Office Chair Caster Broken

If the caster of an office chair is broken, you can choose to replace the damaged universal wheel or replace the entire chair leg for repair depending on the breakage situation. Here are the specific methods:

Replacing the Damaged Universal Wheel

• Identify the Wheel Type: Turn the chair upside down and observe the connection method of the damaged wheel. There are mainly two types. One is the threaded type, where the top of the wheel has a screw rod that is directly screwed into the threaded hole of the chair leg base. The other is the pin-type, where the top of the wheel is a metal pin that is inserted into the base hole and fixed by an internal snap ring or rubber expansion ring.
• Remove the Old Universal Wheel:
  • Threaded Type: Use your hand or a tool such as pliers or a screwdriver as a lever to rotate the wheel counterclockwise and unscrew it.
  • Pin-Type: Use both hands to firmly grip the wheel (or use pliers), press down while rotating it left and right, and use the elastic deformation to release the snap ring and pull out the wheel. If the plastic part of the wheel has fallen off but the central iron core remains on the seat, use an iron nail hammer to hook the catch part of the iron core of the broken wheel, and then use another hammer to strike the load-bearing rod of the seat. After multiple strikes, the wheel should be removable. If the wheel is damaged but has not fallen off, hold the wheel with your hand and strike the load-bearing rod of the seat with a hammer. After a few strikes, the wheel can be removed.
• Install the New Universal Wheel: When purchasing a new wheel, ensure that its model, size (such as the pin diameter and wheel width), and load-bearing capacity match those of the old wheel.
  • Threaded Type: Align the new wheel with the hole and screw it in clockwise and tighten it.
  • Pin-Type: Align the pin of the new wheel with the hole in the chair leg base and insert it vertically with force until you hear a 'click', indicating that the snap ring has snapped into place. If the plastic bushing (present in some seat designs) was lost during removal, purchase and install a new bushing before installing the new wheel.

Replacing the Entire Chair Leg

When the five-star base itself is broken, severely deformed, or detached from the central column, the most reliable solution is to replace the entire base.

• Remove the Old Five-Star Base: Place the chair on its side or gently turn it upside down on a soft pad. Observe the connection method between the center of the five-star base and the bottom of the pneumatic rod (central column). There are two common types: one is fixed by a flat washer snap ring. Find and remove the snap ring, and then you can pull out the five-star base. The other is a conical press fit without a snap ring. In this case, you can gently tap the connection with a rubber hammer to loosen it and then remove it.
• Purchase a Matching New Chair Leg: When purchasing a new chair leg, pay attention to its size and material to ensure it matches the original chair.

In addition, when repairing or replacing the chair leg, pay attention to safety and avoid using overly sharp tools and dangerous chemicals. After installation, gently shake the seat to ensure that the wheels are firmly installed and the seat is stable. If you are unsure how to repair or replace the chair leg, you can contact the manufacturer or a professional repair person for more professional advice and assistance.