How to remove wheels from an office chair, common causes of breakdowns

A computer chair is an indispensable attribute of a modern office, study or workspace in the home. It is comfortable, versatile - adapted to different parameters and weights. The chair holds the back well, fixes posture, which makes a person less tired and reduces the load on the musculoskeletal system. Despite its reliability, the chair sometimes breaks, which causes inconvenience. One of the most common breakdowns is damage to the wheels. That is why you need to know how to remove the wheels from an office chair and replace them if necessary. Such repairs do not require special knowledge or high costs - you can do it yourself without calling a specialist.

Design features of a computer chair

Repairing an office chair with your own hands requires some knowledge. There are many features to consider when purchasing furniture. You should not buy products where the manufacturer does not provide a warranty of at least one and a half years. Otherwise, you will have to constantly repair the product, which will cause significant difficulties.

One of the most common causes of failure is the gas lift, as the part that is most susceptible to wear.

Structurally, the product consists of several elements: a back, a seat, a cross part with rollers for moving on the floor. If any of these components fail, the chair cannot be used. It is necessary to repair the damage in order to continue to use the furniture normally.

If you are faced with a malfunction of your computer chair, you need to find out which part requires repair.

The product includes the following components:

Piastra. Made from high quality metal. This element is made in the form of a lever. Used to change the height of the seat relative to other components. Rollers. Depending on the manufacturer, they may consist of metal or plastic. The first option is more preferable, as it has high performance properties. The hinge mount is made of metal. It connects to the main structure to allow movement on a smooth floor surface. Base. It can be metal or plastic. The first option is more preferable, as it has high strength and reliability compared to plastic. The latter breaks down faster under the influence of high physical stress. Permanent contact. It is a connecting component. Used to attach the seat and backrest. Allows you to change the position of the backrest relative to the vertical. Rocking mechanism. Responsible for deviations and fixation of the seat in one position. More expensive models are equipped with complex mechanisms that provide more stable fixation and smooth rocking when leaning on the back of the seat. Gas elevator

This detail is important for a computer chair. Responsible for elasticity

When a part breaks, this property is reduced, causing discomfort to the owner.

Parts may be required for replacement. They can be purchased in specialized stores. You can also purchase spare parts on the manufacturer's official website. It is for this reason that it is recommended to buy only furniture from trusted companies. This makes it possible to repair the product at minimal cost, using available materials and simple tools that are found in every home.

Before you begin repairing a computer chair, experts recommend carefully studying the types and design features of such products.

Additional Tips

The task becomes even easier if it disappears on its own. Excess parts can be pulled out using a screwdriver; they will no longer be suitable for any purpose. Experts advise making a complete replacement, since different types of wheels can make it difficult to move on the floor covering. And in general, timely replacement will ensure a longer service life of the rollers.

This information on how to change wheels on office chairs will also help if you had to assemble a new model yourself and without instructions.

Almost many modern models of office chairs are equipped with wheels for greater convenience. They provide comfortable movement over short distances, for which they are so valued and purchased by many entrepreneurs.

This type of seating is comfortable, does not cause tension and has many other advantages. But when purchasing, you should also take into account that wheels and rollers tend to break over time. Agree, it will be unpleasant if you fall out of your chair in the middle of the working day.

This problem is easily solved. The replacement process is not difficult. Anyone can do it. Therefore, you do not need to return to the workshop for specialist help. All you need is a set of tools.

To replace the wheels on a chair, you will need tools that are found in every home or office. This is a screwdriver, a hammer, a long object for pulling out the rollers. The rest depends on each individual case.

Kinds

The main rule is that on a hard floor the wheels should be soft and vice versa. Otherwise, there will be either scratches on the coating or great effort when rolling. Therefore, you need to choose the right roller material.

Material

Plastic. The most inexpensive and installed on most chairs. They are suitable for carpets as they do not leave marks on them. Parquet can be scratched, and thin linoleum can be pressed through.

Silicone. Well suited for uneven floors. They do not leave marks on parquet and laminate flooring and allow you to avoid noticing joints. The strength of such wheels is lower than polyurethane ones.

Rubber. Similar to silicone, but may leave dark streaks on varnished floors. Not suitable for sterile environments.

Polyurethane. High strength is combined with an attractive appearance and an abundance of colors. They have proven themselves well on all types of coatings. They are resistant to aggressive influences, which allows them to be used not only at home or in the office.

