Updated at: 13-07-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Recliners can be aligned, as you may not have known. With the appropriate stages and the right equipment, this endeavor isn’t as difficult as it first appears. We’ll walk you through it in 11 simple steps. There are no complicated or pricey phases in this process, so don’t worry!

What is Aligning a Recliner?

Adjusting a recliner so that both the back and the seat are at the same height is known as aligning it. As a result, there won’t be any pressure spots on either side of your body, which can lead to long-lasting pain and even dangerous medical disorders like sciatica, while you sit in your chair for long periods of time.

How to Align a Recliner? 7 Easy DIY Steps! - Krostrade

The quality of your sleep may also be improved by adjusting a recliner. Sitting in this chair for hours at a time at night while having pressure points on both sides interrupts the normal flow of blood and oxygen throughout your body.

How Do You Level A Recliner?

A recliner can be aligned in one of two ways. The first method is the simplest because it requires no instruments other than your hands; nevertheless, it is more time consuming:

Then, with your palm pressing down into the top of the frame, place the other hand on the chair’s back.

Your arms should begin to straighten as you lift the front of the frame with your other hand.

Release both hands’ pressure when you hear or feel a click or a locking in place.

The second way is done with a wrench:

On the rocker base of the recliner, place one hand on each side (the base that the chair rocks on)

Tighten or loosen each bolt with your other hand until it is flush with the floor.

How to Fix a Recliner that Won’t Recline?

Identifying the problem is the first step in chair repair. If you discover that one of the feet is bent or broken, you may be able to identify the problem on your own. This can be a little more difficult and require some minor debugging at other times. In order to do this:

Check to verify if the recliner’s bolts are properly tightened. Use a ratchet or wrench to tighten any that are slack.

Pull on one end of the chair’s springs to see if it slides easily without resistance from the other side and see how tight they are. Tighten any screws that require it.

Parts that are worn out and in need of replacement can be found in Step 4.

When a recliner won’t stay upright, test the locking mechanism on both sides to make sure it’s engaged properly and can be adjusted up or down without any difficulty.

At these spots, inspect for loose screws and, if necessary, retighten them. Wrench/ratchet to tighten.

Replace any damaged or under-tensioned springs before moving on to Step 7. Using a ratchet or wrench, tighten the bolts as described above.

Move ropes left and right to look for kinks that need to be loosened (see diagram below).

How to Adjust Recliner Chairs

Benefits of Aligning a Recliner

When you’re sitting or lying down in a chair, you’ll feel more at peace.

By providing greater support for your back, you’re improving the health and alignment of your spine.

When a recliner is properly aligned, its front feet do not tilt to one side or the other, making it easier to move around. Tipping is less likely when this is the case.

Because you don’t have to worry about being too close or too far from the chair, getting in and out is a lot easier.

Can I Align a Manual Recliner?

A manual recliner cannot be straightened. Nylon ropes wrapped around the chair’s legs are the only means by which the chair’s front feet can be tightened or unfastened.

In cases where there are numerous lines available on either side and one rope has some slack, tighten it up and try another loose rope. Take as many actions as possible in this situation.

Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s or owner’s instructions if your chair does not have a manual mechanism. Enter the model number into Google to download a PDF of the instructions.

When Should You Adjust Your Recliner Chair?

The recliner tension and pitch are the two most important aspects of adjustment.

There are two ways to describe recliner tension: easy or tough. You’ll face a variety of situations when you’ll need to adjust the recliner’s tension.

If you’re really heavy, the recliner may tip backwards more easily. Big man recliners or a lot of tension are required to make you feel at ease. If you’re taller, pregnant, or have back difficulties, you may need to use more tension. But it’s not over yet.

Another clue that you need to apply tension is if the chair quickly tilts back when you sit down. It’s not just your comfort that is at risk when the chair is too loose; your safety is also at risk because the chair could collapse backward.

If, as a result of a medical condition or operation, you have lost weight or strength, the opposite is true. In such a state, you don’t want to deal with a recliner. In order to relieve the backrest’s movement, you should reduce the amount of tension. And if you have children, the finest recliners for kids would be an equally good option.

You may only test your recliner now to see if the tension is too high or too low. Find the buttons or lever that control the recliner’s reclining mechanism, lean back, and begin to operate it while sitting on the recliner. This suggests the chair’s tension is too high if you find it difficult to recline it. And if the chair is too loose, you’ll want to tighten it up.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how to make a chair work for you.

How To Adjust Recliners: The Steps

Step 1: Flip The Chair

The first step is to empty the space where you’ll be working so that you can fix and test the recliner. After that, make sure the backrest is in its upright position and the footrests are locked.

