La-z-boy Drive Rod Replacement - Part 1

How to remove the La-z-boy Drive Rod and the parts that attach to it.

[@katherinehalloran6758]

I am writing to thank you for these wonderful videos and for answering my questions. I was having trouble removing a toggle screw and ended up drilling it out. I replaced the drive rod and now have a working chair. I actually ended up fixing three of our old chairs. I watched your videos many times before and during the repair. It took a while but I am gaining confidence. Thank you again!!! Kathy

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Katherine Halloran - You're welcome - good job! I stopped drilling those screws out when they strip or break. It's such a hassle. I just install a new Drive Rod now when that happens.

[@robc2817]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 fellow repair tech here when these strip out I use a multi tool to cut them into a shape I can grab them with channel locks then turn them out, saves me a ton of drive rods

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@@robc2817 - Sounds like a good method. What tool do you use to shape the head?

[@TheaterAtReference]

Thank you so much you're awesome

[@dougkoroll6643]

So, here's your first failure for the new re-design and new heftier bearing. I have a brand new La-Z-Boy Stratus rocker/recliner - manufactured in Kentucky and delivered to me in Ontario, Canada. I've only had the chair for a couple of weeks. It's brand new. The retaining clip in the center broke in half. I saw that the black bearing has slid out of the hole in the spacing link. The chair still reclines and the footrest still works - but after seeing your video, I've stopped reclining and using the footrest. I don't want to damage the spacing link or the drive rod. Obviously, the bearing slid out only because of the broken retaining clip. But, I can't figure out what would cause the retaining clip to snap in half. So, now I need to replace it. I will visit the La-Z-Boy store where I purchased it.

[@dougkoroll6643]

By the way, I noticed that there is absolutely no "play" on the spacing link - not even enough to slide the bearing back into the hole.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Doug Koroll - Remember, full warranty coverage comes with new La-z-boy products. So, report the problem to the seller so they can repair it (at no charge) & perhaps determine why the clip failed in the first place.

[@uandersk]

How do you remove the toggle and tensioner spring? This video shows removing it when the drive rod is broken so there is no tension on the spring. It took a long time to get the parts (delivery issues, not a lack of the parts), now I am just hung up on getting the spring off the support rod. Any helpful tips?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Kent A - The 'Legrest Subassembly Replacement' video on the ReclinerRepairGuy.com website shows the spring removal. But the video requires a paid membership to view it at this time. It's not difficult to remove the spring: Always wear eye protection when installing or removing any mechanism, seat or back springs. For the Toggle spring I use vice grips. Remove the chair back & turn the bottom of the chair upside down on the floor. Position yourself behind the seat, opposite the footrest. Extend the footrest to the fully-open position. The spring has less tension in this position. Next, clamp the vice grips down firmly on the straight part of the spring near the Support Shaft (round black shaft near the front of the chair). You'll need to generate a short forceful push with both hands against the spring, pushing it forward just enough to unhook it from the Support Shaft. Since most recliner springs are stretched by pulling the spring, this is a bit different. You're pushing to stretch it instead. Reinstall it -- or a new spring -- using the same method. If your Toggle Subassembly has several holes for adjusting spring tension, be sure to note the original hole where the spring was attached, if you want the same tension when you reinstall the spring.

[@uandersk]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 Thanks much!

[@uandersk]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 Successful at replacement. Had old style 3-position lock, rear swings were new style so used the plastic parts. They do not seem to lock at three positions, but does lock at top, most important part, so, good to go. The rear seat swing metal lock bolt had completely sheared the nickel-sized part off onto the floor. The rear swing had a hole nearly the size of the lock bolt head. Thanks for the video!

[@craigrusso7934]

Do you do a video on replacing the sequence plates for lazy boy?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Craig Russo - Sequence plates? Email a photo of the part(s) you're referring to ----> [e-mail]

[@waylonbyers6022]

Where do I order lazy boy drive rod from?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@waylonbyers6022 - La-z-boy parts can ordered from the manufacturer or one of their dealers (sellers). However, many dealers no longer assist consumers with part requests, so it's probably best to go straight to the manufacturer's website.