In addition to the material, there are differences in the design of the rollers.

Design

The design of the wheels should match the style of the chair, so different models have their own options.

Office. They can be open or protected by a skirt that prevents wires from getting into the wheel. The latter option is more beautiful and safer, but it is more difficult to maintain. Often wheels are rubberized - this is when a rubber tire is put on a plastic hub. This increases comfort and the wheels run silently.

Gaming or gaming. They are stylized to resemble the rims of cars and motorcycles and are painted accordingly. Some are very similar to roller wheels and have spokes, others differ from office wheels only in the pattern. You need to be careful with them, because if a foreign object gets into the knitting needles while moving, there may be unpleasant consequences.

Wheels with locks. They have a rotation locking mechanism, which in theory allows you to lock the chair in one position. In practice, the chair can slide on the floor. Yes, and you need to fix all 5 wheels, which is not very convenient. Fortunately, the lever can be pressed with your foot.

Build quality control

You can check how well the chair works quite simply with the help of simple steps. The serviceability of the lifting mechanism is the first criterion that must be considered. When testing, you need to sit in a chair, press the piastres lever - under the influence of the person’s body weight, the seat will lower. When the desired level is reached, the pressure on the lever should be stopped. If you pull it up and stand up from the chair, the seat will return to its original position.

Silent and trouble-free operation of the lift is the second criterion that will indicate a successful assembly. For greater comfort, you can adjust the position of the backrest and start using it without doubting the strength of the finished product. Correct adjustment of a computer chair is very important, because comfort when working at a desk affects the activity levels of employees, and an uncomfortable backrest position causes fatigue in the spinal region.

There are times when office furniture needs to be dismantled. A user who has personally carried out the process of assembling the structure will easily figure out how to disassemble the chair. It is important to remember that after long-term use of computer chairs, the parts in them can become compressed - it is better to do the work using a power tool. It may also be necessary to use physical effort, so it would be a good idea to pre-treat the fasteners and joints with technical oil.

If something goes wrong when assembling a computer chair, it is better to use the services of professionals - they will not only quickly and efficiently complete all the work, but will also provide a guarantee for it.

Checking the swing mechanism

Adjusting the lifting mechanism

How to remove wheels from an office chair

For those who have held a screwdriver in their hands at least once in their life, disassembling the wheel of this office furniture will not be difficult:

1. First, purchase a new wheel from a specialized store. As a rule, they all come in standard sizes. Manufacturers do everything possible to ensure the convenience of their customers.
2. If the fastening is not clogged or rusted, then you can pull the structure out of the groove with your bare hands. If the wheel does not budge and you need to apply more force, use a flat screwdriver or chisel.
3. Simply pry the metal pin of the broken part at the entrance to the groove. Use the screwdriver as leverage to push the broken wheel towards you. There is no way to reuse it, so don’t be afraid to use extra force.
4. If necessary, remove dirt and wipe the mechanism.
5. Insert the new wheel into the notch. As a rule, there is no need to secure it in any way. The design involves a small groove on the wheel axle. When placing it in the holder, the gutter fits into a special protrusion and is securely fixed. Just press the wheel until it clicks.

No one guarantees the identical functioning of parts from different manufacturers. Not only can this lead to rapid wear of the remaining wheels, but the structure of the chair itself can be seriously damaged. Buying a new chair for yourself is quite expensive.

Tools

Before you remove the wheel from your office chair, you need to prepare your tools. In modern models this can be done without special devices. But there are cases when the chair has been in use for quite a long time, the parts have become deformed, bent, or worn out. Detaching the roller in this situation is a little more difficult. To make your work easier:

1. Screwdriver or special plate. The thin part of the tool is used to pry up the wheel and carefully detach it. A screwdriver is also used to remove the plugs into which the rollers are inserted.
2. Pliers. During the process of detaching the rollers, a metal pin may become stuck in the crosspiece. You can pull it out using pliers.
3. Regular or rubber hammer. Helps, if necessary, to dislodge a wheel that is stuck. In addition, a rubber hammer is used to release the gas lift.

For more serious repairs, when you need to replace not only the rollers, but also the cross, you will need a ring drift. With its help you can easily separate the cross from the gas lift.

