Recliner Parts #1: Why is it hard to get parts?

[@luckychucky3426]

Being the kind of guy that I am I do it's do-it-yourself kind of guy I enjoy you are videos so much I love your presentation thank you very much

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@lucky chucky - You're welcome!

[@shanecallahan7537]

you are amazing. I thought you might get a kick out of this. Our new puppy chewed off the electrical power cord to our Lazy Boy recliner. I called the Lazy boy company after a very long time on the phone and the run around. I was told the house call would be 160$ and the power cord 35$. So i called a local furniture repair store. He kindly explained to me to tip the chair over remove the cord take it to Wal Mart and get a new one. It cost $12. While I was at the store replacing the power cord my puppy chewed the remote lol.

[@alexforare1594]

Thank you for sharing your experiences, it’s very enlightening.

[@CasperCarver]

We went shopping for recliners yesterday. Glad I found your series before we bought anything. It felt like shopping for a car. Going to have re-think the whole idea.

[@chucklemberg4968]

I purchased a La-Z-Boy sleep sofa and recliner in 1989. Recently, the board inside the footrest of the recliner broke in the middle. To my surprise, when I called La-Z-Boy customer service, I learned that this was covered under warranty - no cost for parts or labor. I figured that they would just tell me that this would be a "wear item" and not covered under warranty. The only other problem I have is that the middle cushion on the sleep sofa is worn out and needs to be replaced - NOT a warranty item. BTW, the sleep sofa is so heavy and sturdy that it is almost a deterrent to changing residences.

[@PelicanPines]

Got me as a subscriber. Lazboy electronic footrest. You are the best. Thank you

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@JohniiMicro - You're welcome!

[@brockreynolds870]

I bought a Laz-y-boy recliner in 2014, and I've had to repair the darn thing 4 times so far... additional screws to hold the frame together, and now I have to replace the rocker springs.

[@William_Hada]

Excellent presentation of this useful repair video series. Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

William Hada - You're welcome!

[@elisoares2640]

Great content Pete! I used to work for Leggett & Platt almost 10 years in this exact field, solving this kind of issue was my passion once in every situation I got even closer to the customers. Fortunately in Brazil we used to sell recliner parts to consumers once we knew that they couldn't find those elsewhere. What could you tell me about L&P in US based in your experience? Even though we were bringing some from China we kept a excellent quality though. Thanks again!!!

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

Eli Soares - Thanks, Eli! While part quality is important, it doesn't do much good if the consumer can't get those replacement parts, right? ;) I've tried Leggett & Platt a few times over the years while searching for replacement mechanisms for older recliners. They've been very helpful with helping to identify the specific reclining mech (based on their ID sticker). However, I've not yet been able to find a replacement unit through them. But that could simply be due to older designs being obsolete and no longer available.

[@ronharrington8659]

I have a Burris wingback leather recliner. I didn’t use it much when I bought it for the first 15 or so years. Fast forward in the last 15 or so, I use it all of the time, in a different home. The quality of the leather etc. is still good. The mechanism has started to fail. I found a guy here that used to work at the Lazy-boy plant in Missouri, that works on recliners. He’s managed to keep it going for 6 months or so at a time. I’m to the point now that I’m looking for an entire set of mechanisms. Because mine has many rivet type bolts that are failing. I recently found a place in Ringold, GA that sells mechanisms. My repair guy said I needed a 2 position, bolt on back, old style mechanism. He and they said there should be a code on the scissor part of the mech near the footrest. I’ve looked some, but not found. I’m going to continue as repair guy said it was a 4 digit 1/4” set of numbers. I know you don’t answer questions, but I’m thinking those of you looking for a recliner mech, might get some help from this company in GA. I just found them recently and started talking with them… Unfortunately the manufacturer (Burris) and the furniture store are long gone. It was an expensive chair when I bought it at the time. All of this relates to your current video. I thought of just buying another. I’ve seen several online that look very familiar to my chair. However when I get into the reviews of those. I can tell there not the quality I’m looking for. Also they now want $1500 or so for them. The pair of mech runs around $100-$125 or so. My chair is a push back version in a blue like color. BarcaLounger has one that looks identical, but it’s made in China… I’m now retired, will be 70 in a few months. So I continue my search. My repair guy isn’t much help on finding parts or such, he just patches up the problem that last a few months. Last repair I probably could have done. He just drilled out a rivet bolt, and put a screw and a locking nut on… Problem is, he’s the only one I found in my area that will even consider helping me… He’s on Social Security, and likes the cash I pay him. So it gets us both by. I have arthritis and have to sleep in my chair some, to even get some rest. Can’t afford an adjustable bed…. Any ideas any of you have that might be helpful, let me know. I hope the place in GA. may be of help to some of you…. I do everything on my phone, so I didn’t want to lose my place writing this to go back and look them up. They have several listings online. Something like Handles, if I remember correctly… Ron

