How To Fix The Hydraulics On An Office Chair?

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Millions of people, potentially billions, experience back pain, judging from the 65 million in America only. In fact, 39% of US adults had lumbago within June through August 2021.

Unsuitable chair height is amongst the reasons for strained back muscles. Sadly, you can’t get an unadjustable chair to a desirable height. But if your chair height problems arise from hydraulics, the issue is redeemable.

Dive into simple steps explaining how to fix the hydraulics on an office chair.

For starters, chair hydraulics fail because the cylinder’s valve is faulty, letting fluid flow at will. Luckily, you can fix the hydraulics on an office chair by oiling, attaching PVC, or clamping the cylinder. For the best fix, stop your hydraulic chair from sinking through cylinder replacement.

Table of Contents

Why Do Chair Hydraulics Fail?

A well-used chair can develop hydraulic component problems. A piston regulates the valve controlled by the seat height lever. If the chair keeps sinking, the valve has issues, leading to uncontrolled fluid flow within the cylinder.

You may either oil the cylinder, replace its piston, or buy a new chair cylinder to remedy it. However, piston replacement is complex and likely unfeasible at home. While these three hacks allow for height adjustability, you can also opt for others with a fixated height, including:

PVC fix
Clamp fix

How to Fix the Hydraulics on an Office Chair By Oiling

Sit on the chair and see how it sinks. Do you sense friction as your chair’s height decreases? If so, lubricate your chair.

Apply WD40 on the chair’s joints. Grease its under-seat nuts, screws, and bolts. Also, oil the chair’s mechanism.

How Do You Fix Hydraulics in an Office Chair With PVC?

Adjust your chair to a preferred height, then measure the gas cylinder’s exposed height.
Determine the width of the gas cylinder.
Buy a suitable PVC tubing to fit that section of the cylinder.
Cut one side of the pipe end-to-end and with a height similar to the exposed gas cylinder.
Place the piece around your cylinder.

How Do You Stop Your Hydraulic Chair From Sinking by Clamping?

First, set your desired height.
Tighten your hose clamp around the lift, close to the mechanism
Then wrap the clamp in duct tape. The duct tape acts as an additional holder to prevent sliding down.

This is a temporary fix, as duct tape loses its grip after repeated use.

How To Fix The Hydraulics on an Office Chair By Replacement

Wear gloves before starting for protection. Then, spread newspapers or torn garments on the flooring to protect it from stains and impact damage. Finally, flip your chair over on the protected surface to begin.

Tighten a pipe wrench close to the chair’s mechanism and round the cylinder.
Twist the wrench bit by bit until the cylinder loosens. With a screwed-on gas lift, you’ll need a screwdriver.
Hit the base’s underside with a rubber mallet to release the cylinder. A hammer can also do, but it may cause impact damage.
If the cylinder is stubborn, spray it with WD-40 and let it sit for a while. Hit the cylinder a bit more forcefully with your mallet to break its resistance.
Finally, attach the new desk chair cylinder to the base. Ensure you acquire a compatible cylinder with a suitable height adjustment range.

FAQs

Can a Hydraulic Chair Be Fixed?

Often, a hydraulic chair can be fixed, whether sinking, stuck in recline, or another issue. If sinking, begin by oiling as it’s the most straightforward fix. Should the chair continue misbehaving, clamp the cylinder or attach PVC. But if you want a permanent fix, replace the gas lift.

Why Does My Hydraulic Chair Keep Going Down?

Your hydraulic chair keeps going down due to a faulty valve. The valve controls fluid flow in your hydraulic cylinder. When it loses its elasticity, the fluid shifts chambers unobstructed; hence, it causes your chair to sink.

Can You Refill Hydraulic Chair?

You cannot refill hydraulic chair in case the valve malfunctions. Replace the cylinder, therefore, if you don’t like clamping or attaching PVC. Pick a compatible cylinder with the desired height range.

Conclusion

Indeed, steps on how to fix the hydraulics on an office chair are pretty simple. Plus, you can pick solutions that suit you, whether you have a tight or flexible budget.

Maybe, you only need oiling, a hack that requires little time and no tools. You can resort to clamping or attaching pipes for budget solutions to faulty hydraulics where friction isn’t the issue. Nonetheless, cylinder replacement guarantees a long-lasting fix.

Author

Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith is the founder of CozySeating, is a father of 2, and an engineer from one of the leading furniture stores in the country. Due to his 10 years of experience, he has proved to be the best person to offer advice to clients regarding different seating furniture based on their needs and performance. Besides, he is a specialist in product reviews and always keeps up with the current trends in the market.

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