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.

Helpful Tips:

• If you have problems with the gas cartridge immediately after assembling the new chair, it is likely that you received a defective gas cartridge. But before you go and complain to the sales organization and demand that the element be replaced, check whether the gas lift button is locked with a lever from the swing mechanism.
• When the gas lift does not respond when the lever is pressed, check whether you have correctly secured the piastres or the swing system, and whether the lever for pressing the gas lift button is damaged.

In all other cases, it will be necessary to replace the gas cartridge.

Important! If, after reading everything about repairs, you have come to the conclusion that, for you personally, it is easier and cheaper to buy a new chair, then do not forget to read the article on how to choose a computer chair.

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.

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 should not put pressure on them, much less sit down on them. 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 the workplace of every office worker.

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

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.

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.

Description and purpose

A gas lift (gas spring) is a part of an office chair that, under the pressure of compressed air, pushes out a metal cylinder. The latter adjusts the seat position (that is, it allows you to raise and lower the seat). Sometimes a gas lift is compared to a shock absorber. But these details have nothing in common. Shock absorbers dampen vibrations, while gas lift performs other functions.

Structurally, this mechanism consists of the following components:

• metal case;
• a cylinder consisting of two gas reservoirs and supplemented by a bypass valve;
• a piston and rod located inside the central cylinder and allowing the chair to move up and down;
• buttons through which the position is adjusted.

Gas lift performs several useful functions:

1. Helps to choose the appropriate office chair height according to a person’s height.
2. Provides rotation of the chair around its axis.
3. Partially relieves the load experienced by the human spine.

A gas lift is a completely sealed cylinder. The gas contained inside is injected during the production process. For the manufacture of this mechanism, high-strength steel is used, which can withstand various types of external influences, including strong impacts. The gas does not come out.

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.

The gas lift is firmly attached to the steel crosspiece.

If the cross is made of steel, the weight of the person sitting is more than 100 kg, the chair is old and the room is humid, the connection becomes covered with slight rust and the gas lift with the steel cross is stuck “tightly”

. In this case, there are two ways to remove the gas lift: the first is quick and the second you will have to wait a little

2.1. The quick method requires special tools, a workbench with a vice or a small mechanical workshop.

1. It is necessary to make a device in the form of a support platform for the crosspiece with a central hole Ф52-55mm, about 40-45 cm high (in the form of a stool with a reinforced seat 30-50mm thick) for installation down into the gas lift holes.
2. Remove the latch and carefully remove the working gas cylinder with the thrust bearing. Only the black cylinder Ф50mm remains in the crosspiece.
3. We install the black cylinder down into the hole in the device, and on top there is a cross that lies on the stop.
4. We place a wooden spacer (plywood, plank, etc.) on the end of the gas lift bottom looking out from the crosspiece and hit it with a hammer with a weight of 2-5 kg. A radical method always helps to knock out the gas lift.

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

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 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 Insert a new gas lift and secure the cross

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.

We unscrew the bolts and pull the seat towards us. When knocking out the gas lift, be careful, apply weak blows

Ready

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