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Ron Harrington - It would be extremely rare if mechanism parts for a ~30 year-old recliner were still available today. And since you don't have the ID#s (usually on a sticker on the mech itself, as you mentioned) to identify it, you can't easily do that research to check on availability. Likely you're only option -- if you want to invest the time & money -- is trial-and-error. Try to find a mech that appears to be identical to the one in your chair. Buy it & try to modify the chair to fit it. (The biggest problem area is likely to be where the back attaches to the mech.) And then cross your fingers that it will fit, operate properly, & that the chair won't tip over when the unit is fully reclined. You'll need to pay someone to help you with the modifications, of course. And I wouldn't worry about whether the unit is from china. It's likely that they make more reclining mechanisms than anyone else in the world at this point.

[@ronharrington8659]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 I wasn’t referring to the mechanism coming from China. I was referring to buying another recliner that’s made in China….BarcaLounger… Stated above… The papers are still attached to the chair. It’s a Burris style number…….. 374 0.

[@ronharrington8659]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 Mechanism replacement still a challenge. I have another question. The mechanism on the chair has some black 02 & 03 rivets. One has sheared off. I drilled it out. What would you suggest to put there that would substitute for the river. There’s a little space to even put a small bolt, washer, and nut in it. I didn’t know if they would stay in place, as the 2 parts hinge back and forth, if you understand what I’m trying to explain…. Kind of like a pair of scissors…. Thanks- Ron

[@movazi]

I am making a recliner bed. Where do I get the mechanism for the legrest (the hinges)? Thx

[@robertahubert9155]

I bought my recliner at American Furniture and paid just under $1,000.00 . It worked fine for 5 or 6 years. I can’t even find a repairman much less parts .. I’m ready to trash the dam thing except that I paid so much for it it’s hard to just give up..

[@johngeorge2996]

Question for you, on what part of the lift frame (on a Golden LM5100) should the seat base attach to. Another "repairman " was there before ne and screwed the pooch on the new install. Golden instruction sheets suck because they rely on black and white photos instead of actual line graphs. Thanks in advance

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@John George - Sorry, but I don't work on that brand so I can't offer any suggestions.

[@fuentesstudios2626]

I work on different type of recliners here in the WA area. From Ashly to Lazy-boy and others out in the market. I got some new parts and some old parts. Do you know of a place that might buy parts working or not? If you need something I could look at what I got.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@fuentesstudios2626 - If you're looking to sell parts, I'm guessing ebay might be a good place to start. I'm retired now & no longer doing repairs. But your post might help other techs looking for parts that you may have.

[@daveyakutchik3493]

I have a lazy boy loveseat that on one side the foot rest not retract. It is stuck all the way out. Do you have any videos on this? Many thanks

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Dave Yakutchik - You (or a repair tech) need to do an inspection to see what's going on. Lay the loveseat on its back so you can see both mechanisms. Now you can operate & observe both mechanisms in action. Compare the working side with the non-working one. (With electric units, operate the footrest only, not the back tilt while the unit is on its back.) Look for bent, broken or damaged mechanism parts. If you can't find any, remove the 3-Position Locks on the extension scissors of the non-working unit -- if these are manual recliners & retest operation. IMPORTANT! Have someone hold the footrest open, so that it cannot slam shut while you're removing the locks! Remember that any work you do on your furniture is at your own risk!

[@savannayoungton9569]

Are the scissor mechanisms for Lazy Boy recliners and couches standard sizes? I see some for sale online but have no clue if they would fit my couch.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Savanna Youngton - The reclining mechanisms used in La-z-boy recliners are often different than those used in their sofas. It's best to order the scissors -- or any other mechanism parts -- directly from La-z-boy or one of their dealers.

