How to Fix a Recliner Footrest? – Fixing a Broken Recliner Footrest

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People usually find it hard to fix a recliner footrest primarily because they don’t know how to fix a recliner footrest at home. But you can certainly fix it if you’re aware of the footrest’s mechanism and if you’ve got all the required tools and parts. No wonder, it’s annoying when the recliner’s footrest starts malfunctioning and your lazy boy recliner footrest stuck. It typically occurs when you overlook the maintenance of the entire recliner let alone its vital parts. Do not throw your chair if its footrest stops working because it is something you can do at home. Let’s now learn how to fix a broken recliner footrest without calling any furniture guy.

✏How to Fix a Recliner Footrest? – Recliner Hard to Close Footrest – Where Does the Spring go on a Recliner

Before we finally jump to the step-by-step instructions we are going to discuss briefly what may have possibly caused your recliner footrest to stop working. You’ll get to know some of the most repeated issues in the footrest.

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Why is Your Footrest Broken?

☑ If you slam down your footrest quite often it is most likely to cause your recliner’s footrest to break. Even if your recliner is brand new we recommend you to use it gently.

☑ Slamming it frequently may harm the footrest in the long run.

⚠️ Before Repairing…Remember this!

If your recliner’s malfunctioning is covered with warranty then you probably want to reach out to the recliner’s manufacturer or retailer as the case may be. It will not only save you few bucks but your precious time too.

READ: [How to Fix a Lazy Boy Recliner Footrest Springs]

Your footrest will also stop functioning if one of the screws is loosen or worn out. It’s not major issue. So if you only replace those screws from time to time you can definitely prevent issues such as this. Now get on with the repairing procedure.

Tools you’ll Need

📌Disposable Cloth

📌Spare Parts

📌Screw Driver

📌Lubricant Oil

📌Old Newspaper

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Fix a Recliner Chair Footrest

Step no. 1 – Flip Over the Recliner

✅ First, you’ll stretch the footrest to the full and flip over the entire recliner.

✅ You can now see the all what’s hidden underneath the footrest.

✅ There is a bracket inside the foot rest which is held tightly by the screws. See if any of the screws aren’t tightened enough.

✅ You’d also want to replace the screws if the holes are stripped off.


Step No. 2 – Tighten the Screws

✅ Using the suitable screwdriver, tighten all the screws but do not overdo it.

✅ If screws are worn out or not up to the size of the holes then replace them with the new ones.

✅ It is best to use longer screws for they can get to the top of the footrest holding it tightly.

✅ You’d also want to use new screws in the footrest bracket so that they do snug.

✅ Your recliner footrest should be fixed now.

How to Fix a Recliner Chair Footrest when it Locks up in the Upright Position?

If your recliner footrest is as good as a new then it should be as smooth as butter. If it isn’t smooth anymore or gets stuck in a specific position say upright, then you probably have to fix it immediately before it gets too bad. The main reason for a stuck-footrest is due to lack of oiling. In this method we will tell you how you can spray oil into the footrest mechanism.

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✔️ First things first, you’ve got to protect the material underneath the footrest so it doesn’t get stained by the oil.

✔️ Open the recliner cover and loosen the screws. You must unscrew all those screws that hold the wooden chassis and the metallic bar.

✔️ Spray the oil into the joints. Do not leave any joint unsprayed. Or maybe you might fancy choosing leather brush for cleaning upholstery.

✔️ Using the rag you would like to wide off any excess oil.

✔️ Your recliner footrest is all better now.

READ: [ How to Fix a Recliner that Leans to One Side ]


How to Fix a Recliner Footrest and its Adjusting Mechanism?

Your recliner footrest ought to be the one that doesn’t only stand in an upright position—it should also hang itself in positions between the up and down. However if it fails to do so, it probably needs some repair in its adjusting mechanism. Alternatively, the adjusting mechanism can also go free at times and it never stuck in a position you want it to be. Let’s see how we can resolve these issues.

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✔️ Flip over the recliner so you can see the adjusting mechanism which is what mainly responsible for creating all sorts of problems.

✔️ There is a ratchet in a mechanism that forces the footrest to lock in specific positions.

✔️ Using your screwdriver loosen all the screws, pins, and springs in order to get to the ratchet.

✔️ There is a bar attached to the ratchet, remove it.

✔️ Once you take off the ratchet you can now afford to move your footrest up and down. If you want your recliner footrest to stuck only in up and down position and not in-between then you probably have to buy a new ratchet.

✔️ Fix the bar you removed it earlier.

How to Fix a Lazy Boy Recliner Footrest When You Don’t Want it to Stuck Halfway in-Between? – How to Take out the Ratchet

✔️ The most common problems in lay-z boy recliners is that they often get stuck either in the halfway position or locked in the upright position.

✔️ Do you know have any idea what makes your footrest to lock in a certain position? Well, it’s the ratchet that allows the recliner footrest to stay in a halfway position. Without ratchet you can’t stop the footrest in the middle. That is to say that it will either move all the way up or all the way down. Therefore, the only way to get rid of this frequent locked problem is that you take off the ratchet.

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✔️ Ratchet is a vital part in the adjusting mechanism of the recliner footrest.

✔️ The ratchet is present right underneath your reclining chair.

✔️ Flip over the recliner and take the cover off the adjusting mechanism of the footrest.

✔️ The ratchet is a sort of a long rod which has two little springs attached to its very end. There are also two little pins on both sides of the ratchet.

✔️ You’ve got to take the entire ratchet out of the footrest mechanism.


How to Fix a Recliner Footrest? – Video

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