A wobbly office chair will make us feel uncomfortable while working. It also has bad impact on our body. In this article, FittingChairs will guide you on how to fix a wobbly office chair.
Why is my office chair wobbly?
Here are some primary reasons why your office chair wobbly:
Worn joints
Office chairs tend to wear out the more you sit on them. The prolonged sitting causes stress on the chair’s joints, which may start to lose strength over time.
If one of the chair’s joints gets worn out, the imbalance can cause wobbliness.
Broken parts
Some parts of your office chair can get damaged or even broken, causing it wobbly.
One of the most commonly broken chair parts is its wheels.
Missing screws
There may be some screws that got loose as time passed. If that’s the case, it may cause the chair to wobble, which is dangerous for anyone sitting on it.
Age
One of the main reasons why a chair gets wobbly is age. Some of your chair’s parts will still wear down in the future, even if you treat it carefully.
In those cases, the best choice would be to buy a new ergonomic chair.
Poor production
In some cases, the problem is that the chair wasn’t made with high-quality materials, so it wears down faster than other chairs.
Sometimes the material used is good, but the poor craftsmanship may result in some joints becoming loose, followed by severe wobbliness.
Can I repair a wobbly office chair myself?
There are many DIY solutions available, but it isn’t a guarantee your chair won’t wobble again.
You can repair a wobbly office chair yourself, but only when you know what to do or consult a professional first.
Some of these methods require special tools and skills.
Aside from that, depending on what causes your chair to wobble, the tools you have, and your expertise, you may or may not be able to fix your wobbly office chair.
Keep reading to see how to fix a wobbly office chair.
How to fix a wobbly office chair?
The first step on how to fix a wobbly office chair is identifying what is wrong. If the chair is wobbling because of worn-out casters, for example, the best way to solve the problem would be to change the casters.
But if the problem lies within the screws holding the backrest onto the frame, changing the screws would be the solution.
Once you identify the exact source of the problem, you can proceed with the process accordingly.
So how to fix a wobbly office chair in detail? Let’s dive right in.
You’ll need:
- Drill
- Hammer
- Sandpaper
- Coping saw (For wooden chairs)
- Wood glue
- Strap clamp
- Rag
- Replacement pieces (If needed)
Step 1: Identify every piece of your chair.
If you’ve never worked with chairs before, you can grab a paper and pencil and identify every piece that makes up the chair.
It’s going to help you put it back together later.
Step 2: Disassemble your chair carefully.
Each chair may have different disassembly processes. Make sure to use the necessary tools to take everything apart.
In most cases, a drill and hammer are the two most common tools to use.
After disassembling everything, make sure not to lose any screws or small pieces, since that could worsen the problem.
Step 3: Look for any missing pieces.
While you’re taking the chair apart, check if any pieces are missing, such as screws, joints, or even wheels.
Make a note to find a replacement for it.
Step 4: Clean up dirty pieces.
In some cases, a chair gets wobbly due to dirty pieces. Use the rag to clean everything thoroughly until you ensure everything is clean and ready to be put back together.
Step 5: Replace any broken parts.
If you see any broken parts, place them apart from the rest and look for a replacement before you put the chair back together.
Step 6: Apply high-quality wood glue to the joints.
To ensure your chair’s joints recover their resistance, coat them with high-quality glue. Then put each joint back together carefully and make sure they’re the same as when you took them apart.
Step 7: Tighten everything together with a clamp.
Use a strap clamp to tighten your chair’s body securely. You may also use a rope instead.
However, do not to tighten everything up too much that you can cause the chair to break due to excessive pressure.
It’s recommended for you to wait at least a full day before unfastening the clamp or rag to fix the wobbly desk chair properly.
Step 8: Test the chair.
After doing all the above steps, test the chair for a couple of days to ensure your fix worked.
Typically, you’re going to notice the difference right away.
Fixing the loose screws
Make sure that the screw holes at the top of the legs and the bolts used to hold the backrest are tight enough.
Ensuring the screws underneath the seat are tight as well. In case the screws are lost, replace them.
You should always check whether the screws are securely fastened now and then.
If your chair’s screws start loosening up, then chances are that something might go wrong soon. So, before anything happens, replace the lost screws with new ones.
Another way to avoid problems like these is to buy quality furniture.
How to repair casters?
Fixing a faulty caster is quite simple. You only need a little knowledge and few to zero tools.
Step 1: Check and remove the screws securing the casters, if any.
Step 2: Loosen each bolt individually until the casters move freely without resistance.
Step 3: Tighten the bolts again using an appropriate wrench. Once done, make sure that the casters remain stable.
In case you find that the casters do not fit perfectly snugly anymore, you need to adjust the position of the casters so that they sit flush against the base.
If your wheels don’t attach to the base with screws, the issue is more likely a dented or broken caster. If this is the case, it is better to replace them instead of trying to repair them.
What to do if the fix doesn’t work?
Disassembling your chair and fixing any problems doesn’t always guarantee much more longevity.
If your office chair is too old, it will cause problems again sooner than later.
Knowing how to fix a wobbly office chair is essential, but in some cases, it’s best to buy a new chair.
Consider going for a computer chair for long hours since these are designed to support your body weight for a long time without losing resistance.
Plus, a new chair can help with some recurring issues, such as back, shoulder, or neck pain.
If you’re suffering from one of these, going for the best chair for back pain ensures your body stays healthy while you’re working.
How to prevent my office chair from wobbling?
You may be able to fix your chair when it wobbles, but taking certain precautions can save you time or even money required to buy a new chair.
Here are some ways to prevent your chair from wobbling:
- Tighten all nuts and bolts firmly to lower movement at the joints.
- Replace damaged or broken parts as needed.
- Clean the surface regularly.
- Maintain regular oiling sessions.
See more:
- How to fix an office chair that won’t stay up
- How to fix an office chair that leans back
- How to stop office chair from rolling
This is all about how to fix a wobbly office chair. You can do it yourself at home, but it’s best to consult a professional first. Follow FittingChairs for more helpful guides.
