La-z-boy Drive Rod Replacement - Part 3

[@KCMPhoto]

My drive bar broke exactly where you explained. I attempted to reassemble with new parts but it wasn’t working quite right. I watched your video and figured out the bar needed to rotate a quarter turn. Finally got it working. Thanks so much for making this video. Much appreciated!!!!!!!

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Michael O - You're welcome -- good job!

[@billybobjoe2818]

did you make a print or take a picture? I can't get the position of the release right

[@billybobjoe2818]

swing and trip lever, that's what I can't get right

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@@billybobjoe2818 - I believe when the Drive Rod is in the fully open position, the "stop" on the "collar" that controls (limits) the trip lever should be facing forward, on the front side of the Drive Rod. If you have it in the correct position, the trip lever will point forward (toward the footrest) rather than hang down (incorrect). Sorry, no photo.

[@billybobjoe2818]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 thank you, I'll try again

[@remor3m073]

Saved my bacon. Thank you very much! THIS is the video my spouse had wished we had found before spending hours on flip flopped reassembly attempts, LOL! Your excellent tips are very appreciated.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Remo r3m0 - You're welcome! I'm sorry you didn't find it sooner.

[@deanschwaller6931]

This is a great video for reassembling the mechanism. The most tricky part is the trip lever! If not installed perfectly, the mechanism doesn't work and you are disassembling everything again! The rod must be correctly set like the foot rest is up and the trip lever is in the right orientation. Finally, make sure the retention clip is tight to the rod between the support rod and the trip lever. My 10 year old chair works like brand new!

[@billybobjoe2818]

How do you correctly set the rod and get the alignment orientation correct? I'm having a dickens of time!

[@JackLewis-et9fi]

Great video, thanks! Somehow my center clip came lose and caused the reclining action to jam up. Put the pin back in (it was only out on one side) and while tapping it in, broke the plastic bearing SMH! Got the pin in and relatively secure and things are working again. We'll see how long it lasts. Gonna take easy on this old Boy! Really need to just get a new chair.

[@aspencedr8182]

thanks just has rod snap in the same place as this vid ( removed and welded it) , this clarified where a few springs needed to be.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@aspencedr8182 - You're welcome -- good job!

[@joycescott4787]

I sure wish you did reupholstering on Lazyboy recliners

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Joyce Scott - If you know how to measure, cut & sew fabric panels on a sewing machine, there are Recliner Repair Guy videos that demo how to remove & reattach those panels. If you don't know how to measure a frame for fabric (that's a learned skill), you can use a removed panel as a pattern for making a new one.

[@wayneclemmer9905]

I have a 1ph-512 power chair how do you get to the main bar to replace parts.do you take chair apart to do it?

[@gaylea4207]

A friend fixed my LaZBoy recliner. He put it back together watching your video and using an identical chair as a guide. The rachetie part seems to be slipping when I recline it. Any suggestions? Also, as I rock on it, it feels like it's catching on something. Any suggestions? He's going to look at it again. Thank you!

[@dougtwptreasures]

The video shows me exactly what is wrong with my recliner. Where is a good place to source the repair parts? I have two recliners that I need to repair,, one needs the drive rod, the other needs a couple of other parts. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Jeff Rieckenberg - La-z-boy parts can be ordered through the manufacturer or one of their dealers. Also see, 'How to Order La-z-boy Parts' ----> kzbin.info/www/bejne/a36ZlWdmp917Y9U

[@williamdonnelly6701]

Do you have a video where you are replacing the springs in the back of a 20 year old recliner. It does not have the zipper, so I can't simply remove the back upholstery.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@William Donnelly - I have a video demo that uses a 14-year-old recliner back (not a slip-cover). Here's the video description: "The back spring replacement principles in this La-z-boy demo are the same for many other brands. Also covers how some springs can be installed from behind the frame (less material to remove)." The video is available on the ReclinerRepairGuy.com website, but requires a paid membership to view it.

[@dougkoroll6643]

I noticed where the spacing link connects to the drive rod, you bent only one side of the retaining clip. Should you not bend both sides? And shouldn't both sides be equal in length as it passes through the hole? ((It looks like I may have to do my own repair as the technician doesn't seem to be interested in calling me to set up a service call.))

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Doug Koroll - The retaining clips generally only have 1 leg that extends thru the Drive Rod.

[@dougkoroll6643]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 Thanks for your reply. Would you have any idea why the clip on my Stratus rocker/recliner would break in half? The chair is brand new. I have used it for two weeks. * I had it delivered to a storage locker as I waited for my apartment to be ready for me. The chair was the only item in the locker so nothing happened to it there. I finally took it out of the locker and brought it home. Unfortunately, the warranty is only honored at the address of delivery - which is the storage locker. (#$%&@ !) I can't figure out why it would have broke. I don't want to have a re-occurrence. Thanks.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@@dougkoroll6643 - Can you email a photo of the broken part & where it attaches? Send to [e-mail]

[@robertmurray2005]

What size is the bolt that attaches the toggle to the drive rod? M6?

[@billybobjoe2818]

mine was 1/4-20

[@duane2243]

Will this work to change to left side useage >? Swaping the rod ? hole configuration ? Have shoulder surgury comeing soon! Video 1-2-3 excellent -all my parts are newer -chair a year old---Thanks!!

