How do I replace broken spring in chair

by Carrie Hawk

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We have matching wing chair recliners and one of them now has a broken spring. It's the wavy spring that goes from front to back of seat. Everyone I've talked to says it can't be repaired. But I love my matching wing chair recliners. Any ideas?

Broken spring (see arrows)

14 answers

Anna M.S. on Mar 09, 2016
I would bite the money bullet and take it to a recommended upholstery shop. They have the replacement springs and tools and may be able to replace the spring without removing the upholstery.

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Janet Pizaro on Mar 09, 2016
no don't bite the bullet on the chairs. I would go to your local furniture repair stores and ask for suggestions for your repair.Then see if this is a project you can tackle. Another suggestion for you is to google the repairs sometimes it points you in the right direction.

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Carrie Hawk on Mar 09, 2016
Well, that's a great idea, but I've never seen a furniture repair store. Do you know of any with web sites?

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Carrie Hawk on Mar 09, 2016
I have talked with upholsters and none of them will do this kind of work.

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- Anna M.S. on Mar 10, 2016
  @Carrie Hawk They would if you wanted not only the spring replaced, but the chair re-upholstered. Back before cable DIY, I watched a show hosted by two crazy guys who repaired and upholstered every type of furniture. The springs can be replaced easily after the padding and fabric are stripped. The problem comes when there isn't enough original fabric to pull and manipulate to reattach to the frame. A light bulb just came on! After removing the original fabric, sew another fabric (muslim) to the edges to pull on. Unfortunately, the original fabric should have been trimmed so there is no excess. I'd try this on a chair of my own, but I couldn't make a promise to a friend that it would work and the reattached fabric end up perfect.
  
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- Carrie Hawk on Mar 10, 2016
  @Anna M.S. It's not attached to or with fabric. It's attached to wood at either end. I know they have to have a tool to bend it backwards and hold it while it is attached. Problem with reupholstering is it's only about 2 years old and the fabric isn't in need of replacing yet. Plus I'd have to have both of them reupholstered. Fixed-income here. But I liked your train of thought. Let me know if you have more ideas.
  
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- Anna M.S. on Mar 11, 2016
  Carrie, did you get my reply with the suggestion of sewing scrap material to the original fabric to use to pull on after replacing the spring?
  
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- Carrie Hawk on Mar 12, 2016
  Not sure how that would work. The spring is attached to the wood frame.
  
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MN Mom on Mar 09, 2016
You could contact Freeman's Furniture or Tullahoma Seat Cover and Upholstery...they're both apparently on W. Lincoln St.

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Wireworker on Mar 10, 2016
You CAN do it yourself. http://www.diyupholsterysupply.com/

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- Anna M.S. on Mar 10, 2016
  @Wireworker Thank you for the web site! Now I have no excuse to delay replacing the springs on a 50+ year-old side chair! :)
  
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- Anna M.S. on Mar 10, 2016
  Wow, double thank you! I've just watched the diy video.
  
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DJ on Mar 10, 2016
Not sure if this will help or not, but it looked promising: Good Luck! http://www.ehow.com/how_5475763_replace-recliner-spring.html

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- Anna M.S. on Mar 10, 2016
  @DJ It shows a good picture of the zig-zag or "sinuous springs" that are broken on Carrie's chair. Thank you, I've learned a "new" word today to go with the what-you-call-it and the thing-a-ma-jigs.
  
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- Carrie Hawk on Mar 10, 2016
  @DJ No, it wasn't that spring. It's the big ones that are wwwww shaped. Thanks for the help. If you have any more information or suggestions, let me know.
  
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Bette on Mar 10, 2016
If it is a Lazy Boy chair, they will send you a free replacement part.

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Carrie Hawk on Mar 12, 2016
Unfortunately it is not.

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Marytdement on Oct 06, 2020

I think you will do it easily but you need new spring. You will need to remove recliner mechanism then set it. it has some process I can not put these step details you can read the details http://www.chairsadvisor.com/fix-recliner-chair-mechanism/ and fix your spring

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Sharon on Dec 05, 2020

Here is a how to video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjE1SwoUfOI And I just order the hardware on Amazon.... https://www.amazon.com/s?k=zig+zag+springs+for+chair&crid=1F6YNFC69VM8V&sprefix=Zig+zag+spring%2Caps%2C249&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-a-p_7_14

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Chas' Crazy Creations on Mar 03, 2021

Here's a post that might help https://artisanupholstery.ca/2013/06/04/upholstery-tip-how-to-fix-a-broken-spring/

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Deb K on Apr 14, 2021

Hi Carrie, hope this helps you out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaWYLI_X-DQ

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Agnes Chrzanowska on Sep 29, 2021

i have same issue so will read all advice

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