Office Chair Hydraulic Rod Not Extending

If the hydraulic rod of your office chair does not extend, you can troubleshoot and repair it by following these steps:

Check for Fault Causes

• Insufficient air pressure: If the chair slowly sinks or cannot support your weight after sitting on it, there may be an air leak or insufficient air pressure.
• Stuck: If you feel resistance when adjusting the chair but it does not move, there may be debris or rust at the connection of the lifting rod.
• Aging of the seal ring: If there is oil on the surface of the hydraulic rod, it indicates that the seal ring is damaged, causing hydraulic oil leakage.
• Incorrect operation method: For pneumatic office chairs, lifting the operating lever while the seat is empty will cause the seat to rise due to the rebound of high-pressure gas; lifting the lever while sitting on the chair will lower it. For screw-type adjustment, turning the knob clockwise lowers the chair, and turning it counterclockwise raises it. Make sure the direction is correct.

Try Simple Adjustments

Confirm that the operation method is correct to avoid the chair being unable to lift or lower due to operational errors.

Lubrication and Maintenance

• Flip the chair over and use a screwdriver to unscrew the fixing screws connecting the chair legs and the base of the hydraulic rod, separating the chair legs from the base.
• Hold the middle part of the hydraulic rod with both hands and shake it left and right. If it is tight, gently tap the edge of the connection with a rubber mallet to help loosen it.
• Spray lubricating oil on the surface of the lifting rod and the connection gaps, and move it back and forth several times to allow the oil to penetrate inside, then reassemble and test it.

Inflation Operation

If the chair is still weak after lubrication, it may be due to insufficient air pressure. You can try to reinflate it:

• Locate the inflation port at the bottom of the chair (usually protected by a cover).
• Use a manual or electric inflation pump with an interface that matches the inflation port.
• Inflate slowly. The recommended pressure range for office chairs is 0.5 - 1.0 MPa. Observe the changes in the chair while inflating to avoid over-inflation and bursting.

Replace the Hydraulic Rod

If none of the above methods work, it means the internal part of the hydraulic rod is damaged and needs to be replaced:

• Raise the chair to its highest position (if it can still be raised).
• Gently tap with a hammer to separate the seat part from the wheel frame, allowing the old hydraulic rod to be removed. Add lubricating oil to assist if there is resistance.
• Insert the new hydraulic rod into its original position and ensure it is firmly installed. The new rod may be a bit loose initially but will become tight after a few uses.
• Reassemble the chair legs and the base, and tighten the fixing screws.

Repairing the hydraulic rod of an office chair can be dangerous. Before operation, ensure that the chair is in a stable state to avoid injury if the chair falls during the repair process. If you have no repair experience or cannot solve the problem, it is recommended to seek the help of a professional repair technician.