A good office chair rarely dies all at once. The casters start to stick, an armrest cracks, the seat slowly sinks, or the tilt stops holding. The rest of the chair is usually fine, and that's what makes it frustrating to throw away a seat that cost hundreds of dollars over one worn-out piece. The better move is often to fix it. Finding office chair replacement parts for premium brands like Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Haworth is easier than most people expect, as long as you know what to look for and where to look. If you own one of these office chairs, this guide shows how to identify the right part, where to buy it, and how to handle a common job: replacing the armrests.
Why Repair Instead of Replace?
Chairs from these brands are built to be serviced. The frames, bases, and mechanisms are made to last for many years, and the pieces that wear out first, like casters, arm pads, and cylinders, are designed to be swapped. That means a repair usually costs a small fraction of a new chair.
There's a practical side too. A chair you've already adjusted to fit you is worth keeping. And fixing a chair instead of replacing it keeps a well-built product out of the landfill.
Start by Identifying Your Chair and the Exact Part
Before you search for anything, work out exactly what you have. This step saves more time and money than any other.
- Find the model name. Most of these chairs have a label under the seat that shows the brand, model, and often the production date or serial number.
- Check the size or generation. Some models come in several sizes, and many have gone through redesigns. Parts from one version don't always fit another.
- Name the broken part. Is it the casters, the gas cylinder, the armrests, the tilt mechanism, the seat pad, or the backrest?
- Take clear photos. A picture of the label and the damaged area makes it much easier for a parts seller to match what you need.
With the model, size, and part type in hand, you'll know exactly what to ask for.
Where to Find Office Chair Replacement Parts
There isn't one place that has everything, so it helps to know your options.
1. Manufacturers and authorized dealers. These sources sell genuine parts and can confirm compatibility. They can be pricier, and parts for older models are sometimes harder to get. If your chair is still under warranty, start here, since many premium chairs came with long coverage.
2. Used office furniture dealers with a parts inventory. Dealers that take in and refurbish commercial furniture often keep spare parts from chairs they've retired. CFR, for example, lists a large inventory of pre-owned parts for Steelcase, Herman Miller, Haworth, HON, and Knoll, shipped nationwide. The listing is general, so the best approach is to contact them with your chair's model, size, and a photo and ask whether they have your part.
3. Specialist online parts sellers. These sell parts organized by chair model, which makes matching easier. Compare compatibility notes carefully and check return terms.
4. Universal aftermarket parts. For simple items like casters, universal replacements work on many chairs. Make sure the stem size and the floor type (hard floor or carpet) match.
5. Local repair technicians. For anything that involves the cylinder or tilt mechanism, a technician can often diagnose and fix it faster than you can source and install the part yourself. CFR also lists furniture repair among its services.
Herman Miller Replacement Parts: What to Know
Herman Miller chairs are among the most commonly repaired, partly because there are so many of them in circulation. The parts that wear most often are:
- Casters. Easy to swap, and worth matching to your floor type
- Gas cylinders. Responsible for height adjustment; a chair that slowly sinks usually needs a new one
- Armrests and arm pads. Pads wear and crack from daily contact
- Tilt mechanisms. If the recline feels loose or won't lock, this is usually the cause
- Seat and back mesh or upholstery. Mesh can stretch or tear over time
If you bought your chair new and it's older, check your original warranty before spending money. Many Herman Miller chairs were sold with long warranties, and a covered repair can cost you nothing.
Where to Buy Herman Miller Aeron Parts
The Aeron is probably the single most-searched chair when it comes to parts, and there are two things to know before you buy.
First, size matters. The Aeron comes in different sizes, and parts like the base and some components are specific to each. The size is usually marked on a label beneath the seat. Second, version matters. The original Aeron and the later Remastered version differ in some components, so confirm which one you have.
