Learning how to properly remove the gas lift from an office chair to replace it

Computer chairs have long outgrown their status as exclusively office furniture. Today they are increasingly being purchased for apartments and houses, which is explained by the versatility, ergonomics and durability of the design. But even such reliable products can experience breakdowns, the most common of which are malfunctions in the gas spring. To find out the degree of wear of this part, you will have to figure out how to remove the gas lift from an office chair to repair it or completely replace it. You can cope with the task without professional help, the main thing is to know the features, the operating principle of this mechanism and strictly follow the instructions presented in the article .

Replacement of gas elevator

If the gas cartridge does not compress, and the device is required when using a chair, that is, fixing the device in one position is unacceptable, then a complete replacement of the mechanism is required.
To replace you need:

• prepare a certain set of tools and additional materials;
• familiarize yourself with the work flow chart.

Preparing to replace the gas lift

To replace the gas lift swing mechanism, you will need to prepare:

• new chair lift. You can purchase accessories in a specialized store. When choosing a gas elevator, you should take into account the dimensions of the equipment and the maximum load. If you can’t determine the parameters yourself, you can use the help of sales consultants;
• Phillips screwdriver for assembling and disassembling furniture;
• hammer. To ensure safety, it is better to use a hammer made of rubber. Such a tool will not damage the equipment during operation;
• ring punch;

Punch – a tool for pulling out (so-called “knocking out”) parts from holes

• vice. You can replace the gas lift without a vice, but using a bench tool will simplify the work;
• WD-40 liquid.

Sequence of replacement work

How to remove the old gas lift from the chair and install a new lift? The work is performed in the following sequence:

1. treating all joints of stool elements with WD-40 liquid. This will make the disassembly process easier;

Lubricating units to facilitate disassembly

1. seat detachment.

How to disassemble the chair? Using a Phillips screwdriver of the appropriate size, loosen the bolts securing the seat to the piastre.

Next, the chair is turned over and the seat and decorative casing are removed from the lift using rolling movements. The work can also be done by resting your feet on the crosspiece and using rolling movements to remove the chair;

Detaching the seat from the cross and gas lift

1. disconnecting the lift from the piaster and crosspiece.

The work is done by knocking out the gas lift with a hammer with a rubber tip. To facilitate the process of disassembling the cross and the lift, you can also use a metal drift.

Before knocking out, remove the retaining ring - the pin located on the back side of the cross at the point where the gas cartridge is connected;

Removing the gas cartridge from the piastrum

1. installation of a new gas cartridge. To do this, at the first stage it is necessary to insert the device into the crosspiece (until there is a click indicating the fixation of the element), applying some force, put on the protective and decorative casing and connect the half-assembled structure with the piaster;
2. Assembling the computer chair in reverse order.

You can learn more about the independent process of replacing a gas elevator on a computer chair by watching the video.

Replacing a gas chair lift is not a complicated process, so even a novice craftsman can do the job on his own. If you have all the tools, a new lift and pre-processing, the work is completed within 15 - 20 minutes.

Computer chairs have long outgrown their status as exclusively office furniture. Today they are increasingly being purchased for apartments and houses, which is explained by the versatility, ergonomics and durability of the design. But even such reliable products can experience breakdowns, the most common of which are malfunctions in the gas spring. To find out the degree of wear of this part, you will have to figure out how to remove the gas lift from an office chair to repair it or completely replace it. You can cope with the task without professional help, the main thing is to know the features and operating principle of this mechanism and strictly follow the instructions presented in the article.

Instructions for disassembling the cross

On the surface on which the analysis will be carried out, it is necessary to lay newspapers or any other absorbent fabric.

REFERENCE! The gas cartridge of the chair is connected to the crosspiece. There is a lubricant inside it that may leak out during disassembly.

• The chair needs to be turned upside down so that the central part of the cross has a good view and is easily accessible. It is necessary to give the chair proper stability so that it does not sway during disassembly;
• Next you need to remove the gas cartridge. To perform this operation, you must first remove the seat. This is quite simple to do - you need to unscrew the 4 bolts that secure it to the piastre. The piastra is the part that connects the seat and the gas lift and is responsible for adjusting the height;
• Using a mallet or hammer, you need to knock the piastre off the gas lift;
• After this, you need to remove the lock washer at the bottom of the cross and remove the gas lift rod from the casing;

NOTE! You need to act carefully, since there is a bearing and oil seal inside the casing.

