How to Adjust Lazyboy Recliner Tension
Find it a little too difficult to push back or pull the lever of your Lazyboy recliner? Or does it recline too easily, lean too far back, or feel like it is not giving you enough support? One of the most useful features of many Lazyboy recliners is that they allow tension adjustment. This means you can fine-tune the reclining mechanism so the chair matches your size, body weight, strength, and personal comfort preference.
This is important because not every user will want the same reclining feel. If you are on the petite side, you may prefer to reduce the tension so it takes less effort to push the chair back and recline comfortably. On the other hand, if you are heavier or simply prefer a firmer reclining action, increasing the tension can help the chair feel more supportive and prevent it from leaning back too easily. A properly adjusted recliner usually feels smoother, more balanced, and more comfortable for everyday sitting, reading, watching TV, or napping.
In many cases, recliner tension problems are not caused by a major defect at all. Sometimes the chair simply needs a quick adjustment underneath. Other times, worn hardware or a weak spring may be part of the problem. Before assuming your recliner is damaged, it is worth checking the tension setting and making sure everything is adjusted correctly.
Why recliner tension matters
Recliner tension affects how easily the chair moves when you lean back and how much resistance the reclining mechanism gives you. If the tension is too loose, the chair may feel like it drops back too quickly or leans farther than you want. If the tension is too tight, it may become hard to recline at all, especially for smaller or lighter users. The right setting helps the recliner feel controlled, supportive, and more comfortable over long periods of use.
Common signs your recliner tension needs adjusting
There are a few common signs that usually tell you your Lazyboy recliner needs a tension adjustment. These include:
- The chair is too hard to recline
- The chair leans back too easily
- The reclining action feels uneven
- One side feels tighter than the other
- The chair no longer feels as supportive as it used to
- You recently moved, repaired, or heavily used the recliner and it now feels different
If you notice one or more of these problems, checking the tension adjustment is a smart first step before replacing any parts.
Feed don’t touch floor or leans too far back?
This is a common problem and has been asked a lot. So we wrote a dedicated article to solve this issue. You can view the article HERE.
How do you adjust the recliner tension?
Lazyboy recliners are typically equipped with either a pair of wing nuts or thumb wheels that allow you to adjust the reclining mechanism tension. To begin, make sure the leg rest is fully closed, then carefully tilt the recliner chair forward so you can access the underside. Depending on the model, you may find wing nuts or thumb wheels underneath the chair, either toward the back or closer to the center of the mechanism.
Some Lazyboy models use wing nuts, such as certain Reclina-Rocker and Reclina-Way chairs, while others use thumb wheels, such as some Reclina-Glider Swivel models. Even though the hardware may look a little different, both styles are adjusted in basically the same way.
How to increase tension
To increase reclining tension, turn both thumb wheels or wing nuts clockwise by one quarter turn. This makes the recliner harder to push back and can help if the chair feels too loose or leans back too far for comfort.
How to decrease tension
To decrease tension, turn both sides counter-clockwise by one quarter turn. This makes the chair easier to recline, which may be more comfortable for lighter users or anyone who finds the recliner too stiff.
Adjust both sides equally
It is very important to adjust both sides equally. If one side is tighter than the other, the recliner may feel uneven, twist slightly during movement, or wear out faster over time. After adjusting both sides by one quarter turn, return the recliner to its upright position and test it. Sit down, lean back, and see how the reclining action feels. If further adjustment is needed, repeat the process in small quarter-turn increments until you find the setting that feels right.
What you may need before adjusting
If the mechanism feels dry or stiff while you are making adjustments, it may help to inspect the moving parts and consider using a silicone spray lubricant for recliner parts. If you want to check the hardware more closely, having a flashlight for home repair and a pair of work gloves nearby can make the job easier and safer.
If the adjustment points are hard to reach, a adjustable wrench or needle nose pliers may also be useful depending on your chair model.
Important rule when adjusting recliner tension
When adjusting recliner tension, there is one very important rule: never loosen or tighten the thumb wheels or wing nuts all the way. Doing this can damage the tension spring or place too much stress on the mechanism. After making adjustments, check to make sure the spring does not move on the bolt. If it does, turn the thumb wheel or wing nut clockwise by at least another half turn until the spring no longer moves loosely on the bolt.
At the same time, the spring should not be fully compressed after adjustment. If the spring looks completely pressed down, loosen the thumb wheels or wing nuts slightly by turning them counter-clockwise by at least half a turn. The goal is to find a balanced setting where the mechanism feels secure, smooth, and comfortable without over-stressing the spring.
Tips for testing the new tension setting
After every adjustment, test the recliner before making another change. Sit in the chair the way you normally use it. Recline slowly, return to upright, and pay attention to whether the chair feels more natural. Small adjustments usually work better than large ones. It is better to fine-tune the tension gradually than to overcorrect it in one attempt.
Can body size affect the right tension setting?
Yes, absolutely. The best recliner tension setting often depends on the user. A lighter person may find a factory-tight setting difficult to use, while a heavier person may feel under-supported if the tension is too loose. That is why Lazyboy tension adjustment is such a helpful feature. It allows different users to personalize the recliner without changing major parts.
When tension adjustment is not enough
Sometimes the problem is not just the setting. If the chair still feels too loose, too stiff, noisy, or unstable after proper adjustment, the real problem may be a worn tension spring, stretched hardware, damaged mechanism, or another failing recliner part. In older chairs, parts naturally wear down and adjustment alone may no longer restore the original feel.
Do you need a new tension spring?
If your recliner still feels wrong even after proper adjustment, the tension spring itself may be worn, stretched, weak, or broken. In that case, adjustment alone may not solve the problem. A damaged spring can make the recliner feel too loose, too stiff, uneven, or unstable during use. If that happens, replacing the spring is often the next step.
