How to Repair a Recliner Mechanism 

Yay! I picked up a recliner in new condition at the thrift store and it wouldn’t recline. Literally just the cable had disconnected from the mechanism and your video made it a 60 second fix. Thanks!

Thanks, I like that you leave your mistakes because those are exactly the type we're bound to make ourselves and seeing them helps to watch out for them :)

THANK YOU, all the other videos i have seen talked about the wire replacement but after seeing your video my issue was in the bolt getting loose. Much appreciated from Saudi Arabia.

Your tutorial is the best I’ve ever seen. You saved me a lot of money! I’m a female, if I can fix my recliner thanks to you, anyone can!

Thanks. After watching this guy, I saw him move that small bracket and it was all needed to find my hole to insert spring end. Thanks. A-1.

Thanks for the video! I read all of the comments and responses and my problem wasn’t mentioned in any of them. I have a 30 yr old manual recliner and I’ve always been able to recline it to a comfortable position and it would stay there. Now it fully reclines immediately and I can’t stop it. If I’m not careful it will tip over backwards.

Great helpful video, helped me figure out how to fix my recliner. Turns out the lever mechanism came loose, easy fix thanks a lot!

I LIKE THE VIDEO, IT HAS SHOWN ME A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT. BUT I HAVE REPLACED THE PULL HANDLE A COUPLE OF TIME AND I HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU TIE A SHOE STRING ON THE END OF THE CABLE, FEED IT THROUGH AND THEN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS UNTIE IT TIE IT BACK TO THE NEW CABLE AND FEED IT BACK THROUGH. MAKES IT VERY EASY. HOPE TO SEE MORE VIDEOS. THANKS JEFF CSR KYSER FINE FURNITURE MONTGOMERY, AL

Thank you so much. The mech fell off and I had no idea how to fix it and you were so clear and simple I was able to fix it. Thank you very much. Liked and favourited

Thanks. My recliner doesn't have a lever to recline the back, so normally I push with my back. It got harder for a couple weeks, now I can't recline it at all. The lever for the footrest still works. Any suggestions? I will peruse some other videos. I appreciate people like you who help us fix things at home! (If we can). 👍🏼

Always check springs one the sides which area commonly fault Just a comment from your friendly neighbourhood furniture repair technician 😊

Lots of great info, I just wish helpful videos like this didn’t have background music! Lots of adhd people out here only hear the music or the person talking. I don’t remember my teachers playing music in class while teaching me.

Hey thanks a lot. That was amazing help. We were able to repair our recliner . Yahoo . Happy days are here again ☺️

Stellar video dude!!!! Thank you, most videos are way more talk than explanation like you bud 🙌

Thank you, this is exactly what I needed to fix our recliner couch after the mechanism fell off.

It really helped seeing the inside mech, kudos for mentioning difficulty with an upholstered sofa & tbf it wasn't as tricky as I had envisaged, my main concern was loosing a finger or hand if the mech sprang. I managed to save a few quid by removing the cable I wasn't using; COLC being a brit. Mine broke at the lever, the cable end had snapped. All done now with a bit of WD40 to boot.👌✌👍🙏

Thanks so much for this video! Now I know what I need to do to fix my recliners. All 4 on both the couch/loveseat stopped working. Such an easy fix now that I know what to do.

Thank you for explaining mechanism perfectly.

Like when I rock in my sofa chair it used to glide/rock back m forth easily, but now it feels like some part of the black metal parts/rods are rubbing together. Sorry if I don’t make sense but this is the best way I can explain it. Thank you for your time

Thank you. This was very helpful.

Thank you. Helped me fix my in-laws’ chair.

Thank you so much! Great detailed information!

Amazing I had an issue and watching the way this works really helped me problem solve my issue and fix it. Thank u

Great video! Mine is newer, no bolt and nut, the bolt is a small rod and the ends are flared. It's lose, so the mechanism got under the arm that scissors out. Easy fix . Thanks again.

Great, Informative video! It was exactly what I needed to do! And so easy!

