Lazyboy Recliner DIY Repair
Lazy Boy recliners are of the highest quality, but even such products are subject to damage over the course of time. Many repairs, however, can be done by following simple instructions and using the most basic set of tools. Below you will find a list of the most common problems with recliners, as well as the instructions for DIY repair.
1. Broken pawl and ratchet assembly
This is the mechanism that makes it possible to move the chair backward and forward while it’s reclining. The pawl is a bar that has a cap on one end, and the ratchet a piece with teeth that enable the chair to move backward and forward. When it breaks, this is what you can do: unscrew the assembly from the base of the chair and remove the cap that keeps it together. Slide the ratchet away from the pawl and replace the broken or worn piece. Screw the cap, and then the assembly back in place.
2. Broken Lazy Boy backrest
The backrest of the Lazy Boy recliner can be removed from the base of the chair. If you happen to break, lose or wear it, don’t despair! Instead of buying a brand new recliner, find a used one that has a backrest that’s compatible with the chair you already own. Since it would be very hard to get a part of the same color and material, be prepared to change the fabric as well. You can always have it done by a professional upholsterer, but you might also try doing it yourself. The foam filling will need to be cut into the right shape and glued to the base of the backrest, and if you still have the old one, cut the cover from it to use as a guide when making a new one.
3. Broken seat springs
This is a difficult task even for a professional, but if you still want to do it yourself, here are a couple of tips. First you should remove the backrest. When you’ve done it, turn the seat upside down and use a flashlight to locate the two retainer bolts. First you’ll need to unbolt only one of them, pull the spring away from the chair, and then unbolt the other end as well. Take the new spring and bolt it onto the foot rest the same way you unbolted it.
4. Switching the handle
Even if your Lazy Boy recliner isn’t broken, there are things you can do to personalize it. If, for instance, you don’t like the handle being placed on the left side of the chair, you can try switching it to your right. What you’ll need to do first is to locate the square rod from underneath the seat. You’ll find that the handle is attached to it. Uncrew or remove anything that’s fixing it in place, and pull it away from the mechanism. There should be a hole on the right side of the chair. Drill one on the left side so that the holes are symmetrical. Push the square rod into the new hole and screw or bolt all the pieces back in place.
Where to buy Lazy Boy recliner parts?
On this page, we lists all the Lazy Boy recliner parts you can buy and where to buy them.
I have 2 recliner chairs and one of the wooden handles broke and we can not find a replacement handle anywhere.
Hello La Z–Boy,
My 89 year old in-laws bought two matching leather La Z-Boy recliners about five years ago. They also bought the five year repair protection plan. It just ran out. One chair is fine, no problems. The other, now has a seam that is splitting open on the back just below the head rest and is separating, and the head rest area is badly discolored. DID I MENTION, THEIR *89″ YEARs OLD!!! My in-laws are lasting longer than your great chairs! LOL! Their like the “Lee and Morty”, (Swiffer commercials), of La-Z-Boy! Isn’t that worth something in advertising or a little help in repairing it for them, especially since their extended “five year repair warranty” just lapsed! Any help out there? Thanks, Tim Collins Antioch, Illinois. They live in Grayslake, Illinois a few miles away from us and bought both chairs a a local Laz-Z-Boy store.
Where can I purchase a new pawl and ratchet assembly? This just stopped working on my lay-z-boy maverick recliner. I keep seeing do it yourself solutions, but not where I can buy the part.
Can’t get rachet off of recliner to install new one. Need a video please
MY lazy boy bearings on the slides have worn out. I WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE THEM.
Robert
You discuss repairing the ratchet and pawl assembly as a diy project but there is no place to purchase the parts. I was told to consult my local dealer who was of absolutely no help. They will not repair the recliner because it was not purchased there, nor would they assist with ordering the parts. It seems pretty straight forward to repair if I could get the parts. Could you please advise how to go about getting a replacement assembly? Thanks.
How do I remove the ratchet from the chair to replace it. Do I remove the fabric to expose screws or what. I’ve replaced the pawl but can’t see access to remove the ratchet
Do I have to remove the fabric to access the screws in order to replace the ratchet ?
Where can I buy ratchet and pawl?
I need a new pawl cap for my rocker recliner , does anyone know where I can get one
Parts for most issues can be found on eBay. I have a small store on there and try to keep a few parts in stock for purchase. Just get on Ebay and search for La-Z-Boy chair parts (ratchet and pawl assembly) etc.
As for getting to the parts so you can replace them. You’ll have to peel back the fabric to get to the screws for the ratchet. I usually just cut it left, right and top to make a square and then just staple it back on afterward. The pawl is a little trickier. You’re going to want to make some 1 1/2″ blocks to fit under the four sides of the springs. If you don’t do this, when you unscrew those springs you’ll never get the base to line back up with the holes. Once you have those under the springs, go ahead and unscrew the base, flip it back and you’ll be able to unscrew the pawl.