How To Fix Hydraulic Chair? Top Full Guide 2022

One way to fix a hydraulic chair is to determine the problem with the chair and fix it. Problems with hydraulic chairs could be anything from a loose or broken part to a faulty pump or leak in the line.

In this post, Focal Upright will cover methods that answer the question about How to fix hydraulic chair?

Anatomy of Your Office Chair

Before you start fixing your chair, it is important to understand how it works. We won’t get into the technical details, so we will keep it simple. Modern height-adjustable desk chair designs use two types of fluid power technology: hydraulic and pneumatic.

Let’s put one thing out of the way; hydraulic or pneumatic, theoretically, all office chairs keep sinking over time.

The first uses an imperceptible liquid, while the pneumatic chairs use compressible gases. Hydraulics produce more power, which is why large machinery can be made with this technology. On the other hand, pneumatic systems can be found in many computer chairs.

You may be wondering why my office chair is sinking. It’s probably because of the pneumatic system it uses. The pneumatic technology is designed to handle moderate weights so there are very few chances of fluid leakage.

You can learn how to fix a hydraulic seat or what the pneumatic system is doing to your sinking office chair. Just keep reading and you will get a better understanding.

Let’s now look at the components used in both types. This will help you understand why your computer chair keeps sinking.

Maybe you are interested

• best office chair under 300
• best office chair for tall person

Components of a Pneumatic Chair

These chairs have 3-5 wheels

Supportive padding for the back

The height adjustment lever is located on the left or right bottom of the chair.

To store compressed air in a small gas cylinder for height adjustment

Components of a Hydraulic Chair

A base chamber and a seat

Two hollow chambers, one with a compressible liquid and the other with pressurized gases.

A hollow conduit connecting the chambers

A lever that controls the height of the office chair

Why Does My Hydraulic Chair Keep Going Down?

It doesn’t matter if the hydraulic chair you have is new. Sometimes, the hydraulic chair can fall because it has become old or rusty from frequent use. The cylinder may also be no longer functioning.

A lift mechanism (such as a valve or lever) controls standard hydraulic chairs. It allows you to move up or down depending on your desk height.

Your hydraulic chair’s lifting area is the problem. The main problem is the weak gas cylinder. When it fails, the gas in the chamber will pump out and eventually let the user sink.

Sinking is a problem that most office chairs have. This happens when your chair is used frequently, usually on a daily basis. These handy tips will help you fix an office chair if it has this problem.

How To Fix Hydraulic Chair

Method 1: Lubricate The Components

Lubrication is a great solution to squeaky chair problems. However, it can also be used for sinking office chairs. This is a great way to prolong the life of your chair.

Because office chairs have moving parts, they may be damaged from frequent use. Check to see if the lever controlling the height of the chair is not working as it should.

If the office chair doesn’t sink when you place it on it, it is time to oil it.

Rust could be the cause of the sinking. Two of the main reasons for rusting in office chairs are moisture in the air and air conditioners. Spraying WD-40 on the chair is the best way to combat this problem.

To loosen tight joints, apply lubricating oils to all bolts, screws, nuts. Spray oil on a soft surface and rub the oil onto any points where there are bolts or screws.

Regularly apply oil to stop your office chair from sinking or making squeaky sounds.

Method 2. Fasten The Cylinder Using A hose Clamp

Here are the essentials for this project.

• Hose clamp (use Jubilee clamp – get it from your nearest hardware store)
• Duct tape
• Screwdriver

The Jubilee clamps can be used to attach hose pipes to taps. It can be used for many purposes. These steps will show you how to use a hose clamp for fixing your sinking office chair.

Step 1: Flip your Chair to Access the Metallic Cylinder

To make it easier to reach the metallic cylinder, turn your swivel chair around. The barrel will have a protective plastic covering (often black), around it. Slide it off to expose the metallic cylindrical.

Next, adjust the height of your chair until it reaches your desired height.