This video has helped me fix my lazy boy thank you very much

Happy Christmas from India Mumbai Thank you for sharing and showing details of the lever mechanism wish all the best

Love the video..... clear, and to the point.

I’m so glad I found this! How do I fix a bent recliner mechanism?

Great video, i need to take some time and rebuild my recliner

Very nice and very informative best video i ever see. Greetings from New York

Well sir thank you for the video helped me fix my couch, now I dont have to buy another one.. Thank you very much easy fix.

Thanks very much. Really great video. You helped me sleep today. God bless you

Thank you so much! You saved Christmas!!

Great video! Now I can finally fix mine .

Excellent video

Thanks for the video! A reclining sofa I have broke during a move and the right side of it is sagging in and one of the joints scrapes on the ground there. Would you know of a good place to order a new mechanism? Or would it be better to search for a cheap used recliner I can scrap the mechanism out of?

thankyou i was just having problems with mine and your vid help me a lot tnx

I've just watched this video and I'm so impressed by the way you explain things. It all makes sense, and if you knew my incompetence level with this sort of thing, you'd understand how huge that is. But now I have a very rookie question. How do I get at the skeleton of the chair, as it were? Is there some (preferably easy!) way to remove the outer covering so I can get into the mechanism?

Thanks. I got my recliner fixed.

Thank you so much, I knew my pull handle was broken but when I got in there I thought the whole mechanism was broken, I didn't understand that the lever just pushed on the frame to release it.

Thanks for the video. Wonder if you have seen one of these frames that just gets sloppy. The couch and side that is used most often is difficult to open and close when someone is sitting on it. I found that the outside telescoping mechanism is hitting the bottom bar that runs across the floor. You can see that whole side is drooping to the outside. When I compare that reclining mechanism to the other couch that doesn't get used as often it is VERY loose. But I don't find any bolts or connections that are loose when I turn it upside down. Do these just get sloppy over time and use?

I have a base very much the same. It has a worn out broken pivot point fastener. The two chair's I have, has been used a lot but have been covered since day one, and still look brand new, so I hate to spend to replace them. The steel fastener looks exactly like the one's on the base in your video. I believe it is some kind of steel type rivet, fitting into a small hole on one arm, and a larger hole on the other. My question is, do I need to try and replace this with a high speed steel bolt/washer/nuts, or is their a special part I can buy and where to buy it? Thank you.

Great video! Thank you very much for through explanation. It would be even better if the background music's volume is a bit less.

Question - we have an older Flexsteel recliner, which fits our needs perfectly. However the plastic roller which is part of the manual recliner mechanism has broken and won't allow the chair to recline smoothly, {you have to get out of the chair, lift up the front, and pull out the footrest to get it to recline}. I have contacted Flexsteel and have been informed that I would have to replace the whole recliner mechanism, however the chair is too old and the part is no longer available. Do you know if there any way to replace the small plastic roller? Thanks!

Love this video. One side of my couch recliner scrubs the floor and has caused damage to my hardwood floor. Could you tell me what cause this and how to fix this? Thank you.

Big thumbs up! My senior mom has a push back Flexsteel recliner that has a foot rest that is difficult to push back in. Do you have suggestions for when the tension is too tight/difficult?

Your concept looks great and thank you for that. Can you please tell me if that would be the case for my 1986 MBZ 300sdl front seat. The recliner rattles and does not go backwards when I push the button. Please help me!

Do you have a video where the mechanism doesn't lock in place i.e. foot rest doesn't stay down, always springs up and how to fix that issue?

I've got the same set up but my back seems to come up when I'm trying to relax with it back. I don't see any wing nuts to tighten, like other recliners. What should I do that will help to keep that back fully reclinded when I want it to?

I have an issue with glider mechanisms shredding the bushings. Do you know if these bushings can be pressed out and replaced versus having to order an entire new left/right side mechanism? If so, tool for this? Place to buy the bushings (or bushing arms specific to my mechanism)?

Wow🧐 what a piece of ART

I love this video. I am having problems with my handle barley moving. I do not see a cable at all. The handle barley moves the metal bar attachment before the mechanism catches on a flat bar that connects to the mechanism. I wish I could send you a picture.

