There is no question that a recliner can give you all the comfort and support that you need at home. After all, you can use a recliner to watch your favorite TV show, a great movie, read a book, listen to your favorite songs or even fall asleep. So, as you can easily understand, people do value and treasure their recliners. They are considered by many as their favorite piece of furniture at home.
As you can imagine, nothing lasts forever. And a recliner doesn’t last forever either. No matter how much or how little you paid for it, there is a time when your recliner starts to wear off. So, when you see the first signs of wear and tear, you may feel tempted to throw it away and buy a new one. While you can always buy a new recliner (we are pretty sure that you can give a good use to two recliners), you can simply try to figure out what exactly is wrong with it and try to repair it.
One of the things that most people do is to call a reputable furniture technician and ask him to see what is wrong with the recliner. However, why should you spend money if you can transform this into a DIY project?
In case you are a DIY person, then this is a great task for you. However, before you can start fixing it, you need to determine what is wrong with your recliner. As soon as you determine the problem, you just need to figure out the solution and implement it.
Taking A Closer Look At Your Recliner
One of the first things that you need to do to determine what is wrong with your recliner is to take a closer look at it.
The truth is that your recliner isn’t just a regular chair with 4 legs. It is important that you keep in mind that a recliner chair has 5 different key features: the springs, the cable, the pull handle, the chair back, and the footrest. So, overall, you ave to inspect these five different components. Besides, it is important to keep in mind that each one of these main key elements can have different things broken.
To help you figure out what’s wrong with your recliner and to help you fix it, we have decided to look at each one of the most common damages in recliner chairs independently. However, before we get started, it is important that you have some tools near you since you may need them for certain fixes. So, as a rule of thumb, you should have the following tools near you: a flathead screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, a flashlight, a lubricant such as WD40, toothpicks or wood glue, and patch kits. In case you suspect that your recliner chair may have some broken part, you should also have a notepad and a pencil with you to take all the necessary notes.
Now that you already understand that it is possible to repair recliners and that you know which tools you need to have near you, it is time to get started.
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#1: How To Fix A Recliner Chair Springs:
In case you have been noticing that your recliner hasn’t been so comfortable as it used to be in the past, then you may have a problem with the cushions or springs of the recliner.
In case you don’t know, the springs are pieces that you can find within a wide variety of furniture and they help to provide you a stable and comfortable place to sit and relax. The goal of these springs is to absorb the weight of your body and take this stress from your body.
The truth is that it is only a matter of time for you to notice the springs failing. And when this happens, you have the opportunity to repair them and to get your recliner back.
So, in case this is the problem that you are experiencing, you will need a new set of recliner springs and an adjustable wrench.
Here’s how to fix a recliner chair springs:
Step #1: The first thing you need to do is to turn your recliner upside down. This is the only way that you have to access the springs. In most cases, you will have 4 bolts that are holding the springs. So, you just need to use your adjustable wrench to remove them.
Step #2: Now you’ll need to detach the springs from your recliner and remove the entire piece. You should make sure that you place it on the floor with the springs facing upwards.
Step #3: At this moment, you will need to grab the new set of springs that you bought and position them the way the old ones were. Make sure that the springs are in contact with the underside of the cushions frame.
Step #4: Now that you have the new set of springs ion the right place, you just need to screw the 4 bolts again.
Step #5: Just flip your recliner back right side up and you are ready to use it again.
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#2: How To Fix A Broken Recliner:
One of the most common questions that we get is concerned with how to fix a broken recliner. Well, while there are many different reasons that lead you to think and ask about it, we have discovered that this tends to happen when you notice that your recliner is leaning to one side.
So, how to fix a broken recliner that is leaning to one side?
One of the things that you need to understand is that this can actually happen for a lot of different reasons. Some of the more common are that one of the parts has broken down and the fact that you may have worn out parts that you will need to replace.
