Buzz
Office chair wheels can make your chair more versatile, enabling you to move around effortlessly instead of being stationary. However, if your chair starts wobbling while you're moving around, it might be time to swap out your old wheels. Fortunately, this is a simple process that requires just a bit of effort.
Steps
Removing Old Wheels
Flip the chair upside down. Position the seat of the chair on the floor so that the wheels are facing upwards. This will give you complete access to the wheels located underneath the chair.
- If you're unable to flip the chair on your own due to its weight, ask someone to assist you.
Remove a threaded caster by turning it clockwise. Threaded casters, resembling screws, will loosen as they are twisted clockwise. Turn the caster clockwise to determine its type: if it moves in the same direction as your twist, continue until it comes out.
Detach a grip stem caster by applying lubricant and pulling. For grip stem casters that cannot be unscrewed, apply lubricating oil where the caster meets the chair. Grasp the caster with one hand and the chair leg with the other, then pull it out.
Utilize a screwdriver and pry bar if the caster is stubborn. If some casters are too rusty to remove by hand, use a wide flat-head screwdriver and a pry bar with a nail-pulling slot. Ensure the pry bar's slot fits the caster stem.
Insert the screwdriver's head between the caster and the chair, then turn. Position the screwdriver between the chair and the caster, then slowly turn it to lift the caster away from the chair. Try rotating the caster if it doesn't move.
Place the pry bar's nail-pulling slot over the stem and pull. Position the pry bar's slot between the caster and the chair, directly over the stem. Pull on the caster, or enlist someone to help pull the chair from the opposite side.
Choosing the Right Replacement Casters
Record the size and type of the caster's stem. Utilize a ruler to measure the caster's stem, noting whether it is threaded or grip. For chairs with swivel plates, measure the plate's width.
Measure the wheel's front-to-back length. Use a ruler to measure the wheel from front to back. Most casters come with wheels ranging from 2 to 2.5 inches (5.1 to 6.4 cm).
Choose between twin-wheel and single-wheel casters. Twin-wheel casters distribute weight evenly and are durable, while single-wheel casters are more reliable with fewer parts.
Select carpet casters for soft surfaces. These casters, often made of plastic, include a hood to conceal carpet threads. For chairs used on both carpet and hardwood floors, opt for hard floor casters to minimize damage.
Opt for hard floor casters for hardwood floors. These casters are designed specifically for use on hard floors to prevent damage.
- Hard floor casters can also roll on carpets, but they are primarily intended to protect hard floors.
Get your new casters from an office supply store. Purchase casters from a local hardware store or an online retailer. Bring along the specifications you've recorded to ensure you're selecting the correct product.
- If shopping in person, bring one of the old casters for comparison and ask for assistance from store staff.
Installing Fresh Casters
Twist a threaded caster into place by hand until it's snug. Align the threaded stem of the caster with the chair's leg and twist it in until it stops turning.
Insert a grip caster into position. For a grip caster without threading, push the stem of the caster into the chair leg until it sits flush with the bottom of the leg.
- If inserting the caster is challenging, apply lubricant like WD-40 inside the leg or use a rubber mallet to gently tap it in.
Attach a swivel plate caster using a screwdriver. If your caster is equipped with a swivel plate, secure it in place using the same screwdriver you used for removing the old caster.
Useful Tips
- Ensure accuracy when measuring your stem; small parts can easily lead to measurement errors. For instance, if you believe your stem is 3⁄8 in (9.5 mm), compare it to a 3⁄8 in (9.5 mm) drill bit to confirm they match precisely in size.
