Office Chair Leg Broken

There's no need to discard an office chair immediately if its leg breaks; you can restore its functionality by assessing the damage and choosing the appropriate repair method.

1. Repair Method for Damaged Casters

If the breakage only involves a single caster (not rotating, damaged, or detached), follow these steps:

1. Identify the Wheel Type: Turn the chair upside down and observe the connection method of the damaged wheel. Common types include threaded (with a threaded hole in the center of the wheel) and pin-type (the wheel is fixed to a pin with a spring clip).
2. Remove the Old Wheel:
   • Threaded: Use your hands or leverage with pliers or a screwdriver to turn the wheel counterclockwise and unscrew it.
   • Pin-type: Grasp the wheel with both hands (or use pliers for assistance), press down and rotate left and right, using elastic deformation to release the spring clip and pull out the wheel.
3. Install the New Wheel:
   • Ensure the model, size, and load capacity of the new wheel match the old one when purchasing.
   • Threaded: Align the new wheel with the hole and turn it clockwise to screw it in and tighten.
   • Pin-type: Align the pin with the base hole of the chair leg and insert it vertically with force, hearing a 'click' sound indicates the spring clip is securely in place.

2. Repair Method for Broken Five-Star Base

If the five-star base itself is broken, severely deformed, or detached from the central column, it needs to be replaced entirely:

1. Remove the Old Five-Star Base:
   • Place the chair on its side or upside down on a soft pad and observe the connection method between the center and the gas lift (central column).
   • Flat Washer and Spring Clip Fixing: Locate and remove the spring clip, then extract the five-star base.
   • Tapered Press Fit Fixing: If there is no spring clip, use a rubber mallet to gently tap the connection to loosen it and then remove it.
2. Install the New Five-Star Base: Purchase a model that matches the original chair and install it in the reverse order of removal, ensuring a secure connection.

3. Temporary Fixes and Repair Evaluation

• Temporary Fix: If short-term use is required, you can bind the broken part with a wooden stick or temporarily fix it with wood glue or nails (only for non-load-bearing structures).
• Repair Value Evaluation: If the chair is inexpensive, has been in use for a long time, or the damage involves major load-bearing structures and is complex to repair, it is advisable to replace it with a new chair to ensure safety and cost-effectiveness.