If the tilt mechanism on your office chair isn’t working, you may be able to fix this problem on your own. Making sure you’re able to tilt the office chair for the right ergonomics is important so you don’t experience lower back pain while working.
When you need to repair your office chair tilt mechanism, you’ll need to start by locating what caused the problem in the first place. Some steps you may have to take include:
- Revamping the tension knob
- Repairing the lever
- Replace the recliner spring
In most cases, you should be able to fix the office chair tilt mechanism. However, if it’s damaged beyond repair you may have to replace the office chair. Keep reading to find out how you can repair an office chair tilt mechanism.
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DIY- repair office chair tilt mechanism
Repairing your office chair tilt mechanism is quite easy;
you just need to get down to the root of your problem first. Whenever you need to fix something on your office chair, the process always goes smoother when you know what you’re looking for. This is why we highly recommend figuring out what caused the problem before you start the repair.
Every person’s office chair experiences different wear and tear, so there are different problems that could arise causing the chair tilt mechanism to stop working. How you’ve been using the office chair (and how often) may determine what caused the tilt mechanism to get stuck.
With many office chairs, the most common problem we see is the tilt mechanism getting stuck.
In this situation, you should be able to fix the mechanism on your own. If you examine the mechanism and find that it’s fully damaged then you may not be able to fix it and will need a new office chair.
Test your office chair to find the problem
As mentioned above, there are three possible ways to fix an office chair tilt mechanism. If you’ve never repaired an office chair before, it’s safe to say you may not know which of the three is the best solution for your chair. This is why you will need to test the chair first.
- Test the tension knob- sit down on your chair and see if you can recline it. Pull the chair’s recline lever outwards and attempt to lean back. If your weight can’t move the chair back, the problem lays in the tension knob.
- Is the lever the problem? If you are having difficulties pulling the lever out or locking your seat in a particular position, the lever is likely your problem.
- It may be the springs- if there is absolutely no tension when you press on the lever, this could be a sign or either dislocated or damaged recliner springs.
Now that you’re aware of how to determine what the problem with your tilt mechanism is, you can find an easy solution below.
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Examine the tension knob
This is one of the most common problems people come across when their office chair tilt mechanism is stuck. The good news is, your office chair is not broken. This issue is so easy to fix that you will be sitting comfortably at your desk in a matter of minutes. When the tension is too high, no matter how hard you push, that office chair won’t recline.
Want to know how easy it is to get your office chair tilt mechanism working again?
Simply locate the tension knob. You will need to slowly turn it counterclockwise. It is important not to crank this knob and allow it to release the tension slowly so you don’t cause any damage to the tilt mechanism.
Sit on the chair as you turn the tilt mechanism to make sure you feel when you have the right amount of tension. After this, your office chair should be back to normal.
Repair (or replace) the lever
After a lot of use, your office chair’s lever could fall out of place. In order to fix this problem, you will need to take apart your office chair. Don’t worry, this is easier than it sounds. All you need to do is loosen all of the bolts that are holding the seat in place to get access to the tilt mechanism.
Once you are able to see the level, you’ll have to determine if it needs to be put back in place or if it needs to be replaced. If there is a dent or any visible damage to the lever, you will need to replace it.
However, if you notice that it is simply out of place, use a screwdriver to pop it out and put it back where it belongs. One tip to keep everything working well is to lubricate all of the parts before putting your office chair back together. This will keep everything operating smoothly.
Replace the old recliner spring
Some office chairs come with a recliner spring to prevent the chair from harshly jerking around. When your tilt mechanism has absolutely no tension, it means the spring is worn out. To replace the spring, you will need to loosen the bolts holding the seat in place and remove the top components.
You will be able to spot the recliner spring once you remove the seat. All you will need to do is pull out the old one and replace it with a new spring. However, in some cases, the spring may have just bounced out of place. You can fix this issue by putting it back in the proper position.
Final thoughts
There are three possible reasons that your office chair tilt mechanism may not be working. Before attempting any of these solutions, we recommend reviewing the instruction manual because every office chair is built differently from the next. In the event that your chair is still under warranty, it may be easier for you to get a replacement chair.
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