Mine is an older Bradington and Young reclining sofa. We just had the some of the leather replaced but now one of the fasteners at a pivot point in the mechanism has worn through. Where can i get a replacement? The fastener looks just like the ones that were in the mechanism that you had in this video.. Thanks for any assistance!

My recliner has a usb port in between the up and down buttons and before it stopped working it would light up blue. Now that my chair doesnt work the inverter thingy has the green light showing theres power but my switch does not light up blue. Do you think tbat could be related to the motor or the switch?

I know this might sounds like a dumb question but can a manual recliner mechanism be updated to an electric one?

Hi Nice Video, how can I weld a broken piece or replace a whole frame? Looks exactly like this one in the video, any parts places in the uK?

I have a love seat couch one side opens up but wont close any ideas on what the problem might be

How do you get a love seat recliner to recline further back? It seems like it was designed to lean back 3/4 of the way. Any way to lean it back all the way?

Thanks, I got it fixed. Boy have I missed My Chair.

Thanks for the video you saved me

We have a 2 Recliner couch 1 side stays in the up recline position but when pushed down to seated it comes back up. One of the 6 inch springs was broken and so I replaced it but that did not fix the problem. I suppose there is something that locks it in the seated position that isn't functioning properly. Do you have video on that? Or some instruction for trouble shooting. I love how clear you videos are. Dom Bellevue WA

I recently bought a Lane push back recliner,tension is tight,unable to recline.Any sugggestions on what to do,possibly video directions.Thank you for your help.

Hello. I have a manual recliner sofa. My first problem was not being able to open the foot rest. I took the handle off and saw that cable was broken. I fix that but now l can’t get the recliner to close. It pops open every time l try to shut it. I hear that it is not locking. Do you have a video for this problem?

Hi my recliner swivels but it is hitting something that stoped it from rocking. If I lean in the chair one way or the other it starts rocking again. It seems to be running on something just as I start to rock back. Can you suggest anything that could remedy this problem?

I have 2 recliners pull cable but when I open it and put my legs up the leg rest starts to close I am 6' tall. Ot does not stay up do I need a shorter spring

Hi! Great video, thanks for sharing. It was very informative. However, my reclining chair mechanism has broken at the handle-end. The cable has come loose from the handle. Will I need to replace the whole cable?

If one of the big metal rivets (not sure what to call it) metal rivets/bolts that allows the mechanism to flex/open, extend recliner bar breaks. Can a Clevis single hole pin be used to replace it. Will it hold? Have you used this method of fixing before? Thanks.

Do you have a situation where the recliner wont latch shut? Its always been difficult since we got it new and now its not locking shut at all. Its a recliner/rocker for a nursery. I can push the leg rest down fully, but it does not lock shut. Ive been staring at the undercarriage for an hour and lubricated everything.

How can you adjust the reclining counter-balanced linkage in a manual flexsteel recliner. It has too much tension and will not stay in the reclined position.

Can you tell me what type of tool I need to tighten the screws on a manual recliner? I've tried regular screwdrivers but the space is tiny and doesn't seem to fit

Hey man, I recently received a barely used, power lumbar/headrest from a relative. The recliner and lumbar works, but not the headrest. I noticed in the back, there's a plug that isn't plugged in, and can't find anywhere to plug it in at. Any advice to get the headrest working?

Awesome video with great breakdown, I thought I had a latch problem but after pulling recliner apart it looks just like that mechanism but when I go to close footrest it gets right to the point it breaks over and closes but doesn't do it on its own(footrest wouldn't latch was why I tore it apart) any ideas on what could be wrong?

I have that exact mechanism and that red ring you see is connected to a piece and one of the metal levers it was holding together broke off of it , the hole is intact though how do I fix?

Quick question for you i have a recliner that is acting up after lookig all around i found out that the white plastic next to your index finger at time frame 4:23. That part is broken on mine any suggestions where i could replace this part. Please and thank you for the help

I was looking for info on the foot rest portion of the mechanism. While lowering the foot, something bent and is now catching so the seat don’t recline. Can this mechanism be replaced?

