Approved Guide
How to Handle Adjust a Recliner Chair Step by Step
When adjust a recliner chair leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.
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Part
1
Adjusting Recliner Tension
1
Test your recliner's tension.
"Recliner tension" refers to how easily the backrest of the recliner leans backward. Sit in the recliner and lean back against the backrest.
- "Recliner tension" refers to how easily the backrest of the recliner leans backward.
- Sit in the recliner and lean back against the backrest.
- "Recliner tension" refers to how easily the backrest of the recliner leans backward.
- Sit in the recliner and lean back against the backrest.
- "Recliner tension" refers to how easily the backrest of the recliner leans backward.
2
Tilt the recliner forward.
Make sure the back is in the upright position and the footrest is closed, and carefully tilt the entire recliner forward, to expose the underside of the chair.
- Make sure the back is in the upright position and the footrest is closed, and carefully tilt the entire recliner forward, to expose the underside of the chair.
- Make sure the back is in the upright position and the footrest is closed, and carefully tilt the entire recliner forward, to expose the underside of the chair.
- Make sure the back is in the upright position and the footrest is closed, and carefully tilt the entire recliner forward, to expose the underside of the chair.
- Make sure the back is in the upright position and the footrest is closed, and carefully tilt the entire recliner forward, to expose the underside of the chair.
- Make sure the back is in the upright position and the footrest is closed, and carefully tilt the entire recliner forward, to expose the underside of the chair.
3
Look for an adjustment mechanism.
Recliners with adjustable recliner tension should have a pair of thumb wheels or wing nuts beneath the seat. If no mechanism is present, you may not be able to adjust the tension.
- Recliners with adjustable recliner tension should have a pair of thumb wheels or wing nuts beneath the seat.
- If no mechanism is present, you may not be able to adjust the tension.
- Recliners with adjustable recliner tension should have a pair of thumb wheels or wing nuts beneath the seat.
- If no mechanism is present, you may not be able to adjust the tension.
- Recliners with adjustable recliner tension should have a pair of thumb wheels or wing nuts beneath the seat.
4
Rotate the mechanism.
Turn the thumb wheels or wing nuts clockwise to increase the reclining tension. Turn them counterclockwise to decrease the tension.
- Turn the thumb wheels or wing nuts clockwise to increase the reclining tension.
- Turn them counterclockwise to decrease the tension.
- Turn the thumb wheels or wing nuts clockwise to increase the reclining tension.
- Turn them counterclockwise to decrease the tension.
- Turn the thumb wheels or wing nuts clockwise to increase the reclining tension.
5
Test the adjustment.
Return the recliner to its upright position. Sit in the chair and check the recliner tension by extending the leg rest out and leaning back in the chair.
- Return the recliner to its upright position.
- Sit in the chair and check the recliner tension by extending the leg rest out and leaning back in the chair.
- Return the recliner to its upright position.
- Sit in the chair and check the recliner tension by extending the leg rest out and leaning back in the chair.
- Return the recliner to its upright position.
6
Repeat as needed.
Continue adjusting the recliner’s tension as needed by following the same steps. Close the footrest, tilt the chair forward, and rotate the adjustment mechanism in the proper direction.
- Continue adjusting the recliner’s tension as needed by following the same steps.
- Close the footrest, tilt the chair forward, and rotate the adjustment mechanism in the proper direction.
- Continue adjusting the recliner’s tension as needed by following the same steps.
- Close the footrest, tilt the chair forward, and rotate the adjustment mechanism in the proper direction.
- Continue adjusting the recliner’s tension as needed by following the same steps.
Part
2
Replacing Tension Springs
1
Remove the old, damaged springs with pliers.
Firmly grasp one end of the spring and disconnect the spring from the frame by pulling and twisting it loose with pliers.
- Firmly grasp one end of the spring and disconnect the spring from the frame by pulling and twisting it loose with pliers.
- Firmly grasp one end of the spring and disconnect the spring from the frame by pulling and twisting it loose with pliers.
- Firmly grasp one end of the spring and disconnect the spring from the frame by pulling and twisting it loose with pliers.
- Firmly grasp one end of the spring and disconnect the spring from the frame by pulling and twisting it loose with pliers.
- Firmly grasp one end of the spring and disconnect the spring from the frame by pulling and twisting it loose with pliers.
2
Purchase heavy duty replacement springs.
The best springs to use in a recliner would be manufacturer replacement parts made for your recliner model.
- The best springs to use in a recliner would be manufacturer replacement parts made for your recliner model.
- The best springs to use in a recliner would be manufacturer replacement parts made for your recliner model.
- The best springs to use in a recliner would be manufacturer replacement parts made for your recliner model.
- The best springs to use in a recliner would be manufacturer replacement parts made for your recliner model.
- The best springs to use in a recliner would be manufacturer replacement parts made for your recliner model.
3
Install the springs.
Connect one end of the spring to the attachment point of the frame. Using a pair of pliers, pull the spring to attach to the frame at the other end.
- Connect one end of the spring to the attachment point of the frame.
- Using a pair of pliers, pull the spring to attach to the frame at the other end.
- Connect one end of the spring to the attachment point of the frame.
