How to Lubricate and Maintain a Lazyboy Recliner Mechanism
A well‑maintained Lazyboy recliner should feel smooth, quiet, and solid for years. If yours has started squeaking, feeling stiff, or clunking as you recline, the mechanism probably needs a little cleaning, lubrication, and basic tightening. The good news: you can do most of this at home with simple tools and the right products.
If you want to go deeper into brand‑specific setup and troubleshooting, you can also check general guides and comparisons on LazyboyReclinersOnline.com while you work through the steps below.
Before You Start: Safety and Setup
Lazyboy mechanisms have moving linkages, springs, and sharp metal edges. Take a few minutes to make the job safe and comfortable:
- Clear a work area with enough space to tip the recliner onto its back or front.
- Ask for a helper if your chair is heavy or if it is a power/lift model.
- Unplug power cords and disconnect any battery pack on power or lift recliners.
- Remove loose items from the chair (remotes, cups, cushions you can lift off).
- Lay an old blanket or cardboard on the floor to protect both the recliner and your flooring.
What Kind of Lubricant Should You Use?
The goal is to lubricate metal‑to‑metal contact points without soaking the upholstery or attracting tons of dust.
- Use: A dry or semi‑dry silicone spray lubricant on pivots and sliding joints, and a light white lithium grease spray on heavier load points.
- Sometimes: A small amount of multi‑purpose machine oil on specific squeaky rivets or pins.
- Avoid: Thick axle grease, WD‑40 as a long‑term lubricant (it is more of a cleaner/water displacer), and any product that will drip into upholstery.
Check your owner’s manual for any brand‑specific recommendations; some finishes and parts may have preferred products or areas where you should not use lubricant.
Helpful Tools and Products
You do not need a full workshop, but these make the job easier and cleaner:
- Silicone spray with straw nozzle for precise application.
- White lithium grease spray for high‑load joints and tracks.
- Microfiber cloths and paper towels for wiping dirt and overspray.
- Small nylon brushes to scrub dusty joints and tracks.
- LED work light or headlamp so you can clearly see underneath.
- Basic socket set or wrenches for tightening bolts.
- Disposable gloves if you want to keep lubricant off your hands.
Step 1: Tip the Recliner and Locate the Mechanism
Most Lazyboy chairs are easiest to work on from the bottom:
- With the footrest closed, have a helper hold the chair steady.
- Tip the recliner gently onto its back or front, depending on access to the metal frame.
- Use your light to find the main mechanism: you will see a metal frame, pivot arms, springs, and scissor‑like linkages running to the footrest and back.
- Make a quick mental map or take photos—this helps later if you bump or move anything.
Step 2: Clean Off Dust and Old Grease
Lubricating over old, dirty buildup just makes a sticky mess. Start by cleaning:
- Use a vacuum with a crevice tool to remove loose dust, pet hair, and crumbs from around the mechanism.
- Wipe metal parts with a dry microfiber cloth to remove surface grime.
- If you see thick, dirty grease, gently wipe it away; you can leave a thin film but remove excess.
- Use a small nylon brush for stubborn debris in tight corners.
Avoid spraying heavy cleaners that could drip into the padding or fabric; a light wipe is usually enough.
Step 3: Identify Key Lubrication Points
On a typical Lazyboy mechanism, you want to focus on metal‑to‑metal contact areas:
- Pivots where the main arms connect to the base frame.
- Joints where the footrest linkage scissor arms pivot.
- Rocking or gliding joints (if your chair rocks or glides).
- Pivot points on the backrest brackets, if accessible.
- Springs and hooks where metal rubs against metal under load.
You do not usually lubricate plastic bushings that are designed to be self‑lubricating, or any area where grease would obviously contact upholstery or wood trim.
Step 4: Apply Silicone and Grease Carefully
Now you can start lubricating:
- Shake your silicone spray and attach the straw for precise control.
- At each pivot or sliding joint, give a short, controlled burst right where the metal parts move against each other.
- Cycle the mechanism a few times by moving the footrest and back (with the chair still tipped) to work the lubricant in.
- On heavier load points—like the main rocking pivots or big scissor joints—add a small amount of white lithium grease spray.
- Immediately wipe any overspray from wood parts, plastic trim, or fabric with a clean cloth.
Use the minimum amount needed. The goal is a thin film, not dripping lubricant.
Step 5: Tighten Bolts and Screws While You Are There
A lot of “noise” and looseness is actually from hardware backing off over time:
- With the chair still tipped, go around the frame and gently check each visible bolt and nut.
- Use a small socket set or wrench to snug loose fasteners (do not over‑tighten, especially into wood).
- Check screws holding brackets to the wooden frame; snug them carefully to avoid stripping.
- Look for any missing bolts or nuts; if you find one, replace it with a similar grade and size.
This is a great time to note any parts that look bent, cracked, or excessively worn so you can plan a repair or part replacement later.
Step 6: Test the Recliner Upright
Once the mechanism is cleaned, lubricated, and hardware checked:
- Carefully tip the recliner back to its normal position.
- Sit down and slowly operate the footrest and back through their full range several times.
- Listen for squeaks, pops, or grinding noises; they should be much quieter or gone.
- If you still hear a specific squeak, tip the chair again and focus lubricant on the joints that correspond to that motion.
On power or lift models, plug the chair back in only after you are sure there are no tools or rags trapped in the mechanism.
How Often Should You Lubricate a Lazyboy Recliner?
Frequency depends on use and environment, but a simple schedule works for most homes:
- Light use (a few times per week): quick inspection and spot lubrication once a year.
- Daily use: clean and lubricate high‑load joints every 6–12 months.
- Heavy use or households with kids/pets: do a quick underside check every 6 months for loose hardware, hair buildup, or obvious dry joints.
You do not need to strip and soak everything in lubricant—think of it like an oil change for the mechanism: periodic, targeted, and light.
Common Squeaks and What to Check
If you still have a specific noise after basic maintenance, try matching the sound to a likely cause:
- Squeak when rocking only: Focus on the rocking or gliding pivots where the base meets the main frame; clean and lubricate those points again.
- Click or pop when raising the footrest: Check the footrest scissor arms and the pivot where they attach to the base and front rail.
- Grinding feel when reclining: Look for misaligned linkage arms, missing washers, or a bent bracket rubbing metal‑to‑metal.
- Squeak at one side of the back: Inspect the backrest brackets and their pivots; a tiny shot of silicone at those joints often helps.
If you suspect a part is damaged rather than just dry, you may want to look up replacement options or guides on removing the back and accessing deeper parts of the frame from resources similar to those on Lazyboy‑focused repair and review sites.
When Not to DIY Lubrication
Lubrication and tightening are safe DIY tasks in most cases, but there are times to step back:
- The chair is under warranty and any disassembly might void coverage.
- You see cracked welds, broken springs, or major bends in the frame.
- The mechanism is binding so hard that it feels unsafe to operate.
- You are working on a complex power/lift chair and are not comfortable around moving actuators.
In those cases, contacting Lazyboy customer service or a local furniture repair specialist is the better move.
Summary
Lubricating and maintaining a Lazyboy recliner mechanism is mostly about three things: cleaning away dust and old grease, applying the right light lubricants in the right places, and tightening hardware before it becomes a problem. With a can of silicone spray, some white lithium grease, basic hand tools, and 30–60 minutes, you can usually turn a noisy, stiff recliner back into a smooth, quiet, and comfortable chair that feels closer to new again.
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