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How to assemble a power recliner

A power recliner arrives with the motor already fitted in the seat. You slide the back onto its brackets, connect the motor cable and power supply, and test the controls. The back is heavy, and the mechanism can pinch, so keep it unplugged until the chair is fully put together.

Time
about 45 min
Difficulty
Moderate
People
2 people
Steps
6

Tools needed

  • Cable ties
  • Torch

Parts to check first

Before you start, lay everything out on a soft surface (the flattened box works) and check it against the parts list in your manual.

  • Seat with motor and footrest mechanism
  • Backrest with slide-in brackets
  • Motor cable and power supply
  • Hand control or side buttons
  • Locking levers or clips for the back

Step by step

  1. Step 1: Unbox the seat with two people and stand it on its feet; keep the power supply unplugged throughout the build.

  2. Step 2: Look down the back of the seat for the two metal receiving brackets and lift any locking levers so they are open.

  3. Step 3: Hold the backrest upright above the seat and slide both back brackets straight down into the receiving brackets together.

  4. Step 4: Press the locking levers or clips closed on both sides and tug the backrest to check it will not lift out.

  5. Step 5: Plug the motor cable into the power supply lead under the chair, tie the cables clear of the mechanism, and route the lead to a socket.

  6. Step 6: Plug in and run the recline and footrest through a full cycle, watching and listening for anything caught underneath.

Common mistakes

  • Sliding one side of the back in first so it jams at an angle.
  • Leaving the cable loose where the scissor mechanism can crush it.
  • Pushing the chair tight against the wall so it cannot recline fully.

Safety notes

  • Keep children and pets away from the footrest and scissor mechanism, and check under the chair before closing it.
  • Unplug the chair before reaching into the mechanism or moving it, and do not run the lead under a rug.

This is general guidance for this type of product. Your product's own manual comes first: follow its order, fittings and torque values where they differ from this page.

Tags

Updated 2026-09-30

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