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The best recliners are the ones that you can take apart and put back together again. If you’re looking for an easy way to do this, then check out my guide on how to take apart a power recliner chair.
You take apart an electric recliner chair using tools like screwdrivers to disconnect the mechanism. Likewise, you take apart your electric recliner sofa by unlocking the levers. On the other hand, you take the back off a power lift recliner chair by unfastening the tabs.
Table of Contents
How to Take Apart a Power Recliner Chair
Disconnecting the chair from the power source provides you with the space to remove the components.
Pull out the footrest and tip the backrest to make it simpler to continue with the process.
When dismantling the power recliner, it’s best to document your steps to make it easy when putting things back together. Two simple ways to remember are by taking pictures or noting the steps.
How Do You Take Apart an Electric Recliner Chair?
Note the material used to construct your recliner–the majority feature fabric-covered materials like synthetics and microfiber. If your chair crafts from any of those materials, you’re lucky.
Locating Flaps
Locate the flap, which usually appears as a hook-and-loop fastener. Afterward, identify the lap’s edge and pull it open. You should see the mechanical components and frame.
In the case of non-fabric recliners like leather, you may not be able to see the flap. You can circumvent this by accessing it through the backrest seams.
Depending on the firmness of the backrest, you may need to use a screwdriver to separate it. Wear protective gloves for safe handling from here on out.
Positioning the Chair
Place the recliner upside down to view the exposed parts clearly. For an unattached recliner, you may need to tip it.
The components to dismantle are those holding your chair together, like bearings and screws. It’s critical to label those mechanisms to quickly access them when setting up the chair.
Main Steps
- With your screwdriver, remove the remaining screws.
- Work on the bearings with a wrench.
- Disconnect your footrest from the chair’s main structure.
- Remove the recliner’s base as well.
- Disassemble the armrests by detaching the components securing them to the frame.
- Remove the mounting brackets first, followed by the armrests.
- Remove the rails and bearings.
- Additionally, detach the backrest – and, if you discover springs, remove them as well.
Occasionally, recliners do incorporate a motor system. If yours is so, take apart the motor system and all associated wiring.
Want to learn more about the power recliner systems? We have this guide about Power Vs Manual Recliners for you.
How Do I Take Apart My Electric Recliner Sofa?
Firstly, overturn your sofa. Numerous sofas feature a removable back panel that you can lift to reveal the inner frame.
- Find and unlatch the velcro strands that secure the fabric to the base of the frame, then raise the panel.
- Look for locking levers on the frames on either side of the sofa’s seats. For couches with center consoles, the frames between the console and the seats should have levers.
- Between the rear seams, feel for the latching levers. If your couch lacks detachable fabric strips that reveal the frame, insert your fingers into the sofa’s rear seams.
- Within the seams, feel for the lockable lever pointing downward.
- To detach the backs, lift the locking levers.
- Loosen and elevate each lever and detach the seatbacks using your flat head screwdriver or fingertips.
- Restore the recliner to its normal position after unlocking the levers and carefully hoist the back out of the frame.
- If your sofa is divided into two seats by a console, raise each back out from their housings.
Further reading: 12 Best Power Recliner with Heat and Massage to Buy in 2022
How Do You Take the Back Off a Power Lift Recliner Chair?
Roll the chair forward onto the front lower panel and do this:
- Pull the leather or upholstery from the chair’s lower bottom, where it’s connected with the hook-and-loop tape. You can fold this across the chair’s back to reveal the mechanism.
- Between the arms and the chair’s lower bottom, search for thumb screws or metallic tabs.
- Counterclockwise turn the thumbscrews to release them.
- To open the mechanism on chairs having metallic lock tabs, hold the tabs tightly and push them forward as you reverse the chair’s bottom half.
- Raise the back to remove it. It may be necessary to lightly rock forward and back to dislodge the brackets from the back.
Here is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to remove a recliner back. Check it out.
FAQs
Do All Power Recliner Chairs Come Apart?
All power recliner chairs come apart for hassle-free transportation. Numerous models feature detachable seat backs fastened by levers. You can release these levers and detach your seats by raising the back panel or feeling in the rear seams.
How Do You Take Apart a Lazy Boy Electric Recliner?
You take apart a Lazy Boy electric recliner by:
- Rolling the chair onto its back.
- To access the back, disentangle the strip at the bottom.
- With the screwdriver, pull the levers that secure the mechanism on both sides of the chair.
- Reposition the chair upright.
- Grasp the back and gently lift it from the chair.
- You may need to gently rock the chair back and forth to dislodge the brackets.
How Do You Take the Back Off a Flexsteel Recliner?
This reclining couch uses a standard method to detach it. So, you take the back off a Flexsteel recliner using the sofa procedure above.
Conclusion
The best way on how to take apart a power recliner chair is to roll the chair onto its back first. This makes it easier to locate the levers and mechanisms.
In addition to the steps listed above, you must also know how to put the pieces together again. Doing this is easy if you record the process or take pictures and notes as you go along.
Recommended Reading
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Confused on how to remove the back of a Catnapper recliner? Simple! Unlock the tabs to detach the Catnapper’s back. Click this link for a step-by-step guide.
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Wondering what is a glider recliner? A glider recliner is a chair with the ability to tilt back while you sway horizontally – forward and backward.
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