Office Chair Wheel Replacement

Replacing office chair wheels involves first removing the old wheels and then installing the new ones. During this process, attention should be paid to issues such as the type of interface and matching specifications. Details are as follows:

Removing Old Wheels

• Screw Type: If the wheels are of the screw type, simply use an appropriate handle to unscrew them.
• Pin Type: For pin-type wheels, you can try pulling them out directly. If you don't have enough strength to pull them out directly, you can use tools for assistance. For example, insert a flat-head screwdriver into the connection between the wheel and the chair leg and pry it, or use pliers to grip the pin and then gently tap it with a hammer, using vibration and leverage to loosen and remove the wheel.
• Using a Claw Hammer: You can also use the claw part of a claw hammer. Place it between the wheel and the chair leg and use leverage to pry out the old wheel. However, since there is an anti-loosening notch at the top of the wheel, it requires a significant amount of force to remove it. Be careful not to damage the wall of the chair leg tube during operation.

Installing New Wheels

• Pin Wheels: Align the pin of the new wheel directly with the hole on the chair leg and press it in firmly to ensure a secure installation.
• Snap-ring Wheels: Align the snap-ring wheel with the hole on the chair leg and insert it directly. When you hear a 'click' sound, it means the wheel is locked in place, and the installation is complete.
• Threaded Wheels: For threaded wheels, align them with the hole on the chair leg and tighten them clockwise until the wheel is firmly fixed in place.

Precautions

• Confirm Interface Type: The office chair wheels available on the market mainly fall into two categories: snap-ring type (without a pin) and threaded type. For example, most IKEA office chairs use snap-ring interfaces, while some models or universal accessories use threaded interfaces. As long as the interface types match, they can generally be interchanged.
• Confirm Specifications: This includes diameter, load-bearing capacity, and installation height. In terms of diameter, different models vary. For example, the diameter of the IKEA ALEX casters is 50 millimeters, while that of the BEKANT casters is 80 millimeters. Common diameters for universal casters on the market are 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm. Regarding load-bearing capacity, the original IKEA casters are rated for a maximum load of 20 kilograms per caster, while universal casters on the market generally have a rated load of around 50 kilograms per caster. In terms of installation height, when replacing wheels, ensure that the height difference between the old and new wheels does not exceed 1-2 centimeters.
• Measure Old Wheels: Measure the outer diameter of the old wheels (commonly 50mm, 75mm, or 100mm) and confirm whether the interface is snap-ring or threaded. Since the dimensions of wheels may change due to wear, it is advisable to measure the actual diameter rather than relying on the nominal value.