Breakdowns and ways to fix them

Even the best quality rollers break over time. But thanks to the simplicity of the chair’s design, the vast majority of breakdowns can be repaired yourself. In this case, you do not need to be a top-class specialist or have a special tool - you can remove and install the wheels by hand.

But before repairing, you should find out the causes of the malfunction.

• The wheels don't spin well. This is probably due to the fact that foreign objects, stripes or threads got into them. In this case, you need to clean them of debris and then lubricate them with WD-40 or I-20A. For cleaning, use something like a knitting needle or scissors.
• Cracks on the wheel. In this case, the part must be replaced, since the glue will not provide the required strength. Most likely, this is due to a long service life or a manufacturing defect.
• Noise when torsioning. The roller needs to be lubricated. It is better not to delay this, since “oil starvation” increases wear and reduces service life.
• The roller is rocking. This may indicate wear on the plug on the cross where the rod is inserted. In this case, the plug and wheel must be replaced.

Gas lift malfunction

The most common cause of office chair failure is damage to the lifting mechanism. If the lift mechanism in the chair needs repair, but all other parts are in order, do not rush to throw it away. Fix it! You can replace the gas lift yourself. Unfortunately, even without breakdowns, this part will wear out sooner or later.

The process of replacing this mechanism can be called two-part:

• Dismantling the lifting mechanism. Measurements for purchasing or ordering a new part.
• Installation of a new part. Assembly.

That's all. This will take about 45 minutes, excluding the time needed to find the part.

You will need an assistant and some tools:

• gripping pliers (needle-nose pliers);
• pipe wrench;
• Phillips screwdriver;
• hammer (it is optimal if you use a wooden or rubber one).

• turn the chair upside down and place it on the table;
• remove the mechanism from the seat using a screwdriver;
• The gas lift can be removed by applying several medium-force blows with a hammer. You need to hit from the side of the cross (five-pointed), but so as not to damage it. For this it will be more convenient to use two hammers. Place one hammer on the gas lift, and strike with the second from above;
• install a new lifting mechanism;
• assemble the chair;
• adjust the chair lowering lever.

Features and Requirements

The peculiarity of furniture is that the more comfortable and durable it is, the heavier it is. To maintain mobility, you need wheels, which have a number of requirements.

• Strength. Not only durability, but also safety depends on this. If the wheel suddenly breaks, the chair will tilt and you may fall.
• Durability. Wheels must withstand significant loads over long periods of time. Ideally, the entire life of the chair.
• Comfort. Joints are possible on the floor surface, and soft wheels absorb small impacts better.
• Ease of rotation. The chair should save energy and not turn into a simulator. This parameter depends not only on the quality of the wheels themselves, but also on the correct choice.
• Aesthetic pleasure. The rollers on gaming chairs can be stylized to look like car rims.

Procedure

A standard office chair is not a complex mechanism, especially when it comes to wheels. Removing them will not be difficult, and you don’t even need any available tools. The thing is that they are simply inserted into specially made holes in the crosspiece and secured with a small click.

You can fasten them yourself, by hand. The main thing is to put in a little effort so that they do not break again during use.

It is most convenient to do this with a disassembled cross, then the top of the product will not interfere with a tight fit. But even with this approach, completely replacing all the rollers will take you no more than fifteen minutes. This suggests that there is no point in turning to someone for help; even a fragile woman can cope with this task. The advantage is that you don’t need a lot of knowledge to understand how to disassemble the wheels of an office chair.

Selection rules

Once you decide on a design, there are a few things you need to know.

The possibility of installing wheels is determined by the dimensions of the landing rod. It may vary among different manufacturers. For Russian ones, the diameter is usually 10 mm and the length is 20 mm. For foreign companies, the diameter is usually 11 mm and the length is 30 mm.

This means that before purchasing a set of wheels, you need to measure these dimensions with a caliper. Or, as an option, take an old video with you and choose according to the sample.

Make sure there is a stopper on the rod. It is this part that fixes the roller in the cross

Some rollers are equipped with a threaded rod and nut. When choosing, make sure that the diameter and thread pitch match.

You can also select the diameter of the roller itself. Usually it is 37-50 mm. The larger the wheel, the better it rolls and overcomes bumps, but the more cumbersome it is.

Some wheels (mostly furniture ones) are equipped with a plate instead of a rod. If necessary, the plate can be replaced with a rod and vice versa.

