Office Chair Makes Noise When Sitting

An office chair may make noise when sitting down, which may be caused by loose connecting screws, lack of lubrication in the chassis pivot, worn air rods, faulty casters, seat material issues, or aging and deformation of the frame plastic parts, requiring targeted inspection and handling.

1. Loose connecting screws
   The backrest, armrests, chassis, and chair legs of an office chair are fixed with screws. After long-term use, the screws may loosen due to stress. When there are gaps between components, friction noise will occur when sitting down or moving. Use a screwdriver or wrench to check all connection points and tighten loose screws. If the screws are severely worn (such as stripped or broken), replace them with screws of the same specification in a timely manner to prevent further loosening of the components.

2. Lack of lubrication in the chassis pivot
   Chairs with a rocking and reclining function rely on lubricating oil to reduce friction in their internal metal springs and pivots. If the lubricating oil dries up, direct contact between the metal components will produce a creaking sound. Apply special lubricating oil (such as WD-40 or white lithium grease) to the pivots and joint gaps, and repeatedly rotate the components after application to allow the lubricating oil to penetrate, which can eliminate the noise.

3. Wear at the connection between the air rod and the five-star base
   The contact surfaces between the top of the air rod and the chassis, and between the bottom of the air rod and the five-star base may wear out after long-term weight-bearing, creating gaps. When sitting down and moving the body, friction at the worn parts will produce a squeaking sound. If you suspect a fault with the air rod, contact the manufacturer or a professional repair technician for inspection. Replace the air rod if necessary (never disassemble it yourself to avoid the risk of the air pressure rod exploding).

4. Caster problems
   When the internal bearings of the casters are worn or contaminated with dust and debris, rolling will produce noise. First, clean the dust off the surface of the casters, then drip a small amount of lubricating oil (such as sewing machine oil) into the bearing parts and rotate the casters to evenly distribute the lubricating oil. If the caster housing is cracked or the bearings are severely stuck, replace them with casters of the same model.

5. Seat material issues
   Leather seats may become hard due to dryness and aging, or fabric seats may produce noise due to friction between the fabric and the frame or displacement of the filling material. Apply leather conditioner to soften leather seats. For fabric seats, check the fixation of the fabric and add soft padding (such as foam strips) at the contact points to reduce friction.

6. Aging and deformation of the frame plastic parts
   The thin plastic frames of low-priced chairs may deform after long-term sitting and pressure, causing structural compression and producing gap friction noise. This situation is difficult to completely repair. If the deformation is severe, it is recommended to replace the chair. For minor deformation, try attaching rubber pads at the contact points for cushioning.