How to Change the Swivel on a Sinking Office Chair? Step-By-Step Guide

The swivel on a lowering office chair might break for a variety of causes. It’s going to be a pain for workers to get up from their seats and sit back down if the chairs are too low.

As a result, people may have lower back pain or discomfort from trying to remain seated for long periods of time at their work. In this piece, we’ll demonstrate how to easily adjust the swivel on a sinking office chair to make work more pleasant for everyone.

The Benefits of a Good Office Chair

Create A Professional Image

The addition of fashionable, professional chairs to an office not only impresses clients and visitors, but also boosts productivity and morale among the staff. When it comes to the health and safety of workers, nothing is more important than making sure they can execute their duties in a relatively comfortable environment. High-quality office chairs are built to last and include an ergonomic design that allows for a wide range of user weights and loads without compromising on comfort.

Select The Best Office Chair

Seating materials on office chairs range from poly vinyl mesh to vinyl to leather to polyester. However, “green” fabrics can be found, constructed from recycled plastic bottles and colored with an environmentally beneficial method. Keep an eye out for the percentage of recycled materials before making a purchase.

Size Matters

Purchasing an office chair wouldn’t be difficult if everyone worked at the same height and weight. Happily, this is a consideration that is baked into the design of most high-quality office chairs. Client and guest seating in an office setting is the same way. Chairs’ widths, back heights, and seat depths all vary slightly. Chairs with a range of motion are not a luxury but a necessity.

A Chair For Every Office Need

Some workers are more comfortable in chairs that allow them to recline somewhat and have height-adjustable backs and seats. Office climate plays a role in determining chair fabric. You should select chairs for the lobby area that are both comfortable and reflective of the company’s ideals in order to make a good impression on clients and guests. Consider the desk’s surrounding space and the mobility of any chairs that may be used. Space requirements for executive chairs are typically higher than those for a receptionist’s chair or stool. One last thing to think about is whether or not your office chairs swivel or tilt. Take note of the foot zones at the base of the office chair.

Steps on Changing the Swivel on a Sinking Office Chair

Remove all boxes and plastic coverings off the new chair, and place it on a desk or other flat surface so you may examine it. Some chairs require the use of several screws to ensure a snug fit during assembly. In this way, you can estimate how many screws will be required to reassemble the parts.

Screw the first few pieces of your chair into place, starting at the base. After you’ve finished putting everything together, double check that all the screws are tightened to the proper torque.

Five, discard any plastic or other packaging materials still attached to the chair.

Step 6: Wipe down your hands and the chair to remove any debris and keep things looking neat and tidy as you go.

Step 7: Use screws to reattach any parts that weren’t properly screwed on during first assembly. This will ensure that everything is back to being clean and tight.

Why does my swivel chair keep sinking?

The loosening or lack of tightness of the fasteners keeping a swivel chair together is the most typical reason for its sinking. It’s also possible that your seat’s metal support frame has become bent from repeated use and needs some rest to straighten itself.

How do you fix a hydraulic office chair?

Hydraulic office chairs might get stuck if someone is too heavy for them or if they’ve been spilled on. When this occurs, you may easily fix your chair by following these steps:

Step 1: With an Allen wrench, remove the lever’s attachments to the base and inspect them (or another suitable tool)

Check the fluid level by using an Allen key to remove the fill cap from its socket close to where you were initially disconnected.

If there is no fluid left in the reservoir, proceed to Step 2, where you will add fluid until it is about three inches below the top of the container. Don’t put too much in there! This could lead to accidental over-application of force when turning the foot lever.

If there is fluid left in the reservoir, disassemble and reassemble using an Allen key (or another suitable tool)

Step 3: If necessary, fill the reservoir with fresh fluid until it is about three inches below the top of the container.

Why is my Gaming Chair Wobbly?

Do you feel shaky in your gaming chair? Is it too high for you to sit with an appropriate back angle, or does the back cushion sag too far when you take a seat? It’s all good. Swap out your broken swivel chair for a new one at the workplace. A swivel chair’s casters can be adjusted in a few different ways; here are some pointers.

