DIY Glider Rocker Bearing Repairs

Install new bearings and restore the smooth rocking action to your old glider rocker

When this happens the defective bearings impair the glider’s rocking action and cause a grinding squeaking noise during movement. However, with a few simple tools you can replace the worn rocker bearings yourself.

1. Invert the glider rocker and place it on a folded blanket. Level the upward facing base as much as possible by placing a suitable spacer -- such as a coffee table or a pair of stools -- between the arms and the floor.

2. Remove the four nuts securing the bearing assembly mounting bolts and washers to the inner faces of the upper rocker arms, using a 3/8 inch socket or box wrench. Repeat by undoing the rocker arms nuts from the base pivot points.

3. Separate the chair assembly from the base by sliding each rocker base arm off the upper and lower rocker arm bearing assembly mounting bolts.

4. Remove the three screws securing the flat bearing retaining rings to the rocker arms with a Phillips head screwdriver. Grip the threaded end of the bearing assembly mounting bolts with pliers. Rock the bolts gently from side-to-side and pull the old bearing assemblies out of the recesses in both ends of the rocker arms.

5. Insert new bearings into the recesses on both ends of the rocker arms. Slide new bearing retaining rings over the mounting bolts and secure each retaining ring to the rocker arms with the screws removed earlier.

6. Place one of the washers provided in the bearing assembly kit over the bearing mounting bolts and insert the bolts into their respective holes in the loose rocker base arms.

7. Position a second washer over the threads protruding through the rocker base arms. Dab a small amount of thread sealant on the threads, install the nuts and tighten them securely with the 3/8 inch wrench.

8. Repeat by attaching the lower ends of the rocker arms to the inner glider base the same way. Stand the glider rocker upright, take a seat and test the action by rocking back and forth.

Tip

• Have a helper support the upper section while separating and reassembling the rocker's inner base. * Place each rocker arm on a firm flat surface while inserting the bearings. If the bearings don't slide all the way in, position a wooden block over the end of the mounting bolts and tap the wooden block lightly with a hammer until the bearings bottom out.