If the lift mechanism in your office chair needs repair but the upholstery portion is still in good shape, don’t toss the chair. You can replace the gas cylinder yourself for about $40 (one source for office chair Rebuilding the lift mechanism is aFirst you have to disassemble the lift mechanism so you can measure the size of the gas cylinder and order the new part. You’ll need a needlenose pliers, a pipe wrench with a long handle, and a helper. about a half hour. Then you just reassemble when the part arrives. takes 15 minutes, and you can do it Start the repair by flipping it upside down on your workbench. the spring retaining clip on the bottom of the pedestal (Photo 1). entire pedestal and column off the chair. Lift off the bearing, washers and rubber bumper and keep the parts together forRemove the telescoping trim bezel Then grab your pipe wrench and helper and remove the cylinder (Photo 3).
If it won’t budge, soak it with rust penetrant and tap with a hammer to setThen try the wrench Measure the length of the gas cylinder from the bottom of the taper to the top. Don’t include the piston rod in the measurement. Then measure the cylinder width at the widest part. replacement from an office chair repair parts Web site. To reassemble, just push the tapered end of the cylinder into the chair seat and install the telescoping trim bezel. bearing with grease and install it back on the piston rod with the original washers. Next, slide the pedestal base and column over the rod and secure the piston rod with the washer and spring clip. the job by turning the chair right side up and bouncing on it a few times. weight will drive the tapered gas cylinder into the seat retainer. Then raise the lift mechanism to the proper height and get Online sources for parts:ABOUT US - PRODUCTS LOCATOR - SOLUTIONS - CONTACT US - UPS ARRIVAL DATE - INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING - TERMS and INFORMATION
You need to first remove the base. or Choose a project below. See How to remove and install a Gas chair base. See Parts of a bearing kit with schematic for installing or replacing See How to measure to replace a gas cylinder (Read below) How to remove and install a gas cylinder (Read below) How to remove and install a gas column (Read below) Start here--Base Removal (Required to measure a cylinder) First turn the chair up-side-down so that the and in the center of the base bottom underside can be seen. Spread newspapers on floor to prevent greasy falling parts from causing stains With a screw driver or needle nose pliers, lift up the holding clip upper portion only from the piston rod tip Withdraw the base while pulling and turning. The base will easily remove from the gas cylinder most likely pulling with it (hidden inside) the 2 washers and ball bearing. Set these parts aside to be reinstalled with the replacement base. There should be 4 small parts.
If not, look inside the withdrawn column for the remaining part(s) where usually you will find a washer at the bottom. Installation and bearing kit information A replacement Gas Cylinder cannot be measured properly unless the base has first been removed. To install or replace a base, first replace the rubber cushion onto the piston rod, pushing it as far up as it will go. Then the large washer, then a lightly greased bearing and lastly, the other large washer. Wipe off greasy hands on the gas cylinder body. Now, slip the base with hub column up onto the gas cylinder. The remaining small washer and clip are then lastly installed onto the protruding piston rod end at the outside bottom of the hub column. These six small parts can all be easily replaced using our very low cost bearing kit #108 with printed schematic. Abacus uncommonly includes a new column (AKA standpipe) with a new replacement base. We recommend you use this new column. This is especially important if your chair has a lot of milage on it, as the plastic part inside the the steel column near the top supporting the gas cylinder is may be worn or perhaps cracked, loose or broken.
All of which will cause your chair to annoyingly rock and wobble while in use. To remove the column which often appears that it does not remove, read this. A standard size Gas lift Cylinder diameter is 1.102". For quick reference, it is a little over 1 1/16" and a little less than 1 1/8". These will not fit chair manufacturers, Haworth, Vecta and Knoll whose cylinder diameter is closer to 3/4". Standard size will not fit Haworth, Vecta, Knoll, Steelcase & some Herman Miller having cylinder diameters close to 3/4". These exceptions are available only through special order. There are 2 methods (Click on image method wanted) Plumbers Pipe wrench-Longer is easier CUSTOMER SUPPLIED Lift-Off® cylinder removal tool Information and $6.50 RENTAL Installing a Gas Cylinder is accomplished by simply hand inserting the Taper (releaser button) end of the Cylinder into the mechanism. Install small parts of Bearing (kit #108) per schematic, lightly greasing the bearing.
Wipe off greasy hands on the cylinder and install base. Turn the chair over into it's normal use position. Sitting on chair once or twice is enough to make the tapered joints fit unimaginably tight. Click photo to see cylinder selection Gas Cylinder Removal...and more Gas height adjustment chairs (are those chairs having a lever under the seat) View all Gas bases Back to Gas cylinders Virtually all columns in 5 star (leg) office chair gas bases are removable. Rarely is a 4 star (leg) column removable. When replacing a column in a gas office swivel base for replacement, the column diameter must be the same as the replacement. The diameter is measured midway at it's overall length (height). It will be either 1 3/4" (45mm) or 2" (50mm). No others are available. After removing the base, squirt a shot or two of WD 40 at the underside of the base where the Column protrudes out the bottom. Aim where the Column and Base meet. Turn Base over and repeat at the topside of the Base and Column.
The WD 40 must run down entering the tight fitting tapered joint to facilitate removal. Encourage this by sharply striking the side of the Column from 4 directions using a short length of 2" x 4" (14" to 18" will do very nicely) or a steel hammer. The idea is to "Shock" the Column setting up a vibration which will permit the WD 40 to run into the joint. Set the Base and Column aside for 5-10 minutes to permit the fluid to penetrate into the joint. Then, with Base and Column underside facing you and using a steel hammer, strike out the protruding column with medium/hard blows. It may take several blows before it removes. Do not use a mallet! Nine out of ten columns can be removed in this manner...sooner or later. If you have a Ten, purchase a new Base with included Column. It is highly recommended to replace the Style #108 Bearing Kit (each kit includes a schematic) whenever removing the base, column or gas cylinder. A #108 kit if ordered separately does not meet our required $20.00 minimum merchandise purchase.