Common Problem

Appearance

When you look at the chair, it appears to be leaning.

Potential causes:

  • Bent reclining mechanism that is leaning - If the mechanism is leaning, the chair will follow. This is one of the most common causes.
  • Uneven padding across the top of the back or seat - also a common cause. This is a padding issue, not structural.
  • Chair frame constructed out of square - When this is the case, you'll have this problem from day one. (This is not a common cause.)
  • Frame listing or leaning - On older chairs, wooden frames can loosen up over time and develop leans or creaking noises.
  • Floor uneven - Move the chair to several different locations within the same room. Does the chair lean in some spots, but not others? If so, the floor is uneven.

Comfort Issues

  • My seat is sinking / I feel like I'm leaning when seated.
Proper support and comfort is provided by your chair's padding and padding support system (usually springs). When the seat padding compresses over time, you sink lower in the chair. If you tend to sit next to one of the arms, that side of your seat cushion will compress or break-in first. Eventually this will cause a leaning effect.
Solution: Replace the seat padding.
  • My back hurts, the chair is no longer comfortable.
If the chair was comfortable when you bought it, you likely have a padding problem in the seat and/or back. When the seat cushion compresses, you sit lower in the chair. This can cause a gap in the lower back area (back pain). It can also result in head or neck pain. Compressed padding in the lumbar area can also cause discomfort.
Solution: Have a repair tech check your padding and recommend the proper fix.
  • It feels like there's a hole in the seat.

If there's a "hole" today that wasn't there yesterday, it's probably a broken seat spring or webbing.

Solution: Roll the chair over to have a look at the springs under the seat. If any are broken, you'll see them hanging down or poking through the dust cover. Have a tech replace or reattach springs as necessary.

Problems With Operation

  • The reclining mechanism binds or gets stuck during operation.

Solution: Roll the chair over and look for objects caught in the mechanism: toys, etc. No obstructions? Have a repair tech repair your mechanism.

  • The footrest leans when the recliner is open.
Usually an indication the reclining mechanism scissors are bent or broken.
Solution: Rebuild / replace the mechanism, as necessary.
The footrest is hard to open / close, or it rubs the frame when opening / closing.
This suggests a problem with the reclining mechanism or chair frame.
Solution: Have a repair tech pinpoint the cause.
  • All footrests on my reclining sofa (or loveseat) strike the carpet before closing.

Solution: If your unit has adjustable floor glides, raise them along the front floor rail of the unit. If you have none, place a tall leg cup under each glide.