Office chair casters and wheels come in all shapes and sizes. And for the most part, they work just fine. But what happens when you try to use an office chair caster or wheel that doesn’t quite fit your office chair?
You guessed it. Office chairs start to wobble and move around like crazy. Office chair wheels are notorious for being difficult to replace, but is there an easy way to find out if your office chair caster or wheel is universal?
By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of office chair casters and wheels and know exactly what to look for when choosing the right ones for your office chair.
1. What are Office Chair Casters and Wheels
Office chairs are often outfitted with casters or wheels to make them easier to move around. But what exactly are these devices, and how do they work? Office chair casters are small cylindrical objects that are attached to the chair legs. They are typically made of metal or plastic and have a smooth surface that allows the chair to roll easily.
Office chair wheels, on the other hand, are larger and made of rubber or nylon. They also have a smooth surface, but they are designed to provide more traction so that the chair does not slip or slide. Depending on the type of flooring in your office, you may prefer one type of caster or wheel over the other.
However, both options can help to make your office chair more mobile, allowing you to easily move around your workspace.
Recommended office chair casters:
2. Are Office Chair Wheels Universal and Do all have the same wheels?
The caster wheels on office chairs are universal, as almost all modern-day seating has the same stem diameter (11mm width by 22 mm height). There is a small group whose staves have an unusual size of 10×20 millimeters which doesn’t match any other type nor does it matter for use with certain models since these particular designs were made to suit themselves specifically.
3. Office Chair Caster and Wheel Sizes and measurement
4. Office Chair Casters and Wheels Types
There are many different types of office chair casters, each designed for specific flooring types. Carpet casters (standard) have softer wheels that are designed to glide smoothly over carpeted surfaces. Hard surface casters (safe on hardwood) have harder wheels that are better suited for hardwood floors and other smooth surfaces.
Reverse locking casters are a type of hard surface caster that has a mechanism that locks the wheel in place, preventing it from rolling. This is useful for chairs that need to stay in one place, such as in a meeting room.
Carpet Casters:
These types of wheels are designed for low to medium-pile carpets and will not work well on hardwood or tile floors. The soft wheels can get caught on the seams of the carpet, causing the chair to become unstable.
Hard Surface Casters:
These types of wheels are made of a harder material, such as nylon, and are designed for hardwood floors and other smooth surfaces. They will not work well on carpets, as the hard wheels can damage the fibers.
Reverse Locking Casters:
These types of casters have a locking mechanism that prevents the wheel from rolling. This is useful for chairs that need to stay in one place, such as in a meeting room.
5. Office Chair Wheels Replacement Parts
Replacing the wheels is a relatively simple process, but it’s important to make sure that you get the right parts. The foremost replaceable casters components are:
- The Mount
- The Wheel
- The Stem
- Office Caster Bushing
- Office Caster Hood
The Mount
This is the part of the caster that actually attaches to the chair. There are several different types of mounts, so it’s important to make sure that you get the right one for your particular chair model. The most common type of mount is the threaded stem mount, which is attached to the chair with a nut.
Another common type is the grip ring mount, which is similar to the threaded stem mount but has a plastic or metal ring that goes around the outside of the stem.
The Wheel
This is the part of the caster that does the actual rolling. There are several different types of wheels, made from different materials and with different treads. The most common type of wheel is the hard plastic wheel, which is made from a solid piece of plastic.
These wheels are very durable and have a smooth roll. Another common type of wheel is the soft rubber wheel, which is made from a solid piece of rubber. These wheels are less durable but provide a smoother ride.
The Stem
This is the part of the caster that goes through the mount and into the wheel. There are several different types of stems, but the most common type is the threaded stem. Other common types of stems include:
- The Grip Ring Stem
- The Swivel Stem
- The Fixed Stem
Office Caster Bushing
This is a small piece of plastic or metal that goes between the stem and the mount. It helps to keep the caster from wobbling and makes it easier to roll.
Office Caster Hood
This is a small piece of plastic that goes over the top of the wheel. It helps to keep dirt and debris from getting into the wheel and makes the caster look nicer.
6. Can You Replace Chair Wheels?
Replacing chair wheels is a relatively simple process that anyone can do.
First, remove the old wheels from the chair by unscrewing the bolts that hold them in place.
Next, insert the new wheels into the holes in the chair base and secure them with bolts.
Finally, test the chair to make sure that it rolls smoothly and doesn’t wobble. With just a few minutes of work, you can have your chair rolling like new again.
7. How to Choose the Right Office Chair Casters and Wheels for Your Office Chair?
When choosing office chair casters, it’s important to consider the type of flooring in your office.
Casters and Wheels for Hardwood Floors
When choosing office chair casters for hardwood floors, it’s important to choose a caster with a hard wheel. Hard wheels are made from materials like metal or plastic and have smooth surfaces that can roll easily over hard surfaces.
You’ll also want to consider the weight of your chair when choosing a caster. If you have a heavy chair, you’ll need a stronger caster to support it.
Casters and Wheels for Carpeted Floors and Rugs
If you have carpet or rug in your office, you’ll want to choose a caster with a soft wheel. Soft wheels are made from materials like rubber and have a tread that won’t damage carpet fibers and rug.
8. Final Thoughts
Now that you know the different parts of an office chair caster, you can be sure to get the right replacement parts when you need them.
Most important is that office chair casters and wheels are universal in that they fit most office chairs. Office chair caster stems have a diameter of 11mm in width by 22 mm in height, which is the standard size for modern-day seating.
I’m Michael K. Gibbs, a Engineer with a passion for finding solutions to people’s problems. After completing my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering, I decided to start the Best Chair Hub site. My mission is to help people of all ages find the best chair for their posture and make sitting more comfortable and enjoyable. With my expertise and knowledge, I’m committed to helping everyone find the perfect chair for their needs.