How to Fix a Wobbly Bar Stool

Occasionally you may discover that you need to fix a wobbly bar stool. This is usually an easy task to complete so don’t worry! It is often caused by general use over a period of time and simple things like loose screws and bolts. Simply follow our easy guide below and you’ll have yours sorted in no time.

First, we need to assess the source of the issue. Work from the bottom up, checking all of the different possible causes listed in this post. Once you have figured out where the problem is coming from, you can start to tackle your bar stool repair. Below we have listed common causes of a wobbly bar stool, so feel free to skip to whichever you think is applicable to your situation. Alternately, if you are not sure, then check out each one in order:

1. Uneven floors.
2. Movement between floor and base.
3. Movement between footrest and gas lift column.
4. Movement within a wooden frame.
5. Movement between the seat and frame.

Uneven Floors

The most common cause of a wobbly bar stool is an uneven floor surface. This is a particular issue in older homes or those with traditional tile or slate floors. However, this is rarely the source of the problem if you have a brand-new floor or a smooth surface like vinyl.

Problem

With tiled flooring there are often uneven tiles that do not line up exactly, which creates a vertical displacement between the two adjacent tiles, causing the base of the stool to rock. It may also be the texture of the floor, as some forms of slate have a naturally uneven surface. This can be slightly unpredictable for bar stools with four legs, compared to those with bases, as the larger surface area of the base will help to balance the stool. Therefore, if you are buying stools for an uneven floor, we recommend those with a large, round base for better stability. 

Solution

The simplest solution would be to place a mat underneath the stools or relocate them to get around the uneven surface. However, we appreciate this is not always possible with fitted worktops and breakfast bars. Rather than trying to fix the floor, a cost-effective alternative is to boost the floor pads on the underside of the base. Simply add an extra pad where it sits on an uneven surface. This can be done on our flat-based and four-legged stools and will help them to balance.

Movement between floor and base

Dragging furniture across the floor may cause damage to the underside of the base or legs. This could then mean unwanted movement between the base and the floor.

 

Problem

If you have a stool with a domed base, the protective rubber guard underneath may have caught or come loose due to snagging or pulling on the floor. Furthermore, with flat-based designs, one of the protective pads may have been pulled off whilst dragging the stool.

Solution

The solution here is very easy. For a domed or round base, simply push the rubber ring back into place. For a flat base, you will need to use some adhesive to stick the felt pads back on. The rubber ring and felt pads are included with the stool when purchased to prevent damage to your flooring. Therefore, you should resolve this issue as soon as possible to help keep your floors in great condition and prevent potential scratches or marks.

Movement between footrest and gas lift column

Gas lift bar stools come with a plastic lining between the gas lift and footrest – this is also known as the ‘bush’.

Problem

Over time and with constant use, the inner lining may come loose from the column, and it may also fall to the base (seen in the image below). Without the lining between the column, the top part of the column will start to wobble because there is nothing keeping it in place.

Solution

To solve this issue, use glue to fix it back in place. Make sure you use it sparingly as any excess glue could restrict the movement of the stool. Without the inner lining, the hydraulic column may move up and down at an angle which can scratch the inside of the column, so again be sure to resolve this problem as soon as possible.

Movement within a wooden frame

Some of our wooden bar stools are assembled with bolts/screws, so the tightness of these bolts/screws may be the source of your problem. 

Problem

If you had to assemble your wooden stool when they arrived, the cause of your wobble could be that the bolts were not tightened evenly during assembly. This means the frame may be set at a slight angle which causes it to wobble. On the other hand, it could just be that a bolt has loosened over time and with general use. Again, this is easily fixed.

Solution

Check over the entire frame to ensure each bolt is tight. You can check and tighten them using the Allen key provided. If all the bolts are tight but the frame still wobbles, you will need to loosen each one, realign the frame and the seat and then tighten them again evenly.

Movement between the seat and frame

Perhaps the problem is localised to the seat specifically. If this is the case, you should turn the bar stool upside down to address the issue.

Problem

The screws that attach the seat to the footrest may have become loose, causing the seat to wobble or feel unstable. 

Solution

To fix this, simply turn the bar stool upside down and tighten the screws on the underside of the seat. Before doing so, ensure that the seat is centrally aligned to the footrest, and be sure to tighten each screw more than once so there is no slack.

When assembling the stool, we advise you to finger tighten each screw first to make sure they are in the right position. Then use your Allen key to tighten each screw one at a time until each one is firmly in place.

Repair Your Bar Stool

In most cases, an uneven floor is likely the reason for a wobbly bar stool. Fortunately, all our bar stools at Lakeland Furniture are manufactured using quality materials and come with a warranty to provide you with complete peace of mind.

With that said, over time your bar stools may encounter wear and tear through general use. But, with our simple solutions listed above, you’ll now be able to fix any issues and continue to enjoy your stools for years to come. 

Still need help to repair your bar stool? Contact us right away. We’re always on hand to help. We also offer replacement bar stool parts for any problems that can’t be fixed or aren’t covered in this guide. These include: 

• Floor bases
• Foot rests
• Gas lifts
• Complete stool bases

Find your replacement bar stool parts here.