• By gently tapping the hammer, the crosspiece is knocked off the gas lift;
• After which you need to assemble the gas lift to its original state;
• The wheels also need to be removed. The rollers are not secured in any way and can be removed with some effort;

Common breakdowns

As noted above, an office chair is a rather complex device and any of its structural elements can fail.

Damage to the cross

The problem with this element may be destruction at the junction of the beams. The material from which the cross is made is important here.

As a rule, the base is a hollow structure into which a polypropylene pipe of suitable size and cross-section can be inserted. It, in turn, must be rigidly fixed to the base and the damaged beam.

In order to dismantle the crosspiece of an office chair, you need:

1. Remove the rollers. As a rule, they do not have a rigid fixation and are quite simply removed from the mounting sockets. To illustrate the process, it is recommended to watch the video:
2. Dismantle the piastra. Fastening to the seat is done “on a cone”. Disconnection from the gas elevator is carried out by tapping on the attachment point. The correct process for disassembling an office chair is shown in the video:
3. Remove the retaining clip located in the recess on the top of the hydraulic lift.
4. Knock out the gas lift to repair or replace the five-arm.

Destruction of the swing mechanism

If the chair does not hold the “horizon”, then the problem is most likely in the destruction of the swing mechanism.

Fastening to the seat is done with four screws using a shaped screwdriver. The element is dismantled as follows:

1. The bolts that secure the rocking mechanism from the seat are unscrewed
2. The gas lift is knocked out of the device mount.

This element is made of metal.

It should be noted that most chairs originating from the Middle Kingdom are not suitable for domestic spare parts. This concerns, first of all, the swing mechanisms (size discrepancy).

• Chinese mechanisms: 200 x 200 mm.
• Domestic: 200 x 150 mm.

In order not to re-drill holes when replacing an element, we suggest using adapter plates. How it looks assembled can be seen in the figure below.

Air chuck failure

The pneumatic cartridge of the chair is a two-chamber structure filled with air. When you press the adjustment lever, the valve stops the flow of air between the chambers.

If, when pressing on the valve, the gas lift rod does not extend, it means that the integrity of the piston, seal, etc. is compromised.

The dismantling process is described above. To clarify the process, watch the video about replacing the gas cartridge on office chairs:

A fairly common cause of gas lift failure is the bending of the adjustment lever, which does not allow pressing on the cartridge valve. In this case, the repair can be easily carried out independently: you need to bend the lever to its original state.

What is the design

An office chair has long ceased to be part of the interior of an office exclusively. Thanks to the variety of models, which differ in appearance, design, ease of fit, and filling, the piece of furniture is used at home. It is comfortable to sit at a computer or at a desk, work, play, watch movies.

The computer chair consists of the following parts:

1. Back. It has an ergonomic shape and an angle of 90 degrees relative to the seat for better back support.
2. Seat. It can be soft, semi-soft, hard, depending on the filler - springs, foam rubber, wood, plastic. It is convenient when its front edge is semicircular.
3. Permanent. This is an element that connects the backrest and the seat, and also allows you to adjust the angle of inclination.
4. Armrests. Usually hard or with foam padding. They support the elbows, reducing the load on the spine.
5. Piastra. The mechanism by which the gas lift and the chair as a whole are controlled.
6. Cross. The lower part of the structure with rays, of which there are usually 5 pieces. Each beam ends with a roller.

The entire system is movable; you can turn and move the chair thanks to the casters without getting up. The seat is height adjustable. This is achieved through gas lift – perhaps the most important element. It is located between the cross and the seat in the area of ​​the chair leg. It is a hollow cylinder, inside of which there is a hydraulic spring filled with compressed air and two valves. By adjusting the air pressure, you can raise and lower the seat.

The gas pressure in the elevator, and, accordingly, the height of the chair, is adjusted by pressing the lever. If you press and release, the seat will rise, if you press and simultaneously press with your palm, it will lower.

