How to remove a cross from an office chair

An office chair is an integral part of any office. It is also used as a piece of home furniture. They must have a stable design, be light and comfortable. For ease of use, all chairs are equipped with a lifting mechanism. It rests on the crosspiece. Since the latter receives the greatest load, it is subject to wear and, as a result, may fail. To replace it, you can go to a workshop, or you can do it at home.

Kinds

Externally, this detail of any chair looks quite simple. However, it is she who ensures proper stability on wheels and takes on the greatest load. There are three types of crosses:

• Wooden. This is the most expensive version of this part and is usually installed on quite expensive models of chairs. In addition to its aesthetic appearance, it has excellent wear resistance and can withstand loads of up to 130 kg;
• Chrome plated. Gives the chair a respectable appearance and is considered the most durable. If you take proper care of it, it can last for decades. Capable of withstanding fairly high loads and designed for weights up to 130 kg;
• Cross made of plastic. It is the most inexpensive option and is installed on economy class models.Despite this, the quality of the materials used is quite high. In the manufacture of such a cross, synthetic polymer compounds are used, so the cross is quite wear-resistant. It is designed for a weight of up to 100 kg;

The crosspieces also differ in their diameter, which can range from 400 to 700 mm. Crosspieces of small diameter are installed on children's models. Crosspieces with a diameter of 700 mm are installed on executive and operator chairs.

Despite the fact that crosspieces are made taking into account possible loads, they often fail. To repair the crosspiece, it must first be removed from the chair.

Tools for dismantling the crosspiece

Failure of this part of the chair is often caused by careless use of this piece of furniture. For example, if the owner suddenly sat down on it, it was as if he fell with all his weight. Parts made of plastic are more susceptible to breakage. However, others are not immune from this. As a rule, plastic parts fail at their connection points.

IMPORTANT! Under no circumstances should you try to repair a failed crosspiece using adhesives or a soldering iron. Due to the large loads on the legs of the part, glue will not help solve the problem. The crosspiece must be replaced completely.

To replace a broken cross with a new one, it must first be dismantled. To do this you will need the following tools:

• Crosshead screwdriver;
• Hammer or mallet;
• Flat head screwdriver;
• hex keys;

You also need a special liquid to separate the plastic parts. If you don’t have one at hand, you can take kerosene, soap solution or vinegar essence.It is necessary to pour the solution and leave it for about 10 minutes for it to take effect.

After all the tools are prepared, you can begin the dismantling procedure.

Instructions for disassembling the cross

On the surface on which the analysis will be carried out, it is necessary to lay newspapers or any other absorbent fabric.

REFERENCE! The gas cartridge of the chair is connected to the crosspiece. There is a lubricant inside it that may leak out during disassembly.

• The chair needs to be turned upside down so that the central part of the cross has a good view and is easily accessible. It is necessary to give the chair proper stability so that it does not sway during disassembly;
• Next you need to remove the gas cartridge. To perform this operation, you must first remove the seat. This is quite simple to do - you need to unscrew the 4 bolts that secure it to the piastre. The piastra is the part that connects the seat and the gas lift and is responsible for adjusting the height;
• Using a mallet or hammer, you need to knock the piastre off the gas lift;
• After this, you need to remove the lock washer at the bottom of the cross and remove the gas lift rod from the casing;

NOTE! You need to act carefully, since there is a bearing and oil seal inside the casing.

• By gently tapping the hammer, the crosspiece is knocked off the gas lift;
• After which you need to assemble the gas lift to its original state;
• The wheels also need to be removed. The rollers are not secured in any way and can be removed with some effort;

Each step must be performed carefully, since most of the parts are made of plastic, so they are quite easy to damage.

If you have all the necessary materials and minimal experience, the entire procedure takes from ten minutes to half an hour.

Recommendations for long-term use of an office chair

In order for a computer or office chair to last as long as possible without any breakdowns, it is necessary to care for it and follow certain rules.

• About once every six months you need to inspect all the furniture parts, check the tightness of the connections and whether all the nuts and bolts are tightly tightened;
• Fabric parts must be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. If there are stains, you can use various stain removers;
• If the upholstery is made of leather, it must be wiped with a damp cloth soaked in a special solution;
• It is worth considering the maximum load of the chair used;
• There is no need to sit down suddenly on the seat to avoid breaking the crosspiece or gas lift;

If you follow the necessary recommendations, your office chair can last for many years.