For nearly 200 years, recliners have enhanced the furnishing and comfort level in everyone’s house. About 30% of the American population own a recliner, mostly for leisure purposes. Moreover, a recliner is the best way to relax on the weekends, with friends or family.
No matter how good the quality of a recliner is, the pull handle can get damaged after prolonged use. Hence, repairing it can be annoying and sometimes painstaking.
Does your recliner not work as smoothly as before, or is it broken?
On that note, this article will guide you on how to fix a recliner pull handle with minimal effort and maximum results!
The Different Types of Recliner Handles
Even though the three types of recliner handles achieve the same thing, the anatomy is different. So, before you start fixing the chair, take a look at the functionalities of these handles.
Lever Style Handle
This style was prominent in older recliners hence making them the most common. It has an infusion of metal, plastic, or wood, depending on the recliner quality. Furthermore, owners find these to be extremely intuitive because of their easy pull mechanism.
D-Ring Style Handle
This unique type of pull handle operates in the same way but has a completely different look. It is a D-shaped handle connected to a cable that reclines the chair once tugged on. Moreover, you can compare its mechanism to a gas-powered lawnmower.
Flapper Style Handle
These handles have distinctive anatomy, as it looks sleek and is camouflaged into the chair. Usually, most modern designs house this style due to its unnoticeable feature. In addition, using this handle is extremely easy as you only have to move the flap forward, and the chair will recline.
You can even compare this style to that of a car’s gas tank opener.
Fixing a Recliner Pull Handle – A Step-By-Step Guide
Before you start the journey to fix your broken recliner handle, you should get the right tools.
You will need a Torx-head screwdriver or ones that have a simple hex key. However, a Torx works better and more efficiently. Along with that, you will also need pliers.
As mentioned earlier, the three types of pull handles have different anatomy. It means that the repair process will be different. Therefore, you need to examine what type of handles your recliner has before repairing it.
Here are the three sections that will help you in the process of regaining your recliner’s efficiency!
Lever Style Pull Handle
If your recliner has a lever on its side, follow these simple steps to repair it if it is broken:
Step 1: Making It Upside Down
To achieve this, you should stand behind the recliner and smoothly push it into an upside-down position.
Step 2: Removing the Screw
Once the chair is upside-down, check the handle for its screw placement. You have to look at the bottom of your lever and remove this screw with your screwdriver.
Step 3: Removing the Lever
The next step would be to disengage the lever from your recliner. Consequently, taking out the protective metal piece that you will see.
Step 4: Inserting a New Metal
Once you have removed everything, you need to insert a new protective metal on the mechanism. After that, sliding the recliner pull handle on it will be easy!
Step 5: Screwing It Back in Place
Again, with the screwdriver, you need to place the screws back in place and secure them. Once you have tightened it, lift the couch and see if it works better.
D-Ring Pull Handle
If your recliner handle houses a D-ring or a Pull Ring Cable, follow these steps to fix it:
Step 1: Flipping the Recliner
It would be best to flip it over to better access the internal mechanism housed underneath the couch.
Step 2: Removing the Screws
Once you have inspected the issue, look for the two screws between the cushions. Taking a screwdriver, you need to unscrew them and take them off the handle. Consequently, letting the D-Ring hang on its own will be wiser as pulling it out might damage the fiber.
Step 3: Investigate the Pathway
After that, access to the bottom end that connects to the mechanism. The cable will have connections in two places – one with the trigger and the S-Tip.
Step 4: Removing the S-Tip and Release Trigger
Once you have located the release trigger, be gentle while removing it.
You need to release the tension and remove the S-Tip to ensure that the trigger has a smooth release. Here it would be best if you used the pliers to squeeze the plastic clip.
Step 5: Fixing It
While taking the new cable, you need to gently pass it through the side and place the clips on it. Moreover, it would be best to rock the couch, which will help snap the cable into place.
After that, pull the trigger and place the S-tip. Once done, you have to screw the handle back into place and check to see if it works.
Flapper Style Pull Handle
Follow these steps if your recliner has a flapper-style pull handle:
Step 1: Expanding the Couch
To have access to the screws, you need to expand the chair. It will help you locate them quicker and easier.
Step 2: Removing the Screws
The second thing you have to do is gently remove the screws using the screwdriver. Make sure not to twist the screws as it might damage the ports.
Step 3: Removing the Cable
Just like the D-Ring mechanism, your flapper-style recliner will also have a cable controlling the handle. Once you have successfully removed the screws, you will see the cable. Furthermore, squeezing the base, you have to make it lose and extract the entire cable.
Step 4: Inserting the New Cable
You need to make sure to put in the new cable exactly the way it was. Moreover, tightening it will help in making the couch functional. So, once you have put in the mechanism, check to see if it works better than it used to.
Step 5: Screwing It
Once you are done inserting the cable, you can put the lid and return the screws in place. Consequently, you have to make sure that the screws are tight and the mechanism is functional.
Some Tips
If you are unsure about DIYing your recliner fix, you can call a mechanic to do it for you. It will ensure that you do not ruin your favorite chair to save some dollars. Moreover, fixing any recliner handle will require you to buy spare parts for replacement.
If your recliner is heavy, it would be best to have some assistance before turning it upside-down for repair.
How to Maintain a Recliner Pull Handle?
If you want your recliner to retain its functionality, you need to maintain it regularly. Furthermore, if you have repaired it, then doing it again can be an inconvenience. So, what do you do?
Take a look at the tips to maintain your recliner pull handle:
Tip 1: Cleaning It
You can use a VD-40 oil spray on the mechanism to keep it operational. Oiling it occasionally will ensure that its longevity. Moreover, you can keep the chair clean to help remove any dirt sedimentation on the bolts.
If you let dust pile up, it might hamper the smoothness and jam the pathway. In turn, hampering the mechanism.
You can even apply some oil on the nuts, screws, and pathway to keep it smooth and functional!
Tip 2: Do Not Abuse the Mechanism
It would be a bad idea to mess with the pull system. So, pulling on the handle gently and using it the way it was intended to will help prolong the handle’s life.
In addition, if you exert too much pressure on the chair, you might end up breaking the mechanism.
Tip 3: Keep the Handle Safe
Concealing the handle from children or pets will reduce the chances of them tampering with it. Playing with the recliner pull handle can damage it beyond repair!
Tip 5: Use It Regularly
In some cases, you might think that not using this mechanism will keep it healthier for longer. However, that is not true, and if you stop using the recliner to recline, you may damage its very existence.
So, make sure to use it whenever you feel like resting!
Tip 5: Buying a New Recliner
Getting a new recliner when the one you are using is old will be a wise decision. It will not only offer you coziness but also help in minimizing the maintenance and repairing processes.
Summing Up
In this article, you are now fully equipped to fixing a broken recliner pull handle.
Besides, you also came to know about the different types of handles and their mechanism. Moreover, each of them has a different fixing process. Yet, the result will be the same – ultimate comfort!
D-Rings are, however, the toughest to repair when broken because of the intricate parts it houses. So, it would be best if you had patience while dealing with it.
You can follow the tips on keeping the recliner pull handle maintained to refrain from the extensive repair process.
Either way, fixing your broken recliner pull handle will help you achieve the same level of comfort your favorite couch once gave you!