Fixing a Lazyboy Recliner That Leans to One Side
A Lazyboy recliner that leans to one side usually has an issue with the base, frame, springs, or mechanism being out of alignment. Sometimes it is something simple, like one leg sitting on a thick rug or a loose bolt on one side. Other times, a bent frame rail or broken spring is causing the chair to sag. Fixing the lean starts with a careful visual check, then tightening, leveling, and finally inspecting internal parts.
Step 1: Confirm It’s Not the Floor or a Leg Issue
Before you assume there is a serious problem with the recliner, make sure the surface it sits on is level.
- Move the recliner to a different spot in the room, preferably on a hard, flat surface like tile or wood.
- Check if one corner of the base is resting on a rug edge, cable, or uneven floorboard.
- Inspect the legs or base corners for damage. If one glide or leg is shorter, you can temporarily use furniture leveling shims to even things out.
If the recliner still leans when it is on a perfectly flat floor, the problem is inside the chair itself.
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Step 2: Flip the Recliner and Inspect the Base Frame
Most fixes for a leaning recliner require looking underneath.
- Carefully tip the recliner onto its back or side. Have someone help you if the chair is heavy or powered.
- Use a flashlight to examine the base frame, crossbars, and mounting points.
- Look for any bent metal, cracked welds, or damaged wooden rails on the side where the chair leans.
- Check for missing or loose bolts connecting the base to the rest of the frame.
If you are not sure what you are looking at, it may help to compare what you see with the layouts shown in the Lazyboy recliner parts diagram and manual.
Step 3: Tighten Loose Bolts and Fasteners
A common cause of leaning is that fasteners on one side have worked loose over time.
- Locate the bolts and screws that connect the base frame to the seat and side rails.
- Use the proper tools (usually a Phillips screwdriver and socket or a ratcheting screwdriver set) to snug each one down.
- Tighten fasteners on both sides of the chair, not just the leaning side, so the frame pulls back into even alignment.
- If any bolts seem to loosen repeatedly, consider replacing them and adding a drop of medium strength thread locker to hold them in place.
After tightening, set the recliner upright and test it again. If the lean is reduced or gone, you may have already solved the problem.
Step 4: Inspect Springs and Support on the Leaning Side
If the chair still leans, the support system on one side may be weaker.
- With the chair still on its side, look for seat springs, zig-zag springs, or tension springs that run across the bottom.
- Compare the height and shape of the springs on the leaning side with those on the opposite side.
- Look for broken, stretched, or disconnected springs. Any spring that droops lower on one side can cause the chair to sag.
- If you see a damaged spring, you can often replace it yourself using a suitable recliner spring replacement kit and basic tools.
For more detail on replacing springs and understanding how they support the chair, you can review the instructions in how to replace a recliner tension spring.
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Step 5: Check the Reclining Mechanism and Side Rails
Sometimes the lean is due to the reclining mechanism itself being twisted or one side bracket slipping out of place.
- Follow the metal rails from the base up toward the seat and back on both sides.
- Look for any gaps where a bracket should sit flush against the frame.
- Make sure both sides of the mechanism are bolted in the same hole positions and that no linkage is bent.
- If a side bracket has shifted, loosen the bolts slightly, realign it, then tighten everything down evenly.
If your recliner also has trouble locking into position, or seems to slip backward or forward unexpectedly, you may be dealing with related issues described in the site’s guide to Lazyboy recliner 3-position locks and repairs.
Step 6: Examine the Backrest Alignment
A misaligned backrest can give you the feeling that the entire recliner is leaning.
- With the chair upright, stand behind it and check whether the backrest is tilted more to one side.
- Gently rock the backrest left and right; if it wiggles, the locking brackets may not be fully engaged.
- Remove the backrest according to the instructions for your model, then reinstall it carefully, making sure the brackets click or lock fully into place.
If you suspect a more general back or side joint issue, the broader guide on how to troubleshoot your Lazyboy recliner walks through checking the back brackets, side joints, and more.
Step 7: Reinforce or Repair a Bent Frame
If you see a clearly bent metal bar or cracked wooden rail on one side, you have likely found the main cause of the lean.
- Minor bends in metal brackets can sometimes be straightened with an adjustable wrench or clamp, but do this slowly to avoid snapping the metal.
- Cracked wood should not be ignored. For small splits, you can inject a suitable wood repair epoxy and clamp the rail until it cures.
- Severely damaged frame components usually require replacement parts. You may be able to find compatible components via a Lazy Boy recliner replacement parts search.
- If the structural damage is extensive, consider whether professional service or a full chair replacement makes more sense.
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Step 8: Reassemble and Test the Recliner
Once you have tightened hardware, checked springs and rails, and addressed any frame issues, it is time to test.
- Carefully lower the recliner back to its normal position.
- Sit in the chair and notice whether the seat feels even from left to right.
- Recline fully, then return to the upright position, paying attention to any remaining lean or shifting.
- If the chair still leans noticeably after all these checks, you may be dealing with a subtle frame twist that requires a replacement part or professional evaluation.
When to Call in Parts or Professional Help
Not every leaning problem can or should be fixed at home.
- If your recliner is still under warranty, contact your dealer or Lazyboy support before doing major structural work.
- If you discover broken welds, badly warped metal, or large cracks in the wood, it is often safer to replace those components instead of trying to bend or glue everything back.
- Use DIY inspection and tightening steps to narrow down the problem, then source the correct components using the tips in finding Lazyboy recliner parts.
- For powered recliners, be extra cautious around wiring and motors and unplug the chair before working underneath it.
Final Thoughts
A Lazyboy recliner that leans to one side is more than just an annoyance — it is a sign that something in the base, springs, or frame needs attention. By going step by step, checking for simple leveling issues first and then working your way through the base, springs, rails, and backrest alignment, you can often bring the chair back to an even, comfortable feel.
With a few basic tools, some careful inspection, and the right replacement hardware from searches like recliner repair kits on Amazon, you can usually fix the lean yourself and add years of life to your favorite Lazyboy recliner.
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