[@stevesniadecki1678]

Hi, I have a Best home furnishing power recliner with Inseat control box, the chair has massage heat and movement. Can you tell me the best place to get the replacement?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Steve Sniadecki - Contact the manufacturer to find Best dealers in your area. While you have them on the phone, ask them 2 questions: Can I order parts thru you? If the answer is "no," ask them, "What if my local Best dealer won't help me get the parts I need?"

[@cliffordbernard7885]

How can you secure the little spade connector that goes into the transformer on a Lay-Z-Boy power lift recliner. The spade plug keeps pulling out of the transformer and it has no secure way of clipping itself into place. A terrible design for sure. Any good way to get it to stay in other than wads of electrical tape?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Clifford Bernard - Yeah, that's not uncommon. Some people use tape. Others get creative & construct a type of harness. Whatever works best for you.

[@techguy9023]

Can you do a video showing the operation of a bare manual recliner mechanism? I have one that has a broken bolt on one side but can’t identify the proper holes.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

Tech Guy - There are many different types of reclining mechanisms out there. If you can email a clear photo of the mech & the problem you're having, I'll try to offer some guidance -- [e-mail]

[@jimgeorger4452]

Help! My wife has b come disabled in her right arm, and cannot work the controls on our la z boy. Is there an alternative switch on a cord that can be fitted?

[@jimgeorger4452]

Oops just saw the disclaimer…

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@jimgeorger4452 - Not that I'm aware of. You can always check with La-z-boy to make sure.

[@jimgeorger4452]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 Thank you. I did check with them, and the rep answered right away, that if it was not manufactured with a wand, one could not be retro-fitted. I’m not sure they really checked, because the control from the arm is a plug, and two 3 pin connectors to the motors. I wish I could talk with a la z boy on the road repair person. We do have a work around for mama, so the urgency is gone, but I REALLY appreciate your response! Thanks again.

[@fb510m]

believe I have a mechanism warranty parts claim. would you know if the ratchet pawl and rack are life warranty parts?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Paul - Warranty coverage on La-z-boy recliners has changed a bit over the years. So the parts coverage you have is specific to when your chair was made. Having said that, I can't remember ever being told that the Pawl & Pawl Rack were not covered by their limited lifetime parts warranty. So you should be fine, as long as you are the original owner of the chair.

[@fb510m]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 Thank you so much!!

[@frtillmanYT]

Here is a question is Lazy Boy has a lifetime parts warranty (service/labor warranty only 1 year) in view of "taking this thing apart may make matters worse" rule of thumb why wouldn't one want to pay the labor fee to get it fixed?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Frank Tillman - My videos are intended to show DIYers (who may be unfamiliar with furniture repairs) how to maintain & repair their recliners. It's up to them to determine whether a particular repair is within their skill level. or whether they "...may make matters worse" by attempting the repair themselves. Also, experienced repair techs are difficult to find in many areas. And for those who don't live near repair facilities or repair techs, the cost for repairs & service can be astronomical. I've had reports of service call quotes as high as $200. And repair quotes up to $1500. With quotes like that, it's easy to see why people are looking into other options for repairing & maintaining their furniture.

[@securityfamily]

I have a recliner made in Italy with great leather but I don't know the MFG name. Tag has ID. NBR 2001/121972/006 and MOD1496-/CHRRECLSWRK 025. So I'm trying to get a front compression spring around 2" OD and 4-5" long and some other parts. Can you help on the MFG name? Thanks

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Bob Pietrs - If you have an idea (guess) as to who the manufacturer may be, you can always contact them to see if they can help with identifying the chair via photos. You can try getting recliner springs online by matching the length & spring end (hook) type. But any parts that are specifically made by the manufacturer will typically have to be obtained thru them, or the vendor that makes that part for them.

[@stevenbelfiglio6049]

I have a Best Chairs swivel rocker recliner ID # 2025390-087.001. The spring broke and fell out. I have replacement springs but don't know where it goes. Can you help me ?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Steven Belfiglio - If you're referring to mechanism springs, see this video for tips ---> kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6CbgadtpbClfJY Or, get in touch with a Best Chairs repair tech.