Step 2: Attach the Jubilee Clamp to The Cylinder

Grab your hose clamp screw and unscrew the small bolt. Wrap it around the metallic cylindrical. Place it in the middle of the cylinder once you have wrapped it around it. Do not replace the bolt yet.

Next, wrap some duct tape around the top of the cylinder. The tape should be placed directly above the clamp. This will give the hose clamp a firm grip. This will prevent your office chair from sinking.

Step 3: Secure the Clamp Screw

Before you replace the screw, make sure to check the proper height of your hydraulic chair repair. Slide the clamp up towards the top of your cylinder and secure the screw as tight as you can.

Step 4: Test Your Chair

Although it may seem okay, is it really? You can test if it is sinking by sitting down on the office chair. It’s fine if it’s okay. Adjust the height of the office chair if it is still moving under the clamp.

Method 3 – Wrap a PVC Pipe Around The Chair’s Cylinder’s Metal Cylinder

What you will need:

• Bench vise
• Tape measure
• Saw (or another suitable cutting device)

A high-quality PVC pipe is another great way to eliminate the “sinking chair syndrome”. The pipe’s diameter should be slightly larger than the chair’s metal cylinder. Let’s get to it.

Step 1 – Measure your Chair’s Cylinder

Remove the plastic cover from your chair cylinder. Next, measure the circumference of the cylinder with a tape measure. The measurement doesn’t necessarily have to match exactly.

Next, adjust your sitting height to get an exact measurement of length.

Step 2 – Cover the Cylinder with The PVC Pipe

Wrap the PVC pipe around the cylinder. This should be done from the seat to the wheelbase. For best results, avoid adjusting the chair’s height.

Step 3 – Slit the Pipe

To avoid inhaling harmful particles, you should wear a mask before anything else. Attach the pipe to the vise, and then cut the PVC in half lengthwise (don’t cut the pipe from its center).

Step 4 – Cover the Cylinder with The PVC Pipe

You will need to remove the plastic covering from the cylinder and attach the pipe to the exposed metal part. This may take some time. You can also cut the PVC pipe into smaller pieces and then snap them together if it becomes difficult.

Step 5: Test Your Chair

Before you test the chair, make sure it is at your preferred height. You can always cut the pipe into smaller pieces to place over the cylinder if it isn’t. Once you are satisfied with the height, put it on your desk and enjoy your new fixed office chair.

Sometimes, the chair might be at the wrong height even after trying to adjust it correctly. Don’t panic if this happens. Grab the clamp and adjust the height or depth of the cylinder by moving it.

Method 4 – Replace Pneumatic Cylinder

Another way to fix a sinking office chair is to replace its pneumatic cylinder. It tends to wear out over time. It is important to replace the cylinder if it is causing your sinking office chair. Do-it-yourself is not recommended because it can be tedious to install a new pneumatic piston.

How Can You Fix The Hydraulics Of An Office Chair?

Don’t throw away your chair if the hydraulic system of your chair is damaged. You can replace the chair cylinder of your office chair, and also rebuild the lifting mechanism.

You will first need to take out the chair’s lift mechanism. This can take up to an hour. You will need a pipe wrench, a long handle, and a pair of needlenose pliers to do this.

Step 1

Grab the pipe wrench and remove the cylinder. If it won’t move, have someone assist you.

Step 2

Measure the length of the gas tube from the top to the bottom once it is removed. Take measurements of the cylinder and note them down. You can then purchase a replacement online or locally.

Step 3

The tapered end of your cylinder should be pushed onto your chair seat. Lubricate the bearing and attach it to the piston rod using the washers previously used. For a clean finish, secure the rod with the spring clip and wipe away any oil.

Step 4

You can test your new solution by raising the lift mechanism up to the perfect height. To push the gas cylinder into its retainer, bounce on the seat a few more times.

Conclusion

From various methods for lubricating hydraulic chairs to fixing hydraulic office chairs, you can easily find one that suits your requirement. We hope this guide will come in handy for your hydraulic lift operation. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. We would be happy to help you out.