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Picture this. You’re enjoying a lovely leisurely afternoon reclined in your La-Z-Boy recliner with a good book and a cup of coffee.
You get a craving for something sweet and when you go to reposition your recliner into its upright position, it makes a loud clunking noise and startles you!
A question we sometimes get here at our La-Z-Boy furniture stores in Ottawa and Kingston is, “Why does my recliner make a clicking or clunking noise?” along with, "Is there anything that can be done to soften that sound?"
Read on to find out why it makes the noise and what can be done to dampen the sound so that you can relax in peace!
In This Article…
Why Does My Recliner Make Noise?
First, rest assured that there is nothing actually wrong with your La-Z-Boy recliner; this sound is normal! In fact, all La-Z-Boy recliners make this noise because they work on a ratcheting system.
The noise you hear comes from the two metal parts rubbing against each other. La-Z-Boy has been using this mechanism for a long time. Other companies use different materials such as plastic but La-Z-Boy continues to use the metal because they know it lasts longer!
The mechanism inside the manual recliner chair features a pawl and ratchet assembly. This mechanism allows the chair to recline back and forth. When returning the manual recliner chair to its upright position by releasing the handle, it can make a loud clunking noise.
Depending on where the weight of your body is distributed in the recliner can have an impact on the noise level. The type of floor surface, hard tile or concrete can also have a larger noise impact.
The noise you hear comes from the two metal parts rubbing against each other. La-Z-Boy has been using this mechanism for a long time. Other companies use different materials such as plastic but La-Z-Boy continues to use the metal because they know it lasts longer!
How to Reduce the Clunking Noise of Your La-Z-Boy Recliner
While this clunking sound may be annoying to you, there are some ways to reduce this loud noise…
- When reclining the chair, hold onto the handle all the way through the motion.
- Lift your feet off the legrest when opening or closing the recliner.
- Gently ease the leg rest into a closed position, while keeping your back to the back of the chair, and don’t slam it shut.
- Floor surfaces affect the overall sound level; a rug can muffle the sound.
If none of these options are ideal for you, a manual recliner chair may not be what you’re looking for. If you have a warranty on your La-Z-Boy recliner, you could always return this piece and get your money back and purchase a power recliner chair.
La-Z-Boy power recliners use a wireless remote instead of operating with a handle and ratcheting system. The powered motor almost makes no sound whatsoever, which is something you might be interested in.
It is important to weigh the pros and cons of a La-Z-Boy power recliner vs a manual recliner. To learn more about Manual vs Power Recliners, take a look at this comparison article.
What's Next?
We hope this article provides insight into why your La-Z-Boy recliner makes a clunking sound. If all that fails there's always someone available at our local furniture stores in La-Z-Boy Ottawa or Kingston to give you a ‘live’ demonstration on how best to recline.
Our sales consultants are always eager to lend a helping hand. Take advantage of our interior design services to see which furniture item would suit your space and complement your home design.
Related links:
Manual vs power recliners: differences you should know