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Originally Posted by
jules731
I have an older H&M Austin Tilt Back chair with the optional inside lever. When I engage the lever the back does recline to two positions with a slight push back. However, to return to a sitting position I have to get out of the chair, engage the lever and raise the back by hand. I'm thinking it is probably the piston looking thing that needs to be replaced. My husband is pretty handy and I'm wondering if a) we could get the part we need to repair it and b) could we probably do the work ouselves? I could not find a model number anywhere on the chair or ottoman. Besides the H&M labels, the only other tag states it is a natural leather with no protective coating that cannot be cleaned. (They've never seen me with a bottle of LeatherMaster cleaner and conditioner!) If we can't do the work ouselves, any idea how much we might expect to pay for the repair? We are not the original owners and live in the Kansas City metro area. Thanks for your time!
The Austin Tilt Back # 2232NB has a gas strut in the center of the chair, directly under the back. There's a cable that goes from the release lever to the strut. Sounds like what you need is a new gas strut, which you can purchase from H&M. Call Debbie @ Customer Service (she handles all the parts) or if they want you to go through a dealer I can get it for you.
This is not hard to replace, but you will need to pull the back panel off the chair, which depends on how handy you are! Its possible to reset the cable if it slips out of the ferrule by going in between the seat and back cushion but I don't think you can get the whole strut in there that way, not enough room. You may want to let a pro local guy do the detach work, and the strut will go in in about 2 minutes once the access is there.
Good luck!
Duane Collie
Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
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