Do-it-yourself sofa mechanism

In detail: do-it-yourself sofa mechanism repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

The sons' folding sofas began to unfold poorly, the mechanism is jamming. How can we repair our folding sofas ourselves?

Of course, you can fix the sofa yourself, but you will need simple tools that are usually present in every home. First, you will need to remove the sofa transformation mechanism so that it is convenient to work with it. From the description of the breakdown, I conclude that, most likely, due to old age, the movable retainer was deformed - this is the most unreliable part in this mechanism.

It is important to consider what we will repair, the mechanism itself, or, for example, change the springs of the sofa, or change the upholstery, and so on.

If the mechanism of a sofa-book, then it looks like this

As you can see, the frame of the mechanism is assembled on rivets, and if the problem is here, then the mechanism simply changes to a new one (similar, they are on sale).

In principle, it is possible to replace the rivets, you can even replace the rivets with a flat head bolt, but look at the place.

If we change the rivets, they are pre-drilled, in order to install new ones, you need a tool, for example, a rivet gun (it's easier to change bolts)

If the fastenings of the mechanism to the sofa are loose, then you can either tighten or remove the mechanism and “cure” the loose area.

For example, the hole has become larger in diameter from the desired one.

Drive a dowel into it and then install the mechanism in the reverse order.

To get to the mechanism, you need to remove the two sidewalls of the sofa (armrests), they are attached in different ways, but as a rule, the fastening is bolted.

We don't dismantle anything else, the mechanism is in front of us

Video (click to play).

If we mean repairs to replace the upholstery of the sofa, the sofa is completely disassembled and the sides and back wall.

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DIY upholstered furniture repair with before and after photos

In the conditions of using movable transformation mechanisms in sofas, their malfunctions occur most often. But this is not the only possible problem: the upholstery can be damaged by pets, the sofa sags over time, loose fasteners cause play in individual parts, and so on.

The main components of the sofa

And in order to understand how to repair a sofa, you need to understand its main units.

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Sofa frame - main supporting structure

Sofa armrests with opening top

Variety of sofa filler options

Spring block for sofa

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Upholstery fabric for sofa upholstery

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This is how the transformation mechanism of the sofa looks like.

Wooden sofa frame

If there are problems with the body or armrests, the sofa needs to be repaired urgently to avoid further operational problems. When fixing broken wooden parts, we need the following materials and tools.

  • Joiner's furniture glue.
  • If necessary, paint and varnish.
  • Screed or profile.
  • Self-tapping screws and screwdriver.
  • A set of hexagons and furniture screws for them.
  • Emery cloth.
  • Clamps.
  • Drill and drill set.

An approximate set of tools for repairing and restoring a sofa

In the case of a chipped part of the armrest, it is worth collecting the fragments. Do not clean the chip under any circumstances!

  • Apply a layer of wood glue.
  • Attach the shard to the main part and secure with clamps through the bars.
  • Let the glue dry. On average 1 day.
  • Secure with a tie and self-tapping screws (not from the front part).
  • Sand the glued area with emery and sandpaper.
  • Apply paint and varnish.

In the repair of the main frame, it is better to replace the load-bearing boards with new ones, but you can also put support in non-critical cases.For this you need:

  • disassemble the sofa to access faults;
  • align the faulty plate and glue it with glue;
  • install bars (ties) on the back side for additional structural rigidity;
  • assemble the sofa.

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Broken frame of a children's sofa requiring replacement of the slats

  • Mix glue with sawdust for better adhesion and quick drying.
  • This mixture can also be used to fill holes for screws and bolts.

Pet owners know firsthand about coating problems. Also, replacement is carried out after severe contamination and obsolescence of the skin. Only the complexity of the conduct depends on the material, and not the process itself. But nevertheless, it is better to entrust the replacement of leather and leatherette to professionals.

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Disassembled sofa for renovation work

Required tools and materials:

  • Construction stapler and staples.
  • Sewing kit.
  • Screwdriver and screwdriver.
  • Textile. Flock, velor, jacquard, chenille or tapestry are commonly used.

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Flock is a soft, durable, durable material that is pleasant to the touch

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Beautiful and expensive fabric for constriction - tapestry

  • Carefully disassemble the sofa into its component parts.
  • Remove the trim without damaging the fabric. It will serve as a template.
  • Cut out a new canvas, taking into account the peculiarities of the relief.
  • Stretch starting from the front, fixing with staples.
  • Repeat the procedure for all trimmed elements.

