8 Common Problems with Reclining Mechanisms

A look at 8 common mechanism problems with manual (non-electric) recliners and their causes.

[@thensr2011]

Great "Block of instruction". Gonna try to figure out why my seat has sunk in on one side tomorrow. Thanks big-guy .

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@thensr2011 - If your reclining mechanism is leaning -- as mentioned in the video -- this can create a bit of a sunken feeling when the seat is not level. Check for lean, as described in the video. But most often this issue is due to seat padding breaking in and/or breaking down. For example, if you tend to sit to one side of the seat -- like next to an arm -- the seat padding will break in the way it's used. So the padding next to the arm will break-in first, causing a dip or soft spot there. Cuts in the underside of the seat cushion is also common with recliners & can lead to the same issue. See this video to learn more -------> kzbin.info/www/bejne/pojXdoWArZqdnpI

[@amrmohmed3931]

Thank you for the videos. We have a one week old recliner the sperate chair recline when no one sitting on it . If you sit on it becomes harder to open

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@amrmohmed3931 - Most new furniture carries warranty coverage. Contact the seller (dealer) to report the problem.

[@jack247811]

Thank you very much I just started this kind of work and it's nice to have someone to tell me what is and is not wrong since I do not have prior training. Also have youconsidered ASMR

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@jack247811 - You're welcome!

[@stevebeeler9103]

Thank you for your videos. They've been very informative. Here's my question... I have 2 leather recliners that have been passed down to me from my parents. They're in good shape and I like them, but they feel very loose. I flipped them over, and found no springs anywhere. I suspect they've broken off years ago and never replaced. So how do I go about knowing what springs to buy, where to buy them, and how to attach them to a recliner that's 30 years old?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@stevebeeler9103 - A good place to start with old chairs is to find out if the company that made it is still in business. If they are they should be able to answer your questions. Look to see if the chair(s) still has an ID tag ---> kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqqVk4aGmNpnZ9E

[@thensr2011]

Thanks for this reply too. 😊

[@glennquackenbush1889]

I'm looking for a video or instructions on how to "pop" back in the plastic slot inserts for the footrest without breaking them. Anyone?

[@emilybradley3821]

I have watched several of your videos and they are great! However, I haven't been able to find an answer to my question: How can I figure out what size replacement springs to order? The springs are missing on my pushback recliner by Action/Lane but the company is out of business. There's no company name on the mechanism. I'm hoping I could figure out what springs to order by measuring!

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@emilybradley3821 - When the parts you want are missing, that can be very difficult. I give some tips on mech spring replacement in this video ----> kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6CbgadtpbClfJY In the video I talk about looking for potential spring attachment points. Once you locate them, you can measure the distance between those points. The spring will have to be slightly shorter than that distance to avoid falling off, when the 2 points are closest together. And it will have to be able to expand (stretch) when the mechanism opens & closes. So, finding the distance where the 2 attachment points are furthest apart gives you an idea on how much stretch is required. But this doesn't even cover the style or type of spring that is needed! Like I said, this can be difficult. Here's a better way: Find an experienced repair tech that serviced Lane products in your area. They will be familiar with the springs on your chair & may even have some replacements left in stock.

[@ramblingsFromJim]

Is there an adjustment that can be made on a recliner where the footrest does open but does not support much weight and collapses easily. I bought a cheap recliner on Amazon about 2 years ago and it has always had this problem even from the beginning. I just figured I had to live with it the way it was. It was only recently that I started thinking maybe there is something I can adjust to allow it to hold more weight when it is open. Is there?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@ramblingsFromJim - If it's a cheap recliner, it will likely have its flaws. Whether this is a flawed design or repair issue would have to be determined by a repair tech who is familiar with your product. Or a repair tech that has experience with working on many different recliner brands.

[@ibrawring9525]

The back of our recliner no longer springs back up when we pull the handle to get back into the upright position. We need to manually pull it back up. Any idea what might be the issue? TY.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@ibrawring9525 - There are a few potential causes here. The mechanism may have some problems -- bent, loose, etc. -- or there may be an assist spring that has broken or come off that helps the back return to upright. Also, check for a problem where the back attaches to the seat. Remove the back & inspect the attachment point, the back brackets, etc.

[@ibrawring9525]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 Thanks! Will also reference your other videos to help with further inspection - these are so useful. Appreciate you making these.

