Community Forums

Jolene · 01-27-2016, 08:07 AM

The recliner in our motorhome is really wobbly. I tried to look underneath and found a bunch of ball-bearings (I think?) I don't have a clue how to fix or tighten the recliner. Thank you for any help!

Gary RVRoamer · 01-27-2016, 09:13 AM

If the ball bearings came out of the swivel track, they need to be put back in or the swivel mechanism replaced. Sometimes they can be successfully re-inserted, but you have to figure out - and fix - why they came out in the first place.

Jim_HiTek · 01-27-2016, 09:18 AM

Did you find the ball bearings on the floor under the recliner? Or are you talking about a rotating plate assembly that uses ball bearings?

One is relatively serious, the other not so serious.

Perhaps check RVServiceReviews.com for your area and see if you can find a mobile tech to help you. The recliner/swivel chair for a RV is rather expensive so it's worth fixing most likely.

One other thing you could do, if you're at an RV park, just post on the bulletin board asking for advice. People will go out of their way to help...usually.

Jolene · 01-28-2016, 07:18 AM

Yes, the ball bearings were on the floor under the chair.

pcurt23 · 01-28-2016, 07:23 AM

I went to the local furniture store and bought a new recliner.

Jolene · 01-29-2016, 07:31 AM

That will probably be the best thing to do!

mel s · 01-29-2016, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jolene

Yes, the ball bearings were on the floor under the chair.

Jolene
If the ball bearings are from the "swivel plate mechanism" of your swivel/recliner see:
Robot Check
Those swivel plates are available in different sizes , Google swivel plate using the size of yours.
Mel
'96 Safari

Jim_HiTek · 01-30-2016, 08:50 AM

I have, in the past, successfully repaired a swivel mechanism for a rotating chair but I tell you what, it was a bi**h finding all those ball bearings (bbs). Used a magnet and lots of patience. Before I had them all, carefully removed the chair and inspected its underside for more bbs. Found the last 3-4 trapped in the metal parts.

Didn't see exactly how it happened, but thought that age contributed to the gap between the plates increasing until the balls could escape. Using a 5 lb hammer and a 8 lb vise with built in anvil, I pounded on the center swivel to tighten it up a little and it's worked now for almost 10 years.

The chair was kind of tricky to figure out how to remove, and mine is a '94 so yours is probably different, but they do come out. Four bolts as I recall. Once I had it out, gave me the opportunity to fix the other broken parts along with fixing the swivel plate.

Good luck. Maybe buy a new tool to congratulate yourself once you've fixed it.

Jolene · 01-31-2016, 07:36 AM

Ours is a 1995 so it's probably the same. Will give this a try. The only way it looks like we can get the chair off is by putting the foot rest part out and try to get to the bolts. Thanks so much for your help!