Swivel rocker squeaking, stiff or leaning

A swivel rocker that squeaks usually needs lubrication; one that leans, sticks or clunks usually needs a part. Typical repairs run $75 to $160 per chair in Tucson, from a clean and lube at the bottom to a full mechanism kit at the top, and most are done on your patio.

Check this first

1. Spray it. Silicone lubricant on every moving part under the seat. Tropitone recommends periodic silicone spray to minimize squeaks. Rock and swivel for a minute.
2. Tighten the mounting bolts. Play or a clunk is often a loose bolt.
3. Look at the spring plates. These are the flat plates, often fiberglass, that flex as you rock. Look for cracks, splits or one plate sitting lower than the other.
4. Feel the swivel. If it grinds or sticks, grit has got into it. Rinse it out and lubricate.
5. Wiggle the seat. Side-to-side play at the post points to a worn bushing or post.

What is usually wrong

Typical ranges are on the pricing page. Parts alone from patio suppliers run about $10 for a spring plate, $11.99 to $37.49 for fiberglass plates, from $11 for a bushing, $74 for a mechanism kit and from $76 for an aluminum seat post.

Why it happens

Spring plates flex thousands of times a season and eventually fatigue. Bushings wear as the parts move against them. Tucson’s dust gets into swivels, and the monsoon season, officially June 15 to September 30, brings dust storms that coat everything on the patio. Homecrest, whose founder patented the swivel rocker mechanism the company was built on in 1956, is one of the best-known swivel rocker makers.

What the repair involves

We identify the mechanism from a photo of the underside and the brand, order the matching parts, then tip the chair, clean the swivel, replace the worn plates, bushings or kit, lubricate and test. See swivel and rocker repair and the Homecrest page.

Warranty

Swivel and rocker parts carry short warranties. Homecrest’s current warranty lists swivel and rocker mechanisms at one year, and Winston covers component parts such as glides and bolts for one year. Check your maker’s current terms.

When to call

Call when spraying does not fix it, a plate is cracked, or the seat leans. If the seat itself is going, a new sling can be done at the same time.