on someone else to do it for you, there is no problem.

[faico_26]

Using a central one is a better solution if you can bend down to pick it up; if you depend on someone else to do it for you, there is no problem.

Exactly, I discard center footrest because I would not be able to raise it up or raise my legs to the footrest. The manual legrests allow me to do it by myself.
Regarding legrests I need that they are light, aluminium, not iron.
And I need to be able to open them. That’s my current problem, the hard spring.
I could try to cut a little bit the spring with the Dremmel but I’m not confident about the results.

[Burgerman]

A shorter spring is not softer. Its just shorter. And takes more effort to compress by a similar amount. So now harder. Someone put it in there. So it must be possible to take it out too. Pics not good enough angles to be able to see how. Take everything apart!

[martin007]

After fitting it they put in a plastic rivet...

[Burgerman]

Well if they put it in, your job is to take it out!

[faico_26]

Well if they put it in, your job is to take it out!

I will check it again.

[faico_26]

It’s like they put the spring and solder the plastic pieces. Impossible to open. I’ll keep looking for a solution.

[Burgerman]

One way or another that spring can be got out and replaced. You are giving up too easily. Dont be defeaed by a quick look. Dont be that person!

[faico_26]

Fixed!!!!!
It had a metal hinge pin. I took it out and i could take the spring out. Luckily i could use the springs of an old Rc car.
Now it works like a charm.

[faico_26]

The pin

[faico_26]

All pieces

[faico_26]

The “donor”

[faico_26]

The new spring inside

[martin007]

Congratulations!

[Burgerman]

Told you...


Whatever you do its never easy. If you dont accept defeat like most do, theres always a way!

[martin007]

Told you...


Whatever you do its never easy. If you dont accept defeat like most do, theres always a way!

"Everything has a solution, except death."

[faico_26]

Told you...


Whatever you do its never easy. If you dont accept defeat like most do, theres always a way!

Yes!!!!!!

[faico_26]

All we know the answer I would have received if I went to the shop to ask to soften the spring: “impossible”.

[Burgerman]

Correct. Thats why I never do. Be it computers, cars, doctors, chairs, whatever. I decided long ago that the vast majority of supposed experts were useless. Goes double for politicians.

[faico_26]

Correct. Thats why I never do. Be it computers, cars, doctors, chairs, whatever. I decided long ago that the vast majority of supposed experts were useless. Goes double for politicians.

I agree.

[ex-Gooserider]

Congratulations on a successful fix!

FWIW, you beat me to it, as scrolling through the thread, I was mentally composing a message suggesting that you do exactly what you did other than having any suggestions about sourcing the replacement spring...

ex-Gooserider