In addition to adjusting the height, the gas lift allows the chair to rotate around its axis. It also acts as a shock absorber - it absorbs part of the load on the spine when a person sits down. Thanks to it, the chair is not hard, it is springy.

Scheme of work

In an unloaded state, the central cylinder of the gas lift is located in the upper part of the structure. If a person sits on a chair and presses a lever (button), the mechanism begins to lower, pulling the seat down. After this, the cylinder returns to its original position. When you press the button without load on the seat, the air inside the gas lift pushes the rod up. At the same time, the seat begins to rise.

Why water does not flow into the Bosch dishwasher, reasons and repair

Understanding how the mechanism works allows you to immediately eliminate other breakdowns of the office chair. If the gas lift fails, after pressing the lever (button), the seat does not move.

Types of office chairs

There are three types of office chairs on the market today:

For the manager, for the staff and for visitors.

The executive chair is fully equipped with: a five-beam steel crosspiece, a synchromesh mechanism, mechanisms for adjusting the backrest resistance and seat depth, etc.

The chair for employees is not as equipped and functional. As a rule, such models are lightweight, which ensures high mobility. It is also equipped with a device for adjusting the seat height and backrest angle.

An office chair for visitors, simple, comfortable, beautiful, but lacking functionality. As a rule, they do not have a rotation mechanism.

Replacing a gas lift chair

1. We turn the device over and remove the spring latch holding the gas lift rod in the cross.
2. Remove the chair crosspiece and the support cover from the gas cartridge rod.

Now the most difficult thing is to remove the gas cartridge from the “piastra” or the chair swing mechanism. The mounting of the pneumatic cartridge in the piastrum (oscillating mechanism) is made “under a cone”, which does not require additional retaining elements.

There are two ways to remove the cartridge from the piastres “saddle”:

• Having dismantled the seat of the chair and knocked its cone out of its seat.
• By turning and swinging the element in the socket, for example using a gas wrench.

Now you need to knock the gas lift column out of the cross. This is quite simple to do, using any ring attachment (punch) with a diameter of 30 - 32 mm. A 32" head is perfect for this operation. The location of the impact is shown in the photo.

Reassemble in reverse order:

1. We put a support cover on the new gas lift.
2. At one end we insert its piaster socket (into the seat).
3. We put a cross on the other end.

For better fixation of the elements at the points of the conical connection, we recommend hitting the inside of the cross several times with a mallet or rubber hammer. The impact location is shown in the photo below.

The last step in replacing the gas lift is to install the locking spring latch in its original place, holding the gas lift in the mounting socket of the cross.

To see the gas lift replacement process more clearly, watch this short video:

Thus, if the gas cartridge is working properly and the model of the office chair matches your weight, the lifting mechanism will work normally.

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Unlike all cabinet furniture, a computer chair is subject to extremely increased wear and tear, because, in addition to daily use, it contains mechanical and, most importantly, hydraulic elements. For example, it is possible to repair the gas lift of an office chair with your own hands, but first you need to understand the reasons for the breakdown. So for what reason did one user's chair break down after a few months, while for another it lasted for years without the slightest breakdown? How to remove, disassemble and repair a gas lift device? How to remove a gas lift from a bar chair? Adjustment of a lift, gas elevator and its design. We will deal with this in this article.

See what it looks like in practice to knock the gas lift body out of the steel cross.

The most difficult case is when the gas lift body has rusted to the steel cup of the cross and cannot be knocked out with an ordinary heavy hammer. A special stand for the cross is used, the gas lift is disassembled (only the black steel cup remains), we knock it out with a sledgehammer, while the first simple blow with a sledgehammer does not help, the second time we hit it with a full swing and with maximum force.

A radical way to knock out a gas lift housing from a steel cross when all other methods have failed

Additionally: You may need a new air chuck housing.

Source

Structural elements and common breakdowns

You should not purchase furniture for your home or office if the manufacturer provides a warranty of less than one and a half years. Experience shows that such products quickly fail. If, after the expiration of the warranty period, the furniture begins to poorly perform its basic functions, you must first find out the causes of the malfunction. They may be different. The most common problems are described in the table below. When you know what's broken, it's easier to plan and carry out repairs.

