How to remove the wheels from an office [computer] chair and clean it of hair

Office chairs on wheels are extremely popular. They are used not only at work in the office, but also at home.

The key advantages of such furniture are its convenience and mobility. Thanks to it, your posture remains straight and your back does not get tired during long periods of work. Office chairs have a modern design and are ergonomic.

The presence of wheels allows you to move the chairs over short distances; for this it is not even necessary to lift the “fifth point” from the seat. The problem is that the elements that provide mobility fail over time.

From time to time there is a need to clean the wheels from dirt and replace them with new ones. This part can fail on any computer chair, regardless of its cost.

Why do wheels sometimes break?

The rollers bear the main load. They take on the weight of the entire product and whoever sits on it. Even simple dust can reduce their service life and lead to clogging of moving parts. Even careful use of the chair cannot completely eliminate the possibility of it breaking, especially when there is a manufacturing defect.

If the chair looks presentable, but the casters are broken, you can wait to buy a new one. First you need to understand why the wheels broke.

The reasons for the breakdown of wheels on office chairs can be different, the most common include:

The presence of unevenness on the floor on which they move.
Exceeding the permissible load on the chair.
Mechanical damage.
Expired service life.

The need to replace wheels arises when the landing pin is worn out and there is a manufacturing defect. Buying a new chair because of one wheel is irrational, especially if a person likes it and has developed a habit of using the chair.

The solution to the problem in such cases is to disassemble the chair yourself and replace the wheels. There are certain nuances of dismantling worn out rollers and installing new ones that need to be understood.

Reference! If the chair is under warranty, but the wheels have already broken, then the reason lies in a manufacturing defect or wear of the landing pin. If the rollers begin to work poorly after some time, it is most likely due to contamination.

Accumulated dust, pet hair, and even carpet lint must be removed; in most cases, this will solve the problem. Contamination causes clogging of moving parts, reducing the service life of components.

In some models of chairs, the wheels cannot be removed for cleaning, so they have to be replaced. If the work chair can actually be disassembled, then anyone can handle cleaning the casters.

At the stage of disassembling the chair, you need to act extremely carefully and not rush into anything. Hasty actions may result in damage to parts. In addition, the chair may fall and cause injury.

Features of gas lift operation

First of all, I note that the malfunction indicated in the title always indicates a breakdown of the gas lift - a unit that performs the following functions:

Creates a cushioning effect when you sit down. This relieves stress from the spine and makes sitting on the chair more comfortable. The element dampens the impact effect that often occurs when landing on rigid structures.
Raises or lowers the seat due to a special mechanism. This allows you to adapt the design to people of different heights and adapt it to different types of work. For example, writing requires a different position than working at a computer, and thanks to the gas lift, adjustments are made in literally a matter of seconds.
Provides rotation of the chair around its axis. This function is also provided by a pneumatic cartridge (this is also the name of the mechanism in question). Thanks to this element, you can rotate 360 degrees in both directions without any restrictions.

Thanks to the gas lift, the chairs become much more comfortable and functional

The design is a steel cylinder, inside of which a rod with a piston moves. The cylinder is made in the form of a sealed element of a certain shape, divided into two chambers. A valve is installed in the partition between the chambers, due to which gas moves from one chamber to another.

The gas is located in two chambers - external and internal and moves depending on the opening of the valve

When the seat is fully lowered, the piston is in the up position. When you press the lever, the damper opens and the gas moves from one chamber to another, it presses on the piston, and then it goes down, while simultaneously lifting the seat up.

When the lever is lowered, the valve closes and the structure is locked in the required position. Everything is quite simple, but if you look at the system inside, you will see that it consists of many elements. The diagram below shows a cross-section of the product.

The system inside is quite complex, but this does not matter, since we will not disassemble it

Another important element is the support bearing; it is located at the end of the rod and ensures free rotation of the chair in both directions.

The support bearing allows the chair to rotate freely in both directions

All pneumatic chucks are divided into classes, which depend on the thickness of the steel used for the elements inside which there is gas under pressure:

Class 1 - 1.2 mm.
Class 2 - 1.5 mm.
Class 3 - 2.0 mm (designed for loads up to 120 kg).
Class 4 - 2.5 mm (used on chairs that can support up to 150 kg).

The higher the class, the stronger and more durable the gas lift, but also the more expensive its cost.

Another part of the mechanism is the gas lift casing. It does not perform any functions and serves for decorative purposes, covering the metal cylinder and giving the chair a more attractive appearance. Used only on plastic models; on metal ones the structure does not close.

