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 .

Design Features

All chairs designed for working at a computer have the same design, regardless of the brand and model. Some parts of the product can be removed and replaced with new ones to eliminate breakdowns. Experts recommend choosing furniture from domestic manufacturers so that there are no difficulties in selecting spare parts. The structural elements of a computer chair are listed in the table.

To understand how to properly disassemble an office chair, you need to know which elements can be detached. Removable parts are armrests (for some models), rollers on the cross and gas lift. The upholstery and filling of the seat and backrest can be changed, but this type of repair requires special equipment and is difficult to do at home. The frame of the product can be monolithic or consisting of separate parts fastened together with metal plates. In the second case, the components can be separated independently in the event of a malfunction.

Computer chair

Structural elements

Computer chair design

Self-repair - how possible is it?

If your computer chair lowers itself when you sit down and rises when you rise from it, while the period of raising or lowering can vary from a couple of seconds to a day, this is a sign that gas has escaped from the gas cartridge.

Important! Gas lifts are not subject to any repairs, because their disassembly is quite dangerous for human life.

In this situation, you can fix the chair using improvised means in the required position or change the gas cartridge for a new one.

Important! The price of a gas cartridge is not that high, and it can be purchased at absolutely any specialized store.

So, you have decided to replace the gas cartridge yourself. For this case you will need:

• Armchair;
• Curly screwdriver;
• Rubber hammer;
• Metal drift;
• A new gas cartridge that will match the length and diameter;
• Vise for greater comfort.

Replacing the cross

This is what a metal cross with plastic casings on the bottom looks like

A separate case worth noting is the breakage of the crosspiece. Although this part is made of particularly durable materials, its breakage is not excluded, especially if it is made of plastic.

Types of crosses: plastic, aluminum, metal with wooden overlays

Fortunately, replacing this part with a new one is quite simple. You will need:

1. new crosspiece;
2. hammer;
3. pliers.

To replace, follow the instructions: turn the computer chair upside down and remove the wheels from their mountings. Take pliers and use a circular motion to knock out the gas lift, making targeted blows along its edges

To remove the plastic cross from the gas lift, you need to hold onto the gas lift and lightly tap the cross with light blows of a hammer from above around the attachment point.

After disconnecting the crosspiece, install the wheels on the new one and insert the second part of the chair into the hole. You don’t have to worry about incompatibility, since the gas lift mount for all office chairs is standardized.

To knock the gas lift out of the crosspiece, it is better to use a spacer of the appropriate size. to prevent impacts to the central part of the gas lift

This way, you can repair any office chair with your own efforts, without the costly purchase of a new chair.

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

Removing 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

Ready

Tips for use

An office chair, especially a refurbished one, is a rather fragile and vulnerable structure. During operation, it is recommended to strictly adhere to the instructions. If you ignore existing rules, the shelf life of the product will be significantly reduced. To ensure that your office furniture lasts a long time, you need to keep the following points in mind:

1. It is not recommended to use chairs in rooms with high air humidity.
2. If furniture is brought into an office or apartment from the cold, you cannot immediately begin assembly, because fragile plastic parts are very sensitive to temperature changes. It is better to start installation at least a day later.
3. Do not put pressure on the bolts during assembly, otherwise the nut may fall under the upholstery and you will have to dismantle the seat in search of a fastener.
4. Do not exceed the permissible load on the rollers and crosspiece.

Two people cannot sit on the chair, otherwise the base of the product may break. For heavy-weight employees, it is recommended to choose chairs with a metal cross: it is stronger and more reliable than plastic ones. It is strictly forbidden to fall onto the seat.

You should be aware of the fragility of the armrests. Under no circumstances should you sit on them. Experts recommend tightening all fastening bolts once a quarter so that they do not become loose over time. You should not use the seat to transport heavy objects, as this will quickly deteriorate the upholstery and damage the mechanisms. You cannot carry a chair on the floor if it is covered with tiles: when the rollers get into the joints between its fragments, this leads to rapid wear.