First, before removing any screws, make sure the computer is turned off and all cords are unplugged from the wall outlets. If they are not comfortable with computers, it is recommended that they have someone else there who is knowledgeable in this area.

To free the swivel, you’ll need to unscrew two or three screws located close to where your armrest connects to the rest of the chair frame.

Second, put on a pair of work gloves if you aren’t already wearing them, and carefully lift the swivel off of the old, worn-out office chair and lay it aside.

If the new replacement component has installation instructions, you should refer to those. Otherwise, return the new one to its original spot by adhering to the recommendations below.

Third, tighten all screws by turning them clockwise with an Allen wrench (or another type of screwdriver suitable for this task) until they can’t be tightened any further, keeping in mind that the head size used to hold all hardware together varies widely (typically Phillips or slot heads are best suited for this job).

The screws should be tightened clockwise until further tightening causes damage.

As a final step, once the replacement swivel is in position, a bolt with a head size compatible with the rest of the hardware (often Phillips or slot heads) should be inserted and tightened to the desired degree.

It will take some time to complete this procedure, but after you’re done everything should work as intended.

Tighten bolts clockwise until they can’t be wiggled loose when reinstalled; remove snap-on components for simpler reassembly the next time around.

We Tested 22 Office Chairs in Our Des Moines Lab—Here Are 9 of the Best

Best Overall: Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair

Likes and Favorites

• Permeable mesh for airflow
• Quick and simple assembly and installation
• Lumbar support that can be adjusted to fit your needs
• Elegant style
• Long-lasting, guaranteed for 5 years
• Super comfy and supportive cushion

Disliked Aspects

• Rather pricey
• The width is not accommodating for those with a larger frame.

Buyer Feedback: What Have They Said? 83% of the more than 5,000 reviewers on Amazon who gave this product a rating gave it 4 stars or above.

Working from home or in an office, the Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair is our top pick because it provides the best balance of ergonomic design, affordability, and user feedback. This modern black chair is ideal for the home office or as an additional piece in a professional setting, thanks to its contoured back, headrest, and four-wheeled metal base. Testers gave it a perfect score because its adjustable lumbar support and breathable mesh back made sitting in it feel like a dream.

While sitting in this chair, not only will you enjoy its comfortable design, but you can also be assured that it will last for years to come. This chair is made by the reputable Duramont brand, which is known for its durability; as such, the manufacturer is standing by it with a 5-year guarantee. The setup is straightforward, as noted by our testers, with all necessary components and instructions being properly labeled. Users have appreciated the wheel mobility, especially on surfaces like carpet, and each plastic part is fairly robust.

This office chair is our top recommendation despite the fact that it is a little on the pricey side and has a narrow back that may not be comfortable for people with wider shoulders. It can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of user heights and weights, is built to last, and has a sleek, luxurious appearance and pleasant feel to boot.

Size (LxWxH): 26″ x 23.6″ x 42″ | Construction (Plastic, Mesh): 330 lb. | Height (Adjustable): Yes

Best Budget: Amazon Basics Low-Back Office Desk Chair, Black

Likes and Favorites

• Easy to navigate interface
• The Seat Cushion Is Rock Solid
• Objects last a long time
• Competitive Cost

That Which We Do Not Know

• It doesn’t have an armrest.
• There’s no way to alter the lumbar support.
• The design is straightforward.

The AmazonBasics Low-Back Office Desk Chair is a fantastic alternative when you need a basic chair without breaking the bank. This tiny black chair may be devoid of frills, like armrests or a backrest, but it is crafted from durable plastic that will survive for years.

This model provides instructions with illustrations, and construction only consists of a few simple steps, so our testers had no trouble getting it up and running. If you happen to lose a screw or a screwdriver during unpacking, no worries; we’ve provided spares just in case. The seat is comfy and the backrest offers some lumbar support, but there is nowhere to lay your head or neck. This chair’s height is adjustable and may be locked in place once you’ve discovered your sweet spot. This chair may be small and unassuming, but it has enough nice touches to recommend it even at its inexpensive price.