The casing is a simple telescopic element of three plastic sections inserted into each other

In what cases is it necessary to change wheels?

Before you start replacing the wheels on your office chair, you need to determine the nature of the problem. The need for this procedure arises if the wheels:

stopped spinning;
scratch the floor surface;
fall out of the fastenings.

All these problems serve as a reason for replacement.

Do you have an office (computer) chair?

Not really

Removing stains

Not every stain can be removed completely, without traces
. There is a basic rule in the fight against stains: the faster you start eliminating stains, the less chance you have of getting a “blot” on the surface.

Any cleaning begins with this procedure - removing contaminants. If you neglect this stage, you can end up with clean furniture with old stains. Then the cleaning will have to be repeated. To remove stains, you can use special products (after testing their effect on an inconspicuous place on the upholstery). You can also use folk remedies.

Fat.

Sprinkle a fresh stain with salt, leave to absorb for 10-15 minutes, then remove with a cloth. The remaining stains are treated with a small amount of foamed dishwashing detergent. Remains of foam are removed with a damp cloth and dried well.

A lot of debris always accumulates on the rollers

Red wine.

Only spilled alcohol is blotted with a napkin, salt is poured in and wiped with an alcohol solution, after which everything is washed off with water.

Blood.

The sooner you start cleaning, the easier it is to remove the stain. It is washed with cold water, then with soapy water. Hydrogen peroxide works well. If the stain is dry, you can use a 9% vinegar solution. They carefully treat the stain and then wash it with cold soapy water. Residues are removed with a damp sponge.

Ink, felt-tip pen, ballpoint pen paste, lipstick.

Ethyl alcohol removes such stains well.

Chewing gum.

Before removing it, it should be frozen by placing an ice cube on top.

Coffee.

Such contaminants are removed by treating them with a 1:1 mixture of ammonia and glycerin, then go through with a soap solution.

Note. By following these simple recommendations, you can remove dirt from the surface of your favorite work chair.

Tools

It is impossible to change wheels without a set of special tools. They are in every home and even in offices. We are talking about a screwdriver, hammer or pliers.

Instead of a screwdriver, you can use a special plate. Use a thin part to pry up the wheel, carefully disconnecting it. This tool is also needed to remove the plugs inserted into the rollers.

When disconnecting the rollers, the iron pin may become stuck in the crosspiece. Pliers will help to remove it. To knock out a stuck wheel, use a regular or rubberized hammer. It is used to disconnect the gas lift.

For a more thorough repair, which involves replacing not only the rollers, but also the cross, you will need a ring drift. It will simplify the separation of the cross from the gas lift.

Important! Experts advise using lubricant to treat parts before dismantling worn ones and installing others. Many people neglect this procedure and in vain. Lubricated chairs do not creak and last much longer.

Instructions for disassembling the cross

REFERENCE! The gas cartridge of the chair is connected to the crosspiece. There is a lubricant inside it that may leak out during disassembly.

The chair needs to be turned upside down so that the central part of the cross has a good view and is easily accessible. It is necessary to give the chair proper stability so that it does not sway during disassembly;
Next you need to remove the gas cartridge. To perform this operation, you must first remove the seat. This is quite simple to do - you need to unscrew the 4 bolts that secure it to the piastre. The piastra is the part that connects the seat and the gas lift and is responsible for adjusting the height;
Using a mallet or hammer, you need to knock the piastre off the gas lift;
After this, you need to remove the lock washer at the bottom of the cross and remove the gas lift rod from the casing;

NOTE! You need to act carefully, since there is a bearing and oil seal inside the casing.

By gently tapping the hammer, the crosspiece is knocked off the gas lift;
After which you need to assemble the gas lift to its original state;
The wheels also need to be removed. The rollers are not secured in any way and can be removed with some effort;

Each step must be performed carefully, since most of the parts are made of plastic, so they are quite easy to damage.

If you have all the necessary materials and minimal experience, the entire procedure takes from ten minutes to half an hour.

How to remove?

The key to replacing wheels on an office chair involves removing them. Prepare all the necessary tools for this in advance.

To replace the roller wheels or simply clean out debris, you need to pull them out. This is a simple task; you don’t have to contact a professional to handle it.

Tip : treat the roller attachment points with lubricant to make work easier.

Proceed sequentially:

Turn the chair upside down and place it on a stable surface.
Try to remove the roller from the chair with your hands.
If necessary, pry up the casing using a slotted screwdriver, move it to the side, hook the wheel and remove it.

If the wheel comes off but the pin does not, use pliers.

Assembling a chair is more difficult than disassembling it. To prevent parts from getting lost, pack them carefully after removal.

