If you’re like many of us, you’ve got a Lane recliner that’s at least 20 years old. And as the springs loosen on these chairs, they become less and less comfortable to sit in.
If this sounds familiar, then don’t worry! We’ll walk you through how to loosen the spring tension on a lane recliner so your chair can be just as comfy as it was when it was new!
Steps on Loosening the Spring Tension on a Lane Recliner
Step One : Find your lever. You’ll find it on the side of your chair, about a foot up from the ground. It will be positioned behind some fabric that’s not attached to anything else (you can see how in our photo – we’ve pulled back a bit of material so you can see).
This is what controls how tightly the springs are pulled, so you will want to pull it all the way up until a metal rod comes out of its socket in order to release tension.
Step Two: Put your chair into an upright position and remove any cushions that may be on it (if there’s no cushion then skip this step). So now with your feet in position, reach up and take hold of that lever. It should be positioned right behind the fabric we mentioned before when you were looking for it – this will give you a good grip on how to pull down on it.
Step Three: Now for the moment of truth! You’re going to want to keep your feet in place while pulling that lever down to release the tension. This may take a little pressure, but it should come undone pretty easily if you are doing it right.
Step Four: Once you have released all of that tension, simply put your chair back into an upright position and let go of the lever – voila! Your springs will be nice and loose now !
Step Five: Now that you’ve got your springs loose, it’s time to put the chair back into its upright position. But how do you do this? The first thing we need to mention is whether or not there is any cushion left on your seat (if so, skip ahead).
So now with your feet in position, reach up and grab the recliner’s base while using your inside arm to pull up on the lever. This should help you put it back into an upright position!
Step Six: Once you have pulled that lever, be sure to replace all of the exterior screws in their original place before putting away your tools – now we are done!
What is Spring Tension on a Lane Recliner?
Spring tension is the resistance that springs offer to being pulled apart. When you pull on a spring, it will push back against your hand with force proportional to how hard or easy it was for you to pull them apart in the first place.
A reclining chair’s weight and position determine how much spring tension it needs to stay reclined.
The more weight the chair has, and the farther back it’s positioned in its “recline” setting, the greater amount of force is required from the springs which push against each other on either side of a metal bar located below where you lean back when sitting down.
A chair with little weight or in a more upright position will need less spring tension, and the bar is usually not necessary.
What to do if you Can’t Recline Any More
If your recliner won’t go back all the way (or forward), it could be because of an error on how much force was applied to the springs when they were wound up.
You can try winding them back the opposite way, but if that doesn’t work you may need to take it in for repair or replacement of one of its two sets of springs.
What NOT To Do If Your Recliner Won’t Go Back All The Way (Or Forward)
Hitting the springs with a hammer.
Consuming large quantities of alcohol or other drugs and then reclining in your chair.
Proper Recliner Etiquette and Safety Tips:
Always use both hands, one on each armrest to help you sit up before standing back up from your couch. This will help you avoid your back from hurting.
Always turn the recliner’s power off before getting up, to prevent electrical shocks or fires.
Never stand on the armrests or sit near them as they are not designed for bearing weight and can break easily if used improperly.
After using it, always check your recliner for any safety issues such as broken springs or loose bolts.
Safety Tips When Working on a Recliner
Always turn the recliner’s power off before getting up, to prevent electrical shocks or fires. Never stand on the armrests or sit near them as they are not designed for bearing weight and can break easily if used improperly.
After using it, always check the recliner for any safety issues such as broken springs or loose bolts.
When you notice that your recliner is stuck in a position and won’t move back to its original place, before breaking down the spring tension with tools first try this: Sit on the chair’s edge while firmly pulling the lever on the side that is stuck.
If this does not work, you can use a screwdriver to bend slightly the metal rod in order to release it from its position.
Some recliners have screws with plastic caps protecting them – be sure to remove these first before loosening or tightening any parts of your spring tension.