The main structural elements of the product: seat, backrest and crosspiece with rollers. If at least one part of the general mechanism fails, the chair cannot be used until the fault is completely eliminated. Repairs may require additional parts to replace broken or worn parts. They can be found in service centers or ordered in an online store from a furniture manufacturer. There you can also learn how to repair a chair with your own hands at minimal cost.

To make DIY repairs easier, it is recommended to choose domestically produced office furniture. Chairs from foreign manufacturers are of good quality and have a long service life, but in the event of a malfunction, it is very difficult to obtain spare parts. Not all European furniture companies have official representatives in Russia.

Structural elements

Self-disassembly of the product

Every user should know how to repair an office chair. It is not difficult to disassemble the product yourself; basic knowledge about the design is enough for this. Practical dismantling skills may be needed both for repairs and for transporting disassembled furniture. In order to prepare the chair for repair, you must:

Turn the furniture with its back to the wall, carefully stand with your feet on the horizontal crossbar, but do not press on it with force. Gently pull the backrest up, rocking it left and right. Separate the cross and gas lift. Screw all the wheels.

The most critical stage is separating the backrest and seat. Having completed dismantling, it is necessary to collect all the parts in one place so as not to lose anything

If something doesn’t work out, don’t make any physical efforts: plastic parts can easily break from one careless movement

If you want to effortlessly separate the gas lift from the rest of the structure, you can install the seat so that the pneumatic cartridge is at the top. After this, you need to take a hammer and gently hit it on the seat where the backrest is attached. Next, you should repeat the same thing in other places so that the mechanism that raises (lowers) the chair does not jam.

Repairing a computer chair has a clear algorithm. Any office chair, regardless of cost and appearance, has a standard structure. It is clearly visible in the diagram in the operating instructions. The following elements can be distinguished in the design:

1. A metal or plastic base is a cross, or a base of five rays, shaped like a star.
2. Plastic rollers with a metal hinge inside. More expensive models have iron wheels.
3. Pneumatic cartridge. In some operating instructions this part is also called a gas lift.
4. Rocking mechanism with a straight or slightly offset axis.
5. Piastres, or height regulator. It is a metal platform equipped with an additional lever.

The most difficult furniture to repair is for executives. These are the most expensive seat modifications with a large number of additional functions. Products intended for personnel are much simpler. The cheapest furniture is made for office visitors. As a rule, it does not last long and cannot be repaired. Instead of a crosspiece, such chairs have four legs, and there is no rotation mechanism.

How to repair it yourself

If the crosspiece and permanent contact fail, you can repair these parts yourself, without resorting to the services of a service center. If the pneumatic cartridge, piaster or swing mechanism is broken, they must be replaced. The same goes for rollers. If repairing it yourself seems difficult, you can contact specialists; they will repair the furniture quickly and efficiently.

Damage to the cross and replacement of rollers

In the event of such a breakdown, it is very easy to repair an office chair with your own hands. If the rays of the cross are not connected firmly, the part begins to wobble and loses stability. To fix the problem, you need to insert a hollow plastic tube of smaller diameter inside the base. It must be firmly fixed in the center of the structure.

The pipe will play the role of a kind of rod on which the base rests

To replace worn rollers, you need to carefully remove them from their slots, without using physical effort, and install new ones. Anyone who has repaired a base knows: it’s not at all difficult.

We knock out the gas lift from the cross

Installing a new cross

Making videos

Inserting new videos

Breakage of piastres

This type of breakdown occurs frequently in office chairs. If the piastre fails, it must be carefully removed from the pneumatic chuck. These two parts are connected using the cone method. There are no threads, so no screwdriver is needed. To separate the gas lift and piastra, hit them forcefully with a mallet. As a rule, one hit is enough. Next, you should replace the piastra with the broken foot with a new one.

