Office Chair Repair

Rebuilding the lift mechanism

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Photo 1: Remove the clip and pedestal

Jam a needle-nose pliers into the spring clip and pull it off. Then lift the pedestal off the chair.

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Photo 2: Remove the trim bezel

Grab the smallest portion of the telescoping trim bezel and twist it while you pull the entire trim assembly off the gas cylinder. It's just a friction fit.

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Photo 3: Twist the gas cylinder

Use a pipe wrench to loosen the press-fit gas cylinder (there are no threads). Then lift the cylinder out of the tilt mechanism.

If the lift mechanism in your office chair needs repair but the upholstery portion is still in good shape, don’t toss the chair. Fix it! You can replace the gas cylinder yourself for about $40 (one source for office chair parts is swivel-chair-parts.com).

Rebuilding the lift mechanism is a two-part process. First you have to disassemble the lift mechanism so you can measure the size of the gas cylinder and order the new part. You'll need a needlenose pliers, a pipe wrench with a long handle, and a helper. Disassembly takes about a half hour. Then you just reassemble when the part arrives. That only takes 15 minutes, and you can do it without a helper.

Start the repair by flipping it upside down on your workbench. Then remove the spring retaining clip on the bottom of the pedestal (Photo 1). Next, lift the entire pedestal and column off the chair. Lift off the bearing, washers and rubber bumper and keep the parts together for reuse. Remove the telescoping trim bezel (Photo 2).

Then grab your pipe wrench and helper and remove the cylinder (Photo 3). If it won't budge, soak it with rust penetrant and tap with a hammer to set up vibrations. Then try the wrench again.

Measure the length of the gas cylinder from the bottom of the taper to the top. Don't include the piston rod in the measurement. Then measure the cylinder width at the widest part. Order the replacement from an office chair repair parts Web site.

To reassemble, just push the tapered end of the cylinder into the chair seat and install the telescoping trim bezel. Slide on the rubber bumper. Then lubricate the bearing with grease and install it back on the piston rod with the original washers. Next, slide the pedestal base and column over the rod and secure the piston rod with the washer and spring clip. Finish the job by turning the chair right side up and bouncing on it a few times. Your weight will drive the tapered gas cylinder into the seat retainer. Then raise the lift mechanism to the proper height and get back to work.

• swivel-chair-parts.com
• echairparts.com
• officereplacementparts.com