Nothing feels quite like kicking back in a cozy recliner after a long day which is only possible when all the parts, especially the footrest, function properly. A malfunctioning footrest can take away from the ultimate relaxation experience, leaving you frustrated and uncomfortable.
Fortunately, knowing how to fix a recliner footrest isn’t complicated. In this guide, I’ll take you through the steps to diagnose and repair common footrest issues, so you can enjoy your favorite spot in the house. Be a DIY enthusiast, grab your tools, and start fixing via this guide!
Key Takeaways
[su_note note_color=”#fff3ad”]
- Locate and replace the malfunctioning spring. For sagging, inspect and replace the ratchet if necessary.
- When the footrest won’t stay down, lubricate the mechanism and reattach the wooden chassis securely.
- To address a loose footrest or strange noises, tighten all screws and bolts and apply lubricant.
- If the footrest leans, check for bent scissors, a broken spring, or tension problems, and fix them accordingly.[/su_note]
Tools You Will Need to Fix a Recliner Footrest
Before diving deep into the details, you need to gather some required tools that will be used in almost every solution to your recliner footrest problem.
- A Screwdriver – the size of the screwdriver should not be too long as it can lead to damaging your recliner chair.
- A Lubricant – you should have a good quality, silicon-based lubricant to help the footrest joint during the cleaning process.
- A Wrench – you may need to use a small, suitable wrench if a screwdriver is unable to open the nuts or screws.
How to Fix a Recliner Footrest? Step-by-Step Guide Here
In case your recliner’s footrest is not working properly, there can be many reasons behind it. I have discussed most of these reasons and also the solutions to overcome these problems and covered the most asked queries such as “how to repair the recliner couch mechanism” and how to fix a bent recliner mechanism.
Case 1: Spring Isn’t Working.
The recliner footrest uses a spring that assures the opening and closing of the Footrest. If the spring does not work, it will essentially lead to the not working of the footrest. Now if the spring is not working properly, it does not necessarily mean it is broken.
The first step in fixing a recliner footrest is to assess the issue. If the footrest is not working, it could be because of a malfunctioning spring. However, the spring may not necessarily be broken, and troubleshooting is needed to determine the root cause of the problem.
- Grab the screwdriver that you will need to troubleshoot and fix the footrest.
- Flip your recliner over to access the reclining mechanism. Make sure the recliner is stable and will not tip over.
- Locate the spring attached to the recliner footrest responsible for opening and closing the footrest.
- Use the screwdriver to unbolt the screws that hold the spring in place. Once unbolted, carefully remove it from the footrest.
- Replace the old, rusty spring with a new one that functions properly while ensuring that the new spring fits properly into the recliner footrest.
- Reassemble the Footrest Reattach the spring to the footrest and secure it with the screws. Make sure that everything is tightened properly.
- Flip the recliner back over to its original position and test the footrest to ensure it functions properly.
Case 2: Footrest is Sagging.
If your recliner footrest is sagging, you can easily solve this problem like the previous one. The sagging can occur due to loose ratchets or screws. But don’t worry since you just need to replace a part in the ratchet portion, and you will be good to go.
- The first step is the same as the previous fix; flip the recliner over so that you can access the reclining parts and mechanism.
- Look for the ratchet, a key component in the locking mechanism. It is responsible for holding the footrest in place when it is extended.
- Use the screwdriver to remove all the screws holding the ratchet and keep them in a safe place.
- After detaching the screws, you can approach the ratchet. Remove the bar from the ratchet and inspect it for damage. If the bar can be repaired, do so; otherwise, purchase a new bar.
- Insert the new or repaired bar into the ratchet while ensuring that the bar fits properly and is securely in place.
- Reattach the ratchet to the reclining mechanism and secure it with the screws. Make sure that everything is tightened correctly.
The footrest sagging should have been fixed up to this point. Once done, flip the recliner back over and test it to ensure it’s working appropriately.
Case 3: Footrest Won’t Stay Down.
If your recliner footrest is not closing properly, you definitely need to read this solution. So far, we have seen the solutions where we were using just a screwdriver. But in this problem, we need to use the lubricant I told you to have at the start.
- As usual, the first step is the same; flip the recliner over while ensuring it is stable and will not tip over.
- Look for the wooden chassis attached to the footrest frame with screws to support it.
- Use the screwdriver to remove all the screws that hold the wooden chassis to the footrest frame. Once removed, keep them in a safe place where you can discover them again.
- Apply lubricant to all the stiff joints in the footrest mechanism. Use a spray bottle lubricant for a more sophisticated application. Once done with the lubricating part, cover all the lubricated joints if possible.
- Once you have lubricated all the stiff joints, reattach the wooden chassis to the footrest frame with the help of screws that are properly tightened.
Congratulations! The problem of the footrest won’t stay down is resolved. Flip the recliner over now and start to enjoy using it again.
Case 4: Footrest Has Become Loose.
