How To Fix Recliner That Leans To One Side? (DIY Guide)

First thing first, it’s totally normal if your once-perfect spot for relaxation, the recliner, now leans to one side, leaving you constantly readjusting and struggling to find a comfortable position. You’re not the only one facing this issue. A recliner that leans to one side can be frustrating and disrupt your much-needed downtime. 

But don’t worry. I’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to fix a recliner that leans to one side, so you can restore balance. From identifying the root cause to providing practical solutions, I’ll empower you with the knowledge and tips to get your recliner back to its optimal state. Read on to tackle this issue in no time!

How To Fix a Recliner That Leans to One Side? – Key Takeaways

[su_quote]A recliner may be leaning due to a broken/faulty reclining mechanism, poorly constructed chair frame, placing the recliner on an uneven floor, loosened recliner frame, or uneven padding.

To fix the issue, realign or replace the reclining mechanism, check and strengthen the material quality of the chair frame, adjust the floor or change the position of the recliner for even placement, replace or repair the recliner frame or parts, or make minor adjustments or padding corrections.

If still facing the issue, remove footrest screws and upholstery, apply oil for lubrication, fasten loose joints, look for cracking and replace damaged components, glue damaged sections with wood glue, and double-check all joints and connections.[/su_quote]

Causes & Solutions For a Leaning Recliner

We all know that every furniture item, whether a sofa, recliner, or any other piece of furniture, has its strength, material, lifespan, and weaknesses. If one of these factors gets affected, the primary purpose/functionality will also get affected. 

I will get into the solution to this problem, but before that, we must know why this is happening and the main factors behind this. The following are the causes of your recliner leaning, along with the possible fixes to resolve the issue. 

Broken/Fault Reclining Mechanism

Problem

A broken or faulty reclining mechanism is one of the core causes of leaning recliners. This means that the main sliding frame, due to which other parts can be customized to whatever angle a person needs at any reclining position angle, is damaged or has faulty parts. 

Solution

Luckily, there is also the most accessible way to fix this problem. You can either realign the sliding structure or replace the defective part. 

Poorly Constructed Chair Frame

Problem

This point is mainly concerned with the quality of the material used to construct a chair; if the manufacturer has not given the proper attention or used the appropriate material to build the chair, it can easily break down after some usage.

Solution

You should properly check the material quality and feel the moment you sit on it; you’ll quickly learn about the quality of the material used and whether it will last longer or sooner.

You might not know about these tricks and tips to access a good reclining chair or check the excellent material and you have bought it already. Still, you can strengthen the material’s quality by doing minor repairs and supporting it, or you can replace the recliner if it is under warranty.

Placing the Recliner On An Uneven Floor

Problem

An uneven floor can be a reason for breakage when a recliner is placed on an uneven floor. There will be a problem of weight distribution, and the overall weight of recliners can be shifted to one or two legs, which will cause breakage of some parts or it may cause injuries to the person sitting on it. 

Solution

You can repair and make possible arrangements with the floor to make this problem disappear, but it is recommended that you change the position of your recliner so that it can have an even floor where it can stand easily.

The Recliner’s Frame Get Loosened. 

Problem

Loosened frames are one of the common problems in early recliners. Their design structure was made so that the reclining mechanism, after some time of usage, will start losing, and it can be detected when your recliner starts making annoying noises when you sit on it.

Solution

As these models are older, it will not be easier to find experts, and it will be recommended to buy a newer recliner and replace it, or one can also try to find a similar model and then replace the parts to fix them. This solution will be cheaper. 

Uneven Padding May Be Causing It. 

Problem

Uneven padding may give you the idea that your recliner is broken, even though this issue is more decorative than structural. Furthermore, rather than reducing your back pain, it can worsen it. 

Solution

Often, the problem can be resolved by making a minor adjustment or adjusting the padding.

How To Fix a Recliner That Leans to One Side?

Although I have explored a wide range of reasons that may cause a recliner to lean and discussed their solution, here are some extra tips. The following is an in-detailed process to fix the leaning issue with the recliner. 

1. Remove the Screws Holding the Footrest.

The first step is to remove the screws holding the footrest and the wooden panel below. Keep the screws in one location since you will need them after finishing the repairs, or they can be lost. 

2. Remove the Upholstery From the Overlays.

The second step is to remove the upholstery from the panels’ frame-covering overlays. You will be able to see what needs to be replaced or fixed better once the frame has been stripped bare.

3. Apply the Oil to Lubricate the Noisy Joints.

The next step will be to apply the oil or spray on the region to lubricate noisy joints and springs. 

While doing so, place old newspapers all around your work area to catch oil drops. Otherwise, it will cause stains on your carpet or dirt on your floor. 

Additionally, you should remove any extra oil and periodically check to see if the frame still makes a noise as you move or sit on it.

4. Fasten Loose Joints With the Screwdriver.

The next step is, Fasten loose joints with the screwdriver. To avoid releasing tension from the coils, take care when loosening joints close to springs.

5. Look For Cracking In the Joints or Along the Frame.

The next step is to look for cracking in the joints or along the frame. They should be replaced immediately because of this early indicator.

6. Replace Any Damaged Components.

In the next step, Before replacing damaged components, remove them using the screwdrivers and clean the area. When installing the new feature, consult the recliner’s and the new part’s manuals. Confirm that everything is connected correctly.

7. Glue the Damaged Sections Together With Wood Glue.

Next, If the wooden panels are damaged, you can glue the section together with wood glue and add metal framing for stability. If the damage is too severe, you might replace it with a brand-new one.

8. Double-Check Every Joint Is Working Correctly.

At last, Verify that every joint is working correctly and that all the parts are securely connected. Replace the fabric after covering the mechanism with the wooden panels.

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