Weight capacity is 275 pounds; material is plastic and mesh; dimensions are 18.7 inches deep by 17.7 inches wide by 38.2 inches high; and adjustability is moderate.

Best Splurge: Herman Miller Classic Aeron Chair

Likes and Favorites

• Arrived pre-assembled
• Mild ease and back support
• Breathable and simple to care for fabric
• Construction that can withstand the test of time

Disliked Aspects

• The changes are a little unclear.
• Expensive, with additional fees for extras

The Herman Miller Classic Aeron Chair is a high-quality option for those on a tight budget. The Aeron Chair is not only durable and long-lasting, but it also has a pleasant, body-hugging scoop seat that is meant to reduce pressure points. To help alleviate strain on your lower back, the design incorporates mild lumbar support, while armrests provide comfort for your elbows. Our reviewers found that the chair reclines slightly, but that the back might be higher to better suit those who are taller.

This chair’s mesh back is not only breathable but also simple to wipe clean, and its vinyl seat and plastic arms and base are both sturdy and preassembled for your convenience. This chair has a wide range of adjustments to accommodate users of varying heights and sitting preferences, but the testers found that the knobs and levers weren’t well labeled. Because of its durability and comfort, this office chair is worth the price if you work from home.

Weight Capacity: Not Listed | Adjustable: Yes | Dimensions: 16 x 25.75 x 34.25 inches

Best Ergonomic : Office Star Pro-Line II ProGrid High Back Managers Chair

Likes and Favorites

• Modularity for fine-tuning
• Mild ease and back support
• Concise layout
• Safe foundation
• Affordable, premium-quality goods

Disliked Aspects

• It was difficult to put together.

An ergonomic chair, such as the Office Star Pro-Line II ProGrid High Back Managers Chair, is your best chance for a supportive and well-designed chair at work. This affordable, traditional black office chair has a high back, a thickly padded seat, and a variety of adjustments to suit a wide range of users.

Adjustments for seat height, depth, back angle, and tilt make this chair an excellent ergonomic choice. Our builders had a hard time making all the necessary alterations, but the finished product was surprisingly strong. The seat is moderately comfortable, and it provides lumbar support thanks to a thick polyester cushion. Although it is not a particularly elaborate design, this chair serves as a wonderful ergonomic alternative due to its practicality, comfort, and low cost.

Product Specifications: Product Dimensions: 29″D x 26″W x 42″H | Product Material: Plastic, Polyester | Product Weight Capacity: 250 lbs | Product Adjustability: Yes | Product Weight Capacity: 250 lbs

Best Mesh: Alera Elusion Mesh Mid-Back Swivel/Tilt Chair

Likes and Favorites

• Cosy, thick padding
• There is a sturdy mesh back with lumbar support.
• The seat and armrests are fully movable.
• Built to last
• Pricing that is reasonable

Disliked Aspects

• Instructions for initial setup were ambiguous.

Mesh chairs are a popular choice for offices because they allow workers to lie back and relax in airy comfort while still maintaining their air circulation. With its convenient features and high level of comfort, the Alera Elusion Mesh Mid-Back is a great choice among mesh options. Our panel of experts found this chair to be quite comfortable thanks to its thick seat padding, which stood up to even the most rigorous of knee presses. Because of its waterfall design, it molds to your body for optimal lumbar and thigh support.

The setup was difficult, but the testers liked how the chair could be customized with different sized armrests and seats. You can lean forward or backward as far as you like thanks to the tilt feature on this model. Because of these features and its reasonable price, the Alera Elusion office chair is our top pick among mesh chairs.

Weight capacity is 250 pounds; mesh and polyurethane construction; height is adjustable; overall dimensions are 26.18 by 24.8 by 15.75 inches.