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@duane2243 - Yes, that should work. You might check with La-z-boy to see if a Left-handed Drive Rod replacement for your chair, so you don't have to drill all those holes.

[@mediancat]

Great videos - really appreciate your work! Question for you: I've got a Harbor Town Wall hugger model from about eight years ago. The screw that held the Toggle Assembly in place sheered off and the toggle assembly is bent all to hell. I've received replacement parts from La-Z-Boy (toggle assembly, rear swing brackets and drive rod but am curious if the hole that the screw goes into that mounts the toggle to the drive rod is threaded. Mine is not threaded and the screw does not look self-tapping.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@mediancat - Correct, the screw hole is not threaded. And the screw will self-tap. Tip: As you finish tightening the screw, stop when the head seats flush against the Drive Rod.

[@gaylea4207]

Where can I buy it?

[@michaelkeller4248]

Where can I buy that tension spring for the toggle? Mine snapped and I can’t seem to find it anywhere.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Michael Keller - La-z-boy parts can be ordered from the manufacturer or one of their dealers. I'd start with a local dealer to see if they have one in stock.

[@alanjohnson6545]

Will the recliner work without the 3 position brackets?

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@alan johnson - Yes, the footrest will open fully & close. You just lose the 2 in-between positions where the footrest will lock if you disable the 3-position function.

[@Stripe12]

Hi, I just finished this repair to replace the plastic bushings on the drive rod due to squeaking. The squeaking was worse afterwards and I was left with an open ,crescent-shaped, half a washer looking piece. It’s got a square inside that fits over the rod, but I don’t know where it goes? Can you help? Thx

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Stripe1 - Interesting. I've never encountered a situation where the plastic bushings (Bearings) cause a squeaking noise. The crescent-shaped washer is installed between the Lock Plates that control the 3-Position Footrest feature. You can install it by removing the Retaining Clip installed over the plates, then insert the washer & reattach the clip.

[@Stripe12]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 thank you! Any chance you could post a video of that? Do I need to remove the drive rod again in order to install it? The squeaking happens only with footrest extended with chair reclined. BTW your videos are really great!

[@Stripe12]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 …and did the repair thinking the damaged white bushing was causing the squeaks, but found out that wasn’t it…still squeaks

[@Stripe12]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 I figured out the washer placement and also noticed squeak was coming from the pawl scraping along the end of the rocker ratchet. Used a little coat of grease and it stopped!! Thanks again for your help and videos!!

[@Doge2215h]

Hey man been looking at your videos and was wondering if you can give me some tips in trying to fix my recliner. I recently got this recliner that has a lift mode to it and I lifted it all the way up and when trying to make it go back down it wasn't moving. I checked what had gone wrong and saw 2 wires coming from what I assume to be the the motor being disconnected from a plug. Problem is I am unable to connect the copper wiring back to the plug as it is in the max rise mode and cannot put it back into the neutral position from what I can tell. If you can offer and information to help it would be appreciated!

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Doge2215 - Look at how the broken wire is routed & attached to other parts (often with zip ties or plastic clips). If you don't find a way to give it more slack, you'll have the same problem after you repair the wire. If the wire won't reach no matter how it's routed, it will have to be replaced with a longer one.

[@katherinehalloran6758]

which way do you turn the screw on the toggle. I can't get it loose and am afraid I might strip the screw.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Katherine Halloran - The screw should be turned counter-clockwise to loosen. This is a common problem with La-z-boy fasteners. Some get stuck and require high-torque to remove. But the torx-head screws (& bolts) don't allow easy transfer of great force to the fastener, so the bit either jumps out (stripping the screw), or breaks. And drilling them out is problematic. If the screw strips, I recommend installing a new Drive Rod.

[@katherinehalloran6758]

@@reclinerrepairguy4155 Thank you. I was wondering if you stand at the front of the chair or the back to choose counterclockwise direction. You are a super teacher.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@@katherinehalloran6758 - It's counterclockwise regardless of where you stand. But I position myself so that I can push the bit firmly onto the screw and keep that pressure while trying to break (turn) it loose. :)

[@Laiceps04]

Hey man, how can I get in contact with you? I’m a furniture technician and am familiar with most la-z-boy models…the only one I have trouble with is the reclining loveseat with the slide out mechanism, not the sub assemblies. I have a few questions if you are familiar with those models, I have to change a motor on one soon and I’m pretty sure I’m gonna have to remove the dust cover to access it, but maybe you could give a tutorial or insight on something like that. Much appreciated

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Kyle - Not sure which style you're referring to, as dust covers are not usually installed on La-z-boy recliners. You can email me at: [e-mail].

[@gaylea4207]

The part connected to the toggle is bent on my chair. I can't afford a new chair.

[@gaylea4207]

I'm trying to find that part you're calling a toggle. Al said it's not called a toggle. It's the part that looks like a sickle. That part is bent on my chair.

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@Gayle A - The C-shaped part is called the Toggle Subassembly in my old La-z-boy repair manuals. If that name doesn't work for some reps, simply take a photo of the part so you can show them what it looks like. The part can be ordered from the manufacturer or one of their dealers.

[@alanjohnson6545]

Thanks

[@reclinerrepairguy4155]

@alan johnson - You're welcome!

[@dougkoroll6643]

Rebuilding the engine in my Dodge Super-Bee is easier and less complicated.