The Screws of the Office Chair Are Broken

When the screws of the office chair are broken, targeted measures should be taken according to the degree of damage and the location:

External screw thread slippage

If the external screw thread slips during disassembly, you can use a pry bar to pry the screw while using a wrench to turn it outwards. Usually, the screw can be removed. Alternatively, you can weld a new screw onto the top of the original screw and then replace it after twisting it out.

Internal screw thread stripping

Use a dedicated tapping tool to re-tap the thread and then replace the screw. Or, place a layer of rubber or double-sided tape on the stripped screw to increase friction and then use a screwdriver to turn it out. If possible, using an electric screwdriver will yield better results, but be careful not to make the rubber piece too large.

Screw hole thread stripping

You can re-tap the hole and use a larger screw. For example, disassemble the chair component and have a technician at a lathe or repair shop enlarge and re-tap the screw hole. Or, use electric welding to fill the screw hole flat and then use an electric drill to re-drill and tap the hole so that the screw size is the same as the original.

Screw detachment

First, determine whether it is a loose thread or a stripped and damaged thread. If it is a loose thread, use an appropriate wrench or wrench socket to tighten it clockwise. You can place something on the screwdriver bit to increase friction or inject a small amount of 502 glue into the screw hole. After it solidifies, use needle-nose pliers to turn it out. If the screw cap is exposed, use pointed-nose pliers to clamp the screw cap tightly and then unscrew it. Check if the thread is loose. If it is, tighten it. If the nut is damaged, buy a new one to replace it.

Other situations

• If the screw is just loose and not broken, find a wrench or screwdriver and tighten it directly. Before tightening, it is best to clean the screw hole and remove dust and oil stains so that it can be tightened more securely.
• If the screw thread is stripped, try using a slightly larger screw or use a thread repair sleeve to fix it. If the fixing hole is made of plastic, you can also use self-tapping screws or expansion plugs.
• If it is just slightly slipping, wrap a layer of rubber band or electrical tape around the screwdriver bit to increase friction or apply a little special screw glue and turn it after the glue dries.
• If the screw has already slipped a bit, try using a larger tool, such as a larger screwdriver or hex wrench. Or, stuff some rubber pieces or short pieces of cotton into the screw hole. You can also use a soldering iron to solder some tin onto the screw head to create a new stress point. Be careful not to burn the chair fabric.
• If you encounter severe thread slippage, you can use an electric drill with a reverse-thread drill bit to drill while pulling it outwards. Or, use an electric grinder or hacksaw to cut a straight line on the screw head and then use a flat-head screwdriver to turn it. If all else fails, you can only enlarge the hole and re-tap it, but it is best to have a professional do this.