It sounds as though a spring has weakened or broke, or a link in the mechanism is bent. Some Lazy Boy recliners also have a cam mechanism that holds the footrest in various positions. This cam may be worn. This is tough to diagnose without seeing it firsthand. I would suggest contacting a nearby furniture repair shop. I own a Furniture Medic franchise in Colorado, and we have franchises all over the US. Many of us do repairs on recliner mechanisms, and I am proud to say we get many referals from Lazy Boy.
Furniture Medic by Randy Buchter, January 2012
