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Thread: Replacing Elite Leather Recliner Mechanism

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Posts
    15

    Default Replacing Elite Leather Recliner Mechanism

    Decade plus old recliner in my aunt's home. In 2011 she ordered a new mechanism but never installed it. I just took it out of the box, and here's what I found:


    Top: new lever mechanism
    Left cord: connects motor to lever (?)
    Right cord: connects battery pack to outlet
    Motor
    Battery pack

    It seems like most batteries that have sat for 7 years+ without a charge are going to be permanently dead. Thoughts?


    Underside of the chair, mechanism visible in the middle


    Close up on the mechanism. It seems to be attached only by the large black hex head bolt and the silver one above it.

    Two questions:

    1. If the new battery is dead, is it worth replacing everything else and trying to continue using the old one? The recline is currently operable but not reliable.

    2. If the new battery isn't dead, what can go wrong in replacing the mechanism? E.g. is there a hidden capacitor or anything I should be worried about? I'll obviously unplug everything first, but any precautions necessary beyond that?

    Any other advice appreciated.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Alexandria VA
    Posts
    15,890

    Default Re: Replacing Elite Leather Recliner Mechanism

    That's not a mechanism, that's a power actuator. The mechanism is the entire metal substructure that operates the recliner. If the mechanism is bad, nothing in the parts you have will fix it. You would have to load test the battery to see if its still good. That system is all 12v once stepped down from the transformer, nothing there can shock you.
    Duane Collie
    Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
    My Private Messages are Disabled - Please ask questions here in the forum.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Posts
    15

    Default Re: Replacing Elite Leather Recliner Mechanism

    Mea culpa -- I stand corrected.

    The problem as I understand it is just that the button doesn't always work. You can usually extend the chair but it takes jiggling the connections or messing with it to get it to close. It's sturdy/comfortable in either position -- so I'm guessing the mechanism is fine? Would it be possible to test the battery by itself without swapping everything else out?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Alexandria VA
    Posts
    15,890

    Default Re: Replacing Elite Leather Recliner Mechanism

    The actuating button is the primary culprit on 90% of all power recliner issues, mainly because people spill a drink into it. So you would want to either replace the button or test it for continuity with an ohmmeter. I usually replace them because they are intermittent due to the gunk inside them from the spill.

    What is see in the photo is the motor, and they almost never go bad.

    You can load test that battery as previously written. If you don't have the equipment to load test it, take it to a battery store and they will do it for you.
    Duane Collie
    Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
    My Private Messages are Disabled - Please ask questions here in the forum.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Posts
    15

    Default Re: Replacing Elite Leather Recliner Mechanism

    Update: swapped the button in November when this post was made, was back at Christmas and everything still worked. Thanks, Duane!

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