How to Disassemble Office Chair: A Complete Guide

 
It's possible that you'll never think about disassembling your office chair until you need to. You may wish to do so for a variety of reasons, including relocating to a new workplace, oiling the parts, or replacing a broken or worn out part. Whatever the case may be, knowing how to dismantle your chair is critical.
 
Most office chairs, especially ergonomic chairs, require some sort of assembly before they can be used, and if you didn't do it yourself, you can have difficulties disassembling them.
 
However, with our guide, you can disassemble your office chair quickly and easily.
 

 
Before you start any DIY project, make sure you have all of the necessary ingredients and tools. You don't want to be in the thick of a project when you realize you're missing one tool!
 
Here are the tools and materials you maybe need for this project.
 
Pipe wrench
Screwdriver
Hammer
2 x 4 piece of wood
Rubber mallet
Pry bar
Newspaper
Blanket
Large table
 

 
You have the option of working on the floor or at a large table. You may also protect your work surface by covering it with newspapers or blankets.
 

 
Whatever purpose you have for dismantling your office chair, you must proceed with caution to avoid damaging it. As previously said, if your chair arrived with any assembly instructions, follow them. To assist you in dismantling your chair, I will go through each component of an office chair and illustrate the typical disassembly methods. It's worth noting that some chairs' pieces may not be possible to be removed if they come completely linked to the frame. If you have any queries or concerns about disassembling your office chair, contact the chair manufacturer.
 

 
The chair's movement will be reduced if the wheels are removed. As a result, the entire procedure is simplified. A pry bar and a screwdriver are required for this stage.
 
Take a seat in your office chair and lean to one side. On either the left or right side, the caster wheels should be visible. One hand should be used to grasp the chair leg and the other hand should be used to grip the caster wheels. Then, by pulling out the caster wheels for the chair, remove them. Use a pry bar if you're having trouble.
 
Place the pry bar's nail end between the caster wheel and the chair's leg. Repeat the method for each caster wheel on the chair until all of the caster wheels have been removed.
 
It will be easier to continue to the next step now that the chair is no longer moveable.
 

 
We'll need a hammer and a 2 x 4 piece of wood for this project. You may also require someone to guard the five-star base. Then, directly above the gas lift, place the wood. Take your hammer and strike the wood with the side.
 
The gas cylinder will not be damaged as a result of this. Unless you're having it changed, you may use the hammer to hit the gas lift directly. We're using the wood to keep the hammer from making too much contact with the gas cylinder.
 
Continue to pound the wood. This will ultimately assist in the release of the chair's base.
 

 
Screws or bolts attach the seat pan to the backrest. So, using an Allen wrench or a screwdriver, locate these fittings and loosen them.
 
It's possible that you'll be enticed to remove the backrest. But believe us when we say that removing the pieces in the correct order will make things much easier for you.
 

Before you attempt to remove the cylinder, keep in mind that it is easily damaged. A big pipe wrench is required to remove the cylinder. Before you begin, make sure your table's surface and the floor are both protected. Apply duct tape to the pipe wrench's teeth to improve grip and protect the cylinder.
 
Clamp the cylinder towards the bottom of the mechanism with the pipe wrench. Turn the pipe wrench a quarter turn or until it comes loose once it is tight to the cylinder. Because cylinders are not screwed on, loosen them until you can take them out of the mechanism.
 
A rubber mallet will be required to separate the cylinder from the base. Turn the base on its side. Remember to protect your work surface and floor. Keep your distance from the cylinder so it doesn't land on your feet. Dislodge the cylinder from the base with the rubber mallet. If the cylinder is really stuck, tap the sides.
 

 
Because the backrests are fastened with bolts at the back of most office chairs, you should be able to quickly remove them. Some office chairs, such as the Steelcase Leap, will not allow you to remove the backrest since it is bonded to the frame. To remove the backrest, unscrew the bolts that hold it in place below the chair with an Allen wrench or screwdriver. Once all of the screws and/or washers have been taken from the chair, store them in a bag and keep it with the chair so you don't lose them.
 

 
Only remove the armrests if absolutely required. Because armrests might contain many pieces, it's essential to keep track of the sequence in which you remove them from the chair. Begin by removing the chair's fasteners using an Allen wrench or a screwdriver. After that, take out any washers or plates. Keep all of the hardware in a bag with the chair. You may simply remove the armrests from some chairs by drawing them out of the slot below the chair while adjusting the lever.
 

 
The majority of office chair headrests are held in place by a few fasteners. Check to determine whether you need to remove a cover plate or tabs before removing the headrest from your chair. Remove all bolts from the headrest with a screwdriver or Allen wrench after they have been removed. Replace the cover plate or tabs on the chair after removing the headrest. Remember to place all small, loose bits in a bag to keep them secure.
 

 
It's critical not to loose any of the screws that keep your chair together. Use Ziploc bags and name them appropriately so that when it's time to reassemble your chair, you'll have everything labeled and ready to go. If you lose any of the screws, you can obtain replacements from the chair's manufacturer.
 

 
Consider these suggestions before dismantling your office chair. This will save you time and money by preventing you from doing needless effort and causing harm to your office chair.
 