[@stevenbelfiglio6049]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 No it's a small spring used to hold up foot rest. Best Chairs. See my last comment for ID #

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@@stevenbelfiglio6049 - Yes, I understand. Mechanism springs do hold up the footrest. There's a segment in the video that gives tips on how-to try to find the attachment points for springs that have come off. If that's not helpful, find a Best Chairs repair tech. I'm sorry, but the ID# does not help me answer your question. ;)

[@jkay6612]

my new lane recliner is three days old ..fine the first day then worse every day since the leg support gets weaker how do you tighten it Sir

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@j kay - If you chair is new, it should have full warranty coverage. Contact the seller for warranty service. If you bought it "as-is," it may not have any warranty coverage. However, if the seller is a Lane dealer, you can still have them take a look at your chair, but there will be charges associated with the service call and repair/adjustment labor. Tip: To avoid a service call charge ("as-is" scenario), take the chair into the store yourself. But call them first to make sure they can service the chair.

[@jkay6612]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 thanks for the advice if I was fixing it myself what would I tighten or adjust, Sir

[@bongoscongasantiquecashreg4544]

Recliner Repair Guy, I did your suggestions to try to get replacement parts for my old 1990s La-Z-Boy recliner with a dealer, manufacturer & called La-Z-Boy & they asked for the serial number of the recliner but I have no information on the foot rest or under the recliner & they said well sorry to say but we don't carry the parts for the 1990s La-Z-Boy recliner as you are better buying a new recliner. Plus I showed a picture at my local La-Z-Boy & they gave the information of the pictures to the dealer & manufacturer & they said it really is a great recliner but wish La-Z-Boy carried the parts you need for it! Well so I will eventually get a new La-Z-Boy recliner since getting parts didn't work out. What do you think making the right choice?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Bongos congas & antique cash register collecting - What parts(s) do you need?

[@bongoscongasantiquecashreg4544]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 The three ratchet La-Z-Boy handle mechanism it doesn't do the three clicks like it used to do for it just wore out after daily use 20 + years luckly it still can recline yes that is the quality of La-Z-Boy still going strong but need the new ratchet before it won't recline anymore for just goes into one position still reclines but it is very strange! I will get a new La-Z-Boy recliner in time but maybe this part will be available?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@@bongoscongasantiquecashreg4544- These parts should still be available. Watch this video and look closely at the parts. If they match what's on your chair, they're still available. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmmlnGWgacmWY80 If they match, jot down the part names provided in the video. However, if you're not the original owner of the chair, you won't be able to place a warranty part order. You'll have to pay full retail for the parts and find a dealer that's willing to sell them to you. Or, try ordering the parts thru the manufacturer. But make sure to tell them that you're NOT trying to place a warranty part order. You want to pay full retail and get a quote on what the parts + shipping will cost you. But remember -- make sure the parts in the video match the ones you need first!

[@Jones5774]

I've had a couple recliners but they have been hand me downs. Now I'm looking to buy a new one but even just among the Lazboy recliners the choices are overwhelming. Is there a brand that you prefer for longevity or ease of repair or availability of parts? Are there any construction or designs or quirks that I should stay away from? When is messes up I'm going to have to fix it myself just like everything else. If you need to generalize with your answer then please private message me with the specifics. Mike

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

Mike Jones -- As for overwhelming choices, once you find a recliner that fits you properly, that narrows things down a bit. Then it's just a matter of choosing the functions and features you prefer. There is no brand that I work on that stands head-and-shoulders above the rest in build quality. As for part availability, that's a problem that keeps getting worse, and the reason for this video series. Just because I can get parts from a furniture manufacturer today, doesn't mean I'll be able to do so next year, or even next month. That's how volatile the U.S. furniture market has become. Beware of resellers promising parts warranties that may not be valid. I've got an upcoming video in this series that will show you how to determine whether you have a real product (parts) warranty or not before you buy.