[@sandythompson5664]

Hi, I watched a video you did on the difficulty of getting parts. I am getting ready to order a West Elm harmony motion sofa that is made in China. Is that still a problem or is it easier to get parts now and are there more universal parts?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@sandythompson5664 - Replacement parts are not likely be be more universal since I made that video. The biggest issue with overseas parts has to do with how many replacement parts are produced by the manufacturer and where (& how long) they are stocked. I would not be surprised if many manufacturers only provided parts that they currently produce for their current product lines. In other words, if you need a replacement reclining mechanism in 5 years, will it still be available? Maybe, if they're still producing that part. But if they've switched to a different mechanism, you may be out of luck. Also, if you have no parts coverage warranty from the manufacturer, no one from the company is obligated to help you with replacement parts. But then again, any furniture manufacturer could also go out of business, which would put you in a similar situation.

[@johnthompson4848]

Hi last night when I went to push myself further back into my power recliner I heard this noise, I can recline & my foot rest will raise & lower but the seat part of the chair will not raise so I can stand up easily. I can hear the motor running & after a bit it stops running but the seat never rises. I have CP so I sleep in the recliner any advise would be greatly appreciated thanks. J. T.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@johnthompson4848 - Sounds like a lift actuator may have broken or has failed. Have an experienced repair tech check it out. See this video for tips on finding a repair tech -----> kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXi7aX6IiJeijLc

[@johnthompson4848]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 Thanks for your reply I had a friend turn the chair over & you could see pieces of white plastic in the tracks of the actuator rail broken, so it's beyond a simple repair I had the chair for many years so plastic is old & brittle.

[@NothingToNoOneInParticular]

#1 Recliner won't open 0:20 #2 Recliner is hard to open and close 0:43 #3 Footrest is uneven / crooked 1:10 #4 Recliner parts on floor, under chair 1:49 #5 Cable release doesn't work 3:35 #6 Footrest strikes frame 3:58 #7 Chair / section leans to one side 4:28 #8 Recliner operates poorly 5:16

[@HenriettaLong-fw1gy]

I have a lift recliner that creaks when I go to raise the chair to stand up. Sounds like it needs lubrication, but don't know how to do it.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@HenriettaLong-fw1gy - You can lubricate pivot points & moving parts, but sometimes creaking noises come from other sources. See this video for lubricating pivot points ------> kzbin.info/www/bejne/gafZoYV_g9R4eas And this one for dealing with squeaks & creaks from other sources ------> kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKSkg5WAisR7h7s

[@amandawaffle4894]

Hi I have a recliner when I press the buttons on the side to recline it doesn’t work! The lights are on and the head buttons work just not to recline it does nothing! Pleas help!

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@amandawaffle4894 - I recommend having an experienced repair tech check it out as there can be several causes for that type of problem. Here's a video with more tips on resolving your issue -------> kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXi7aX6IiJeijLc

[@amandawaffle4894]

Thank you so much ! I’m so glad I stumbled onto ur channel! U were the most easiest to understand and very knowledgeable!

[@vdub5975]

Hi! Do you run across failed motors? It seems like most of your repairs are not related to failed motors. Thanks for your videos!

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@vdub5975 - Actuator failures were not common, but I didn't work on a lot of different brands. The most common failure I'd see on La-z-boys was due to the customer continuing to use the motor (actuator) after something on the mechanism -- often a plastic part -- had failed. The resulting damage could bend or break other mech parts as well as the actuator arms that extends.

[@sue3424]

Is there a way to take the entire mechanism out. I just want a regular chair with four legs. No movement . Just a simple stable chair.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@sue3424 - The easiest way to do that is to simply disable the reclining mechanism. Then you have a stationary chair. If you have a 1-piece mechanism, the mech unit also serves as the legs, so removing it would put the chair seat on the floor.

[@lastgameplay]

If my Lazy Boy lift handle slips out 6 inches, can you hammer it back in>

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@lastgameplay - Not a good idea. Instead, have an experienced repair tech check out your chair.

[@DennisFedele]

​@@reclinerrepairguy41556:27

[@FoldedJay]

When I open the recline the whole chair goes forward. Why is that ?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@FoldedJay - That's typically how wallsavers work. The chair moves forward as you recline, allowing you to place the recliner closer to the wall.

[@FoldedJay]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 but it seems broken or something or like it was fixed for it to be like that be the last owner . Like it goes down to the ground with the reclined leg rest touching the floor . Is there anything I can do ? Like tighten or loosen something underneath?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@@FoldedJay - Sounds like you need an experienced repair tech to look at it to diagnose the problem.