Separating the gas lift and piastra

We attach the new piastra to the seat

Destruction of the swing mechanism

In the event of such a breakdown, the metal structural element must be replaced. However, if you have a welding machine, you can eliminate the malfunction, and the swing mechanism will last for a long time. If a decision is made to replace a part, it must be dismantled. The mechanism is connected to the seat using four screws, so you will need a shaped screwdriver. For disassembly you need:

• unscrew the bolts connecting the mechanism to the seat of the chair;
• knock out the pneumatic cartridge from the mount;
• drill holes in the element and replace it.

If you don't have a drill at hand, you can use so-called adapter plates. It should be borne in mind that Russian-made swinging mechanisms are not suitable for Chinese office furniture. The difference in size is approximately 50 mm.

We knock out the pneumatic cartridge

Drill holes and tighten bolts

Connecting

Air chuck failure

An old, worn gas lift must be replaced. Some craftsmen repair it, but after repair the pneumatic cartridge still will not last long. It needs to be dismantled and replaced with a new one. To do this, disconnect the seat and use a hammer to knock the gas lift out of the crosspiece. The main thing is not to damage the base. After this, a new pneumatic cartridge is inserted. It is attached to old bolts. You can first watch a video on the topic “repairing a gas lift” or consult a service center.

Removing the seat

We knock out the gas lift from the cross

Insert a new pneumatic cartridge

Destruction of permanent contact

Breakage of permanent contact is a common occurrence. It is not necessary to purchase a new part; you can repair the old one. This type of DIY office chair repair will not take much time and effort. The main thing is to identify the cause of the malfunction.

If the thrust spring is deformed, it must be returned to its original shape. The same goes for brackets. However, if the screw fasteners are worn out, you will have to replace them with new ones. If the back of the chair is wobbly, the permanent contact connections need to be sealed and tightened.

Permanent contact

The process of dismantling a part depending on the type of base

If the structure no longer rises and locks in the desired position, it means that the gas lift on the office chair needs to be repaired. You can do this yourself. The algorithm of actions will be almost identical for both plastic and metal bases.

Plastic

Dismantling of the structure, the base of which is plastic, occurs in a certain sequence. If a person is changing a gas cartridge for the first time and does not know how to remove the gas lift from office chairs, he will need an assistant. Instructions:

1. Unscrew the bolts located under the seat. Carefully remove it from the mountings.
2. Stand on the crosspiece and gradually, using rocking movements, pull the chair up by the armrests. Set it aside.
3. Use a rubber hammer to apply several light, precise blows to the body of the structure from the side of the cross - the gas lift should come out of the base gradually.

After this, you need to replace the part and perform the same steps in reverse order.

Unscrew the bolts under the seat Remove the base

We insert a new gas lift and secure the crosspiece

Metal

The principle of removing a gas spring from a metal base is similar to the previous one. The only difference is that some manufacturers use fragile material in the manufacture of the structure. Therefore, it is recommended to be careful when knocking out the gas lift. The blows should be weak so that the cross does not crack .

In fact, repairing an office chair gas lift with your own hands is a simple process. If you approach the solution to the problem responsibly and study all the nuances, you can repair the furniture yourself and very quickly, rather than spending money on a new product.

Unscrew the bolts and pull the seat towards you. When knocking out the gas lift, be careful, apply weak blows. Done

Required Tools

Before you begin disassembling the product, you need to prepare all the necessary tools. Any home craftsman has them. To dismantle the chair parts you will need:

• screwdriver;
• hammer;
• chisel;
• pliers.

If you need to replace the gas lift, you can add technical grease and a bolt with a minimum diameter of 10 mm (or a little more) to this list. Instead of a screwdriver, it is more convenient to use a screwdriver. Having unscrewed the fasteners, you need to immediately put all the fasteners in a box or tin can, since the loss of even one bolt will deprive the repair of any meaning.

Technical lubricant is needed to make the parts move away from each other more easily. If the chair has served for many years and has never been disassembled, the fastenings gradually become tighter, and then it is very difficult to separate them. Upon completion of the repair, remove greasy oil marks with a soft cloth (for example, a piece of flannel).

If the crosspiece is made of plastic, if a malfunction occurs, it is recommended to replace it with a new one. New rollers are usually installed at the metal base. Experts say that crosspieces made of high-strength aircraft aluminum are least susceptible to wear. However, they are found only in expensive models.

