Office Chair Friction with the Ground
The core reason for office chairs rubbing against the ground is abnormal contact between the gas lift and the ground, mainly involving three factors: the state of the gas lift, the structure of the base, and the ground environment. This issue can be resolved through targeted adjustments and maintenance.
Improper Adjustment or Aging of the Gas Lift
The gas lift is the core component for adjusting the height of an office chair, and its state directly affects contact with the ground. If the height is adjusted to the extreme (too high or too low), the exposed part of the metal rod becomes too long and directly rubs against the ground. Prolonged use at extreme settings also accelerates the aging of the seal ring, reducing the stability of the gas lift and causing the rod to sink and scrape the ground under pressure. Additionally, when the rubber ring at the bottom of the gas lift ages or its sealing performance declines, the support force weakens, and the metal outer wall may contact the ground. This situation is more common in office chairs that have been used for more than two years.
Countermeasures: Immediately lower the seat height to the middle position (a reasonable height is when the backrest forms a 90ยฐ angle with the knees) and observe whether the scraping disappears. If adjustment is ineffective, check whether the rubber ring at the bottom of the gas lift has aged and replace the gas lift or add a nylon gasket for cushioning if necessary.
Base Structure Issues
The stability of the base directly affects the vertical state of the gas lift. If the seat base is deformed due to impact, the screws at the connections are loose, or the tilt angle of the five-claw base is abnormal or the steel plate of the explosion-proof base is deformed, the gas lift will tilt and touch the ground. In addition, if the turntable device connecting the gas lift at the bottom of the seat is loose (common in long-term use by users weighing over 90 kg), the displacement of the screws will cause the entire support system to tilt, exacerbating the scraping problem.
Countermeasures: Use an Allen wrench to check and tighten the screws at all connection points of the base. If the base is severely deformed, replace the base or contact professional maintenance. For office chairs that are used frequently and for long periods, it is recommended to perform a lifting cycle test (manually lift and lower 30 times) every six months to observe whether there is significant sinking.
Mismatched Ground Environment
The flatness of the ground and the type of wheels directly affect the force on the gas lift. When the gaps between floor tiles or the thickness differences in carpets exceed 5 mm, the deviation in the running trajectory of the universal wheels increases the probability of the gas lift touching the ground. When hard wheels rub against rough surfaces such as concrete floors or tile joints, they cause the entire chair to vibrate irregularly, loosening the fixed screws of the gas lift and resulting in visible displacement of the rod.
Countermeasures: Lay EVA-materialๆผๆฅๅซ (with a single piece thickness of no less than 8 mm) on the ground to reduce the impact of uneven ground on the wheels. If using a carpet, choose an office chair with soft wheels. Regularly check whether the wheels are stuck and clean any debris in a timely manner.
Purchase Recommendations: Prioritize products with SG or SGS certification marks at the bottom of the gas lift. These gas lifts generally adopt a double-layer chrome-plating process and are equipped with polymer wear-resistant gaskets at the bottom, effectively reducing the risk of scraping the ground.
