Tucson Patio Furniture Repair Swivel Rocker and Glider Repair for Patio Chairs
A swivel rocker that squeaks, sticks, leans or rocks unevenly is usually a worn spring plate, a dry or worn bushing, or a loose mounting. Typical pricing is $75 to $160 per chair, depending on whether it needs a lube and adjustment or new parts. Most swivel and rocker work can be done right on your patio.
How a swivel rocker works
Under the seat, a swivel rocker has two motions stacked on each other. A swivel bearing or post lets the seat turn. Above it, spring plates, often fiberglass, flex as you rock and return the seat to upright. Bushings take the wear between the moving parts. Homecrest built its whole outdoor line on a swivel rocker mechanism that founder Mert Bottemiller patented in 1956, so these chairs have been around a long time.
What goes wrong
- Squeaking. Dry parts or worn bushings. Tropitone’s care guide recommends silicone spray on all moving parts to minimize squeaks and noise.
- Stiff or sticky swivel. Dirt and grit in the swivel, or a worn bearing surface. Desert dust gets into everything.
- Leaning or uneven rock. A cracked or fatigued spring plate, or one plate weaker than the other.
- Clunk or play. A worn bushing, a loose bolt or a worn seat post.
Our swivel rocker squeaking or stuck page has the check you can do first.
Typical prices
| Job | Typical price per chair |
|---|---|
| Clean, lube and tighten | $75 (small-job minimum) |
| Replace spring plates or bushings | $90-$130 |
| Full mechanism kit or new seat post | $130-$160 |
Parts prices published by patio parts suppliers run about $10 for a spring plate, $11.99 to $37.49 for fiberglass plates, from $11 for a seat post bushing, $74 for a full swivel rocker mechanism kit and from $76 for an aluminum seat post. Small repair jobs in this trade are typically priced as a minimum charge plus parts; one repair shop’s published shop minimum is $75. The ranges above combine the two and match our pricing page.
How we repair one
- Identify the mechanism. Makers use different plates, posts and bolt patterns. A photo of the underside of the seat, plus the brand, gets the right parts ordered.
- Tip, inspect, clean. Grit out of the swivel, every bolt checked.
- Replace what is worn. Plates, bushings or the full kit.
- Lubricate and test. Swivel, rock, and check that the seat returns to level.
Gliders
Gliders swing on hangers rather than spring plates. Homecrest’s published warranty has covered glider bearing hangers separately. Worn hangers make a glider clunk or swing unevenly, and they are replaced much like swivel parts. Quoted after a photo.
Pair it with the seat
If the rocker is getting new parts, it is a good time to look at the seat. A sling seat that sags or vinyl straps that are cracking can be done in the same visit: see sling replacement and vinyl strap restrapping. The Homecrest page has more on that maker’s rockers.
The parts inside the base
A typical swivel rocker repair kit is a stack of small pieces: nylon and metal washers, wire clip pins, castle nuts, nylon retainer rings and ball bearings, along with the spring plates and the post bushing. When a chair squeaks or sticks, it is usually something in that stack, worn or packed with grit, rather than the plate. Repair kits like this are sold for Homecrest bases, which tells you the stack is expected to wear.
Warranty on the mechanism
Even on a new set, mechanism coverage is short. Homecrest lists one year on swivel and rocker mechanisms, and Tropitone excludes steel swivel mechanisms in commercial use. So a rocker that started to lean in year three is normally a paid repair, not a warranty claim.
What moves the price
- Brand and mechanism. Common mechanisms are easy to source; an unusual one takes longer to identify and order.
- Plates versus the post. Plates and bushings sit at the middle of the range; a new seat post or full kit sits at the top.
- Count. A set of four rockers shares one trip and one parts order.
Swivel rocker questions owners ask
Can I use WD-40? We use silicone spray, as Tropitone recommends for moving parts.
My rocker leans to one side. Should I keep using it? A lean usually points to a cracked or tired spring plate. We suggest resting that chair until it is looked at.
Keeping it quiet
- Silicone spray on the moving parts a couple of times a season, per Tropitone’s guidance.
- Tighten mounting bolts when you notice play.
- Rinse dust out of the swivel after a monsoon dust storm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fix a swivel rocker patio chair?
Typically $75 to $160 per chair. A lube and adjustment sits at the bottom. Replacing spring plates or bushings lands in the middle. A full mechanism kit or a new aluminum seat post puts it toward the top, because those parts alone run about $74 to $76.
Why does my swivel rocker squeak?
Usually dry moving parts or worn bushings. Tropitone recommends periodic silicone lubricant spray on all moving parts to minimize squeaks. If that does not fix it, a spring plate or bushing is likely worn.
Can you fix it at my house?
Usually. Swivel and rocker parts bolt on with hand tools, so most of these jobs can be done on the patio once we know the parts.
Is a swivel mechanism covered by the furniture warranty?
Usually only briefly. Homecrest's current warranty lists swivel and rocker mechanisms at one year residential, and Winston covers component parts such as glides and bolts for one year. Check your own maker's current warranty.