Before buying a set of wheels, it is better to find the reason why the old ones failed. This will either prevent you from repeating mistakes or not be too upset about a breakdown.

Video

Office chairs are convenient, comfortable furniture that has become widespread. They have become so popular due to their beautiful modern design, ergonomics and portability.

Office chairs are equipped with small wheels that allow you to move short distances without lifting your butt from the seat. In fact, it's very convenient. And office chair racing has become a slightly unusual, but quite spectacular sport. But, unfortunately, sometimes these parts become unusable. They must be immediately replaced with new ones or simply cleaned of dirt.

Wheel set Bureaucrat BlockCastorSet3850/PU

Set of plugs Bureaucrat FootSet35

Wheel set Bureaucrat CastorSet3850/PU

Why do the wheels on a chair break?

There may be several reasons for this:

Wrong chair

When purchasing a chair, be sure to pay attention to the maximum weight that the chair can support. Otherwise, you will soon receive an unpleasant surprise in the form of a breakdown.

Manufacturing defects

This scenario cannot be ruled out. In such cases, the seller always provides a guarantee for his product. If the product breaks down while the warranty card is valid, your money will be returned or the chair will be replaced with a new one. The main thing is to follow all operating rules so as not to cause wear of initially high-quality parts. Uneven floor. Because of this, the load on different wheels will differ from the standard one. Consequently, it will lead to their rapid wear. Dirty room. If the office is rarely cleaned, then a large amount of garbage accumulates on the floor. Dust, dirt, and hair can cover or simply wrap around the moving mechanisms of the wheel and prevent the mechanism from performing its direct function. Normal wear and tear has not been canceled either. Like any other part, wheels have their own service life. This is a natural process. So just buy a new wheel and replace the broken one.

In order for your “colleague” to serve for a long time and not disappoint with unpleasant incidents, choose the right model correctly. And also make sure that the load during the working day is evenly distributed across all the wheels in the system. Keep your work area clean. And don’t forget to carry out preventive cleanings if necessary. After all, it’s easier to prevent another breakdown than to repair a chair.

Beginning of work

You can buy new wheels at any specialized store. After this you can start working. If you are interested in this topic and want to learn more about where to find replacement wheels and rollers https://mirpl.ru/. The replacement process is quite simple and does not require much effort. You don't need to use a lot of specific tools.

The rollers are mounted in a special opening, which is located on the crosspiece of the chair. To carry out the replacement yourself, follow the procedure described below:

1. Turn the seats over. Remove the wheels from the mount. This may require a screwdriver. Simply remove the part using a little force.
2. Remove the fasteners from the crosspiece. A screwdriver is also used for this.
3. Pull out the plugs from the inside. They must be replaced with new ones that you bought in the store before starting the procedure.
4. Insert new parts. Before this, it is necessary to put on a protective cover so that this element does not wear out so quickly.

Sequence of installation of new parts

After you have disassembled the office chair wheel, you can begin to inspect and possibly replace the broken elements. The option for repair and installation of new parts depends on the nature of the failure:

1. The rollers do not rotate. Possible cause: contamination. The chair is turned over, the wheels are detached and inspected. If there is dirt and dust, they are cleaned with a brush or scissors (if they are wrapped in hair or thread). After you have managed to clean the wheels, they need to be washed and dried. Dry rollers are installed in place.
2. The wheel falls out. Malfunction – the plug (the socket in the cross that secures the roller) is worn out. It needs to be replaced. To do this, the wheels are separated and the plastic protective covers are removed. Then, using a screwdriver, the plugs are pulled out. New sockets are installed, housings and rollers are returned to their place.
3. Wheel damage. The roller itself or the locking ring, which is located on the axis of the landing pin, has broken. Thanks to this detail, the rollers are springy. Many people do not know how to change wheels. There is nothing complicated about this. The broken part is disconnected, the socket is inspected for damage and foreign objects, and a new wheel is installed.