- Using a pair of pliers, pull the spring to attach to the frame at the other end.
- Connect one end of the spring to the attachment point of the frame.
4
Remove the nickels separating the coils.
Gently pull the nickels from between each coil with a pair of pliers. Once the nickels are removed the spring will return to its normal tension.
- Gently pull the nickels from between each coil with a pair of pliers.
- Once the nickels are removed the spring will return to its normal tension.
- Gently pull the nickels from between each coil with a pair of pliers.
- Once the nickels are removed the spring will return to its normal tension.
- Gently pull the nickels from between each coil with a pair of pliers.
Part
3
Changing Recliner Pitch
1
Sit in the recliner in the upright position.
Place your back against the backrest without reclining. Evaluate your recliner’s pitch for optimum comfort. "Recliner pitch" refers to the height of the chair front when the recliner is in its closed, upward position. You can usually adjust the pitch by altering the appropriate bolts at the bottom of the chair.
- Place your back against the backrest without reclining.
- Evaluate your recliner’s pitch for optimum comfort.
- "Recliner pitch" refers to the height of the chair front when the recliner is in its closed, upward position.
- You can usually adjust the pitch by altering the appropriate bolts at the bottom of the chair.
- Place your back against the backrest without reclining.
2
Tilt the recliner forward.
With the back in an upright position and the leg rest closed, lean the entire recliner forward to expose the underside of the chair.
- With the back in an upright position and the leg rest closed, lean the entire recliner forward to expose the underside of the chair.
- With the back in an upright position and the leg rest closed, lean the entire recliner forward to expose the underside of the chair.
- With the back in an upright position and the leg rest closed, lean the entire recliner forward to expose the underside of the chair.
- With the back in an upright position and the leg rest closed, lean the entire recliner forward to expose the underside of the chair.
- With the back in an upright position and the leg rest closed, lean the entire recliner forward to expose the underside of the chair.
3
Locate the cam bolts.
You'll need to adjust the bolts holding the cam, or full base mechanism, securely in place. These bolts are typically located toward the center bottom of the chair.
- You'll need to adjust the bolts holding the cam, or full base mechanism, securely in place.
- These bolts are typically located toward the center bottom of the chair.
- You'll need to adjust the bolts holding the cam, or full base mechanism, securely in place.
- These bolts are typically located toward the center bottom of the chair.
- You'll need to adjust the bolts holding the cam, or full base mechanism, securely in place.
4
Loosen the back bolts.
Use an appropriately sized wrench to loosen the cam bolts on either side of the bottom mechanism.
- Use an appropriately sized wrench to loosen the cam bolts on either side of the bottom mechanism.
- Use an appropriately sized wrench to loosen the cam bolts on either side of the bottom mechanism.
- Use an appropriately sized wrench to loosen the cam bolts on either side of the bottom mechanism.
- Use an appropriately sized wrench to loosen the cam bolts on either side of the bottom mechanism.
- Use an appropriately sized wrench to loosen the cam bolts on either side of the bottom mechanism.
5
Remove the front bolts.
Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, loosen and completely remove the two cam bolts at the front of the bottom mechanism.
- Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, loosen and completely remove the two cam bolts at the front of the bottom mechanism.
- Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, loosen and completely remove the two cam bolts at the front of the bottom mechanism.
- Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, loosen and completely remove the two cam bolts at the front of the bottom mechanism.
- Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, loosen and completely remove the two cam bolts at the front of the bottom mechanism.
- Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, loosen and completely remove the two cam bolts at the front of the bottom mechanism.
6
Adjust the frame.
Move the front of the frame up or down to adjust its position. Doing so will also adjust the recliner pitch.
- Move the front of the frame up or down to adjust its position.
- Doing so will also adjust the recliner pitch.
- Move the front of the frame up or down to adjust its position.
- Doing so will also adjust the recliner pitch.
- Move the front of the frame up or down to adjust its position.
7
Return the front bolts.
Once you've positioned the cam as desired, insert the front bolts back into the bottom frame.
- Once you've positioned the cam as desired, insert the front bolts back into the bottom frame.
- Once you've positioned the cam as desired, insert the front bolts back into the bottom frame.
- Once you've positioned the cam as desired, insert the front bolts back into the bottom frame.
- Once you've positioned the cam as desired, insert the front bolts back into the bottom frame.
- Once you've positioned the cam as desired, insert the front bolts back into the bottom frame.
8
Tighten the back bolts.
Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, completely tighten the back bolts of the recliner.
- Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, completely tighten the back bolts of the recliner.
- Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, completely tighten the back bolts of the recliner.
- Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, completely tighten the back bolts of the recliner.
- Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, completely tighten the back bolts of the recliner.
- Using a wrench or cordless power ratchet, completely tighten the back bolts of the recliner.
9
Test the pitch.
Return the chair to its upright position and sit down. Your feet should be able to touch the floor and your knees should be bent at an approximate right angle.
- Return the chair to its upright position and sit down.
- Your feet should be able to touch the floor and your knees should be bent at an approximate right angle.
- Return the chair to its upright position and sit down.
- Your feet should be able to touch the floor and your knees should be bent at an approximate right angle.
- Return the chair to its upright position and sit down.
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