Rolling Office Chair Wheel Disassembly Repair Guide

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Easy

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Time Required

                          5 minutes

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Rolling Office Chair Wheel Disassembly
5 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Identify the Problem

The wheel was likely mankind’s first invention but these tandem wheels so typical of any rolling office chair quickly get clogged up with pet hair and dirt until they will hardly roll at all.
Lay your chair on its’ side and examine the wheel. If it looks like debris is preventing it from rolling smoothly, then this guide will help you out.

The wheel was likely mankind’s first invention but these tandem wheels so typical of any rolling office chair quickly get clogged up with pet hair and dirt until they will hardly roll at all.

Lay your chair on its’ side and examine the wheel. If it looks like debris is preventing it from rolling smoothly, then this guide will help you out.

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Step 2

              Get the Right Tools

You will need something to pry the two wheels apart. I’ve found that using two pry bars work best but you might be able to accomplish the same thing using (2) large screwdrivers with an object between them as a fulcrum.
The WD-40 is a general purpose lubricant but any light oil can be used. Some people feel you shouldn’t use oil at all but use graphite in lieu of oil.
The clamp will make reassembly easier but you might be able to do the same thing with a hammer or just your foot.

You will need something to pry the two wheels apart. I’ve found that using two pry bars work best but you might be able to accomplish the same thing using (2) large screwdrivers with an object between them as a fulcrum.

The WD-40 is a general purpose lubricant but any light oil can be used. Some people feel you shouldn’t use oil at all but use graphite in lieu of oil.

The clamp will make reassembly easier but you might be able to do the same thing with a hammer or just your foot.

Step 3

              Pry the Two Wheels Apart

The wheels are just pressed onto a common shaft. There are no screws or clips holding them. To remove them from the shaft, insert the two pry bars as illustrated so that they press against each other and pry them apart until they pop apart.
Only one side will come off. Use a knife to clear away the debris from the shaft until you can pull out the shaft and get everything cleaned.

The wheels are just pressed onto a common shaft. There are no screws or clips holding them. To remove them from the shaft, insert the two pry bars as illustrated so that they press against each other and pry them apart until they pop apart.

Only one side will come off. Use a knife to clear away the debris from the shaft until you can pull out the shaft and get everything cleaned.

Step 4

              Clean and Lubricate the Shaft & Wheels

The faces of the wheels themselves will also likely need to be cleaned. I’ve found that a utility knife works well to scrape away the accumulated dirt and grime off of the wheel. You can likely accomplish the same using any number of tools or even just scrubbing it with a pad or steel wool in a sink.
I suggest that you lubricate the axle with a light oil such as WD-40. Other repair persons say that the oil will just attract more dirt. They say that you should leave it dry or use dry graphite as a lubricant.

The faces of the wheels themselves will also likely need to be cleaned. I’ve found that a utility knife works well to scrape away the accumulated dirt and grime off of the wheel. You can likely accomplish the same using any number of tools or even just scrubbing it with a pad or steel wool in a sink.

I suggest that you lubricate the axle with a light oil such as WD-40. Other repair persons say that the oil will just attract more dirt. They say that you should leave it dry or use dry graphite as a lubricant.

Step 5

              Reassemble the Wheels

It’s now time to reassemble the wheels. A clamp can be used to gently push the two wheels back together again. You can also accomplish this by placing one wheel on a sturdy object and either hammer the other wheel or step on it. It’s just difficult to get the wheel up onto something to do it in that manner. The clamp is easy, safe, and quiet.
Once the wheels are back together, test spin them to make sure you have gotten them all the way on. If they don’t spin easily, you may not have pressed them together far enough. You should hear a distinct “pop” when they go together.
That’s it! You’re done and ready to move to the next wheel.

It’s now time to reassemble the wheels. A clamp can be used to gently push the two wheels back together again. You can also accomplish this by placing one wheel on a sturdy object and either hammer the other wheel or step on it. It’s just difficult to get the wheel up onto something to do it in that manner. The clamp is easy, safe, and quiet.

Once the wheels are back together, test spin them to make sure you have gotten them all the way on. If they don’t spin easily, you may not have pressed them together far enough. You should hear a distinct “pop” when they go together.

That’s it! You’re done and ready to move to the next wheel.

A typical office chair may have (4) or (5) such wheels. Disassemble and clean all of them and enjoy a smooth rolling chair again.

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                    Todd Stahlnecker

Member since: 11/01/2017

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David Chiasson - Dec 20, 2018

Dual pry bars is brilliant. Worked like a charm, even on the near-impossible wheels I’ve got.

ThisWould BeMe - Jun 11, 2019

I thought I had tried everything, but the two pry bars was the answer. Things work very nice now. Thank you so much!

itai cohen - Mar 21, 2020

I also cleaned everything with water and soap because dirt and old lube turns to sticky mess..

thanks!

melvin sorta - Jan 30, 2021

Thank you It was helpful. I was afraid of breaking wheels before I searched for this but now everything worked out perfectly.

Verónica M - Aug 27, 2022

I have cleaned the wheels of my chair like this but now one of the wheels keeps falling off, not the entire caster just one single wheel. Any ideas on how to fix it? Every time I put it in, it makes a pop sound as all others did. But after a few rolls, it will fall off.

Member-Contributed Guide#

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Member-Contributed Guide

Introduction

What you need