Tools

Accessories

Checking the contents

Wheels

Most product models are equipped with special wheels that are mounted on the crosspiece. The diameter of the rollers does not exceed fifty millimeters, and the size of the rods is ten millimeters. Most often, the wheels are supplied separately from the crosspiece and therefore you will have to install them yourself.

If the chair will be placed on parquet or linoleum, it is recommended to buy rubberized casters. They will not damage the surface and will not leave marks on it.

Cross

When checking the package, you need to make sure there is a crosspiece. This is an irreplaceable part on which the rest of the structure is installed.

The crosspiece is made of the following materials:

• Wooden. Wood parts are used in expensive office chairs. The advantages of wooden crosses include an attractive appearance and resistance to high loads.
• Chrome plated. Such products are considered the most reliable and durable. Chrome parts are versatile, as they are installed in both expensive and budget chairs.
• Plastic. Budget chairs are equipped with plastic crosspieces. In terms of strength, they are inferior to products that are made of metal or wood.

Lifting mechanism and casing

The kit should include a special mechanism for raising and lowering the seat. It is installed between the chair support and its cross.

A gas lift is a hydraulic gas device found in every office chair. If it is not included in the package, you will have to contact representatives of the store where the product was purchased.

Seat, back, 2 armrests

In addition to the above components, the kit should include two armrests, a seat and a backrest. These details make the office chair more comfortable. However, sometimes the kit may be missing something. Most often this happens when they buy budget models of office chairs that are sold without armrests.

Set of bolts and other fasteners

The parts from which the chair is assembled are secured using special fasteners. Bolts and screws should be included with the rest of the chair. Most components are attached to each other with small screws about one and a half centimeters long. To attach the side armrests, stronger fasteners are used - bolts.

Special key

Some office chairs have components that are secured not with screws or bolts, but with fasteners with a special hex hole in the head. Such fasteners are not very common, and not every person has a tool for working with hexagons. Therefore, manufacturers must ensure that a special key is included in the kit.

Operating rules

To prevent complex breakdowns and extend the life of your computer chair, experts recommend immediately after purchase that you carefully study the manufacturer’s instructions, which detail all operational nuances.

Along with the classic rules for using the product, professional craftsmen recommend paying attention to the following tips:

operate the product only in a dry and well-ventilated area; a chair that has been exposed to low temperatures is strictly prohibited from immediately being assembled and used; the optimal time for adaptation is 24 hours; during assembly, maximum care must be taken, trying not to break the threads by excessively twisting the elements; It is strictly unacceptable to exceed the load on the crosspiece.

Experts point out that one chair is intended for only one person, and using the product by a large number of people can have disastrous consequences.

You need to sit down on a chair smoothly and carefully, trying to avoid sudden and forceful movements. The armrests also need the same treatment; you shouldn’t put pressure on them, much less sit down on them.

The armrests also need the same treatment; you should not put pressure on them, much less sit down on them.

People who are overweight need to purchase only structures with metal elements that are more durable. You should also not use the chair to move heavy loads and objects.

When the wheels get between the joints of the tiles, they become deformed, and after a while they break completely.

The upholstery of the product, which needs to be treated with care and regular cleaning, is no less vulnerable. To remove stubborn stains, it is permissible to use only special cleaning products specified in the instructions. To extend the life of a computer chair, experts strictly prohibit giving it to small children for entertainment. Improper use of the product can lead to irreparable damage.

We should not forget about regular preventive inspection, which includes lubricating all moving elements, as well as tightening loose nuts and screws.

The product should be inspected at least once every 3 months, but it is better to pay attention to the chair every 30 days. If the above recommendations are not followed, the purchased chair may quickly fail, and the purchase of a new product will entail additional financial costs.

A computer chair is an important element of every office worker’s workplace. Given the increased demand for this type of furniture, manufacturers produce a wide range of such products. Despite the external differences, the design and principle of operation of the different types are almost the same, so you can fix the breakdown and restore the working condition of the product yourself at home, following the recommendations of experienced craftsmen, which will significantly reduce the financial costs of repairing or purchasing a new chair.

How to repair computer chairs, see below.