How to Fix a Recliner at Home
After a long day at work, there’s nothing more relaxing than sitting down in your recliner with a glass of your favorite drink in hand and getting ready to relax and unwind. So, after years of use, your recliner is probably in need to some minor repairs, or worse, some parts don’t even work anymore! Knowing how to fix a recliner is important so that you can enjoy your favorite chair for years to come.
A recliner is more than just a chair. There are important mechanisms inside your recliner that allow it to recline backward and lock into place to give you that ultimate feeling of comfort and enjoyment. These mechanisms are the springs, the cable, the pull handle, the chair back, and the footrest. Each mechanism can break down separately, so you need to know how to fix each part on its own.
Check out this easy guide on how to fix a broken recliner!
The Tools You Need
The exact tools that you will need will depend on the type of repairs you need to do. However, no matter what type of repair you need to perform, there are some tools that you need to have on hand, such as:
- A flathead screwdriver
- A flashlight
- An adjustable wrench
Other materials such lubricant, wood glue, WD40, patch kits, or specific replacement parts may also be needed once you know the problem with your broken recliner.
How to Repair Recliner Chair Springs
The recliner springs hold the tension in your chair and allow it to come back to the original upright position after you are done. Over time, these springs will stretch out and fail because of use. However, it’s easy to replace the springs.
What You Need:
- Adjustable wrench
- New set of recliner springs
How to Fix My Recliner’s Chair Springs:
- Turn your recliner upside down.
- Remove the bolts with your adjustable wrench.
- Remove the spring from your recliner and place it, right side facing up, on the floor.
- Remove the bolts holding the spring to the footrest.
- Place the new spring on the footrest and tighten with your wrench.
- Attach the other end of the spring to the recliner frame.
- Retighten all the bolts.
- Turn the recliner back to the upright position.
How to Fix Recliner Chair Back
The first thing you should do is determine what kind of chair back your recliner has. There are three types of recliner backs: backs with locking levers, backs with locking tabs, or backs that are bolted on the chair.
- Chairs with Locking Levers – check the side brackets. Make sure that they are flipped downwards and locked securely into the metal posts.
- Chairs with Locking Tabs – tighten the bracket fasteners with a flathead screwdriver.
- Chairs with Bolted Backs – loosen the back panel’s lower side. Tighten the bolts to secure the seat post.
How to Fix Recliner Cable
If your recliner back is moving up and down on its own or it does not recline, the cable might be at fault. To fix your recliner cable, loosen the cable stop. Locate the cable, then pull and tighten it. Make sure that the piston bracket is holding the cable tightly in place before replacing the cable stop.
If the recliner chair still does not work, you might need to replace the cable. Turn the chair upside down and remove the four bolts on the footrest as well as the four bolds holding the squab against the frame. Remove the squab, then replace your recliner cable. Refit the squad, screw back your bolts, and turn the chair back right side up.
How to Fix the Recliner Pull Handle
The recliner pull handle pulls and holds the footrest in position. Without it, your footrest will be stuck in either the resting or upright position. Luckily, a missing or broken handle is easy to repair or replace with the right tools. Of course, if you need to replace the handle, you need to order the replacement from the same company to ensure that the handle will work correctly with your recliner.
How to Fix My Recliner’s Pull Handle
- Place the footrest in the closed/resting position.
- Turn your chair upside down.
- Remove the screw that holds the pull handle in position.
- Detach the old handle.
- Remove the escutcheon (the protective cover).
- Replace with the new handle and fasten it.
- Replace the escutcheon.
- Flip the recliner upright and check if you have placed the pull handle properly.
How to Fix the Recliner Footrest
There are three ways that your footrest can malfunction: it can stick in one position, it won’t lock correctly, or it won’t stay up.
If your footrest is sticking in one position, the repair might be as simple as using a lubricant or WD40 to loosen the mechanism of the footrest. Simply loosen the screws of the frame at the bottom of the footrest and apply lubricant generously.
However, if your footrest isn’t locking properly or won’t stay up, the problem would be either in the locking mechanism or the spring. Flip the recliner over and disassemble the bar on the seat front. Pull the handle and see if the footrest responds correctly. If the mechanism still does not function correctly, you’ll need to replace the spring or the locking mechanism.
Conclusion
If you know how to fix a recliner with your own tools, you can save a lot of money! Hiring professional services can be expensive. However, repairing your recliner will depend on the severity of the problem. If it’s something simple such as replacing worn springs or spraying lubricant to loosen stuck joints, it’s a simple fix that you can do at home. However, if it is a complicated fix that involves opening the recliner up and tinkering with the inner mechanism, you might want to call in a professional.
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