Best Gaming: RESPAWN 110 Racing Style Gaming Chair

Likes and Favorites

• Conveniently pre-assembled
• Extensively modifiable
• Cleaning leather is simple.
• Creative use of the future’s technology

Disliked Aspects

• Synthetic leather doesn’t breathe like real leather.
• Moving the chair causes a squeaking sound.

When playing video games for extended periods of time, you need a chair that is both supportive and flexible enough to accommodate your changing needs. Both of these needs are met by the Respawn 110 Racing Style Gaming Chair, whose sleek, modern design appeals to gamers of all stripes.

This chair is an epicenter of relaxation thanks to its faux leather upholstery, padded armrests, and separate cushions for the head and lower back. It fully reclines to practically a horizontal position, has a wide base, and is adjustable for seat height, armrests, headrest, and footrest. The imitation leather makes a slight squeaking sound when you walk, but it’s simple to clean and appears to be rather sturdy. In sum, for the money, you get a sturdy, supportive chair that’s perfect for gaming. It’s simple to install and has everything you need already included.

Weight capacity is 275 pounds; materials include faux leather, plastic, and aluminum; height is adjustable; overall dimensions are 28.5 by 28 by 51.5 inches

Best Upholstered: Three Posts Mayson Drafting Chair

Likes and Favorites

• Extremely relaxing
• High level of sophistication
• Strong construction
• Competitive Cost

Disliked Aspects

• Not every required setup tool is included.
• There’s only one setting to tweak
• The mobility of wheels is limited.

Adding a touch of class to any office, the Three Posts Mayson Drafting Chair is a great choice for an upholstered chair. This beautiful chair has a solid wood frame, a thick foam cushion, and excellent lumbar support. The chair’s design is eye-catching from across the room, thanks to its subtle button inlays, faux wood base, and little wheels that nearly blend into the rest of the design. It has a classic look and feel while still being quite comfortable to lounge in.

One of our reviewers noted that a Phillips head screwdriver is required for assembly (not included). This chair requires some time and effort to assemble, and the directions are not exactly clear. While it does not recline, this chair’s adjustable height features promote healthy sitting posture. Our research has shown that the price is fair for the quality you receive.

Steel, manufactured wood, foam, and upholstery; 28 x 27 x 47 inches; 275 lb. weight capacity; adjustable height.

Best Faux Leather: Soho Management Chair

Likes and Favorites

• Easily set up
• Strong back support
• Several Variables for Tuning
• Fashionable layout
• Constructed from durable components

Disliked Aspects

• To put it mildly, it’s not exactly cozy.
• A bit on the pricey side

The Soho Management Chair isn’t as spacious as some of the more ergonomic alternatives, but it’s sturdy and attractive all the same. Featuring a sturdy metal frame, this chair can support up to 450 pounds and will look great for years to come. The imitation leather seating is modern, comfortable, and simple to maintain.

Our panel of experts found this chair to be simple to assemble due to its few parts and straightforward directions. The chair has a slight reclining mechanism, and its height, tilt, and recline can all be adjusted. Although it starts off very stiff, our reviewers noticed that it softened up well after a while. Even though the pricing is a bit steep, it’s an excellent buy in light of all the included features.

Product Specifications: 25″D x 25″W x 34″H (inches); Made of Faux Leather and Aluminum; Holds Up to 400 Pounds; Is Easily Adjustable;

Best Lightweight: The Container Store Grey Flat Bungee Office Chair With Arms

Likes and Favorites

• Moderate ease of living
• Modern, one-of-a-kind design with bungee cords
• Construction that can withstand the test of time
• Compact and easily transportable

Disliked Aspects

• The process of assembly was laborious.
• There’s no way to alter the lumbar support.

This bungee chair from The Container Store is one of a kind on our list since it uses real bungee cords for both the seat and back. While the chair’s seat may be pleasant, it does not offer much in the way of adjustability for those with varying heights and weights. Our experts found that while the seat and back can be modified, the armrests and lumbar support cannot. The back is low and strikes squarely at the shoulders. Nonetheless, the lumbar support is solid, so your lower back will be supported even when you’re in a prone position.

