Recliners are an absolute godsend and undoubtedly a haven of comfort whenever it’s in mint condition but once it starts leaning on one side, it’s no short of a headache.
It’s a common issue that arises due to a whole host of reasons which we will be discussing in this article below all while providing a comprehensive yet straightforward solution on how to rectify it.
Keep in mind that there could be more than one reason that could be the culprit behind this fiasco, so if you or loved ones want to know how to fix a recliner that leans on one side, I highly advise you that you read through the whole article and apply each fix at a time by diagnosing the issues mentioned below for effective rectification.
Reasons Why Your Recliner Could Be Leaning on One Side
It’s crucial that you at least first understand what could be the root cause behind the issue because it could help you get down to the root of the problem.
1. Broken Feet Or Chip Damage
Of all the things that could affect a recliner’s position on the ground, broken feet either due to pressure or being downright bent, are the topmost culprits on why your recliner might be leaning on one side. Damage to feet, if it’s made from wood or plastic, isn’t done right away but in a smaller form that is known as chip damage. Once the paint is worn out, a recliner’s feet start to wobble in the air if it fails to connect properly with the surface it is laid on.
It could also arise due to the movement of the recliner from one place to another, as the friction between the legs of the recliner could impose damage which breaks or dents the legs of the recliner, causing it to lean on one spot.
2. Alignment Issues
Recliners that have poor framing integrated into them due to weaker metallic alloys often suffer from alignment issues. Furthermore, it could also happen to flagship-grade recliners that tend to succumb under pressure that exceeds their payload capacity.
In addition to payload overloading, mishandling of the recliner base or laying on one spot once it is angled at a position could be the reason why your recliner may not have proper alignment.
3. Uneven Floor
The floor your recliner might be placed on, may not have the perfect terrain at all, in fact, most floors often suffer from sagging once they are deluged with water, this could be due to drainage or integrity issues that are often seen in the concrete.
Wooden floors are also susceptible to water damage and can become uneven over a duration of time, which can topple your recliner, let alone topple it.
4. Screws Being Loose
Sometimes, the issues aren’t as big as they seem which is why it’s best that you start looking through the crevices. Oftentimes, due to regular wear and tear and other recliner movements. Your recliner might suffer from loose screws, nuts, and bolts, this could also arise due to vibrations generated from moving the recliner from one spot to another, causing the legs to become uneven.
5. Springs Malfunction
Often a major problem in recliners that are electrically powered, the springs that are attached to the base of the recliner are strained due to power reclining too often or too suddenly. Cheaply made recliners also suffer from pressure and weight issues as they cannot sustain weight over time, making them bent or crooked which messes with their retracting power and makes the seat feel uneven to sit on.
The above-mentioned culprits could be the reasons why your recliner isn’t leveled as it was supposed to be when it was in its mint condition. Let’s start by fixing these problems one at a time.
Things To Gather
But before we dive into diagnostics and repair, we need to gather the right tools to get the job done.
- Allen Wrenches
- A screwdriver, both Phillips and flathead
- Lubricating oil or WD-40 Spray
- A leveling or Bubble Level
- Mallet Or Hammer
- SandingPaper
- Matching Paint
- Extra set of gliding Wheels
- Replacement springs ( Optional)
- Replacement screws or bolts
The list might seem endless but trust me, it’s well worth the effort and a surefire method to get your recliner back to its form. Here is how you could do it.
How To Fix A Recliner That Leans On One Side?
Let us start by diagnosing the issues,
- Examining & Diagnostics
If you have read the culprits mentioned above, it would be easy to pick them off whenever you are diagnosing your recliner for issues. First of all, you need to check for screws that are either too loose or nuts that have become too crooked. Moreover, check whether or not they have rust or debris clogging their threads.
Furthermore, check for springs by flipping your recliner over and check whether or not the springs have been sprained or crooked beyond their natural capacity. A simple examination of the fleet or gliders could also give you a swift idea of whether the problems lie in the feet of the recliner.
If that doesn’t seem like the case, then use a bubble level to check for alignments that have happened due to the overloading of payload on the seat. A simple bubble scale could help you illuminate the issues. If you don’t own a bubble level, you use a third-party application in your smartphone to check for the level of your recliner, however, in some scenarios it might not be as accurate as a regular bubble level, so it’s best that you prefer the actual thing.