When it comes to folding your chair, make sure to verify its weight. In order to avoid accidents or broken chairs, you must know the chair’s weight before using it.

You can now flip the chair over to see what’s on the other side. Ideally, the armrests should rest on the floor, supported by the backrest’s upper side.

Step 2: Look For The Adjustment Components

Examine the chair’s underbelly thoroughly to discover the mechanism for adjusting the tension. The location of this portion varies, although most recliners have it readily visible. When it comes to location, it could be anywhere from bottom to back.

There are wingnuts and thumbwheels on most versions. There will be a bolt on both the left and right sides of the chair that is connected to tension springs. You can’t adjust your chair if you can’t see the mechanism.

How to Adjust the Tensions of a Lazyboy Recliner - Krostrade

Step 3: Adjust The Recliner

This is the point at which you can either raise or lower the level of tension. Based on the findings of your evaluation, you should proceed with caution or not at all. Turn the thumbwheel/wing nut clockwise if you want to increase tension. Do the exact opposite to relieve tension. It’s just that simple!

Make sure that the recliner’s adjustability is equal on both sides. Make full, half, or quarter-turns to make this easy. It’s much easier to maintain uniformity in the modifications this way.

There are several varieties of recliners that can be easily adjusted without the use of special equipment or gloves. If you turn the thumbwheel/wing nut, you can see if it’s easy or difficult.

Step 4: Test The Tension

Sit down on the chair and see if the tension is where you want it to be before returning it to its upright position. Getting up, flipping it, and repeating the four steps should fix it if it’s still leaning back too quickly or is too stiff.

Don’t let yourself become discouraged too early, as this is nothing out of the ordinary. The correct tension to utilize for yourself, your children, and anyone else who uses your chair frequently may take some time to perfect.

Just keep tinkering with the settings until you discover one that’s comfortable for both you and the person wearing it.

Bonus Tip

Adjusting the tension too far can be a common blunder for most people, i.e. either excessively tight or loose. Your tension springs will be damaged as a result of this. It’s possible that they’ll snap or lose their potency. Making ensuring your spring isn’t excessively slack or inflexible is the key to avoiding these kinds of mishaps.

Let’s take a final look at how to adjust a La-Z-Boy chair before we say goodbye.

How To Adjust A La-Z-Boy Recliner

Adjustable tension is a standard feature in La-Z-Boy recliners. This is what you should do if you start to feel a little amount of discomfort.

A tool that makes the adjustment easier should be procured. If your fingers aren’t small enough to reach the wing nuts, it may be tough to turn them with your bare hands.

As a last step, follow the four stages we’ve outlined in detail. To test the chair, flip it over, find the wingnuts, and make the necessary adjustments. The manual recliner can also be converted into an electric recliner.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Fix a Recliner That Leans to One Side?

There could be a variety of reasons why your recliner is leaning to one side. Because to poor engineering, loose wooden frames, uneven cushioning, uneven floors, or an imbalance in the spring mechanism.

The tension is out of whack, which is the most common cause of the leaning. It is likely that one side is more or less tense than the other. However, the solution to this problem is quite simple.

It is important to keep in mind the four phases that we mentioned before. Observe the steps, but make sure the tension is equal on both the left and right sides when it comes time to adjust the recliner. Adjust the recliner to the position where you feel most at ease with it.

How Do You Fix a Recliner That Won’t Close?

Your recliner may not close for a variety of reasons. There’s no need to swap it out. Often, it’s because of simple fixes you can make. Regular wear and tear is at the top of the list.

As every model’s reclining mechanism is unique, you should spend some time getting to know yours. Observe the cable, cord, handle, and spring mechanism after you’ve mastered the device’s use and familiarity.

Spring tension issues, inadequate lubrication, and loose bolts, bolts, and rivets are among the most common causes. Electric models may experience this difficulty if the wiring or other components are broken.

Manual Brown Leather Recliner Chair, Rs 55000 Bab Leather Lounge (Brand Of A & A Leather Creations) | ID: 12451964933

It’s up to you whether you address the problems yourself or seek the assistance of a professional.

A Summary Of How To Adjust A Recliner

By now, I’m sure you’ve come to the same conclusion as I have: this is a straightforward procedure. Just four simple actions and you’ll have your recliner in the best possible position for you.

In spite of the fact that this may be done using only one’s bare hands, I’d recommend having the necessary tools on hand just in case.

It’s also worth noting that these instructions are only applicable to recliners with manual controls. When using a power recliner, the process is slightly different than when using a manual one.