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How to Fix Recliner Chairs?

The joy of experiencing immense relaxation and comfort while reclining carelessly on your recline chair after an exhausting day is unmatched.

Whether you would like to finish reading your favourite novel, binge-watch web series, or simply unwind and fall asleep, recliners serve as a luxurious place to sink into and de-stress yourself.

So, what would you do if your recliner gets damaged and does not provide the great feeling of comfort as before? Over time, your recliner may show signs of damage such as messed up pull-handles, weaker cables, mal-functioned springs, etc.

Before you think of replacing it, consider repairing it. This article discusses easy-to-follow and straightforward DIY tricks for fixing common recliner issues.

Fixing your recliner chair requires you to find faults and repair its various components. Therefore, you should examine the root cause of the issue and address it right away. In general, you need to follow the following steps for fixing the common recliner issues.

1. Fixing recliner chair springs
2. Fixing a recliner cable
3. Fixing a recliner footrest
4. Fixing a recliner chair back
5. Fixing a recliner pull handle
6. Fixing the recliner that’s not reclining
7. Fixing the leaning recliner

By following the simple DIY tricks, you can get back your recliner in shape and save extravagant expenditure on purchasing a new one.

Keep reading this article to explore the nitty-gritty about fixing a recliner chair mechanism.

The recliner chair springs are responsible for providing the cushioning effect and spongy feeling while relaxing on your recliner. It’s the springs that give you a bouncy feel and offer a comfort zone by soaking in your body weight.

Over time, the springs of your recliner wear out and lose their functionality. Now, your recliner doesn’t feel cosy and comfortable anymore. However, you can fix the springs by yourself by using the right tools.

Place your recliner upside down on the floor. Use a flashlight and locate the four bolts in your recliner that are responsible for holding the springs in their place. Then, take an adjustable wrench and remove all these bolts one by one.

After removing the bolts, position your recliner in such a way that its springs face upwards.

Now locate the bolts that keep the footrest connected with the springs. Use the adjustable wrench for removing all these bolts as well.

Once you have removed the bolts, it becomes easier to detach the springs from your recliner.

First, detach the old and worn out springs. Next, take a new set of recliner springs and position it in its place. Finally, tighten all the bolts that were removed earlier.

Ensure to tighten the bolts firmly for securing it to the footrest and the frame of the recliner. Then, turn your recliner upside down to get back to its normal position.

Check if your new springs are working fine and giving you the familiar bounce and comfort by sitting on your recliner. Avoid reusing the old springs as it may deteriorate your recliner’s performance.

Recliner backs can be categorized into three different types, including locking levers, locking tabs or catches, and bolted on backs. You can follow the below-mentioned steps for fixing the different types of recliner chair backs.

Locking lever chair backs: If your recliner chair has a locking lever back, locate the brackets positioned on the sides. Ensure that these brackets are fixed correctly. Then, flip them downwards so that these are locked onto the metal posts of the chair whenever you sit on the recliner.

Locking Catches or Tabs: If your recliner chair back has locking catches or tabs, these are locked into place once you have slipped the chair back. You can make the adjustments to make the back more firm.

Use a flat screwdriver for removing the bracket fasteners and tightening them afterwards. Ensure that the tabs or catches are placed correctly in their slots.

Bolted Back: A bolted back recliner chair comes with a back panel. Loosen this lower side of the back panel and ensure to remove the bolts underneath the recliner. Now refasten the bolts and ensure that these hold the back tightly onto the seat posts.

If you find that your recliner fails to recline or the back of your recliner begins to move up and down even without pushing it, it indicates the fault with a recliner cable. This issue can be fixed by loosening the cable stop and pulling & tightening the cable afterwards.

Before tightening the cable stop, you need to ensure that the cable stop is holding against the piston bracket. This will fix your recliner cable.

However, if it does not resolve the issue, try this alternative. Turn the recliner upside down and locate the four bolts that are positioned on the footrest.

Unscrew the bolts by using a screwdriver. Also, unscrew the two bolts responsible for holding the squab to the frame.

Remove the squab and replace the cable. Reinstall the squab once you are done with fixing the recliner cable.

If the pull handle of your recliner gets broken or missing, it affects the performance of your recliner. The pull handle keeps the footrest firmly in its position. A malfunctioned or missing pull handle results in a footrest positioned closed or upright.

You can fix this issue quickly by getting your hands on a new pull handle and the appropriate tools for installing it. Follow the below-mentioned steps for removing the old and damaged pull handle with the new one.

• Bring the footrest to a closed position if it is open by pressing or pushing it.
• Turn your recliner upside down and position it in such a way that the headrest and the armrest lie on the floor.
• Locate the screw that is responsible for holding the pull handle in its position. Use a screwdriver for removing this screw.
• Now detach the old or damaged pull handle of your recliner. Also, detach the escutcheon. Install the new pull handle by putting the screw and fastening it.
• Turn the chair upside down to its normal position and test it by seating on it.

When a recliner’s footrest gets stuck, won’t stay up, or refuse to lock properly, it indicates a malfunctioned footrest. You can follow these steps to fix a recliner footrest effectively.

• Begin by flipping the recliner upside down so that you can access the screws that are located underneath.
• Locate the screws and use a screwdriver for tightening them. If you find that the screws are old and worn out, replace them with new and longer screws. The longer screws get deep into the wood for holding the footrest securely in its place.
• While tightening the new screws, also tighten the footrest brackets. Doing this keeps the brackets firmly in their place.
• Turn the recliner upside down to bring it into a normal position. Test if the footrest is working perfectly.

In case the footrest of a recliner gets stuck in a certain position, you may need to apply lubricant to make it functional again. To do so, flip the recliner into an upside-down position.

Locate the screws at the bottom of the footrest and loosen these screws that are attached to the frame.

Use a cover to ensure that the lubricant doesn’t spoil the cushion. Lubricate all the joints generously. Now, check if the footrest is being released from its stuck position.

If your footrest requires fixing and adjusting, you should flip the recliner over and disassemble the bar connected to the ratchet and the seat front. Now, check if the footrest is responding appropriately. If the issue persists, you should replace the old springs with the new ones.

The reclining model of the chair is operated by employing two mechanisms, including a cable system and an arm. The broken or loose cable may cause your recliner to stop reclining. Follow these simple steps for fixing the recliner that doesn’t close.

• Remove the cushion for accessing the lever or handle
• Find out if the recliner cable is loose or broken. If the cable is broken, replace it with a new cable. If the cable is loose, tighten it by hooking it back to the lever.
• If you find that the lever is loose, tighten the nut, bolts, and screws that are holding the lever in its position. In case the lever is stripped, replace it with a new lever.
• If you find bent parts, align them into normal positions by bending them. Doing all the above adjustments should fix the reclining issue of your recliner.

If your recliner is leaning on its sides, there could be numerous reasons behind it. If any component of your recliner internal machinery is broken or worn out, you should get it replaced soon.

Follow these steps for carrying out the repair if your recliner is leaning on its sides.

• Ensure that you have a screwdriver, wood glue, and a pry bar ready beforehand.
• Flip the recliner upside down so that you can access its underside.
• Locate and examine the condition of springs. Replace old and worn-out springs and tighten the loose ones
• Use wood glue as filler if the screw holes and spring mount on the wood are bigger. Alternatively, you can also use toothpicks or skewers for achieving the same result.
• Tighten any loose attachments if there are spring mounts on metal.
• Remove the old and worn out mounting plate and replace it with a new one.