Are Office Chair Wheels Universal?

Office chair wheels are also known as castors. Whilst they are typically 2-2.5 inches in size as standard, it is the style of the castor stem (the part which attaches the wheel to the chair leg) which determines whether the wheels will fit in other office chairs. That said, most office chair castors will use a grip ring style stem. 

Types of Office Chair Caster Stems

There is a range of different castor stem styles which are used to keep office chair wheels securely in place. Here are the different types of castor stems: 

• Office castor grip neck – This style of the stem has a wide base and a narrow head.
• Office castor grip ring – The grip ring stem is commonly used for office chairs. It is identified by its groove at the top of the stem which is covered with a split steel ring. 
• Office caster threaded stem – The threaded stem looks and acts like a screw. It twists into the socket and can be strengthened with nuts and washers. 

There are also plate mount castors, which are typically used for transport trolleys and other types of office furniture.

Looking for an Office Chair Wheel Replacement?

Before you shop for replacement office chair castors, there are some things you should consider first: 

Have you taken accurate measurements of the original stem? 

The stem is the most important measurement you need to take. Whilst the standard diameter of office chair stems is 7/16”, it is still worth measuring your current stem to ensure that the replacement will also fit. 

What type of flooring will the chair be rolling on? 

The type of flooring your office chair will be on can help to determine the best wheels for your office chair. For instance, if the flooring will be a high pile carpet, larger wheels will be better as they will be able to roll over this better than smaller ones. 

How will the office chair be used? 

If the office chair will be used frequently, it is a good idea to avoid cheap castors. This is because cheaply made castors are not as efficient in evenly distributing weight and are therefore more likely to suffer from wear and tear. 

What is the best material for castor wheels? 

Soft rubber tires are usually the most floor-friendly and will help to prevent any damage. It is also important to check the tread width of the wheels as this could also have an effect on the flooring.    

How to Replace Office Chair Castors

Remove the existing chair castors

You can do this by laying down the chair and pulling the castors out of the chair leg. If you experience any difficulty, you can place a flat-head screwdriver between the castor and the base of the chair to help ease it out. 

Install the new castors

In some cases, you can simply pop the new castors into place. If they do not pop straight in, this is due to the grip ring on the stem is fully expanded and not yet being compressed. In this instance, you can try greasing the socket of the chair and if unsuccessful, you can use a hammer or rubber mallet to gently hit the raceway. 

Your office chair is ready for use!

Looking for an Office Chair?

 

If you’re looking for an office chair, Manutan has got you covered! We have a broad range of office chairs to suit your individual needs, including ergonomic office chairs. Check out what we have in stock today!