Tightening the Loose Steel Mechanism on an Office Chair

Swivel your office chair safely by tightening the steel mechanism.

Office chairs are built with a complex set of mechanisms that allow them to bend, swivel, tilt and rotate. However, after prolonged use, office chairs will stop working properly and this is typically due to a loose steel mechanism, which connects the bottom of the chair seat to the post. To permanently tighten the mechanism you'll have to replace its threaded post and thrust washer.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Office chair post with bell
• Thrust washer

Instructions

1. Lay the office chair on its side.

2. Unscrew and remove the bolts holding the steel mechanism's post in place, using the adjustable wrench. These bolts are usually on opposite sides of the mechanism.

3. Unscrew and remove the bolts holding the post to the hub — the cylindrical tube under the post. On some chairs, the post sits inside the hub.

4. Remove the post and the washer between the bottom of the steel mechanism and the post.

5. Place the bottom of the new post with the attached bell into the hub. Screw it in place with bolts and the adjustable wrench.

6. Place the new thrust washer over the bell and screw the top of the post into the bottom of the steel mechanism, using the bolts.

References

• Professional Refinishers Group International; An Introduction to Repairing Office Swivel Chairs; Don Weisman
• Office Chairs Desks: Office Chair Parts