you recliner most likely need a "3 position sub-assembly" replacement. This is the plate located on the square drive rod running through the body of the chair. It looks like a semi-round plate with cutouts to allow a pin to jump into. You can also just disconnect this part by removing the 2 pins a 2 tiny little springs attastched to this plate. iIt will work fine but only leaving one footrest position. (all the way up)
chad, February 2009