How To Fix A Sinking Desk Chair

If your desk chair keeps sinking, it could be caused by a few common issues. You can fix your desk chair by tightening the screws in the chair, replacing the gas cylinder, or adding a shim underneath the chair base.

Tightening the Screws

Loose screws are the most common source of a sinking desk chair. Take a look at the screws on the base of the chair, and make sure they are all tight. If any of the screws are loose, use a screwdriver to tighten them. If the screws are already tight, tighten them as much as possible without stripping the screws.

Replacing The Gas Cylinder

If tightening the screws does not resolve the issue, the next step is to replace the gas cylinder. The gas cylinder is what raises and lowers the chair, so a damaged or leaking gas cylinder can cause the chair to sink.
To replace the gas cylinder, turn the chair upside down and locate the gas cylinder. It will be a long, thin cylinder at the bottom of the chair. Remove the screws that hold the gas cylinder in place and pull it out.
To install the new gas cylinder, line it up with the holes in the chair base and push it in until it clicks into place. Then, replace the screws and turn the chair back upright.

Adding Shim

If you have tried tightening the screws and replacing the gas cylinder, but the chair still sinks, you can try adding a shim underneath the chair base.
A shim is simply thin piece of material used to fill gaps. You can use a piece of cardboard, a piece plywood, or even stack of washers. To add a shim, place it underneath the chair base, and make sure it is centered. This will help to distribute the weight of the chair more evenly and prevent it from sinking.
If you do not want to add a shim underneath the chair base, you can also reinforce the chair with plywood or wooden board. This will help to make the chair more stable and resistant to sinking.