Expert: Mark H. Miller - 7/24/2007

Question
Hello - I realize you are an expert upholsterer, however, I did notice you answered a question about recliner repairs so I'm hoping you can help. I have a recliner love seat where one side has stopped reclining. The switch on the side no longer works. After turning it over and comparing the sides, I saw the problem, however, in my attempt to repair it a spring popped off and became lost. Now I have it in the reclining position permanently because if I put it down I will not be able to use the switch to put it back up again. Is there a store or website that you know of where I can buy parts to the mechanism, specifically the spring so I can repair it?

Answer
Hi,

Mechanical furniture as it is called in the trade is sold with the idea of a lifespan and is then considered disposable.  For that reason there are no parts available.  If however you are only missing one spring you should be able to purchase that in a large hardware store,  places like Home Depot will not carry the spring you want.  I am talking about an old fashioned city hardware store,  True Value may have your part.

There is only one company in the U.S. that manufactures sofa bed and reclining furniture metal frames, and that is Leggett and Platt,  I may have the spelling wrong, maybe one t or one g.  They are in Tennesee,  they are the company that most likely made your frame,  perhaps they will sell it to you or send you to a website.  

If you decide to search the internet yourself, the name of the missing spring is called a "helicle or helical spring"

You may be able to purchase the spring from a supplier that sells automobile chair parts,  try Keyston Brothers, located throughout the U.S.

I hope this information helps.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Mark Miller.