Wear and Tear On Your Office Chair | 15+ Common Issues & How To Fix Them

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Broken office Chair? Don't Give up just yet, we got the resources

Thankfully, most of the common office chair issues can be easily corrected, even if you don’t have a warranty.

Troubleshooting your chair is not complicated but can still be a challenge if not taken seriously. Before you start reading on, check with your chairs manufacturer's advisory information. Already did all that and still feel stuck?

With multiple leavers, adjusters, swivels, spindles, and enough piston power to prop your body weight. The level of craftsmanship that goes into your office chair is underrated and amazing.

Below are 15+ troubleshooting issues with their common causes and ways to resolve them, all neatly on a table. Some step-by-step instructions on how to keep a chair from sinking. If you’re more of a visual learner, I also found DIY chair repair walk through youtube videos.

Common Ergonomic Office Chair Issues & How To Repair Them

Troubleshooting Table | Tools that will be needed for these repairs.

Here are some typical problems ergonomic office chairs usually have over being used. There common causes and how to fix them.

Adjustable Wrench
Long Pipe Wrench
Flat Tip Screw Driver (Medium)
Philip tip Screw Driver (Large)
Pry Bar (Small or Medium)

NOTE! There are literally thousands of different office chair mechanisms and it’s difficult to identify the exact dimensions of each individual piece on your chair. This table is NOT a professional troubleshooting guide.

Problem	Resolution	Common Causes	Repair Info
Seat rocks side to side	Replace Column/Mechanism	Worn down mechanism pivot area metal, broken or loose column plastic liner	Replace Column/Mechanism If Linear is broken or loose
Seat jerks forward while seated	Replace Mechanism	Commonly a worn away the pivot pin metal mechanism	Replace/Install Swivel Tilt Mechanism
Seat flops back if not in use	Replace Mechanism or Adjust tension spring knob	Loose tension spring, broken mechanism, welds or missing parts	Replace/Install Mechanism
Seat lowers or rises if not in use	Replace Gas cylinder	Faulty cylinder seals (worn out)	Remove/Install Gas Cylinder
Seat lowers while in use	Replace Gas cylinder	Faulty cylinder seals (worn out)	Remove/Install Gas Cylinder
Seat will not lower or raise	Replace Gas cylinder	Faulty cylinder seals (worn out)	Remove/Install Gas Cylinder
Piston rod is hitting floor causing rocking due to high centering	Install Bearing Kit	Retainer clip and/or parts missing/broken. Frequently damages cylinder if not replaced.	Remove/Install Gas Cylinder
Piston rod is bent	Replace Gas cylinder	Excessive weight lean or worn column	Remove/Install Gas Cylinder
Nothing happens while activating lever	Replace Gas cylinder	Gas has escaped or faulty seals	Remove/Install Gas Cylinder
Cylinder Column hitting floor causing rocking due to high centering	Replace Gas base	Center hole enlarged	Remove/Install Gas Cylinder
Seat height stuck in low or high position	Replace Gas cylinder	Gas has escaped or faulty seals	Remove/Install Gas Cylinder
Mechanism is obviously cracked, broken or bent	Replace Mechanism		Replace/Install Mechanism
Chair squeaks or metal powder on floor	Replace Mechanism	Metal rubbing against metalOiling will not resolve issue	Replace/Install Mechanism
Seat is at left or right angle	Replace Mechanism	Metal fatigue, broken or excessive leaning
Entire chair rocks violently or leans to one side.		Broken or odd size castor, bent leg, broken or worn plastic inside column, loose mountings, bent cylinder rod,worn away pivot metal.	Replace/Install Mechanism
Casters difficult to roll, or steer straight	Replace casters	Dirty, worn out, wrong type, too small, cheap plastic mat.

COMMUNITY MADE CHAIR REPAIR VIDEOS

How do i keep my office chair wheels (castors) clean & free from drag?

Most folks don’t realize that the standard castors (wheels) your chair came with are designed to be used on low-pile carpet.

The majority of chair manufacturers recommend using a chair mat as it reduces drag and prevents damage to your floor. Still not convinced that using a chair mat is the best way to go? I wrote in debt about the wonders them and even a DIY project on how to make one yourself for under $30.

Why Does My Office Chair Keep Sinking?

Maybe you’re sitting in it right now, it’s uncomfortable but common.

It could be time to lose weight, or it could be your chair that is hitting rock bottom. This common issue is caused by the valve of the lever that controls the seat height.

This height control is controlled by a piston that lets air through it, this part may be worn down and need to be replaced.

Does yours, your significant other, or colleague’s ergonomic office chair keeps sinking. Fixing this instead of investing in another office chair over a faulty valve may be a fun project to some, this challenge is best left for tinkers. Are you a tinkerer?