The fabric of computer chairs is quite vulnerable to external influences. The seat and backrest should be vacuumed weekly to prevent dust from accumulating on them. In case of stubborn stains, you can use only the products recommended in the operating instructions. It is strictly forbidden to use traditional methods.

In order for the chair to serve for a long time and not break, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the operating requirements. If the warranty on a piece of furniture has already expired, you can carry out simple repair work yourself. The success of the repair depends on the complexity of the breakdown, as well as on the quality of the spare parts chosen to fix the problem.

Operating rules

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.

Types of office chairs

Today, there are three types of chairs on the office furniture market:

1. For a manager This piece of furniture usually has maximum capabilities: a five-beam steel cross; synchronization mechanism (a device that forces the seat and backrest to repeat the movements of the owner); mechanisms for adjusting backrest resistance, seat depth, negative tilt, etc.
2. For staff, furniture of this type has more modest characteristics and functionality. Most varieties are lightweight (ensuring high mobility) and are equipped with mechanisms for adjusting seat height, armrests, and back angle.
3. For visitors, Office chairs of this modification are simply beautiful, stable and comfortable furniture, devoid of any functionality. Often they do not even have a rotation mechanism and are produced on four legs, instead of one supporting leg with a cross on wheels.

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.

Causes of failure

Computer chairs, when used correctly, last for many years. In the event of a manufacturing defect in the gas spring, the furniture can be replaced, especially if it has a warranty. But replacing the gas lift, either with your own hands or with the help of professionals, may also be necessary if the product is used incorrectly. Main causes of breakdowns:

1. Creating an advantage. It is not recommended to sit on one side of the seat; you need to sit in the middle.
2. Irregular furniture care. It is recommended to lubricate parts at the intervals specified in the instructions for use.
3. Frequent placement of two people on one chair. The structure can support a weight not exceeding 120 kilograms.

It is not recommended to sit down from a jump or run, otherwise there is a high probability of the gas spring breaking, as a result, you will have to change the gas lift on the office chair, which will entail additional financial costs.

Operating principle of gas lift

Self-repair - how possible is it?

If your computer chair lowers itself when you sit down and rises when you rise from it, while the period of raising or lowering can vary from a couple of seconds to a day, this is a sign that gas has escaped from the gas cartridge.

Important! Gas lifts are not subject to any repairs, because their disassembly is quite dangerous for human life.

In this situation, you can fix the chair using improvised means in the required position or change the gas cartridge for a new one.

Important! The price of a gas cartridge is not that high, and it can be purchased at absolutely any specialized store.

So, you have decided to replace the gas cartridge yourself. For this case you will need:

• Armchair;
• Curly screwdriver;
• Rubber hammer;
• Metal drift;
• A new gas cartridge that will match the length and diameter;
• Vise for greater comfort.

How to repair it yourself?

Despite the complexity of the design of a computer chair, you can carry out high-quality repairs yourself at home. In order to repair a product, you must have basic professional skills, as well as a standard set of tools.

To restore the integrity of the crosspiece, you can use two repair methods.

The first method involves filling the voids of the cross with polypropylene pipes and then fixing them with glue or a soldering iron. This method is short-lived and is only suitable for emergency repairs.

Professional craftsmen recommend using the second repair method, which consists of the following steps:

• dismantling rollers;
• removal of piastres;
• dismantling the locking clip;
• dismantling the gas elevator.

If the swing mechanism fails during operation and the backrest is not held in a vertical position, then experts recommend replacing it completely. To dismantle the element, it is necessary to unscrew the fixing bolts or nuts, remove the gas lift and dismantle the damaged swing mechanism.

If the damage is minor, then you can try to restore the old element, otherwise you need to purchase and install a new part. If the chair was manufactured in another country, you may encounter a problem with the size of the elements not matching. Experts recommend installing adapter plates that will help prevent drilling additional holes.