[@psdaengr911]

Buy the simplest, sturdiest furniture that you can find. The more that it does besides support your butt, the more likely that those totally unnecessary feature will break. Furniture manufacturers today rarely make any parts that aren't made of wood. If it's metal, it's a standard component with alternatives available from multiple sources. Use it as if it is the only furniture that you will ever own, and a good piece of furniture will last a lifetime. Treat a recliner like a trampoline or a bed and you are wasting your money. (BTW, mattresses have a design lifetime of ~10 years, have no moving parts, cost as much or more than most recliners. NO ONE "repairs" them.) How exotic is your butt? If you sit properly, have good hygiene and don't squirm or bounce, 90% of the choices can be eliminated. Fitting a chair to a person is no more complex than fitting a pair of pants. The size depends on your width at the hips, the length of your legs. The construction needs to accommodate your weight, because if you are too heavy for the seat cushion you will squirm. The fabric color and pattern must match your taste. You must be able to afford it of it will not be truly comfortable. If you can't buy for cash, don't buy a new recliner, which is not an essential piece of furniture. If you can't buy a recliner for cash, then go to a resale shop and get a non-reclining armchair and an ottoman and sit up until you've saved enough to buy the recliner that fits you. In used recliners, La-z-boys have changed the least in basic construction over the years and are the easiest to work on if YOU break THEM.

[@stephenguenther3455]

last a lifetime? how about 2 years at max....wood? really? there is NO wood in a recliner mechanism...

[@That_annoying_Rat]

Good video.thank u

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

michaelinde1 - You're welcome!

[@brianweston2476]

Excellent video, its ashamed we cant pfix stuff now days. Its a throw away society

[@brunningwolf]

Amazon has them.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Docota brokenarrow Runningwolf - Some of them, not all. If they carried every part you could need for every recliner out there, there would be no need for this video. ;)

[@georgedoughty6679]

For a recliner that's popular, I'm having a hard time finding DYI repair parts 😡

[@stephenguenther3455]

Boy, P Schmied - you are one smart guy! Now, if you were in the business of making money instead of comments you might realize that no repairman of ANY thing - from car to recliners can take the time to "manufacture" his parts from a hardware store. In fact I am just a rocker recliner user and guess what? I don't have the time to "manufacture" parts - hell, I'm already ahead of 99% of people since I'm willing and able to turn the thing upside down and even try to repair it. And guess what, I can build a house and rebuild a 4 barrel carburetor but I can't make a spring to replace the broken one I just discovered nor can I press out or press in the tiny bearings in the recliner mechanism - even if I could find them to buy them (oh, I forgot - I'm sure you make your own) guess I'm just not as handy as you or maybe I refuse to use a "bungie cord" to repair ANYTHING. I'm wondering...do you have a washing machine on your front porch?

[@psdaengr911]

It''s hard to get repair parts or a friggin' CHAIR? Even if, like too many people today, you have no training in any form of manual labor, if you think that the way to fix something is to have someone else do it (like a specialist "recliner repair guy") it still isn't. Unless you have a severe physical dysfunction, attitude is more important that aptitude or resources when a simple problem needs to be solved. A repair is NOT then same as a restoration to like new condition, but a restoration of function. A chair, whether reclining, rocking or motorized is a SIMPLE object, one that was built by low skill, low wage workers that didn't need advanced training or education to do it, just a need to put food on the table to motivate them to get off their butts. I don't have any background in furniture or upholstery. I just refuse to believe that what people built with their hands, something that I can see was made of simple parts like boards, springs, and levers, can't be repaired, rebuilt or duplicated. I've made temporary, long-lasting replacement seat springs of bungie cord, splinted metal frames and levers with stock I bought at a local hardware store. I didn't moan and groan that I couldn't get "original" parts, I solved the problem with what was on hand so I could sit down. If it had been more difficult to make functional repairs, then I might have spent an hour or two with Google, identified the manufacturer and the name of the parts and found them. It was faster to remediate the problem once I decided to DO it. I said remediate, because the nature of the problem was never such that it could only be solved using the exact parts used to build the chair. Quite by accident, I found that many of the parts that commonly break have direct replacement parts available inexpensively through Amazon or Ebay. These parts aren't precision machined, they are ferrous wire and plate that doesn't need to have extraordinary characteristics, fit or finish. A 17th century blacksmith could make decent copies. China has been producing better steel parts than this since before European settlers came to North America.

[@davewave1958]

covers questions that the average user of recliners COULD CARE LESSS ABOUT!!!!!