In addition to damage to the rollers, other damage to the computer chair will occur:

1. Gas lift malfunction. This is a detail that is responsible for a person’s comfortable position while working. With its help, the chair takes the desired height and backrest position. If the gas lift is broken, the seat does not rise, falls strongly or skews to one side. There are two ways to repair the chair - replacing or fixing the gas lift in one position.
2. Broken crosspiece. This chair is quite durable, but if it breaks, the only way is to change it. Metal crosspieces are more durable and expensive, plastic ones are lighter and more affordable.
3. Backrest malfunction. If the backrest does not lock in the desired position and hangs, then it needs to be changed. If the permanent contact handle, which secures the backrest, does not work, it is advisable to replace the permanent contact.

Damaged computer chair wheels cause a lot of inconvenience. Finding out the cause of the breakdown and eliminating it is easy and simple. This does not require special knowledge or professional tools. You can do the repair yourself, without the help of a specialist. This will save time and money.

In what cases is it necessary

Before studying the question of how to remove a wheel from a computer chair, you need to find out the nature of the malfunction. Roller failures come in several forms:

• the wheel stops rotating;
• scratches the floor surface;
• falls out of the mount.

The reasons why the casters on an office chair are damaged can be different:

• contamination - dust, dirt, threads, hair, falling on the wheel, clog it, interfere with proper functioning, which leads to premature wear;
• heavy weight - constant loads contribute to breakage of small parts, fasteners, including the wheel;
• mechanical damage – careless use often leads to malfunctions;
• unevenness on the floor - due to prolonged use of the chair in such conditions, the socket becomes loose;
• wear and tear – the lifespan of a computer chair is limited; over time, parts wear out and require replacement;
• manufacturing defects.

Regularly cleaning them from dirt and foreign objects will help prolong the life of your wheels. Thanks to such procedures, the rollers will be able to move freely without feeling any obstacles. Replacing broken parts is always easier and cheaper than buying a new chair - they are available and easy to install.

For carpeted floors, it is recommended to choose a chair with smooth wheels; for slippery surfaces, it is advisable to use rubberized casters.

Falls out of mount

Stops rotating

Scratches the floor

Causes of office chair breakdowns

Before you begin making repairs yourself, you must:

• understand the design of a piece of furniture;
• find out which element is faulty.

Computer chair design

The main components of an office chair are:

• seat and back;
• permanent - a contact connecting the backrest to the seat and allowing you to adjust the angle of inclination;
• armrests;
• piastra - the mechanism by which the chair is controlled;
• gas lift providing seat height adjustment;
• cross with rollers, acting as support and moving mechanisms, respectively.

Main components of an office chair

To connect all parts, fastening screws with sufficient strength are used.

Definition and causes of malfunctions

The presence of malfunctions in the operation of a gas elevator (lift, gas cartridge) is indicated by the following aspects:

1. the gas lift does not hold the seat in the specified position;
2. the seat does not lower or rise when operating the control lever;
3. the seat goes down under the own weight of the sitting person;
4. the chair is tilted from its axis to one side;
5. the chair “swings” in different directions.

Signs of a malfunction

The main reasons for the formation of these malfunctions are:

lack of lubrication in the mechanism. During the entire period of use, the gas lift requires periodic maintenance, which consists of applying lubricants;

For lubrication, you can use any ready-made compounds and/or oils.

Special composition for gas lift lubrication

• natural wear and tear. Manufacturers guarantee the operation of the mechanism for 18 – 24 months. After the specified period, it is necessary to carry out repair work or replace the main furniture units;
• improper operation: exceeding the permissible load level, jumping on the seat, and so on.

How to disassemble the wheels to clean them of debris?

Dirt from the floor often gets into the rollers if hygiene is not followed. In this case, it is necessary to disassemble the structure and clean the elements. It happens like this:

1. Turn the chair over. Check for various dirt and other elements that interfere with the normal movement of the stool. Try cleaning everything manually. If that doesn't work, use scissors, a screwdriver, or any other thin tool.
2. If you cannot do this, then you need to remove the wheels from the mount. To do this, turn the chair over. Use a screwdriver to remove the bolts from the structure.
3. Using available cleaning products, clean the part from accumulated dirt. Rinse under running water to remove any remaining dirt.
4. Wait until the element is completely dry. After this, reassemble in reverse order.

Repair options

If the permanent contact or crosspiece fails, you can do the repair yourself. Broken piastres, pneumatic cartridges, and swing mechanisms will have to be replaced with new parts. The same rule applies to damaged wheels.