The reality is that the cause of this problem doesn’t matter. After all, no matter what it is, the process to solve it will be the same. One of the things that you need to keep in mind is that you will need wood glue, a pry bar, and a screwdriver.
So, here’s how to fix a broken recliner:
Step #1: The first thing that you need to do is to turn your recliner upside down.
Step #2: In this position, you will need to check the springs. Make sure that you determine if there are any loose ones as well as if there are still in good condition. When not, you should replace them.
Step #3: One of the things that you need to pay attention to is the way how springs mount on the wood. In case you see that the screw holes are very big, then you should use some wood glue and make these holes smaller. You can also use skewers or toothpicks.
Step #4: In case you see that the springs on your recliner mount on metal, in this case, you will need to tighten any loose attachments.
Step #5: In case you notice that the mounting plate is either old or worn out, then you should replace it.
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#3: How To Fix A Recliner Footrest:
When you have a recliner and you like to use it to relax after a long day at work, you like to have the option to either use its footrest or not. While sometimes you may prefer not to even use it, on other occasions, you may feel that your legs and feet need a break. However, sometimes, you may want to use the footrest and it simply doesn’t work.
In case you are looking to know how to fix a recliner footrest, you need to understand that there are many different things that can be happening with the footrest of your recliner. There are three main reasons why your footrest may not be working as it should: it may not lock properly, it may not go up, or it may be simply stuck.
So, let’s take a closer look at each one of these problems:
— When The Footrest Isn’t Locking Properly:
When this happens, one of the main problems tends to be related to the springs. So, in order to solve this issue, you will need to turn your recliner upside down to check how the springs are. In case you notice that you have some springs that are broken or overstretched, you should consider replacing them. This will be able to give the footrest the force that it needs to be locked in the position that you want.
— When The Footrest Doesn’t Go Up:
The truth is that it is just terrible when you just can’t wait another more minute to finally sit on your recliner chair and relax for a bit just to discover that the footrest doesn’t go up. And while on a normal day, you usually don’t even use the footrest, on this specific day, you were dying to use it. So, how can you fix this?
Again, the solution always starts with you turning your recliner upside down so that you can access and locate the ratchet. In case you don’t know, the ratchet is attached to the footrest.
So, you will need to open this bar and disassemble it by simply removing the pins and springs. Then, before you reattach it again, you will need to test the footrest to determine if it is still locked down and doesn’t go up. In case it continues the same way, you may need to use a lubricant such as WD40 and lubricate certain parts.
— When The Footrest Is Stuck:
While having the footrest stuck is not a good thing, when you get it stuck when it is in the upper position, this tends to be even worse. And this is because it will be more difficult to turn the recliner upside down this way.
Nevertheless, when this occurs, you will need to determine where the screws that are attached to the frame are so that you can loosen all of them. Then, you will need to grab an old cloth. This cloth will only serve to protect the bottom of your cushion. As soon as you have it well protected, just use the WD40 o all the joints that you can see. Make sure that you determine if there is still any stiffness and in case there is, you should use some more lubricant. Finally, just return the recliner to the right position again and test the footrest to see if it is already good to be used again.
#4: How To Fix A Recliner Chair Back
When you are looking to know how to fix a recliner chair back, the first thing that you need to keep in mind is that there are 3 different types of recliner backs: your recliner may have a locking lever, your recliner may have a locking tab or catch, or your recliner may have bolts on the back. So, as you can imagine, the answer to the question of how to fix a recliner chair back depends on your own recliner. Let’s check out the solution for each different type of recliner back:
— If your recliner gas a back with locking levers, then you will need to determine if the brackets on the sides are well fixed. You need to ensure that they can be flipped downwards and locked onto the metal posts of the seat when you are seated.
— If your recliner has locking tabs or catches, then you will need to ensure that they lock into place as soon as you slip the back on. One of the things that you can do is to simply remove the bracket fasteners and then tighten them to make the back firmer. Make sure that you use a flat screwdriver so that the tab is well placed in its slot after the back is fitted on.