A gas lift is a non-repairable element; if it breaks, a new part must be installed. The repair process involves the following stages of work:

• dismantling all external elements;
• removing the protective casing;
• removing the spring latch from the seat;
• dismantling the bearing and all fixing elements;
• removing the cross;
• removing the cover;
• dismantling a damaged gas lift.

In order to prevent inaccuracies during work, it is better to photograph all stages performed.

Varieties

Gas lifts for chairs are divided into types depending on the size of the structure and the strength of the steel. Before choosing a suitable modification for a computer or office chair, you should study all the nuances. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the device class, which indicates the thickness of the steel and the permissible load:

1. The first is budget fittings, the metal thickness is only 1.2 mm, such a gas lift is suitable for children's models.
2. The second one also belongs to the inexpensive segment, the steel thickness is 1.5 mm and will not withstand heavy loads.
3. The third is a type of gas lift with a metal thickness of 2 mm, maximum load 120 kg.
4. The fourth is a reinforced case with a metal thickness of 2.5 mm, permissible weight 150 kg.

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In addition to classes, gas lifts differ in body diameter. Existing sizes:

1. 50 mm - used in almost all models.
2. 38 mm is a rare diameter; such gas lifts are mainly installed on executive chairs with a high cross.

Another important parameter is the length of the gas lift. This indicator determines the maximum seat height:

1. 20.5–28 cm. The device is designed for chairs that are used in offices with standard desks or computer desks. This gas elevator has a relatively small range of height settings.
2. 24.5–31 cm. Used when you need to raise the chair more than the standard height.
3. 29–41.5 cm. The longest gas lift with wide height adjustment options.

When a gas lift breaks, the user is faced with the question of how to choose a new mechanism and what to pay attention to. Even a minimal discrepancy in characteristics can lead to rapid wear of a new part, so when purchasing you need to consider the following points:

1. Gas lift size - mechanisms can have different dimensions. You need to make sure that the part will fit correctly into the base of the chair.
2. Cup holder size - there are only two diameter sizes, so choosing the right one will not be difficult.
3. Height - it is necessary to measure the length of the old part, taking into account that part of the gas lift is inside the cross.

Review of popular models of Ikea computer chairs for adults and children

You also need to pay attention to the load. The class of the mechanism is selected depending on the body weight of the owner of the chair. If the furniture is used at home, most likely, the entire household will sit on the chair. For office furniture, it is better to choose a gas lift with a maximum load.

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

What is gas lift in an office chair?

The design of such furniture is multi-component and complex, so it is not recommended to do the repair of office chairs yourself without first understanding their “stuffing”. So, the main task of the backrest is to support the spine of a sitting person. Its sizes and shapes may vary, but the angle between it and the seat is always about 90 degrees, which allows you to relax your lower back when leaning back.

The seat can be of several types, they are discussed in the table.

Armrests serve as a support for the elbows; with their help, the load is removed from the person’s spine and neck. These elements may be adjustable or non-adjustable. A piastra is a metal platform on which a lever is attached. Its function is to change the height of the seat. As for the gas lift itself, it is a steel cylinder filled with inactive gas. It adjusts the product in height, it can be long, medium and short. There is also a cross - a load-bearing component of the structure. It is a large-diameter base with rays, their optimal number is 5 pieces. It is the cross that bears the main load.

Rollers are used to move the computer chair. They are made from polymers, polyurethane or nylon. All these components are the main components of the design. In addition to them, manufacturers equip products with additional mechanisms that improve the functionality of office furniture.

Having understood the general principles of design, it is important to understand what a gas lift is in an office chair. A hydraulic cylinder, designed specifically for this type of furniture, is an elastic spring with air compressed and pumped into it

When the piston pressure is high, the structure lowers; when the piston pressure is low, vice versa. The device is located in the crosspiece and is fixed at the base of the seat.

Understanding the functions of a gas lift will help you repair a computer chair yourself:

1. Absorbs shock load on the spine. The design acts as a shock absorber when a person sits down. The system springs the seat, which reduces the load on the back.
2. Adjusts the sitting position. With the help of a gas lift, a person can easily adjust the height of the chair. If you press a special lever installed under the seat, you can quickly raise or lower the structure.
3. Rotates furniture around its axis. A sitting person can turn around and take what he needs without getting up from his chair.