Failure of the landing pin for fastening the wheels, the absence of locking rings on the rollers, or wear of the crosspiece plug lead to the wheels falling out. The solution to the problem is to replace the crosspiece and partially disassemble the chair.

Turn the chair over and remove the wheels as described above. To remove the crosspiece from the gas lift, hold onto the gas lift and carefully tap it with a hammer from above in the area where it is fixed. The failed part can be easily removed. Do not make great efforts so as not to damage the parts.

Rollers falling out is the most common problem faced by most owners of such furniture.

Do-it-yourself chair cross repair

Office chairs are designed to be lightweight, maneuverable and comfortable for long periods of work in the office or at home. Many of the chairs have a height-adjustable, sophisticated rocking mechanism for greater comfort and convenience. Some modern office chairs even come with a massage device built into the back and seat of the chair. It’s a pity that such chairs are still quite expensive for mass use in offices. During the operation of any chair, individual components need to be replaced due to wear. Today we will tell you how to replace the crosspiece of an office chair yourself.

Step-by-step instruction

Lay down some newspaper or an absorbent cloth to prevent grease from getting on the floor. The crosspiece of the office chair is connected to a gas cartridge, which is generously lubricated and the lubricant can stain the floor covering.

Turn the chair upside down so that the center of the cross is visible and easily accessible to you. Place the chair with its back on the floor, holding it by the edges of the seat, or place it with the seat on another free chair or table.

Unfortunately, to remove the crosspiece we will need to disassemble the gas cartridge of the chair. To do this, locate the locking clip in the center of the cross. Use a flat-head screwdriver or pliers to pick up the upper tab of the clip and, pushing towards the bend, remove it.

Remove the steel washer under the clip. It doesn't hold on to anything and just falls out. Don't lose the washer and clip - you will need them when assembling the chair.

Pull out the crosspiece by pulling up and turning counterclockwise at the same time. The crosspiece and the black metal “glass” of the gas cartridge must be removed as a single unit. Keep an eye on the parts inside the gas cartridge. Some of them may remain in the “glass” in the lubricant layer. The sequence and composition of the gas cartridge parts are described in detail in our article “How to replace the gas cartridge in an office chair.” On the cylinder rod, counting from the end with the recess where the lock washer-clip was attached, the parts are located in the following order: lock clip-latch, steel washer, brass washer, bearing with balls, second washer and rubber shock absorber.

Remove the rollers from the cross. They are not fastened with anything and with some effort they are pulled out of the cross vertically upward.

In order to disconnect the metal black “glass” of the gas cartridge from the crosspiece, you must use a circular drift. For this, a 30 or 32 socket socket is quite suitable, which we install on top of the bottom of the “glass” in the center of the cross. You can also use a flat board. We take a hammer or sledgehammer up to 2 kg and, holding the cross in weight or placing it on our knees with the “glass” down, knock the “glass” out of the cross. Do not hit the walls of the “glass” directly with a hammer; they are easily deformed.

What is the secret of a reliable office chair, read in our article “Reliable office chair.” The process of replacing the gas cartridge is described in our article “How to replace the gas cartridge in an office chair

How to remove hair?

The wheels of office chairs get most dirty in homes where there are pets. Even regular wet cleaning does not solve the problem. Over time, all objects around will still become clogged with wool.

Attention! Dirty rollers begin to jam. At the first sign of dust and hair accumulation, you should clean the furniture.

Turn the chair over and inspect the wheels. Find out if they are clogged with animal hair or textile fibers (if there is a carpet on the floor).

The first step is to try to clean the rollers by hand. If everything works out, they will spin like new again. If normal cleaning fails, use scissors or a knife. The main thing is not to hurt your fingers in the process of removing dirt. Sharp objects are ideal for removing hairballs and textile fibers.

To remove the casters from an office chair for cleaning, you need to turn the furniture over and unscrew the mounting bolts. The wheels must be washed in soapy water and only then put them back in place.

Checking the contents

Wheels

Most product models are equipped with special wheels that are mounted on the crosspiece. The diameter of the rollers does not exceed fifty millimeters, and the size of the rods is ten millimeters. Most often, the wheels are supplied separately from the crosspiece and therefore you will have to install them yourself.

If the chair will be placed on parquet or linoleum, it is recommended to buy rubberized casters. They will not damage the surface and will not leave marks on it.

Cross

When checking the package, you need to make sure there is a crosspiece. This is an irreplaceable part on which the rest of the structure is installed.

