How to Fix an Office Chair that Leans Back – Repair Experts

An office chair that leans back is no good for your workflow. It can throw you off balance and, in some circumstances, buck you right onto the floor. Therefore, you have to fix it so you can get back to work in comfort with some peace of mind.

Why Do office chairs begin to lean back

There are several reasons why office chairs begin to lean back. The most common issues are that a chair’s tilt tension changed or there’s damage to the casters. But it could also be the seat plate being loose or having a severe bend in it.

So, how do you fix this?

Because there are many possible reasons why an office chair leans back, there are a plethora of ways to fix it. This means you should first inspect the chair and every aspect of it. This way will you not only fix the leaning but you will also be able to prevent any future problems that might come up.

How to Fix

Inspect the Chair – Tilt Tension, Wheels, missing Screws & Hydraulics, Once you have an idea, get the necessary tools to fix it.

1. Tighten the tilt tension knob if it’s loose
2. Replace the damaged Casters
3. Tighten the Seat Plate
4. If a leg or arm is what’s causing it to lean, use a rubber mallet.

If your office chair is too low, you can make it the right Higher on your own with Simple Hacks. Click here.

1. Inspect the Chair

Use the process and tips below to look the chair over for any and all possible problems:

• Sit in the Chair: First decipher whether the chair is just tilting or fully leaning. Take note of the direction, how far it goes and try to feel for any additional quirks.
• Tilt Tension: There should be a screw or bolt that allows you to adjust the tension. Make sure this isn’t broken, dented or damaged.
• Chair Wheels: Put the chair upside down and see if any of the wheels, or casters, have any damage. Look for signs of breakage, denting, cracking, bends and etc.
• Chair Legs: Inspect the legs for bends, breaks, dents and any other signs of damage.
• Missing Screws: Look over the chair for any areas where there might be a screw, bolt or other fastener missing from the chair.
• Hydraulics: There’s usually a black plate under the seat that has various bolts and screws along with the adjustment and hydraulic levers. Look at the whole mechanism to see if anything is missing, damaged, bent or broken.

2. Get the Items ; Tools Necessary for Repair

Once you have an idea about what’s damaged and missing, get the necessary tools so you can fix it. You’ll most often require the following items:

• Philip’s Head or Flat Screwdriver
• Allen’s Wrench
• Standard Wrench
• WD-40 (or other similar lubricant)
• Replacement Castors
• Rubber Mallet
• Replacement Screws, Bolts and Etc.

To replace the screws, nuts, bolts, and other fasteners missing from the chair, remove one in the immediate area so you can ensure you get the right kind and size. Also, make sure the area you’re working in has good ventilation in the event you’ll be using WD-40.

3. Fix the Chair

Depending on the issues you catch during your initial inspection, use the following tips and techniques to fix the chair:

Adjust the Tilt Tension:

As long as the tension knob isn’t damaged or stuck, turn it to adjust the tilt and tighten things up. Sit in the chair again to ensure comfort and go back to adjust as needed. If nothing happens after adjusting, you’ll have to do further fixing/replacing or buy a new chair.

Replace the Casters:

This is fairly easy to fix. Either slide out the old, damaged casters or use a wrench to unscrew them. You might also need the screwdriver and WD-40 to help pry off the casters if they are old or extremely dirty.

Tighten the Seat Plate:

The black plate that contains the hydraulics of the chair may need some tightening with a screwdriver. Replace any missing fasteners too. Sit in the chair after doing this to see if it still leans. If so, a new chair might be in order.

Bang Out Dents:

If a leg or arm of the chair is what’s causing it to lean, use a rubber mallet to gently push dents in the proper direction. Try not to hit delicate metal too hard and only use on slight bends and dents. Don’t try to fix severe bends, it could mean needing a new chair.

Some Advice ; Tips

If you attempt to fix the chair to the best of your ability and you find that it still leans, you may need a new chair.

But, if you’re able to fix it, then you should take certain steps to maintain the chair. This way you’ll keep it in good working order without having to play repairman too often.

• When you frequently use your chair, make sure you clean it regularly and wipe it down every few days.
• Perform a deeper and more thorough cleaning about every six months or so.

This way the chair will remain beautiful and you’ll be able to catch any mishaps before they occur.

Hiring a Repair Specialist

In the case you are not up for the challenge of fixing the chair on your own, you could contact an office furniture repair place for assistance. They can either help guide you through the process of doing it yourself or they will fix it for you. This will most often be much less expensive than buying a new one.

Conclusion

To summarize:

• Inspect the Chair – Tilt Tension, Wheels, Screws & Hydraulics.
• Get the necessary tools to fix it.
• Tighten the tilt tension knob if it’s loose.
• Tighten the Seat Plate.
• Replace the damaged Casters.
• If a leg or arm is what’s causing it to lean, use a rubber mallet.

When an office chair leans back awkwardly, it’s important to fix it as soon as possible. Letting it go too long can create other repair issues that may mean taking it in for professional repairs or buying a new chair. So, if you want to avoid the extra expense, it’s best to try and fix it yourself.

Be sure to check the wheels, hydraulic plate, legs, and tension adjustment. Replace any missing screws, bolts, and broken pieces. When the chair is old, use some WD-40 to help loosen stubborn screws and other moving parts.

Remember, if you give it your best and the chair still leans back, the problem may be out of your capacity to fix. Certainly, a handyman or repairman can offer some help for a nominal fee. But, it may come down to getting a new chair.