Office Chair Creaking Sound When Leaning Back

The creaking sound of an office chair when leaning back is usually caused by friction, impact between metal parts, or the flow of gas in the pneumatic rod. Here are the common causes and solutions:

1. Loose connecting screws
   Long-term use or frequent leaning back can cause the screws at the connections of the chair (such as the backrest, armrests, chassis, and five-star base) to loosen, creating gaps between the parts. When pressure is applied or the posture is changed, the metal or plastic parts collide and rub against each other, producing a 'click' or 'creak' sound. Solution: Use tools to check and tighten all the screws one by one, focusing on the connection parts between the chassis and the five-star base, and the backrest and the seat.

2. Part wear and gaps
   Metal parts (such as the connection between the pneumatic rod and the five-star base, and the track of the chassis turntable) develop small gaps due to long-term friction. When subjected to force and shaking, they rub against each other, emitting a continuous 'squeak' sound. The plastic frames of low-priced chairs may exacerbate the abnormal noise due to aging and deformation. Solution: Apply grease (such as white lithium grease) to the worn parts. If the plastic parts are severely aged, replace the corresponding parts.

3. Lack of lubrication in moving parts
   If the lubricating oil on the core moving parts of a reclining office chair, such as metal springs and rotating shafts, dries up or gets contaminated with dust, it will cause direct dry friction, resulting in a 'squeak' sound during movement. Solution: Regularly clean the dust on the surface of the moving parts and apply special lubricating oil (such as WD-40), focusing on the connection parts of the rotating shafts and springs.

4. Sound from the pneumatic rod operation
   When the pneumatic rod is raised or lowered, the expansion or compression of the high-pressure nitrogen inside will produce a slight airflow sound, which is a normal phenomenon. If the sound is abnormally loud, it may be due to a decrease in the sealing performance of the pneumatic rod or insufficient lubrication. Solution: Check if the pneumatic rod is leaking air (such as sinking automatically when sitting). If it is leaking, it needs to be replaced. If it is just loud, contact the manufacturer to replenish the lubrication or replace the pneumatic rod.

5. Excessively tight backrest tension adjustment
   If the backrest tilt tension (Tilt Tension) knob on the chassis is adjusted too tightly, when leaning back all the way, the mechanical structure may exceed its designed load-bearing capacity, resulting in abnormal noise or a sense of blockage. Solution: Rotate the knob counterclockwise to appropriately reduce the backrest resistance until the abnormal noise disappears and the backrest moves smoothly.

6. Other factors
   A new chair may make a sound during the first use due to tight part installation gaps, which will subside on its own after a period of use. If there is friction between metal and plastic/wood, or insufficient lubrication of the piston inside the pneumatic rod, a 'squeak' or 'hiss' sound may also be produced due to pressure changes. Solution: No special treatment is required for a new chair. For other situations, apply lubricant or adjust the contact surface pressure.