A recliner and its footrest are like two peas in a pod, both work in conjunction with each other to provide support to your body as a whole to keep the comfort ratio to optimal levels.
While recliners tend to have better integrity because it isn’t as prone to breakage, a footrest on the other hand, usually finds itself being the first of the bunch to malfunction much more easily due to improper usage or more than usual weight pressure applied on its hinges.
On the other hand, some footrests aren’t built to last as well as the recliner it comes with even if it belongs to the premium grade lineup as it often is not cut from the highest material.
Regardless of the scenario, you might find yourself in, if you are sailing in the same boat as everybody else that is reading this article, here is an epigrammatic guide on How to Fix a Recliner Footrest, and here is how it is designed to work.
Mechanism Behind A Recliner’s Footrest
This section of this guide might sound trivial but In order for a much easier and more precise approach to this fiasco, let me shed some light on a recliner’s Footrest work so you attain a basic understanding of it.
Regardless of the variant of a manual recliner you might be using, almost all of them work in the same manner and virtually have similar operations going behind the scenes.
In simpler words, a footrest works by having hinges, screws, and springs that connect the footrest to its framework and are only retracted once you push the lever by applying torque onto it.
The footrest is then latched off releasing the springs which extend the footrest forward where you can comfortably lay your feet on it.
However, one of the most common causes of footrest malfunction is the aforementioned spring going haywire for a wide array of reasons, here is how to fix it.
Things To Gather
Magic wands won’t do us wonders, let’s gather a couple of things before we proceed.
- Pliers
- Phillips ScrewDriver
- Allen Wrenches
- Lubricant
- Replacement Parts ( Proprietary Spares)
Steps On How To Fix A Recliner Footrest?
Make sure you follow each step carefully, I will try my best to be straightforward to prevent confusion.
1. Inspect & Observe
I have dealt with tons of recliner malfunctions in the past with multiple and most of them are usually resolved in the initial stages of thorough inspection.
Such inspection includes observing or determining whether or not there is any foreign object lodged or whether the extension mechanism is locked or not.
Oftentimes even due to ambient temperature changes and the contraction and shrinking of the metal frame, the footrest operations tend to clog or get congested, trying prying or applying torque on it in order to diagnose its issue.
2. Unscrew The Footrest
Consult the instruction manual that came with the recliner and check for its hidden or concealed screws. Once you have located all of them, use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew them one by one.
Make sure you completely remove the enclosure its mechanism is placed into so you can easily diagnose any springs or hinges that have malfunctioned.
3. Address The Malfunction
Most recliners tend to ship out with proprietary replacement parts such as springs, hinges, latches, locks, or even proprietary gears.
However, if you have lost or don’t have any on you, make sure you find the appropriate-sized ones from your local repair shop.
Manually operate its moving parts by hand, check for any weird noises, and in case of abnormalities or hardware jamming up, try changing the springs or the locking mechanism.
4. Cleaning & Lubricating
Dust & Debris is the nemesis of moving parts especially if you’re not routinely cleaning the recliner. Take your time and clean or dust all of its internal hardware as much as possible.
Watch out for its delicate springs and hinges and use lubricant as literally as possible to ensure seamless mobility for the extension of the footrest.
5. Tighten It Up
After you have determined and resolved the issue, tighten the screw nut and bolt back in its place. In the best-case scenario, keep the screws safe to prevent losing them during the process.
Make sure to tighten them up and check for any wobbling because any loose or unscrewed mechanical part may give birth to accidental mishaps, which is the last thing you would want to happen to you or your loved ones.
6. Test Run
Try locking and unlocking the latch or simply use the lever that is responsible for the mobility of the footrest and make sure there are no squeaky sounds or any other abnormality during your test run.
Try to be patient and take as much time as possible and never rush through the process because “haste makes waste”.
Bottom Line
It goes without saying that before you approach the fixing process, make sure you already have protection gear because an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
Your instruction manual, digitally available on its manufacturer website or the one you own in physical form is your best friend in such scenarios so consult it as much as possible as it will always give you a wider and much more refined perspective than any local repair shop or online guides can provide on How to Fix a Recliner Footrest.
I am a furniture expert with a passion for recliners. With years of experience in the industry, I offer invaluable insights and creative ideas for selecting the perfect recliner to suit any space and your needs.