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Do-it-yourself sofa repair - the process of tightening the armrests

New foam rubber for filling the sofa

The loss of elasticity and resilience is associated either with the spring block or with the filler. Also, the replacement of the filler must be carried out in connection with the appearance of unpleasant odors and the breakthrough of the upholstery from the inside.

  • Construction stapler and staples.
  • Screwdriver and screwdriver.
  • Filler.
  • Carefully disassemble the sofa into its component parts.
  • Remove the trim carefully.
  • Take out the old foam.
  • Install a new one with a total thickness of 35-40 mm.
  • Secure the filler with glue or staples.
  • Change the filler along with the upholstery. The total expenses for independent work will not exceed 3000 rubles.

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Replacement of upholstery for an Italian sofa

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Restoration of the spring block

A serviceable spring block determines the absence of subsidence of the sofa and its convenience. It consists of zigzag springs and is fastened to the body in the form of arc-shaped brackets.

Materials and tools for repair.

  • Screwdriver and screwdriver.
  • Construction stapler and staples.
  • Disassemble the sofa into elements.
  • Detach the upholstery carefully.
  • Remove filler and backing.
  • Loosen the tension on the defective spring and replace it.
  • Reassemble in reverse order.
  • If many springs are malfunctioning, it is better to replace it with a whole block.
  • Replacing the elastic bands in the back is similar.

Furniture manufacturers are increasingly moving away from springs in favor of lamellas. The change process is the same.

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Possible options for transforming sofas

A high-quality mechanism most often determines the cost of a sofa, since moving parts break faster. There are several types associated with the principle of operation. Each of them requires its own maintenance and problem fixing.

  • Set of wrenches.
  • Screwdriver and screwdrivers.
  • Machine oil or other lubricant.
  • Stapler and staples.
  • Drill and drill set.

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Diagram of the transformation mechanism of the "Roll-out" sofa

The most common mechanism. The popularity is associated with the simplicity and low cost of execution. It was named so because of the principle of rolling out the section for the "bed" position. It also consists of rollers on an additional section, a slide with a fixing bracket on the body. There is also a lifting mechanism or an additional leg. Common problems are braking and squeaking when rolling out. It is solved by replacing the rollers and sleds. There is also a lack of complete fixation in the "bed" position. In this case, repair of the retaining bracket is required.

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Diagram of the transformation mechanism of the "Book" sofa

It has been known since Soviet times and is already morally obsolete. In this regard, it is difficult to find accessories for the device. The sofa uses the front of the backrest as an additional section. The transformation takes place by folding the back and sitting together, removing the roller from the end position, rolling the roller and decomposing the sections. The most common problem is the inability to unfold or fold the sofa. In this case, do not use force. It is “treated” by disassembling the sofa, cleaning the guides, removing the tension from the fixing spring, lubricating the axle and fixing the jam or replacing the roller. In case of multiple problems with the mechanism, a complete replacement of the block is preferable.

The new variations use a rocker piece with springs. It is more reliable. But in the event of a malfunction, a complete change is required.

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The scheme of the transformation mechanism of the sofa "Click-Klyak"

The most modern type for serial models of upholstered furniture. Has three positions. "Click Klyak" allows, in addition to the seat, to use the backrest and armrests as a sleeping surface. An interesting name is associated with the sound of transformation. Outwardly it looks like a book mechanism. However, it uses a special folding mechanism without rollers. Since the perfect fit of all moving parts of the device cannot be done at home, it is better to change the entire unit. To do this, it is necessary to disassemble the casing and filling and fix the breakage.

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Diagram of the transformation mechanism of the sofa "Accordion"

Has three positions. Unfolding and fixing occurs due to movable axles and locks. For disassembly you only need a 10 spanner. The locks themselves look like a clamp without a tightening bolt. Frequent problems are similar to those of a sofa-book. All elements must be lubricated periodically.

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DIY sofa repair process

  • Do not try to replace one mechanism with a completely different one. The use of different principles of work determines not only the difference in components, but also in the purpose of the elements.
  • Chipboard is more difficult to restore than wood.
  • If the support metal is bent, replace it immediately and do not try to straighten it. The structure of the metal will not withstand long loads and will deform again.
  • Frame play leads to breakage not only of the wooden parts, but also of the guide rollers. The friction generated also harms the upholstery.
  • Apply grease only to cleaned surfaces.
  • Do not overtighten the fasteners.
  • Hex keys must be of good quality. "Licked" edges will stop work for a long time.
  • WD-40 can be used to remove rust from moving parts.
  • Do not neglect installing washers on bolts and axles.
  • It is not necessary to make wood slabs or cladding yourself. It can be ordered in a furniture showroom.
  • The "licked" heads of the fasteners should not be rocked or tried to pull out the bolt. It is better to cut it off with a sheet of metal.
  • Monitor the condition of the pallet. This part of the frame is load-bearing and undergoes high loads.
  • Call a partner for all repairs. This will make your work easier and safer.