What Is The Average Recommended Maximum Weight For An Office Chairs?

Many chairs have been rated for a maximum of 225 pounds. If you exceed this weight, I recommended you order a specialized "Big & Large" office chair.

In the market for a big and tall office chair? Read this before purchasing anything!

How to Fix a Sinking Office Desk Chair

If you enjoy DIY projects, you can purchase a ready-made kit so you can fix your office chair with the proper materials. These materials include C-shaped spacers that can be installed if your office chair has a cylinder skirt with a movable outer ring installed.

Below is a multiple-step process on how to Stop the Sinking Chair Problem With PVC or Vacuum Extension Wand

STEP ONE: Manually lift the seat to your choice height. This may be its fully extended position if your big and tall.

STEP TWO: Manually lift the chair and its seat post out from the base/casters. Lay the chair on the floor horizontally.

STEP THREE: Take off any decorative or non-functioning collars around the seat post.

Temporarily place the base back on the seat post so it can properly measured; mark the top of the seat and then set the base aside. Measure where you marked to the base of the seat.

STEP FOUR: Cut to fit a PVC Pipe or a similarly shaped tube between your marks.

STEP FIVE: Stick the cylinder back on the seat post, then slide the seat post back onto the base.

VIDEOS EXPLAINING DIY HOW TO FIX AN OFFICE CHAIRS

What Is The Average Life Span Of A Chair’s Gas Cylinder?

It's common for gas cylinders to gradually stop working with time. You may have a chair for over 10 years, and suddenly the gas cylinder sinks.

FUN FACT: Office chairs that have gas cylinders contained with air run the risk of exploding!

Alternative Method on How to Fix a Sinking Office Desk Chair

Another less than aesthetic way to solve the sinking chair problem is by clamping down.

By using a medium to large jubilee clip (Horse Clamp). Just use this clamp between both the cylinder’s tube and sleeve. Make sure you use at least two clamps, both at the top and bottom of an office chair’s cylinders.

Below is a multiple step process on how to Stop the Sinking Chair Problem With a Hose Clamp & Some Wood.

STEP ONE: Manually lift the seat to your choice height. This may be its fully extended position if your big and tall.

STEP TWO: Manually lift the chair and its seat post out from the base/casters. Lay the chair on the floor horizontally.

STEP THREE: Take off any decorative or non-functioning collars around the seat post.

Temporarily place the base back on the seat post so it can properly measured; mark the top of the seat and then set the base aside. Measure where you marked to the base of the seat.

Wear and Tear On Your Office Chair | 15+ Common Issues & How To Fix Them

Broken office Chair? Don't Give up just yet, we got the resources

Common Ergonomic Office Chair Issues & How To Repair Them

Troubleshooting Table | Tools that will be needed for these repairs.

Adjustable Wrench

Long Pipe Wrench

Flat Tip Screw Driver (Medium)

Philip tip Screw Driver (Large)

Pry Bar (Small or Medium)

How do i keep my office chair wheels (castors) clean & free from drag?

Why Does My Office Chair Keep Sinking?

Maybe you’re sitting in it right now, it’s uncomfortable but common.

How to Fix a Sinking Office Desk Chair

STEP ONE: Manually lift the seat to your choice height. This may be its fully extended position if your big and tall.

STEP TWO: Manually lift the chair and its seat post out from the base/casters. Lay the chair on the floor horizontally.

STEP THREE: Take off any decorative or non-functioning collars around the seat post.

Temporarily place the base back on the seat post so it can properly measured; mark the top of the seat and then set the base aside. Measure where you marked to the base of the seat.

STEP FOUR: Cut to fit a PVC Pipe or a similarly shaped tube between your marks.

STEP FIVE: Stick the cylinder back on the seat post, then slide the seat post back onto the base.

VIDEOS EXPLAINING DIY HOW TO FIX AN OFFICE CHAIRS

Alternative Method on How to Fix a Sinking Office Desk Chair

STEP ONE: Manually lift the seat to your choice height. This may be its fully extended position if your big and tall.

STEP TWO: Manually lift the chair and its seat post out from the base/casters. Lay the chair on the floor horizontally.

STEP THREE: Take off any decorative or non-functioning collars around the seat post.

Temporarily place the base back on the seat post so it can properly measured; mark the top of the seat and then set the base aside. Measure where you marked to the base of the seat.

STEP FOUR: Cut to fit a PVC Pipe or a similarly shaped tube between your marks.

STEP FIVE: Stick the cylinder back on the seat post, then slide the seat post back onto the base.

VIDEOS EXPLAINING DIY HOW TO FIX AN OFFICE CHAIRS

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