The gas cartridge system is quite simple, so repairing an office chair with gas lift is not difficult. The operating principle of the device is as follows:

1. The product includes a valve and two reservoirs. When the first element is closed or opened, compressed air flows through the bypass channel from one reservoir to another.
2. If the chair needs to be raised, the lever must be pressed. The valve will open, the air in it will begin to press on the piston, it will go down, and the seat will rise up.
3. To fix the computer furniture, you need to release the lever. The valve will close, the piston will stop and fix the structure in this position.
4. To lower the product, you need to press the lever again, the seat will lower under the weight of the sitting person.

Step-by-step instructions for assembling the chair

Assembly will be quick and enjoyable if you follow the sequence we suggested.

Install the rollers into the slots

With a little force, insert the wheels into the holes on the chair legs

First, install the rollers into the crosspiece - to do this, insert them with the rods into the holes on the lower surface of the crosspiece and press firmly until they click. You can use a rubber mallet, but it is not recommended to hit the plastic parts of the parts too hard.

After all the wheels have been inserted, place them on the floor and press the entire body onto the legs of the office chair

Prepare the seat

Attach the piaster to the bottom of the seat using bolts

Attach the backrest adjustment mechanism to the back of the seat and the piastres to the bottom.

IMPORTANT! When installing, make sure that each screw is equipped with two types of washers - flat (it increases the contact area of ​​the inner surface of the head) and lock - to prevent the nut from unscrewing.

Manufacturers offer various options for devices that regulate the position of the backrest and seat to suit the characteristics of the spine of a sitting person. The most common:

• piastra – can only regulate the vertical displacement of the seat and backrest relative to the floor, used in conjunction with the FDA;

  Piastre mechanism for office chair

• PVM (spring-screw mechanism) - reliable and unpretentious, adjusts only the angle of inclination and the distance of the backrest relative to the seat, used together with a piaster in inexpensive models;

  Spring-screw mechanism for swinging the chair

• Top gun - provides “swinging” of the monolithic seat with an angle from 95 to 130º, but at the same time the legs can come off the floor and the chair can tip over. When choosing such a product, give preference to a mechanism on bearings with a tilt axis shifted to the edge and a working position lock;

  Top gun swing mechanism for office chair

• synchronizing mechanism - under the influence of the gravity of a person’s weight, it automatically changes the angle of the seat simultaneously with a change in the seat position, the most expensive solution for top managers.

  Synchronizing mechanism for an expensive office chair

The correct location of the socket and adjusting screw is indicated by the arrow

When installing, please note that the seat for the gas lift rod should be directed forward, and the adjacent adjusting screw with a plastic handle should be directed back. Insert the armrest brackets into the side slots and tighten with screws.

Installing armrests on both sides of the chair

Put the backrest on and tighten it with the adjusting screw.

Installing and screwing the backrest of the chair

Install the gas lift into the crosspiece

Assembled casing-cover and gas lift - shock absorber for the chair

Remove the protective caps from the ends of the gas lift and insert it with its base into the upper central hole of the cross. Assemble the casing - it is often made of several parts connected according to the principle of a telescopic pipe and put it on the gas lift. Insert it into the center hole of the cross. You have assembled the load-bearing part.

We assemble the supporting part - insert the gas lift into the cross

We install the casing in place and get the finished lower part

Connect both parts of the chair

Carefully place the office chair seat onto the shock absorber

Place the seat on the gas lift rod and press firmly or sit on it - this is necessary for a strong fixation to occur.

Press with your hands to ensure fixation occurs.

Carry out assembly quality control

We sit down on a comfortable chair and check the success of the assembly

While sitting on a chair, press down on the piastres lever. The seat will lower. Pull the lever up. If there is a return to its original position, then the assembly was successful.

So, you assembled a new office chair without the help of your boss, and now you won’t give it to anyone.

Black office chair assembled