Replacing rollers

Over time, the rollers may fall out of the beams of the cross due to wear of the plugs, especially if the latter are made of aluminum or plastic. To repair these elements, you need to perform a number of actions:

1. The chair is turned over so that the rollers are on top.
2. The wheels are removed from the cross. To do this, you just need to pull them towards you.
3. Remove the casings from the beams of the cross using a screwdriver.
4. Damaged plugs are pulled out of the housing.
5. Install new seals and assemble the parts in the reverse order: casings, then rollers.

A broken wheel is treated with superglue or replaced with a new one. A common cause of breakage is the accumulation of debris, hairs, and threads. In this case, the rollers are removed, cleaned, and installed in their original place.

If the socket for fixing the axle of the wheels in an office chair fails, most likely you will have to change the crosspiece.

Use a screwdriver to pry off the fastener and remove the support

Install new wheels

Breakage of piastres

You can repair an office chair yourself if the technician has experience working with mechanics. First of all, it is necessary to clarify what material the crosspiece is made of. It is better to replace the plastic part immediately, since it is pointless to restore a fragile product. Restoration of piastres is carried out as follows:

1. The chair is turned over, for convenience, its seat is placed on a chair so that the back is pressed against the floor surface.
2. The wheels are removed from the mounts.
3. Unscrew the 4 bolts that secure the rocking mechanism and piaster to the seat.
4. Disconnect the gas lift by lightly tapping it with a rubber or wooden hammer. You must act carefully, otherwise the mechanism will become deformed and become unusable. The “stuck” compound is treated with a special liquid.
5. Using a screwdriver, remove the pneumatic cartridge stopper, the washer, and then the gas lift rod.
6. The piastra is knocked down with gentle tapping.
7. Repairing a plastic part involves gluing and soldering, but these methods are only relevant if there is minor damage.
8. The broken beam of the crosspiece is fixed with plastic or metal plates, secured with screws or superglue. Metal parts are restored by welding.

Repairing a computer chair must be done very carefully and carefully. Careless handling can lead to damage to the piastres or pneumatic chuck.

Unscrew the bolts Knock down the piastrum with light taps

Screw on a new one

Destruction of the swing mechanism

If the swing mechanism breaks down, you will have to replace it. The part is attached to the seat with 4 screws, so for dismantling you need to perform a number of steps:

1. All connecting bolts are unscrewed with a screwdriver.
2. The pneumatic cartridge is carefully knocked out of the mounts.
3. Drill holes in the part or use adapter plates.
4. Replace the damaged element.

A computer chair is a popular type of furniture, but most models are made in China. Domestic spare parts that can be found in the relevant departments are not suitable for them. In this case, you will have to order parts or try to repair the swing mechanism yourself (for this you will need a welding machine).

Unscrew the bolts

Carefully knock out the air chuck

Screw on a new part

Connect with gas lift

Air chuck failure

The pneumatic cartridge is a two-chamber product, inside of which there is air under pressure. The gas lift cannot be disassembled and repaired at home; only a complete replacement of the part is possible. To repair an office chair with your own hands, you must follow the instructions:

1. Disconnect the fasteners that hold the mechanism. To do this, remove several screws from the seat.
2. The seat is removed, the gas lift is removed, after lightly hitting the structure from the side of the cross.
3. The mechanism is removed from the metal case using a wooden or bronze drift.
4. A new pneumatic cartridge is installed in the crosspiece and fixed to the seat.

The mechanism may break due to careless handling of the office chair, exceeding the recommended loads, or prolonged use. Self-disassembly of the pneumatic chuck is strictly prohibited, as the technician may receive serious injuries. The optimal solution would be to purchase a new part and replace the damaged one.

Destruction of permanent contact

Thanks to permanent contact, the office chair provides reliable support for the spine. If a part breaks, you do not need to purchase a new one; you can repair it yourself. The necessary actions will depend on the nature of the failure:

1. Deformation of the thrust spring, bending of the brackets. To restore elements, it is necessary to return them to their original shape.
2. Wear of screw fasteners. In this case, only replacing them will help.
3. Loose backs. Sealing the permanent contact connections will help get rid of this problem.

A step-by-step description of the steps will help you figure out how to properly repair an office chair without resorting to the services of specialists. Usually, work on replacing and restoring elements does not cause difficulties for home craftsmen. After repairs, it is necessary to follow the standard rules for operating furniture, and then the products will last longer.