Aluminum group soft pad lounge chair tilt base re-attachment  

Post clearer closeup photos of shaft and underside of hub. HM made several changes to this assembly over the decades. Details are essential to determining which part(s) might be missing. Does the shaft wobble in the base?

Thanks! Will take more photos as soon as I get back to my studio. 

The chair wobbles a little bit but barely noticeable. 

The sticker says the chair is from 96 if that helps at all figuring out the modifications. 

Thanks again so much 🙂

If you can, get a pic of the underside of the hub with the shaft inserted.

Hi! Finally took some photos. I also sat back in the chair and it’s definitely a bit wobblier than I remembered. Especially tilting a bit forward and not turning around very well. 

The base alone 

The shaft (sorry for the many posts, can’t figure out if I can add more than 1 photo per message) 

Hmmm... The shaft is unusual for the later versions. Most I've seen are threaded (into a chromed steel ring on top of the aluminum hub) to allow height adjustment. It makes me wonder if the base might not be original to the chair and curious to see a photo of the entire chair assembled. That said, there should be either a bronze or plastic bushing in the hub to prevent excessive wobble. These are replaceable "wear" parts, but sometimes require a press to properly insert a new one. The old one can be knocked out using a hammer and a wooden dowel or section of pipe of the proper diameter. The groove around the stub end of the shaft is indeed meant to accept a retaining ring to keep the base attached to the chair. Does it extend just beyond the depth of the hole? I mean just far enough to get a ring on it with maybe a larger diameter washer under it? Retaining rings come in many styles and sizes, with some usually available at good hardware stores. The special pliers and eye protection are recommended for installation/removal. I borrow a pair from my friendly local automobile mechanic whenever I need them. Mechanics also generally keep an assortment of rings in stock and could probably help to install one if you're not up to it.

http://www.mcmaster.com/retaining-rings

Thanks for your answer tktoo2. 

I have a desk chair soft pad that has that steel ring to allow the height adjustment but I don't think they were on the lounge chairs. It seems that the lounge chairs always have the shaft that goes straight into the base. Attached a photo of another one online.

I see some kind of a washer inside the shaft that is placed there (the piece you can see on the first photo I posted today with black marks on) that moves around a bit. That isn't the bushing you're talking about right?

If not, then the bushing is missing. Do you know where I could find one?

The shaft does extend past the depth of the hole. I could fit a washer and a retaining ring there. I bought the pliers online and will look for the right size retaining ring

Should I just try to call Herman miller and see if they can fix it all? I'm based in the US.

Thanks again so much for your help and expertise!!

Ah, I wondered why no casters! Send pix to Alfie at Hume Modern in LA and see what he says about bushing replacement. I think he sells the bronze ones. Otherwise, finding and installing a standard exterior retaining ring is a straightforward DIY job if your pliers reach, IMO. Bon chance!

http://humemodern.com/

Thank you so much again! I just emailed them, will keep you posted.

Hope I can give the chair a few more good years! 🙂