Date:         Tue, 8 Dec 1998 10:19:20 -0330
Reply-To:     Bob Norman <B.Norman@THEZONE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Bob Norman <B.Norman@THEZONE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Is there a "best way" to loosen up passenger seat 's
              "rotation"?
Comments: To: Marshall Ruskin <mruskin@PANGEA.CA>
Comments: cc: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Marshall,
My parents have an'88 westy and my dad is in a wheelchair.  When they
first got it, they were having the same problem.  I looked at it for
them and came up with this solution.
First rotate the chair 45 degrees.
Remove the four lock nuts. Lift the two circular pieces apart.
Cover the edges that touch with parifan wax, or crayola crayon, give it
a good coating.  You can also use graphite if you're careful, but again,
the mess...
When putting the whole thing back together,  don't tighten the nuts too
much, just enough to keep the chair from really rocking.

For short runs, dad just stays in his chair in the back.  He has
collapsable aluminium ramps that are in three foot lenghts but telescope
out to nine feet.  Perfect slope for pushing, not too hard at all.

He recently installed hand controls on the camper, but has yet to use
them.  He gets into the pass. seat via the route you described, then
transfers across using a sliding board.

Good luck with the camper, my parents love it.

Bob Norman
'81 Westy
Gander, Newfoundland,
Canada


Marshall Ruskin wrote:
>
> Hi Everybody!
>
> Here is my problem of the day:
>
> My passenger seat is really tough to rotate around. The thing is, it
> has to be rotated with a person (my wife) seated in it.
>
> Background: We bought the Westy becuase it is the ONLY stock van (that
> we know of) where a person in a wheelchair can use it without having
> to raise the roof or lower the floor.
>
> Besides, It's something I've always wanted ( I digress)
>
> Anyhow, she tranfers into the passenger seat from her wheelchair, and
> then we rotate the seat around untill it locks. Not easy!
>
> I'm afraid if I use a heavy grease, it will get over everything.
>
> What do you think?
>
> Thanks in advance;
>
> Happy Holidays!
>
> Marshall Ruskin
> 84 Westy
>
>