Do-it-yourself sofa after constriction

It happens that after several years of use the sofa needs to be replaced with a spring. What to do: send it to the landfill or try to fix the situation? Let's talk further about how to do it yourself repairing sofas at home replacing springs, their species characteristics and much more.

The sofa has several structural elements that provide its user with high comfort, comfortable rest, relaxation of the muscles of the musculoskeletal system: springs, frame, upholstery. When choosing a specific model, you need to pay attention to their quality so that the product does not require repairs for a long time.

If the upholstered furniture is made of quality materials, it will have a long service life.But sometimes even first-class models need to be repaired after some time of operation.

Replacing the spring system of sofas of different sizes, colors and configurations is required in a number of cases:

  • the model served for a very long time, so the springs weakened their action. As a result, there are dents and bulges on the seated surface, and it is not very comfortable to use the product, especially when unfolded;
  • it is necessary to repair furniture if the spring structure used in the manufacturing process had a factory defect, low quality, and so on, but this fact became clear only after some time of furniture operation;
  • repairs may be necessary when the level of rigidity of the spring elements was chosen irrationally, that is, they are not suitable for its owners in terms of comfort and rigidity. But, unfortunately, such a characteristic as the level of rigidity cannot be adjusted in a significant way. You can either replace the spring system with another model, softer or harder, or slightly soften the mattress with foam rubber.
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One of the most important criteria in terms of the comfort of such furniture is a block with practical springs. Repairing sofas at home may require replacing all the elements, but before starting work, you need to determine what type of these elements is present on the sofa. Modern manufacturers use these types of springs.

Note that the service life of the described types of modern systems is different, which also affects the final cost of the sofa. The most durable and expensive are designs with a block of independent springs, and the most affordable options are on a flat spring snake.

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Bonnel block Image - Sofa mechanism DIY repair Independent springs Image - Sofa mechanism DIY repair Snake

Self-repair of a sofa in a living room or kitchen can save a lot, because the services of professionals in this area can be expensive, and the springs they offer to replace old ones can have a higher cost than their counterparts in the store. It is not difficult to replace the springs of the sofa with your own hands if you prepare carefully for the work: purchase new structural elements, acquire up-to-date tools, draw up detailed instructions for performing operations.

To repair the spring block of a sofa with your own hands, you will need to have the following tools at your disposal:

  • yardstick;
  • a wrench for disassembling the sofa frame;
  • flat screwdriver for removing the brackets on the upholstery;
  • pliers for replacing metal products;
  • a clerical knife or scissors for cutting the underlay;
  • construction stapler for fixing the upholstery to the frame.

If you want to renovate your sofa without involving the services of professional furniture makers, you should carefully study the procedure. You need to start by disassembling the sofa, or rather, by disconnecting its side parts with a wrench. Do not allow these structural elements to fall freely after dismantling, mark each of them so as not to confuse the left and right parts during subsequent assembly. Further, the mechanisms are dismantled, the seat, the back and, if available, the pallet are disconnected in turn.

You will need to use pliers to remove the covers. With their help, carefully, without jerking, pull out the fastening brackets. Otherwise, the upholstery could be damaged.

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Dismantling the sofa should start by removing the side elements Image - Sofa mechanism DIY repair Disassembled sofa

Pull out the mattress, go to repair the springs. With the help of a damp cloth, it is worth removing dust from the surface of the structure, and then carefully inspect all the springs. Remove the damaged springs with pliers and replace with new ones. Next, cover the spring block with a foam mat or other material to extend its life.

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Carefully remove the upholstery Image - Sofa mechanism DIY repair Damaged spring Image - Sofa mechanism DIY repair Spring fastening options

The fact is that during the operation of the sofa, differences are created between those springs, which are exerted by the weight of a person, and those springs that remain unused. This leads to deformation of the spring block and the need for its repair. If you fill the gaps between the springs with foam rubber, as well as cover the entire mattress with a similar material, this can somewhat smooth out the load drop. Ultimately, the sofa mattress will last longer.

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The distance between the springs should be filled with foam rubber

If you need to replace a large number of springs in the sofa in a one-piece large Bonnel unit, it is easier to purchase a new unit. If only one or two springs stick out, then only these elements are subject to replacement, and it is not rational to change the entire block.