— If your recliner has bolts on the back, then you will need to loosen the lower side of the back panel. As you do this, you should be able to see the bolts that are underneath. So, at this point, you should remover them. Then, refasten and make sure that the bolts tightly hold the back onto the seat posts.
#5: How To Fix A Recliner Cable
There is nothing worse than sitting on your recliner and just want to relax and it won’t let you. The truth is that the recliner may simply fail to recline or it may start moving the back up and down on its own. In most occasions, the most common problem is that you may have something wrong with a cable. So, how to fix a recliner cable?
The first thing that you will need to do is to determine which cable is faulty. As soon as you do this, you should go ahead and loosen the cable stop. Then, just pull and tighten the cable.
In case you try this option but your recliner continues to not work, then it’s time to turn your recliner upside down. Here, you will need to unscrew the four bolts on the footrest and then the two others that hold the squab to the frame. You should completely remove the squab and replace the cable for a new one. As soon as you complete this step, you can go ahead and refit the squat again.
#6: How To Fix A Recliner Handle:
When you already have your recliner for some years, it is normal that it wears off. However, and while there are certain things that you can handle better than others, it is terrible when you notice that your recliner handle is broken or that it isn’t working as it should. The reality is that when this happens, you will be forced to have the footrest either in the upright position or simply closed. This means that you won’t be able to use it to relax. So, it is time to see how to fix a recliner handle.
One of the best things about this problem is that this is something that you can easily do on your own. So, let’s check out how to fix a recliner handle.
In order to fix a recliner handle, you will need to have a replacement handle as well as some tools to help you with the task. Here are the steps that you need to follow:
Step #1: In the case that the footrest of your recliner is open, you should press or push it into a closed position.
Step #2: Now, you will need to turn your recliner upside down so that you can fully access to the handle. Make sure that the armrests and the headrest of your recliner are touching the floor.
Step #3: You should take a closer look at the handle area and determine the mechanism or screw that your recliner uses to hold the handle in position. Then, you will need to use the right tool (depending on what you discovered) to remove it.
Step #4: Detach the old handle from the recliner. In this step, you should remove the piece that is protecting the handle as well.
Step #5: Put the retaining screw into the new pull handle and fasten it.
Step #6: Just turn the recliner to its normal position again. Try out the new handle. Notice that it should be able to hold the recliner in place.
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#7: Recliner Chair Mechanism:
One of the things that you need to understand about the recliner chair mechanism is that most recliners use a cable system. So, when you have a problem with the recliner chair mechanism, this is probably due to a loose cable or a cable that is broken. So, in case your recliner chair doesn’t close, you just need to follow the next steps:
Step #1: The first thing that you need to do is to remove the cushion so that you can access the lever or handle of your recliner chair.
Step #2: Look for the cable and determine if your cable is just loose or if it is broken.
Step #3: In case you have a broken cable, you will need to replace it with a new one.
Step #4: In case your cable is simply loose, you will need to hook it back to the lever or handle.
Step #5: You should also take a closer look at the lever or handle. In case you notice that it is loose, this may be causing the problem. So, just tighten the nut and bold that serves to hold the lever in place.
Step #6: In case you have a stripped lever, you will need to replace it with a new one.
Step #7: Look at all the parts that involve this area and try to determine if they bent or if they are in an awkward position. If so, try to put them in their normal shape.
Conclusion
Recliners are just like any other piece of furniture or item that you have at home. Over time, and with use, they start wearing out. However, the best thing about recliners is that, in most cases, you can fix them all by yourself. However, in case you’re not a handy man or woman, you don’t have to despair. There are a lot of companies who can solve all these problems for you. Besides, it is always wise to check your recliner warranty before you start fixing it. In case it is still within the warranty, it is always best to call the company and see what they can do for you. On some occasions, this may be a more serious problem than what you were anticipating and they may take care of it for you.