The crosspiece is made of the following materials:

Wooden. Wood parts are used in expensive office chairs. The advantages of wooden crosses include an attractive appearance and resistance to high loads.
Chrome plated. Such products are considered the most reliable and durable. Chrome parts are versatile, as they are installed in both expensive and budget chairs.
Plastic. Budget chairs are equipped with plastic crosspieces. In terms of strength, they are inferior to products that are made of metal or wood.

Lifting mechanism and casing

The kit should include a special mechanism for raising and lowering the seat. It is installed between the chair support and its cross.

A gas lift is a hydraulic gas device found in every office chair. If it is not included in the package, you will have to contact representatives of the store where the product was purchased.

Seat, back, 2 armrests

In addition to the above components, the kit should include two armrests, a seat and a backrest. These details make the office chair more comfortable. However, sometimes the kit may be missing something. Most often this happens when they buy budget models of office chairs that are sold without armrests.

Set of bolts and other fasteners

The parts from which the chair is assembled are secured using special fasteners. Bolts and screws should be included with the rest of the chair. Most components are attached to each other with small screws about one and a half centimeters long. To attach the side armrests, stronger fasteners are used - bolts.

Special key

Some office chairs have components that are secured not with screws or bolts, but with fasteners with a special hex hole in the head. Such fasteners are not very common, and not every person has a tool for working with hexagons. Therefore, manufacturers must ensure that a special key is included in the kit.

Sequence of installation of new parts

Replacing worn wheels with new ones is carried out in a certain sequence. The method of repair and installation of new rollers depends on the specifics of the breakdown.

If the wheels do not rotate, it means they are dirty. Remove, wash the parts (use a brush if necessary), be sure to dry them, and only then put them back in place.

Important! The wheels falling out does not indicate a malfunction of the plug (the socket in the crosspiece that secures the roller). It will have to be replaced by separating the wheels and removing the protective plastic covers.

The plugs are removed with a screwdriver. New sockets are installed, after which the casings with rollers are returned to their place.

If the wheels are damaged, disconnect the broken part, inspect the socket for damage, and then install a new roller.

In addition to damage to the wheels, computer chairs are susceptible to other malfunctions. Often there is a need to replace the crosspiece. Metal or plastic is used to manufacture this element. The first option is more expensive, but it is more reliable.

Plastic crosses are less durable, but lightweight and affordable. Chrome products are not only famous for their reliability, but also look aesthetically pleasing. Choose a cross with an ideal coating; there should be no unevenness on its surface.

Important! At the stage of disassembling the structure, it is unacceptable to knock on the gas chamber. Dismantle the gas lift carefully, making precise blows along the edge.

The gas lift mount is standard on all types of office chairs, so there is no point in worrying about its incompatibility with the new cross.

Have you ever cleaned wheels of debris and hair?

Not really

Kinds

The main rule is that on a hard floor the wheels should be soft and vice versa. Otherwise, there will be either scratches on the coating or great effort when rolling. Therefore, you need to choose the right roller material.

Material

Plastic. The most inexpensive and installed on most chairs. They are suitable for carpets as they do not leave marks on them. Parquet can be scratched, and thin linoleum can be pressed through.

Silicone. Well suited for uneven floors. They do not leave marks on parquet and laminate flooring and allow you to avoid noticing joints. The strength of such wheels is lower than polyurethane ones.

Rubber. Similar to silicone, but may leave dark streaks on varnished floors. Not suitable for sterile environments.

Polyurethane. High strength is combined with an attractive appearance and an abundance of colors. They have proven themselves well on all types of coatings. They are resistant to aggressive influences, which allows them to be used not only at home or in the office.

In addition to the material, there are differences in the design of the rollers.

Design

The design of the wheels should match the style of the chair, so different models have their own options.

Office. They can be open or protected by a skirt that prevents wires from getting into the wheel. The latter option is more beautiful and safer, but it is more difficult to maintain. Often wheels are rubberized - this is when a rubber tire is put on a plastic hub. This increases comfort and the wheels run silently.

Gaming or gaming. They are stylized to resemble the rims of cars and motorcycles and are painted accordingly. Some are very similar to roller wheels and have spokes, others differ from office wheels only in the pattern. You need to be careful with them, because if a foreign object gets into the knitting needles while moving, there may be unpleasant consequences.

Wheels with locks. They have a rotation locking mechanism, which in theory allows you to lock the chair in one position. In practice, the chair can slide on the floor. Yes, and you need to fix all 5 wheels, which is not very convenient. Fortunately, the lever can be pressed with your foot.