Having the recliner’s footrest become loose is one of the common problems with a recliner. However, what to do when you encounter such a problem? Let me tell you that.
- Flip the recliner over, making it easy to access the footrest mechanism.
- Check each screw and nut to see if they have become loose. If they are loose, use the screwdriver to carefully tighten all the loose bolts and nuts.
- Use a wrench to tighten any bolts or nuts that cannot be tightened with a screwdriver. Be careful not to use too much force as it can break the recliner frame.
- Flip the recliner back to its original position and check the footrest to see if it is still loose.
- If it is still loose, check all the screws and nuts again to ensure they are properly tightened.
Case 5: Strange Footrest Noises.
Suppose when you move the footrest or put your feet on, it makes weird sounds. In such a case, locate the sport where these sounds come from. It might be from the footrest mechanism or the bottom of the chair.
- Tighten all the loose screws and bolts if the noise is from the mechanism. They might have become loose after months of use and making the noise.
- If the noise is from the chair’s bottom, do the same thing. Make the relevant screws and bolts there tighter too.
- Once you have tightened the screws and bolts in both places, add some silicone-based lubricant to all the joints and other parts. It reduces friction so the noises.
Case 6: Footrest Leans To One Side.
When the footrest of your recliner is leaning to one of the sides, the following are the most common culprits behind the issue.
- Scissors of the footrest mechanism are either broken or bent.
- Loose or broken footrest spring.
- Too little or too much tension from the adjustment mechanisms.
[su_note note_color=”#dcf8d2″]TIP: Turn the recliner upside down and look at the mechanism. Locate the exact culprit behind the issue. You don’t need to take apart your recliner for this. [/su_note]
If scissors are bent, bring them out of the mechanism and get them back into the proper shape. But if they are broken, you’ll need to buy new ones and replace them with the broken ones.
In case the footrest spring is loose or broken, replace it with a new spring of the same size and measurements. Use the screwdriver to pull the spring out and inaugurate the new one.
For too little tension due to the adjustment mechanism, adjust the mechanism to bring back the default tension. Do the same if there is too little tension; adjust it to increase it.
Is It Worth Repairing Your Recliner?
It is worth repairing your recliner only when it isn’t seriously old and costs less than buying a new one. If your recliner is really, really old, you should think about getting a new one. Fixing it all the time can add up costs and might not be a cheap choice in the long run.
Why Is My Recliner Footrest Not Opening?
Broken Parts
Sometimes, the footrest doesn’t open due to a few broken parts. Repairing or replacing these parts can restore the flexibility of your footrest.
Wear And Tear
In older recliners, the footrest is commonly difficult to open. Over time, the metal joints and screws can become weak and not work as they should, causing them to get stuck. I advise you to replace such parts.
Broken Springs
Broken springs can affect all the moving sections, including the footrest. You should replace these broken springs with new, compatible ones to allow the footrest to open easily.
Rusting
Rust can build up on various parts of the footrest mechanism, preventing it from opening smoothly. To fix this issue, remove the rust and lubricate the part.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Fix a Recliner Mechanism?
When we talk about a recliner, it can mean two things, i.e., a power recliner or a manual recliner. The reclining mechanism of a power recliner is completely different from the reclining mechanism of a manual recliner.
Check all the screws and nuts. See if any of them is loose or broken. Replace in case of broken and tighten the bolts in case they are loose.
Check the other parts as well. You might need to use a screwdriver to replace parts of the recliner.
The procedure is not so simple in the case of a power recliner. So, call a professional if the mechanism not working or the seat recliner lever is broken.
How Do You Fix a Recliner Footrest that Won’t Stay Up or Sagging?
The footrest plays an important role in the reclining mechanism of a recliner. When a footrest does not work properly, the recliner is not working properly.
Sagging can be one of the reasons for the failure of the reclining mechanism. If your recliner’s Footrest is sagging or not staying up, you can fix it at home easily. You need to have a screwdriver to perform the phenomenon.
Flip the rocking rocker recliner first to locate the mechanism.
Once you flip your recliner, you need to find the ratchet.
Remove the screws using the screwdriver to detach the ratchet from the footrest’s frame. Now, take out the bar from the ratchet and place a new one.
After replacing the bar, just place the ratchet back into the frame and screw the bolts like before.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Lazy Boy Recliner?
It depends on the severity of the problem. If the issue is not major, you can fix your recliner at home. So, almost no cost when you fix the recliner yourself. But this is not always the case.
In case you can’t fix the recliner yourself, the repairing cost roughly starts from $400 and can increase to $1000. Don’t be surprised because if you can buy a fancy recliner, you will probably have no problem spending money on it.
What is the Footrest of a Recliner Called?
The footrest, as it is also clear from the name, is used to support the feet. When you use a recliner, you place your feet on the footrest. Many names are used to describe a footrest.
The most famous ones are the ottoman, footstool, and hassock; the most preferred name is Ottoman. The important thing is to know the purpose of the Footrest, and now you know it.