The chair can support up to 450 pounds of weight, making it both comfortable and practical. The steel and polyurethane construction should last for quite some time and stand up to normal wear and tear. Our experts noted that the assembly process was rather labor-intensive, despite the fact that the materials were solid and the directions were straightforward. This chair’s portability and small weight are undoubtedly two of its most appealing features. If you’re short on space in your dorm room but still need a chair for studying or watching TV, this is a good choice to consider.

Adjustable: Yes | Weight Capacity: up to 450 pounds | Dimensions: 24″ x 24″ x 35″ h in.

How We Tested the Office Chairs

We put 22 office chairs through their paces at The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, to find the best of the best. Our testers put each chair through its paces in terms of ease of assembly, seating comfort, lumbar support, customization options, structural integrity, and overall value, and ultimately narrowed the field down to a top nine. All of the chairs were given a rating out of five for each of these factors so that we could pick the best one overall and the best in each category.

Our chairs were evaluated on their ability to provide proper lumbar support when our testers sat up straight in them, as determined by placing one knee on the seat cushion. This set of chairs has been through the ringer (or ringers*). Some were superior than the rest in terms of design and longevity, while others were superior in terms of adjustability, comfort, and cost. Due to these nuanced distinctions, our editors were able to categorize the best office chairs for various uses.

What to Look for in an Office Chair

Adjustability

While most inexpensive chairs won’t let you change anything but the height, higher-end versions designed with comfort in mind will have a lot more to offer. Some, for instance, allow you to alter the tilt angle and tension, as well as the height and width of the armrests (to control the rock and incline of the chair).

Lumbar support

Selecting a chair that provides lumbar support can help relieve some of the pressure placed on the lower back. Some chairs are made to give this support for a wide range of body types, while others allow you to customize the angle and width of the seat back to better conform to the natural curve of your spine. Adjustable lumbar support is a worthwhile investment if you spend a lot of time on your workplace chair or suffer from lower back pain.

Upholstery material

Leather (or bonded leather), mesh, fabric, or a combination of these materials are common choices for office chair upholstery. Chairs with mesh upholstery are more breathable than those upholstered in leather, yet the former are more comfortable. Mesh-back chairs are more breathable than traditional chairs because of their open weave, however they are typically not padded. Fabric-upholstered chairs are the most versatile in terms of color and pattern, but they also stain easily.

FAQs

How do you clean an office chair?

Fabric, leather, and mesh office chairs all require different cleaning methods due to their different compositions. Cleaning your office chair periodically with a microfiber cloth will keep it clear of dust, filth, hair, and other debris, whether it’s made of leather or mesh. It’s important to clean not only the fabric but also the plastic or metal legs, armrests, and other parts. Cleaning a fabric-upholstered office chair is as easy as attaching the vacuum’s hose attachment and giving it a good shake. Dusting leather furniture is the first step in keeping it in good shape, but leather conditioner can be used for more thorough cleaning and protection.

How do you fix a sinking office chair?

Any time an office chair starts to sink, it’s probably time to replace the cylinder that contains the pneumatic or gas fluid that keeps it from sinking. If you’re too heavy for the lift chair you’re using, it can cause the gas to leak out causing the chair to wear out faster than it should. The good news is that gas cylinders are simple and affordable to replace, even if the manufacturer’s guarantee has expired.

How do you make an office chair more comfortable?

Adding a tiny lumbar pillow to your office chair, if it does not come with built-in support, is a common way to improve comfort. A memory foam seat cushion is also available for extra bottom support. In the winter or when the office is unusually cool, some people like to use a sheepskin to cover the back and seat of their chair. You can improve your comfort in an office chair by not letting your feet hang down the edge or by propping them up on the chair legs. When seated, the best position for your body is with your feet flat on the floor, which also improves your posture and circulation.