Computer chairs have their issues, too, so if you ever had to wonder about how to fix a computer chair that keeps sinking, you have come to the right place. We’ve listed two ways to improve a sinking chair below.
We have also indicated typical computer chair issues that you may encounter and how to maintain them. Read on to learn more about computer chairs!
Steps In Fixing Computer Chair Sinking Problem
Method #1. Lubricate the shaft
Sometimes, a computer chair sinks because it lacks lubrication. Here are the steps to lubricating your computer chair to stop it from slipping.
Step #1. Remove the base
First, you have to remove the base of your computer chair. Lay it down on its backrest and remove the mechanism that connects the support to the computer chair’s shaft. Then, pull the shaft and the base away from each other to remove the support.
Step #2. Lubricate the shaft
After removing the base, spray WD-40 on the shaft. WD-40 is not precisely a lubricant. It has rust dissolving components that act as a lubricant. Even so, they work as a lubricant and work to protect your computer chair’s shaft from rust.
Step #3. Put the base back
After lubricating the computer chair’s shaft and letting it sit for half an hour to dry, put the base back. Then, check if the chair works and does not sink any more.
This method is easy to do. However, you have to repeat this method every six months to ensure that your chair won’t sink while you’re working.
Compared to other methods like using a PVC pipe or a hose clamp, this method would still let you adjust your chair’s height. However, this does not always work, and that is okay. We have another method for you in case this does not work.
Method #2. Change the cylinder
If you cannot sacrifice the ability to change your chair’s height in fixing your chair’s sinking problem, then change the cylinder instead.
Step #1. Prepare materials
First, prepare your materials. Prepare a liquid wrench penetrating oil, newspapers, rubber mallet, a vise grip, pipe wrench, and a new gas cylinder.
Step #2. Lube the cylinder
After preparing the materials, lift the cylinder’s plastic sleeve. Then, place a vise grip there to keep the sleeve out of the way.
Place the computer chair on a flat surface with newspapers on top to catch the excess liquid from the lubricants. Afterward, lube the outside edge of the cylinder to remove the base easily. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
Step #3. Remove the base
After letting the lubricant sit for thirty minutes, fetch your rubber mallet. Then, pound on the base of the chair until it is removed.
Step #4. Lube shaft
After removing the base, move the vise grip also to move the plastic sleeve. Then, lubricate the top end of the cylinder’s shaft and let it sit for 30 minutes.
It is essential to let it sit to dissolve the rust and lubricate the joint. This will make the gas cylinder’s removal easier.
Step #5. Remove the cylinder
After lubricating the cylinder’s shaft and the joint, get your pipe wrench and turn it to remove the cylinder from the rest of the chair.
Step #6. Install the gas cylinder
You need to install the new gas cylinder. To do so, insert it on the base, then put the plastic sleeve down.
After that, place the seat on top of the support, and you’re done! Lastly, check if your computer chair is working correctly.
Common issues with computer chairs
1. The seat rocks from side to side
This may be due to an old and worn-down mechanism pivot area metal. That, or maybe the chair’s column plastic liner, is loose or broken. To fix this, replace the column plastic liner or the mechanism pivot.
2. The seat flops back even when unused
The cause of this may be a loose tension spring, missing parts, or a broken mechanism. To fix this issue, you can replace the fractured mechanism or adjust the tension spring knob.
3. The seat cannot be adjusted
This is due to faulty seals or escaped gas. This can be easily fixed by replacing the old gas cylinder with a new one.
How to maintain computer chairs
Clean
We mean by cleaning them that you have to remove debris from your chair using a small vacuum. Also, do spot cleaning if necessary.
Lubricate
Lubrication should not only be done when you are trying to fix your chair. It should be done at least twice a year for the chair’s mechanisms to work correctly.
Lubricate and clean your chair’s casters and shaft. This is to help the chair roll smoothly and prevent rust from developing on your chair’s pole.
Tighten
Lastly, apart from cleaning and lubricating, you also have to tighten the fasteners of your chair to make it more stable.
Conclusion
We provided you with two ways on how to fix a computer chair that keeps sinking, other computer chair issues, and how to solve them. To prevent future chair problems, we advise you to maintain them as we have provided.