How To Remove Office Chair Cylinder? Why Does My Office Chair Sink? [2022]

You have an important meeting in a few hours and a lot of work to do. But your office chair is again sinking, leaving you in discomfort and distraction. Does this happen with you in your office every day? Don’t let this become a forever problem as a sinking office chair can lead to various health issues and may cause severe body pains. Hence, address this problem right away!

The issue of sinking is common in old office chairs, but it may occur even in newly purchased pieces after use for a few months. Luckily, you don’t have to buy a new chair as it is possible to revamp this problem in a few simple ways.

So, if you want to be light on your pocket and want to rectify easily this issue, first understand why your office chair tends to sink.

Why Does Your Office Chair Sink?

Regardless of how old or new your chair is, it may sink. A sinking chair does not mean that it has completely torn off, rather the chair has lost its fit. The technical reason is the valve in the pneumatic piston in your office chair starts to leak.

This is because these chairs are based on a pneumatic cylinder, which controls the chair’s height through pressurized air. Because of regular pressure falling on the chair, the valve gets damaged and is unable to maintain the pressure. Hence, you need to fix the cylinder to restore the functionality of your chair.

Alternatively, you can try some simple DIY methods to fix this problem.

Ways to Fix the Sinking Chair Problem?

You can fix this problem by replacing the old cylinder with a new one or through other simple ways.

Method 1 –Put Oil the Mechanical Components

First, check for friction on your chair. If there is friction then the mechanical parts need lubricant. Oil the joints using WD40.

Oil all the nuts, screws, and bolts to loosen the joints. Spray the WD40 directly on the parts and let them dry.

Method 2 – How To Remove Office Chair Cylinder

This is one of the expensive methods to rectify the sinking chair problem. However, it is a permanent fix ensuring the full functionality of your chair.

Step 1 – Pick the Requisite Tools

Your toolbox must include tools like:

• Rag cloth or newspaper for protecting the workstation from stains or damage
• Rubber gloves for protecting the hands
• A screwdriver or wrench for tightening and loosening the screws
• WD-40 lubricant to remove the cylinder
• Rubber mallet for fixing the cylinder in a secured place

Step 2 – Prepare the Workplace and Yourself

Wear your gloves for protecting your hands from damage. Spread ragged cloth or newspaper in the workplace to prevent them from staining. Finally, position your chair upside down to start the process.

Step 3 – Remove the Office Chair Cylinder

You require a pipe wrench for this. Tighten the pipe wrench around the cylinder near the mechanism. When the wrench is firmly fixed, turn it slowly till it becomes loose. For a screwed cylinder, you would need a screwdriver.

Step 4–Remove the Base

To dislodge the chair’s base, turn the base upside down. Hit the back of the base using a rubber mallet. You may also use a hammer, but this may result in slight damage. If the base is stuck it may be quite difficult to remove. You need to follow some additional steps.

How To Remove a Stuck Base from Office Chair?

• Apply WD40 or another lubricant around the base joint.
• After a couple of minutes place an old paper or cloth on the workdesk.
• The chair’s column must touch the corner of your work desk for support.
• Stand a little away so that your feet stay protective.
• Hit the column of the chair’s base with a hammer or rubber mallet.

Step 5 – How to Install a New Gas Cylinder to Your Office Chair

Installing a new cylinder is simple and quick.

• Press the new cylinder into the base of your office chair. Place the cylinder centrally ensuring it does not lean on any one side.
• Attach cylinder to the seat and base and tighten the screws.
• Position the chair upright and sit on it to make sure everything is in place.
• Adjust the height to different levels to ensure your chair’s cylinder is working fine.

Bonus Tips – How To Select A Perfect Gas Cylinder For Your Office Chair

Picking a gas cylinder can be tricky if you are not a professional. But by considering a few parameters your task becomes easy. So, here we list a few aspects that are worth considering.