 
Isn't it true that your workplace chair came naked? As a result, dismantling it in the reverse order of assembly will be beneficial. You may also look for instructions in the handbook. Instead of starting with the first step, start with the last one and work your way up.
 
This is ideal for chairs that have been created and linked in a unique way.
 

 
You should be able to identify whether or not elements of your office chair can be removed by looking at it. You should be able to remove those sections of the chair if it was constructed with screws. The parts of your office chair that are linked with screws will be the easiest to remove. Parts like the headrest, backrest, and armrests are common examples.
 
It may be more difficult to remove parts that are attached to the mechanism without screws. Removing a cylinder from the mechanism, for example, might be difficult, especially if the chair has been in use for a long time. Because the cylinder is solely held together by stress, releasing that tension might be difficult. Some office chairs, such as the Herman Miller Aeron and most other Herman Miller office chairs, should not be disassembled at the cylinder.
 

 
When it comes to dismantling your office chair, consider why you need it to be dismantled in the first place. You should try to avoid disassembling any pieces of the chair that aren't absolutely essential. Some chairs may not need removing the backrest or even removing it from its cylinder. To avoid causing harm to your chair, try to disassemble it as little as possible. You may always contact the manufacturer to find out which pieces of the chair you should and shouldn't remove during disassembly. Parts that are inside the mechanism should never be disassembled.
 

 
You can't or shouldn't remove some pieces of your office chair owing to the risk of causing harm to the chair. For example, because the back and arms are incorporated into the frame of a chair like the Steelcase Leap, you won't be able to remove them. We strongly advise you not to remove the mechanism from your chair. It's possible that removing elements from the system will cause it to malfunction.
 
Some office chairs, such as the Herman Miller Aeron, should not be removed because of the cylinder. There's undoubtedly a reason why your chair came completely built. Removing pieces from a completely built chair might result in irreparable harm. When removing the cylinder, there may be some damage.
 

 
Dismantling a gas cylinder from its base nearly invariably results in the cylinder being damaged. The pipe wrench has the potential to scratch the cylinder.
 
After you've constructed the chair, the metal shavings from the scratches may make their way into the mechanism. And this might have an impact on how your chair adjusts. That's why, once you've removed the cylinder, it's advisable to replace it.
 
Leave the cylinder intact if you don't want to remove it. Yes, you can remove it without causing damage, but it will be tough.
 

 
If an alternative isn't specified, don't make it. Although other wrenches may work, removing the gas cylinder is best done using a pipe wrench.
 

 
As a general rule, never remove any pieces from inside the mechanism. This may cause the mechanism to be damaged or malfunction.
 

 
Protect your surfaces with a piece of paper, old cardboard, a plastic cover, or a blanket, so that your surface will be fee of damaging.
 

 
After you've considered all of the factors to consider before dismantling an office chair, make sure to remember these few pointers. These will assist you in disassembling your office chair without hurting or losing any components.
 
To avoid losing any minor pieces, place them in a zippered bag and preserve them with the chair.
 
Duct tape on the teeth of your pipe wrench can help protect the cylinder from scratches. Remove the tape if you find you can't obtain a good grip on the cylinder.
 
The surface you're dismantling the chair on should be protected. Use an old blanket or a piece of cardboard that has been tossed. This not only protects the chair, but also your surfaces.
 
Refer to the assembly instructions if you're having trouble figuring out how to disassemble your chair. Depending on the maker, you can typically locate them online. Then, in reverse order, follow the directions.
 
Remember not to remove any elements that aren't absolutely required. Just enough for the chair to fit into the available area.
 
Never dismantle the mechanism of your chair to avoid it malfunctioning.
 
Remove the cylinder from the base using a rubber mallet. Tap the sides of the cylinder to release it from the base if it isn't coming out.
 

 
The majority of these chairs that can be constructed or dismantled are frequently the ideal chairs to have, especially at work. This is because they have all of the components essential for a chair to provide you with the right support as you sit. This covers the alignment of your spine curvature, as well as lumbar, lower back, neck, and armrest support.
 
Most significantly, it lowers your chances of developing musculoskeletal discomfort as a result of extended sitting, especially if you have bad posture. This is also the finest office chair for back discomfort, which is frequent among office employees and may be caused by sitting on a terrible chair. An office chair that doesn't have a suitable seat with the correct foam and material might cause glute and tailbone pain.
 
It's also to your advantage that you can disassemble the chair if you need to relocate, oil, or replace the pieces. If the chair can still be mended or reused, a broken leg or wheel should not always imply you have to throw it away.
 
Ergonomics has been increasingly popular among office employees in recent years due to its numerous benefits. In addition to what has previously been discussed, it also helps you save money since it lasts a long time and minimizes your health risks, resulting in fewer hospital visits and a higher level of productivity at work.
 

 
It's not difficult to dismantle or disassemble your office chair. It is, however, time-demanding. You must also be careful and remove each component with care. This will prevent some of the most important components of your office chairs from being damaged.
 
And, of course, you'll need the correct tools. Before you begin the work, be sure you have everything you need. When you find you have the wrong sort of wrench, you don't want to be compelled to rush to the hardware shop.