Additionally, you also need to check the floor for unevenness with the same bubble level, it could give you a clear indication of whether or not the floor might be the culprit behind the issue.
- Fixing The Problem
Start by tightening the screws and bolts, and apply WD40 spray if necessary to get rid of debris and rust clogging up the whole structure. If you have an older recliner, nuts, and bolts losing their threads would certainly act as a culprit, try using replacement screws and nuts and remove the older ones. Just make sure you don’t overtighten the screws otherwise it will result in cross-threading.
Furthermore, use a hammer or a mallet to fix the metallic frame of the recliner so that it balances out both sides, making it stop sagging on one side. You could also use the hammer to even out all the legs of the recliner by hitting it from below, this could also tighten it up in case it is loose and make other legs wobble in the air.
If that doesn’t help, use sanding paper to trim off the area near the legs of the recliner, to make it compensate for any misalignment that is making the chair wobble. However, if that isn’t feasible, you could even use shims or pads to even out the chair if the difference between each leg is way too much to be compensated with sanding paper.
I would also advise you to change the place where the recliner is on an even surface before applying these fixes. Once you are done, apply paint to the parts to prevent them from catching rust or corrosion in the future. A reputable epoxy brand could also prevent it from chip damage.
- Test Phase
Now comes the part where you need to make sure everything goes according to the plan, Once you have determined that every possible solution has been executed, it is about time that you use the measuring scale to check for its level on the ground. Make sure you have placed it on an even surface before measuring its plane so that it can give accurate results.
Try sitting on the recliner for a couple of minutes and reclining all the way through, make sure you change every angle and swivel around if your recliner has the swiveling mechanism. Once you are done with it, try using the bubble level again to check for its level on the ground. If there are any signs of misalignment, try using a mallet or hammer to fix the alignment back to its place but be as gentle as possible.
Tips To Prevent Reclining Becoming Unbalanced
A recliner, just like every other decor is susceptible to damage through wear and tear even if it’s made from the most robust metallic alloys, some mishandling could still make it lose its alignment. However, here are some precautionary measures you need to keep in mind.
- Always be mindful of the payload capacity of a recliner, never exceed it even if you are using a recliner for a couple of hours. And even if you are planning to exceed the payload threshold, avoid reclining at awkward angles as it could drastically damage the frame.
- After every 6-7 months, use lubrication when necessary, i have seen so many owners of recliners ruin the swiveling mechanism because they aren’t lubricating their recliners.
- When you are moving the recliner from one place to another, use gentle force rather than pushing it swiftly as it could damage the frame causing it to lose its alignment.
What Should I Do If My Recliner Is Still Leaning On One Side?
After going through all these endeavors, if you feel like your recliner is still leaning on one side, you need to take it to your local repair shop for professional help, they have the right tools to fix the alignment of your recliner. Sometimes, the inner mechanism especially around the base region of the seat is acting up due to being strained or stressed at an awkward angle. The variation in the angle isn’t sudden but usually happens over a couple of months which is why it isn’t noticeable right away.
Nevertheless, if the issues persist even after attempting repairs, it might be time that you head out for professional help.
Where Should I Get Replacement Parts Or Screws?
Screws, nuts, and bolts are considerably easy to get, however, getting your hands on replacement parts like the swivel ring, springs, or wheels that are crooked or sprained might be tricky. Try contacting your recliner manufacturer by asking for replacement parts. Most of the time they are happy to give out complimentary parts to their customers even if the recliner is out of warranty for a couple of years.
However, keep in mind that this could only be possible in the best-case scenario because if your chair is decades old with broken parts, your only option would be to invest in a newer recliner if shims or pads underneath the recliner legs don’t help.
And that a Wrap
Once you are past the diagnostic stage about how to fix a recliner that leans on one side, you might notice things aren’t as hard as you thought they would be. All you need is to determine the culprit behind your recliner that is being sagged on one spot.
In addition to that, I would also like to emphasize the fact that you must at least give it a couple of days to evaluate whether or not your problem shows up or not before finalizing a conclusion.
That being said, feel free to let me know if you want to know more esoteric knowledge like this.
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.