Desk chair pneumatic lift replacement

Well, yet another desk chair lift cylinder has failed on me. I really can't get one to last more than a year or two.

Used to be, I would just get a new chair. When my chair failed on me today, I did some looking around on the Googles.

It seems there is essentially one, universal design. Amazon (and the entire web) is full of replacement cylinders for about $20. Some cost more, but I have my doubts if they'll last any longer than the cheap ones.

For $20, I think I'll be the guinea pig. Beats spending $150+ on a new chair!

Will report back.

I've always wondered if those are replaceable, it seems they very rarely fail though. The one I'm sitting on now has a leak so I have to jack my chair back up an inch or so a couple of times a day.

GameboyRMH wrote: I've always wondered if those are replaceable, it seems they very rarely fail though. The one I'm sitting on now has a leak so I have to jack my chair back up an inch or so a couple of times a day.

I can not jibe "it seems they very rarely fail though" with "The one I'm sitting on now has a leak".

To me, that IS failed!

What about just putting a piece of black pipe in there that is the exact length you need?

RossD wrote: What about just putting a piece of black pipe in there that is the exact length you need?

A valid thought. However, the diameters at the top and bottom of the cylinder are vastly different. By the time I could fabricate a piece of pipe to fit... well, let's say my time and effort would be worth way more than the $20 it cost to replace every 18 months (or so).

Cut the cylinder and but the pipe on the inside.

But the counter point is said pipe will last longer than 18 months. Then there is also the issue of how long the rest of the chair lasts.

I think a little custom modification with parts from this kit would take care of the problem nicely.

You could drill a hole on either side of the piston, adjust to your exact height, and fill both sides with sand. Add a couple of pieces of tape and done.

In reply to 1988RedT2:

I'd LOVE to see an office chair tricked out with full pneumatics...and maybe some blingin' golf cart mags too...bouncing all over the place!

Weird. I just throw away the leaky old chair and go pick up a new one from the warehouse. Don't you guys have literal warehouses full of stuff to use at work?

KyAllroad wrote: Weird. I just throw away the leaky old chair and go pick up a new one from the warehouse. Don't you guys have literal warehouses full of stuff to use at work?

Well, this is my desk chair at home, so that's a no go. However, in the future when they throw out a really nice desk chair at work just because it has a leaky cylinder, I might take it out of the trash, bring it home, and fix it for $20!