How to take apart an office chair

Tools you need

Most chairs only need the Allen key that came with them. For the gas lift you may also need a few more tools. Check your chair's manual first, as some makers describe their own removal method.

• Allen keys in common sizes
• Rubber mallet
• Pipe wrench (stilsons)
• Flat screwdriver for trim caps
• Gloves and eye protection
• Bags to keep bolts for each part

Removing castors, arms and back

Lay the chair on its side on a blanket. Grip each castor near the stem and pull it firmly straight out of the base. Some need a flat screwdriver levered gently under the wheel housing. If they are very tight, a twist while pulling helps.

Next, unbolt the arms and the back. Many chairs hide the bolts under trim caps that prise off with a flat screwdriver. Keep each part's bolts in a labelled bag so reassembly is easy. If you only need the chair to fit in a car, removing the back and arms is often enough.

1. 1

   Lay the chair on its side

2. 2

   Pull out all five castors

3. 3

   Remove trim caps from the back and arm bolts

4. 4

   Unbolt the arms

5. 5

   Unbolt the back or back bracket

6. 6

   Bag and label the bolts

Separating the seat from the gas lift

The top of the gas lift is a taper that sits in a socket on the mechanism under the seat. To free it, turn the chair upside down, hold the base and tap the mechanism near the socket with a rubber mallet, turning as you go. Some people grip the cylinder with a pipe wrench and twist while a helper holds the seat.

On some chairs the mechanism unbolts from the seat, which can be easier: remove the four bolts and lift the seat away, leaving the mechanism on the cylinder.

Note:The gas lift contains pressurised gas. Do not cut, drill, crush or heat it. Do not try to open it. If it is stuck, leave it in the base and dispose of the base and cylinder together.

Separating the gas lift from the base

Turn the base upside down with the cylinder pointing down through it. Tap the centre of the base around the cylinder with a mallet, or tap the bottom of the cylinder's outer tube with a mallet and a block of wood, until it drops out. A pipe wrench and some twisting can help on stubborn ones.

If you are only moving house, you do not need to remove the cylinder from the base. Leaving it fitted saves effort and reduces the chance of damage. Our gas cylinder replacement guide has more detail for when you are swapping the part.

Parts best left alone

Tilt mechanisms contain springs under tension. Do not try to open a mechanism unless the maker supplies a procedure. Mesh backs are stretched over their frames and usually cannot be refitted once removed. Foam and fabric on padded seats are often stapled, and removing them damages the seat.

For recycling, you rarely need to split these parts. Our office chair disposal guide covers how UK household waste centres handle chairs.

Putting it back together

Reassembly is the reverse. Push the castors in, drop the cylinder into the base, sit the seat on the cylinder and press it home by sitting down, then refit the back and arms. Our assembly guide covers the checks to run before using the chair again.

If the chair needs replacing rather than repairing, our ergonomic office chairs guide compares current models.

Compare office chairs →

Frequently asked questions

Can you take office chair wheels off? Yes. Most castors push into the base and pull straight out with firm force, sometimes with a twist.

How do you get the seat off a gas lift? Tap the mechanism near the socket with a rubber mallet while turning, or grip the cylinder with a pipe wrench and twist.

Is it safe to cut a gas cylinder? No. It contains pressurised gas. Never cut, drill or heat it.

Can I take apart a Herman Miller chair? Some parts unbolt, but many Herman Miller chairs need specific tools and steps. Check Herman Miller's own guidance first.