Additional Tips

Use a screwdriver to remove excess parts. Professionals advise performing a complete replacement, since different types of wheels can make it difficult to move on the floor covering. Timely replacement guarantees a longer service life of the rollers.

Choose your videos wisely. You should not buy the cheapest ones, they will not last long. Look at what casters were originally on the chair, try to find the same ones. If necessary, consult with the store salesperson.

Advice! After installing new wheels, be sure to test the chair to make sure it can withstand the load. Roll it around the room. Check to see if the wheels are catching on the floors. If your flooring has uneven surfaces, remove them, otherwise the new rollers will not last long.

If you wish, you can change the wheels on your office chair yourself - this will eliminate the need to spend money on buying new furniture. Damaged rollers cause a lot of inconvenience, so you should not delay replacing them. New wheels are inexpensive and don't take much time to install. Extend the life of your computer chair by replacing the casters yourself.

You will find 13 ways to clean your computer and laptop monitor at home in this article, and how to clean a laptop keyboard in this article. Also find out how to clean your laptop from dust with your own hands.

Product disassembly stages

If a computer chair breaks, the first thing you need to do is disassemble the structure. To do this, you will need a rubber hammer, slotted and Phillips screwdrivers, and a hammer drill. All actions are performed in stages:

The first step is to remove the seat, turn the chair upside down, and pull out the fasteners.
We unscrew the bolts securing the armrests and remove these parts along with the plates.
Disconnect the clips that hold the permanent contact.
The crosshead is separated from the air chuck by lightly tapping the connection with a hammer.
The wheels are removed from the mounting grooves, the caps located in the steel casing are removed. The procedure is performed using a flat blade screwdriver.

Stages of making a manger with your own hands, finishing

It is recommended to carry out all manipulations with the mechanisms that hold the structure suspended, so as not to break the fragile plastic parts. For the same reason, you should not apply physical stress when unscrewing the fasteners. Having completed disassembling the computer chair, you need to collect all the parts in one place so as not to lose anything.

Varieties

Existing models differ in various parameters. Next, let's look at them in a little more detail.

Materials

An extensive selection of materials allows you to develop models for any type of interior.

Wood is a very popular and stylish option, most often used to make custom-made chairs for important people. Only durable wood species are used, and metal raw materials are used for the middle. The wheels are mounted on a hub with a cap.

Wood + steel is an option that includes the beauty of wooden models, but completely eliminates the problems of wood. The peculiarity is that the metal frame gives strength, resistance to deformation and swelling from moisture.

Chromed steel - this option is budget-friendly, strong, corrosion-resistant and fairly easy to replace.

Polished aluminum is a relatively expensive option, but the durability of these products makes the price worth it. Aluminum crosspieces can withstand loads of up to 160 kg.

Plastic is the most common material; most of the chairs sold have just such a base. A plastic cross is a budget solution; there are many models with a variety of designs that can withstand heavy loads.

Nylon is a fairly durable option for relatively little money. The downside is that such a cross is susceptible to breakage when the center of gravity moves to one side, then independently repairing a broken beam is almost impossible.

Dimensions

To classify crosses by size, three parameters are used. Cross diameter. The rays extending from the middle can have a diameter from 480 to 700 mm, so it was decided to divide these sizes according to the target audience of buyers.

For children and teenagers. For this category of users, models have been developed that are designed for relatively lighter loads and are smaller in size. The diameter of the crosspieces for such chairs is 480–580 mm.

For office and computer work (adults). This is the most common model of crosses, the diameter of which ranges from 600-680 mm. Withstands greater loads compared to previous ones, designed for larger seats.

For managers (adults). The largest and reinforced crosspiece, has a diameter of more than 700 mm, ensuring uniform distribution of the load from massive seats, allows you to install chairs with reclining backs on it, as it better withstands the movement of the center of gravity to one side.

Diameter of hole for gas lift. There are 2 options.

A 50 mm hole is the most popular type; most gas lifts have this pipe diameter. It is used in budget models, and therefore allows repair work to be carried out much cheaper.
38 mm hole - for models with massive chairs (for executives) from the premium segment.

. Wheel hole diameter. There are also 2 size options to consider when it comes time to repair the spiders.

11 mm is the most common solution, found in most crosses, and therefore there are no problems finding wheels for any type of floor material.
10 mm is a rare hole, functionally no different from the previous version, used in wooden and designer crosses.

Design

Strengthening the structure is achieved through the use of durable materials and reinforcing parts. Additional gluing, double welding of seams, attachment of steel corners and threaded elements allow the chair to withstand greater loads compared to unreinforced models. Bases made from combinations of materials often have caps on the bottom surface to make the cross more durable.