Office Chair Tray Disassembly

The disassembly of an office chair tray can be carried out following the steps below, with attention to tool selection and operational details to avoid damaging components:

I. Preparation

1. Tool Preparation: Rubber mallet (avoid using a metal hammer for direct strikes), Phillips/flat-head screwdrivers, a pry bar, nails (for snap-on wheels), and gloves (to prevent scratches). If components are severely rusted, apply a penetrating lubricant and let it sit for 10 minutes beforehand.
2. Inspect Hidden Structures: Some trays have plastic covers or hidden screws at the bottom. Pry open the plastic covers first and confirm the positions of all fasteners before proceeding.

II. Flip the Chair

Place the chair completely upside down on a stable, flat surface, and pad the bottom with a soft cushion (such as an old towel) to prevent scratching the floor or the chair back. Ensure the chair is stable before proceeding to the next step.

III. Separate the Seat from the Tray (for non-integrated designs)

1. If the tray is fastened to the underside of the seat with screws, use a screwdriver to remove the four fixing screws and separate the seat from the tray base.
2. For integrated designs (where the tray is directly connected to the seat), skip this step and proceed to the next.

IV. Strike to Separate the Tray from the Gas Cylinder

1. Adjust the height of the gas cylinder: Raise the gas cylinder to its highest position to widen the gap between the tray and the gas cylinder.
2. Strike evenly: Use a rubber mallet to strike around the steel ring connecting the tray to the gas cylinder in a circular motion, avoiding concentrated strikes on a single point to prevent deformation. During striking, you can assist with the following actions:
   • Use your hands to pull the tray up and down to aid separation;
   • Use your foot to press down on the base of the gas cylinder for added stability.
3. Handle stubborn connections: If the snap-on connection is too tight, strike repeatedly in short bursts or apply a penetrating lubricant and wait 5-10 minutes before operating again. If resistance is encountered during separation, gently rock the tray left and right to avoid breaking it by pulling forcefully.

V. Handle Other Connected Components

1. Remove the gas cylinder: Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry open the snap ring securing the gas cylinder at the center of the tray and lift it upwards to separate.
2. Remove the wheels:
   • Snap-on wheels: Use a nail to hook onto the snap-on part of the wheel's core and gently tap the tail of the nail with a hammer to remove it;
   • Screw-fixed wheels: Simply unscrew the fixing screws with a screwdriver.

VI. Precautions

1. Protect the paint finish: Pad the metal hammerhead with a towel when striking to avoid scratching the surface of components.
2. Rust treatment: For rusted screws, first spray with a lubricant (such as WD-40) and let it sit before attempting to remove them.
3. Emergency repairs: If a plastic snap-on part breaks, use epoxy resin glue for temporary fixation, but replace it with a new part as soon as possible.
4. Safe operation: Wear gloves throughout the process to avoid being scratched by sharp components; store small separated parts (such as snap rings and screws) separately to prevent loss.