As for where to buy:
- Authorized Herman Miller dealers, for genuine parts and warranty questions
- Specialist parts sellers who organize their catalogs by Aeron size and version
- Used furniture dealers with parts inventory, who may have what you need from a retired chair
If you're in New Jersey or want to ship, you can send your Aeron's size and a photo through CFR's contact page and ask whether they have the part. If the chair itself is beyond saving, a used Herman Miller Aeron in good condition can be a practical alternative.
How to Replace Armrests on a Steelcase Chair
Armrests are one of the easiest repairs to do yourself, and the process is similar across most Steelcase models, such as the Leap, Gesture, Think, Amia, and Series 1. The exact fasteners vary by model, so check yours before you start.
What you'll need: the correct replacement arms (a matching pair), a screwdriver or hex (Allen) key, and sometimes a Torx driver, depending on the model.
Steps:
- Confirm your model and the arm type. Many Steelcase chairs offer fixed, height-adjustable, or 4D arms, and the replacement has to match.
- Lay the chair on its back or side, on a soft surface so you don't scratch it, so you can reach the underside of the seat.
- Take a photo of the current setup. It helps you remember how things fit.
- Find the fasteners. Most arms are held to the chair by a few screws or bolts, usually accessible from beneath the seat or at the arm's mounting point.
- Remove the screws and lift the old arm away. If it's stuck, check that you've removed every fastener rather than forcing it.
- Fit the new arm, lining it up with the mounting points.
- Tighten the fasteners evenly, without overtightening.
- Repeat on the other side, then set the chair upright and test both arms for stability and smooth adjustment.
If your chair uses an unusual attachment, or the arm is part of a larger assembly, it's worth consulting the manufacturer's instructions or asking a technician. Most arm swaps take under half an hour.
Steelcase and Haworth: A Few Quick Notes
Steelcase chairs have a wide range of models, and parts are usually matched by model name and generation. The Leap, for example, has more than one version, so identify yours first.
Haworth chairs like the Zody, Very, and Fern are well-built but have a smaller parts market than Herman Miller or Steelcase. A dealer with spare inventory or a technician can be especially helpful here.
When Repair Isn't Worth It
Repairs make sense most of the time, but not always. Consider replacing the chair if:
- The frame, base, or mounting points are cracked
- Several parts are failing at once
- The total repair cost approaches the price of a good used chair
- The chair no longer supports you comfortably, even when repaired
Final Thoughts
Finding office chair replacement parts for a Herman Miller, Steelcase, or Haworth chair comes down to three steps: identify your chair and the exact part, check warranty and genuine-part options first, then look at used dealers and specialist sellers for the best price and availability. Armrests and casters are easy to replace yourself, while cylinders and tilt mechanisms are often worth leaving to a technician. If you're not sure where to start, send your chair's model and a photo to the team at Commercial Furniture Resource, and they can tell you whether they have what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where can I buy office chair replacement parts?
You can buy them from the manufacturer or an authorized dealer, from used furniture dealers with a parts inventory, from specialist online parts sellers, or as universal aftermarket parts for simple items like casters.
2. Where can I buy Herman Miller replacement parts?
Authorized Herman Miller dealers sell genuine parts, and used furniture dealers or specialist parts sellers may have compatible ones. Have your chair's model, size, and a photo ready before you ask.
3. Where do I buy Herman Miller Aeron parts?
Start with an authorized dealer or a specialist parts seller, and confirm your Aeron's size and version first. Dealers with parts inventory, like CFR, may also have components from retired chairs. Contact them with your details.
4. How do I replace armrests on a Steelcase chair?
Identify your model, lay the chair on its side, remove the screws holding the old arm (usually from beneath the seat), fit the matching new arm, and tighten evenly. Fasteners vary by model, so check yours first.
5. Is it worth repairing an office chair?
Usually, yes. Premium chairs are built to be serviced, and common parts like casters, arms, and cylinders cost far less than a new chair. If the frame is cracked or several parts are failing, replacement may make more sense.
6. How do I know which part fits my chair?
Find the model name and size on the label under the seat, note which part is broken, and take photos. A parts seller can then match the correct component.