Another quick and easy fix for a sinking office chair instead of replacing the cylinder is using the chair saver kit. It has spacers that snap on over the cylinder and won't slide down the shaft like a jubilee clamp. No tools or chair disassembly required to install in less than a minute. And it can be used again if something else breaks where you can't fix on the chair. www.chair-saver.com to check it out.
BPG2, September 2016
I fixed my sinking/leaking gas shock with some vegetable glycerine. Just squirted it around the bottom of the silver shaft and no more sinking feeling!!!
Katz, March 2015
Using the ole "wrench in a clock" MacGyver technique, I just broke a pencil and jammed it into the hydraulic cylinder. May be a temp fix but I'm a temp so... :D
Iris Brand, December 2014
You can fix a sinking gas lift cylinder by getting a Chair Saver kit from www.chair-saver.com. No tools required and can install it in under a minute. Definitely a lot easier and cheaper than trying to install a cylinder or buying a new office chair.
Tim, December 2012
Turn the chair over with the back and seat fob resting on the floor. Remove the oil drip cup from centre of leg spider (5 legs). Push spring clip off central rod which just protrudes. Buy steel washers that fit over the rod and are no bigger in diameter than the gas cylinder's diameter. Stack them up to the end of the rod but leave room for the ball race. Reassemble and replace the clip. The chair will now sit permanently at full height and will swivel.
dan, June 2012
I just drilled a hole through the metal tube and put a metal hook pin through it and it can no longer go down! Fixed
Jose, August 2011
The PVC Sched 40 spacer -- 1.675-inch ID -- works perfectly --- we don't change chair height anyway so "adjustability" means nothing ... even hidden by the telescoping sleeves. I found the "pipe" in a scarp bin ...
El Chinero - SAV & San Felipe, December 2010
Install as many "hose clamps" in a stacked position (on extended cylinder piston) as needed to keep the seat at the ideal height. Tighten each to the max.
Hose clamps that fit a piston diameter cost about 20 cents each.
David J. Purser, December 2010
I just attached a pair if vice grips near the bottom where the shaft starts to enter the cylinder at the set height and that seems to be working great!
mr smiley, August 2010
I had this problem for many months. I have today solved it. All I had to do was tighten the tension knob underneath the chair. Go to Norco.co and everything will be explained and it wont cost you a penny.
Sylvia, May 2010
Yet, even easier: Clear packing tape wound round and round. Be sure to completely clean the shaft, first.
r1g0r_m0rt15, February 2010
I had this problem and noted the chair had some fine construction dust on the shaft. After cleaning the shaft, I rubbed a little bit of lip balm on it (only "grease" available at my desk) and ran it up and down a few times. So far, so good.
Ms. Fixit, August 2009
I had the problem also. I measured the diameter of the gas lift cylinder, then went and found a scrap piece of PVC pipe that the cylinder would fit inside. I couldn't get the chair to come apart to slide it over it. So I cut it in half down the middle and then cut it to the exact length I needed to keep the chair at my height. Then I placed the two halves on either side of the cylinder and then used 3 tie straps around it to hold them in place. It works fantastic.
Andrew Sweeting, May 2009
Had the same problem ... found an easy and cheap fix - providing you don't want to reset the height. Just set the chair to the max height and put a jubilee clip around the stem where it comes out of the cylinder. Give it a good tighten and it should hold OK - my chair has been in constant use now for a couple of weeks and been fine.
David, April 2009
I also have a sinking chair it is a few years old. Rather than buy a new cylinder im just gona drill a hole and bolt it. I perfer it on highest setting anyway. Sure beats my first idea... Cinder blocks. yup im a poor. :( but i make due.
Dill, December 2008
Your sinking chair is due to the Gas Lift cylinder. Replace the cylinder and your chair will be as good as new. Google, "gas lift chair cylinder", or go to www.swivel-chair-parts.com for a replacement cylinder.
