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How to assemble and disassemble an office chair

Simple assembly, removing the piston and taking off the wheels on the most common models.

Assembling an office chair is usually a simple task, even if you have no previous experience. Most components fit together by pressure, and only a few parts, such as the mechanism, the armrests or the backrest, may require screws.

Even so, it is worth following the correct order to avoid damaging the base, the gas piston, the wheels or the tilt mechanism. This is especially important on models with more adjustments, such as some ergonomic chairs with advanced settings or executive office chairs.

If you have just bought an office chair for daily use, first check that you have all the parts: seat, backrest, base, wheels, piston, mechanism, arms, screws and included tools. Ideally, assemble the chair on a clean, spacious and protected surface, for example on a rug, cardboard or a thin blanket.

Assembly instructions and technical help

If you have bought a chair or office furniture and have doubts about the assembly, remember that many product sheets include the assembly instructions in the downloads section. Reviewing them before starting helps you identify each part and place the correct screw at each point.

If you still cannot find the solution, you can contact our technical department by phone, chat or email. We will help you resolve doubts about the assembly, the mechanism adjustment, the placement of the arms or the replacement of common parts.

It may also be useful to check this guide about the functions of an office chair, especially if you are not clear about what each lever or adjustment of the model is for.

Office chair base with wheels and gas piston

How to assemble the base of an office chair

One of the most frequent questions is related to assembling the base. On most chairs, the process is very similar: first the wheels are fitted into the legs of the base, then the gas piston is inserted and, finally, the assembly is joined to the seat.

There are two common ways to do it.

The first option consists of resting the seat face down on the floor or on a protected surface. Then you place the pre-assembled base with the wheels and the piston, fitting it into the lower mechanism of the seat.

The second option is to do it the other way round: first place the base with the wheels and the piston on the floor, and then fit the seat from above. Both options are valid. The important thing is that the piston stays straight and well aligned.

Once the base is assembled, it is advisable to sit carefully on the chair. Your own body weight helps to fix the piston into the base and into the seat mechanism. There is no need to hit or force the joint if the parts are correctly aligned.

Disassembling the gas piston of an office chair

How to disassemble the piston of an office chair

Another very common question is how to disassemble the piston of an office chair once it has already been used. This task can be a little more complicated than the assembly, because with use and body weight the piston becomes firmly wedged into the base and the seat mechanism.

Before starting, place the chair in a spacious area and protect the floor. If you are going to hit the base, always use a rubber mallet. It is not advisable to use a metal hammer directly, as you could mark the base, deform some part or damage the finish.

The first option is to turn the chair over and gently tap the joint area between the base and the piston with a rubber mallet. The taps should be firm but controlled, alternating between several points around the fitting. If you do not have a rubber mallet, you can cover a hammer with several thick cloths to cushion the impact.

Another solution consists of lifting the armchair so that the weight of the structure itself helps to separate the piston from the mechanism. Once separated from the seat, it will be easier to work with the base and remove the piston.

If the problem is related to a breakdown, height loss or wear of the mechanism, you may be interested in this guide about how to repair an office chair.

Disassembling the wheels of an office chair

How to disassemble the wheels from the base

To disassemble the wheels of an office chair, the first thing is to check whether the chair has been used or not. If it is new and no weight has been applied to it yet, it will usually be enough to pull each wheel outwards with gentle and constant pressure.

If the chair has already been used, it is possible that body weight has fixed the wheels more firmly into the base. In that case, the easiest thing is to turn the base over, rest it carefully on the floor and pull each wheel in the opposite direction to the fitting.

It is not advisable to move the wheel from side to side with too much force, because you could damage the housing of the base. It is better to pull in a straight line and, if it is very tight, help yourself with a cloth to improve the grip.

This section can also link naturally with the guide about office chairs with or without wheels, useful if you are considering changing the type of base or choosing a chair for a specific floor.

Tips before assembling or disassembling an office chair

Tips before assembling or disassembling the chair

Before starting, separate all the parts and check that no screw is missing. If there are screws of different lengths, do not mix them: each one is usually intended for a specific area of the chair.

Do not tighten all the screws to the maximum from the start. It is better to place them lightly first, check that the backrest, arms and mechanism are aligned, and then tighten them crosswise little by little.

If the chair has armrests, a high backrest or a headrest, assemble the main parts first and leave the final adjustments for the end. On more complete models, such as some executive office chairs for the study, this order helps to avoid stress on the structure.

After assembly, test all the functions: raising and lowering the seat, tilt, locking, swivel, wheels and armrests. If something does not move correctly, check the manual before forcing it.

To improve daily use after assembly, you can also review these tips about how to achieve a correct seated posture.

Step by step guide to assemble an office chair

Step by step guide: how to assemble an office chair

Prepare the assembly area

Choose a spacious, clean and well-lit space. Place a blanket, cardboard or thin rug so as not to scratch the floor or the parts of the chair. Open the box carefully and avoid using a cutter near upholstery, mesh or armrests.

Check all the parts

Before assembling anything, check that you have the seat, backrest, base, wheels, piston, mechanism, arms, screws and included tool. Compare the parts with the assembly manual.

Fit the wheels into the base

Insert each wheel into its housing pressing in a straight line. There is no need to hit it. If any wheel offers resistance, check that it is well aligned before applying more force.

Insert the gas piston

Place the piston in the central hole of the base. It should stay vertical and stable. It normally does not need screws, as it is fixed by pressure when you sit down.

Screwing the mechanism backrest and arms of an office chair

Screw the mechanism to the seat

Place the seat face down and fix the mechanism following the orientation indicated in the manual. The height lever should be on the correct side. Present all the screws before tightening them completely.

Mount the backrest and the arms

Fix the backrest and the armrests without tightening to the maximum until everything is aligned. Then tighten the screws little by little to prevent the structure from ending up crooked.

Join the seat with the base

Lift the seat and fit it onto the piston. Check that it goes in straight. Then sit down carefully so that your body weight finishes fixing the assembly.

Check the adjustments

Test the height, the swivel, the tilt and the movement of the wheels. If you notice any play, check the screws after the first days of use.

Step by step guide to disassemble an office chair

Step by step guide: how to disassemble an office chair

Lower the chair to the minimum

Before disassembling it, lower the seat to its lowest position. This makes handling easier and reduces the risk of sudden movements.

Remove accessories and adjustable parts

If the chair has a headrest, adjustable armrests or cushions, remove them first if the model allows it. Keep the screws in a bag so as not to lose them.

Separate the backrest and the arms

Loosen the screws of the backrest and the arms little by little. If any part is under tension, hold it while you finish removing the screws.

Disassemble the seat from the base

To separate the seat from the piston, you can lift the structure and apply small controlled movements. If it is very firmly fixed, use a rubber mallet on the metal area of the mechanism, never on the upholstery.

Storing the parts of a disassembled office chair

Remove the piston from the base

Place the base face down and gently tap around the fitting of the piston with a rubber mallet. Always protect the part to avoid marks.

Take off the wheels

Pull each wheel in a straight line. If any is very tight, rest the base well and use a cloth to improve the grip. Do not force the wheel to the sides.

Store the parts correctly

Group screws, wheels and small parts in separate bags. If you are going to transport the chair, protect the seat, the backrest and the base to avoid knocks or rubbing.

Check the condition of the parts

Before assembling the chair again, check whether there are worn screws, jammed wheels, play or damaged parts. If the chair no longer offers a comfortable posture, it may be a good time to consider other models of desk chairs for working or studying.