1. Measure Your Height

It is best to pick a cylinder that is in symmetry to your height. For example, a person with a height of 5’4” must pick a 4-inches cylinder. If your height is between 5’4” and 6’2” you must purchase a 5-inched cylinder. For people taller than 6’ a 6-inches cylinder is perfect.

• Determine the Height of Your Chair

Sit on your chair while your feet are placed on a flat surface and your knees bend in 90-Degrees. Now, measure the distance from your knee to the ground level. This distance is the height of your chair’s seat.

• Measure Your Chair’s Seat Height in Different Shoe Types

Determine the height of your chair’s seat in distinct footwear. While some people come wearing flat shoes others prefer heels. Your office chair must provide comfort in all situations.

Measuring the seat’s height in various shoes helps determine the basic requirements of the new cylinder.

• Measure Gas Cylinder

Use a tape measure to measure the gas cylinder. Remove the casing of the cylinder before measuring.

The tip of the measuring tape must touch the mechanism. The tape measure must stay near the gas lift. Also, measure the cylinder’s base as it indicates the overall dimensions of your cylinder’s body.

Always add an extra inch to the above measurement. But avoid adding the extra inch if you have detached the cylinder from its base and mechanism.

Method 3–The Hose Clamp Technique

Step 1 – Prepare the Materials

You will require:

• Duct tape
• ¾” or 2cm hose clamp
• Screwdriver

Step 2 –Position Your Chair Correctly

Move the plastic skirt to disclose the cylinder of the chair. Set the chair to an appropriate height and if it does not lie properly, lie on one side.

Step 3 – Remove Plastic Skirt

If the cylinder is covered with a plastic skirt you have to remove it. For this turn the chair upside down and push the retainer clip using a screwdriver.

Step 4 – Wrap Hose Clamp Around Cylinder

For wrapping the hose clamp around the cylinder, you first have to loosen the screw for pulling out the belt. Also, wrap the duct tape around the cylinder for a better surface. Tighten the clamp as much as you want so that it goes to the cylinder’s top.

Step 5 – Tighten the Screw

Use a screw tightener to pull and rotate the screw fixture. Make sure you create a firm grip.

Step 6 – Test Your Chair

Test the chair by ensuring it fits at the right height. You may move the clamp up or down and if you are not satisfied, you may follow another method.

Method 4–The PVC Pipe

This is the cheapest way among the various available measures.

Step 1 – Choose the Required Tools

• Rubber Mallet
• Cutting Tool
• PVC Water Pipe
• Measuring Tape
• Screwdriver or Wrench

Step 2 – Remove the Seat

Use a wrench or a screwdriver for removing the seat from its base. Position the chair in an upside position to loosen the screws. With the help of a rubber mallet hit the metal part and remove the seat gently.

Step 3 –Cut PVC Water Pipe

Wear protective equipment like gloves and glasses. Measure the length of the pipe and cut it using a cutting tool. Secure the pipe precisely to gain smooth edges.

Step 4 –Fit the PVC Pipe to the Cylinder

Measure the length, circumference, and width of the cylinder for correct pipe length. The diameter is a little bigger than a cylinder. Use a hacksaw and cut the pipe from one end before fitting it. It will be easier to slide the pipe on the cylinder.

Step 5 –Insert the Pipe on Cylinder

For inserting the strut, push PVC pipe on the cylinder ensuring there are no gaps between the strut and housing of the cylinder. Fit the pipe snugly so that it is not too loose or too tight.

Step 6 – Examine the Chair

Check the sturdiness of the chair and it would stop sinking. Maintain the proper length of the pipe for adequate height adjustment.

Conclusion

Your office chair is important equipment bringing you comfort in a busy environment. You must take quick action as soon as you witness the chair sinking problem.

Our abovementioned methods are quick and inexpensive. You can follow them to solve the sinking problem and change the cylinder easily. But if you still find it difficult it is better you hire a specialist.