You can easily find a recliner tension spring online, but make sure you order the correct replacement for your specific recliner model. It can also be helpful to compare recliner spring replacement options, recliner repair kit listings, and even a recliner handle replacement if your chair has multiple worn parts that may be affecting the reclining action.
Simple maintenance tips to keep tension working properly
A few simple habits can help keep your recliner tension feeling right for longer. Avoid dropping heavily into the chair, do not force the recliner backward suddenly, and inspect the underside occasionally for loose hardware or worn parts. If the mechanism looks dry or dusty, clean it carefully and use an appropriate silicone spray lubricant for recliner use. Catching small problems early can help prevent bigger repairs later.
Final thoughts
For ultimate comfort, make sure you keep your recliner tension adjusted to suit your needs. Lazyboy recliners are designed for relaxation, but they work best when the reclining mechanism matches your body and your comfort preference. A small adjustment underneath the chair can make a big difference in how easy it is to recline, how supportive the chair feels, and how enjoyable it is to use every day.
With the right tension setting for your size and build, your recliner can feel more natural, more supportive, and much more comfortable from the moment you sit down, kick your shoes off, and relax. If the chair still does not feel right after adjustment, inspect the spring and related hardware before the problem gets worse. A simple fix now can help extend the life of your recliner and keep it feeling the way it should.
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Thanks for the information!
THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS THE EFFORT TO PUSH THE FOOT REST DOWN TO THE LOCK POSITION. wHEN MAKING ADJUSTMENT DOES THE CHAIR NEED TO BE TIPPED OVER, CAN’T I JUST TURN THE SCREWS FROM THE FRONT WITH THE FOOT REST UP?
When I sit in my rocker recliner it goes too far back that my feet do not touch the floor. And they should I’m 5’9″ and weight 195. Can you help?
When I sit in my rocker recliner it goes too far back that my feet do not touch the floor. And they should I’m 6′ 4” and weight 340 Can you help?
My rocker/recliner snaps and pops when the leaver is used to lower chair.
It is so loud I wake the house when I use it.
Chair is only 4 months old, and I like it less and less everytime I use it.
I would be much happier had I purchased another ASHLEY.
My rocker recliner sits back to far is there a way to adjust to sit more upright?
I have a similar problem. The chair sits too far back and my feet are off the floor. I am 6’2″ and my wife is 5’10” and we both have the same problem. How can this be corrected?
When I sit in my rocker recliner it goes too far back and my feet do not touch the floor. I’m 5’8″ and weight 230. What can I do?
My chair leans back too far. It feels like your gonna flip over
When I sit in my rocker/recliner, without reclining, my chair sits back ai about 45 degrees preventing my feet from touching the floor. It also causes me to sit at a substantial angle sloping backwards so that I cannot face level forward.
This causes major discomfort! I have read several comments, and many people have the same problem. The exact same chair model in the Lazy Boy gallery did not have this problem.
What can be done?
Thanks for your help.
David
Purchased the Lazyboy Rocker Recliner approximately 4- 5 months ago. The chair is very comfortable. However, it has flipped completely over backwards twice while I was in the chair. It just happened to me the 2nd time. It was a scarey and somewhat painful experience and as you can understand, I am somewhat reluctant to recline due to safety reasons. At this point, I want something done to fix the defect or a replacement. I have owned Lazyboy recliners for many years and have never had a problem with the quality or safety of the chairs. Please have someone contact me. I purchased the chair at Mathis Brothers in Oklahoma City.
The chair tips back because the base is too far forward on the frame, by moving the base back on the frame it will stabilize.
It looks like I’m not the only one with the chair going back too. Same thing. Five-eight 180 lbs. and I can’t touch the floor. It drives me nuts, but now we can’t tighten the wing nuts or even loosen them. It came like that. Also it is a different set up than every other Lazyboy we’ve had. Two of our chairs are exactly the same except one has the wing nuts and a slide bar to adjust. My chair has a 2″ slide, I think, and some kind of metal strips that stick out and a set that lays further in. We’ve never seen this in the 42 years of buying Lazyboy. I can’t rock because the back slides and I can’t recline because it goes so far back I have literally fallen/slid head first out of it. Help. You can call. E-mail me to get my phone number. Please help. These chairs are not cheap and I’d like to enjoy mine. Thank you, Laurie
My handle is too tight to use without a lot of force either to raise or lower the foot.
What can I do to make it looser?
Was given a Lazy boy lounge recliner. Said only a yr old. Will not stay in reclined position. There are no wing nuts or wheels to make adjustments. What now?
Thank you
When my husband lifts the leg rest, it makes a terrible racket. What adjustment should he make ?
My recliner makes an awful sound when I put the footrest down and when I extend the footrest I have to lean back with a rocking motion until I am reclined as far as I want and the seat sinks.
My motorized rocker recliner has always felt unstable in the full recline position. Well today I reclined to a nearly full recline position and the chair flipped over backwards. The full weight of my body was supported by my head and neck. The flip also dislodged the plug from the wall so the chair was no longer motorized. I contorted my body until my hands could touch the wall and pushed myself back up off my head. Eventually, I crawled out of the chair, plugged it back into the wall socket and reset everything back to normal. Except of course my head and neck and right wrist which are beginning to tighten and bark even as I type this.
I am 6’3” tall and just now realizing the physics problem presented by my Lazy-Z-Boy rocker recliner. I can set the auto buttons to control for this problem but it is a true design flaw and potentially dangerous. Since the guys who delivered the chair left no literature, I had no warning this mishap was likely to happen. I’m considering what agency I can report this to in hopes of preventing similar accidents from happening.