Great video. Do you have a video of a recliner not locking footrest when closing it?

I have another problem that you might be able to help me with. One of the bars on the mechanism has completely snapped and is broken. I need to replace the bar but there are those small black screws with no slot on them. I suspect they are caps for the tips of the screws, but I can’t seem to get them off. Do you have any idea how to take those off and just work with them?

Ok but do you have a video about how to fix the “ROCKING PART” I have a sofa that has the recliner/lever. The lever works. Pull lever and the foot rest pops out. Now my sofa doesn’t rock anymore. Could you please help? Thank you

I have one that does not want to stay down the handle is working properly but it just doesn’t seem to want to stay down any ideas or videos addressing that issue? Thanks

Where do u get a replacement for the white plastic bearing that the square metal rod goes through?

Hi. I can’t get my reclining sofa foot rest to latch or catch when putting down to close. Is there a way to adjust it to close? Thanks for reply/help.

Thank you…my recliner handle pops loudly on rotation to normal position. Any suggestions?

Really well done video. My problem is that the leg rest comes up, but it does not lock down again (or only does one out of around 30 times). Please tell me how to fix that.

So I have a the bar lever. That square piece broke. (Right under where the lever connects in this video) what to I look up to replace it.

Question, I have a recliner sofa. I noticed that the back of one of them was leaning back. I took off the back and the connector one one side that's on the mechanism bent and the whole wood frame of the sofa back is a mess. I need to replace the connector, where do you recommend I find one. I can't locate a parts dealer online.

Watched your video..very helpful...my foot release broke. I ordered another exactly like the original only it was metal which I think was better anyway. The broken one was plastic. Followed your video and got the new piece on, but the footrest will not release. The cable is the original one that was on the recliner. I put the recliner on its side to look at it, everything is moving like it should, but it looks like the release bar is not quite going as far as it needs to. My question is could it be the cable?? Any advice and things to try would be great. I'm a woman that is a widow also..thanks in advance.

At 4:20, what is the metal bar called that looks like it goes into the white piece? RIGHT beside the nut you're talking about.

Hi 👋 can you cover a video on fixing Push-Back Recliner.!!??? Please mine is big leather high back full size recliner but it won’t stay back in the farthest reclining position!!? Thank you

Is the mechanism that holds the bushing and spring supposed to be kind of floppy when tightened? Mine is. It won’t push it open? Help?

So my silver spring came off, I know where to put it back but don’t know if I can as it is a high tension spring

Hey I have a question. I have a electric recliner that is making a squealing/rubbing noise and it seems to be coming from the plastic slider on the metal sliding bar. Can you lubricate these? And If so, what type of lubricant or grease would work? It's only 8 months old. It's a southern motion. I hope you can help me! Thanks.

I have a recliner that the model Rtg 630139JCO. It is a manual recliner. It opens very quickly with a jerk and it is very difficult to get it to click back closed. It is a great recliner other than that. Please do you have suggestions. I am 70 and it is hard to kick my feet back hard enough to engage. Thanks

Thanks for the video, my recliner opens automatically when i sit on, any solutions

Any suggestions where to get a replacement part for the lever? I inherited a recliner and looks like that lever is missing and someone just stuck the cable into the hole that used to hold the lever.

That was great fixing that recliner looks tedious. I have 2 question how can I fix recliner when the handle that you pull breaks. Can I change a manuel recliner sofa into electric motor. How much would it cost to fix sofa manual and electric

Mine has some give on one side and is loose so it’s uneven on both reclining sides.

Hey! I am currently having an issue where the Back Rest Mount on the right side of my chair is like stuck in recline mode. the bracket has some play compared to the left side. Any Ideas where to trouble shoot?

I’ve got a recliner in a sofa that had a rivet break on one of the arms that has a spring. Ever had to replace a rivet or been able to fix with a small bolt? Great video.

Any suggestions on a center pull out table for food n drinks on not locking and goes past level?