Guide Two
How to Install Your Replacement Slings
A new sling goes in easier than you'd expect. 20 to 45 minutes on your first chair, less on the next.
A new sling goes in easier than you'd expect. 20 to 45 minutes on your first chair, less on the next.
Remember
New slings are supposed to feel tight. They stretch into a perfect fit within a few weeks of use.
Don't force the fabric and don't cut it to make it loose.
Slide a flathead screwdriver into the seam between the end cap and the rail and pry gently. End caps are often brittle after years outdoors. Work slowly to avoid breakage.
Cut the old sling down the middle with a utility knife, then slide each half out of its rail. Save a piece of the old spline (rod) - match its diameter when you confirm your spline size.
Many frames require loosening the bolts that hold the rails to the main frame so you can slide the new sling in from the top or bottom. Loosen the rail or cross-brace bolts.
Wipe the inside of each rail with a damp cloth. Dried dirt or grit creates friction when you thread the new sling.
Look for the finished seam - that edge goes at the top of the backrest and at the front edge of the seat. The raw cut edges go inside the rail.
Spray the sling's spline lightly with soapy water. Starting at the top of the rail, feed the spline into the channel. Use a spreader tool or two flathead screwdrivers to open the rail slot if it resists.
Pro tip: feed from both ends at the same time - one person on each side - for the smoothest start. Tap the spline down the channel with the rubber mallet if needed.
Lightly tighten the rail bolts to put a little bit of tension on the sling. Do not tighten fully until you pull the sling to the edge of the rails as shown. Once the sling is fully threaded, centered, and aligned with the ends of the rails, you can fully tighten the frame bolts. Tightening too early pinches the rail shut and makes threading or aligning impossible.
Snap the caps back on. A light tap with the rubber mallet seats them.
Install the back panel first, reattach the hinge, then install the seat panel. On a chaise, support the back in its fully-down position while installing - the back rail geometry changes as the mechanism moves.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Sling won't slide | More soapy water. Use a spreader. Make sure rail bolts are still loose. |
| Sling is too narrow | Slings are designed to be tight on the frame and stretched during installation. Warming your sling in the sun will soften it enough to tighten bolts. |
| Sling is too loose | Some sling frames have spacers installed between the rails and the frame. Using smaller spacers or removing them altogether may help. |
| Sling is crooked after install | Pull both ends out, recenter, re-thread spline. |
| One end is ¼″ short | Loosen the rail bolts and pull the sling to the edge of the rail as shown in step 7. |
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