IKEA Office Chair Screw

There are mainly two solutions for tightening the screws of IKEA office chairs, which can be selected according to the specific model and situation:

General Method: Continuous Force Application with Auxiliary Fixation

For most IKEA office chairs (when the specific model is not specified), when the screw cannot be screwed in further, the "two-handed coordination method" can be used to solve the problem. During the specific operation, the left hand should apply a relatively strong force to fix the corresponding part of the chair (such as the leg or backrest connection), ensuring the relative position stability between the screw hole and the screw; the right hand holds the screwdriver against the screw head, maintaining a vertical downward pressure while slowly rotating the screwdriver. The principle of this method is to eliminate the slight misalignment between the screw and the hole through left-hand fixation, and the continuous force applied by the right hand can break through the frictional resistance on the screw surface, allowing the threads to fully engage. When operating, note that if the screw hole is made of plastic, control the rotation force to avoid cracking the hole due to excessive force; if the screw is made of metal, the pressure can be appropriately increased, but ensure that the screwdriver fully fits the screw head to prevent slippage.

Special Model Method: Enlarging the Screw Hole

For specific models such as the IKEA ADDE chair, if the screw hole diameter becomes smaller due to long-term use or material shrinkage, the "hole enlargement method" can be used to solve the problem. The specific steps are as follows: Find a hard object that matches the diameter of the screw hole (such as a metal rod or hex wrench), ensuring it can be fully inserted into the hole without looseness; after inserting the object into the hole, use an adjustable wrench or pliers to grip the tail of the object, and slowly rotate it to enlarge the hole diameter; immediately install the screw after removing the object, at which point the screw can be screwed in more smoothly. The principle of this method is to restore the original size of the screw hole through physical expansion, enhancing the biting force of the threads. When operating, note that the force for hole enlargement should be uniform to avoid local over-expansion causing hole deformation; if the hole is made of plastic, it is recommended to perform multiple small expansions in stages, with each rotation angle not exceeding 15°, to prevent material breakage.

Precautions: If the screw still cannot be tightened, check whether the screw model matches (such as whether the length and diameter meet the installation requirements), or whether there are foreign objects (such as wood chips or plastic fragments) in the screw hole obstructing the installation. For metal screws, try applying a small amount of lubricant (such as WD-40) to the threads to reduce friction; for plastic holes, if they are still loose after hole enlargement, wrap 2-3 turns of PTFE tape around the tail of the screw to increase the thickness, and then try to install it again.