Office Chair Tray Repair

The repair of an office chair tray can be carried out in four steps: identifying the cause, preparing tools and parts, performing repair operations, and handling special situations.

Identifying the Cause

The left-right wobbling of an office chair tray is mostly due to mechanical fatigue, caused by long-term weight-bearing and frequent use. It is necessary to accurately distinguish whether the problem lies with the tray itself or the gas lift. If the lifting function is normal and the wobbling is only at the connection part, the issue is likely with the tray's interface components. If it is accompanied by lifting failure or slow sinking, the problem may be with the gas lift. Common causes include loose mechanical connections, worn nylon chutes or plastic buckles, and aging of interface components.

Preparing Tools and Parts

• Tools: You will need a Phillips/flat-head screwdriver, a rubber or plastic hammer, an adjustable or open-end wrench, and a cloth. If the screws are rusty, you can prepare a loosening agent (such as WD-40) or a rust remover.
• New Parts: Measure the hole spacing (e.g., 14cm*17.5cm) and the diameter of the center hole of the old tray. Take clear photos (including the screw hole positions and the center hole) and consult the merchant along with the data to confirm compatibility. When purchasing, prioritize reinforced trays made of steel with a thickness of ≥3.0mm.

Performing Repair Operations

• Screw Tightening: Use the appropriate tool to tighten all visible connecting screws one by one.
• Replacing Worn Parts: If the nylon chute, plastic buckle, or interface plastic sleeve is worn, purchase the corresponding model of parts online or contact the manufacturer for replacement.
• Overall Tray Replacement:
  1. Flip the chair and remove the five-star base (wheels). Place the chair upside down on a soft pad and directly pull up the casters.
  2. Separate the five-star base from the gas lift: Use a rubber hammer to evenly strike the connection between the center steel ring of the five-star base and the gas lift. Repeat the process of “striking - twisting” until they are separated.
  3. Remove the screws (usually 4) that fix the seat to the tray and separate the seat from the tray (including the gas lift).
  4. Separate the gas lift from the old tray: Invert the chair and use the flat side of a hammer to strike the bottom of the gas lift (avoiding the middle buckle).

Handling Special Situations

• Screw Stripping: Wrap Teflon tape around the screw to increase friction. If this is ineffective, replace it with a larger screw or use a thread repair tool.
• Screw Model Identification: There is no unified standard for office chair screws. The common metric M6 (with a diameter of 6mm and a length of 20 - 30mm) is often used. The most accurate method is to remove the old screw, measure the outer diameter of the thread with a caliper, or bring the old part for comparison when purchasing.