How to Adjust La-Z-Boy Recliner Tension

La-Z-Boy Southeast | March 13, 2026

You can adjust the tilt-back tension on your La-Z-Boy recliner at home by turning two wing nuts located on the underside of the chair. Turning them clockwise (to the right) makes the back harder to push into a recline. Turning them counterclockwise (to the left) makes it easier. You’ll want to make adjustments in small increments — no more than a half turn at a time — and test the chair between each round until the resistance feels right for your body. The whole process takes just a few minutes and requires nothing more than a basic multi-tool or pair of pliers.

Why Recliner Tension Matters

Every La-Z-Boy recliner leaves the factory with its tension springs pre-set to a middle-of-the-road resistance. That default works fine for a lot of people, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. A taller or heavier person might find the back reclines too easily and doesn’t offer enough support. A smaller or lighter person might feel like they’re fighting the chair every time they lean back. The tension springs exist specifically so you can dial in the resistance to match your body type and personal preference.

On most La-Z-Boy recliners, the legrest and back move together in a single motion. So when you adjust the tension, you’re really changing how much pressure it takes to push the entire seating position backward. It’s a small tweak that can make a big difference in how comfortable the chair actually feels day to day.

What You’ll Need

You can turn the wing nuts by hand, but it gets difficult as the springs tighten. A multi-tool or a pair of pliers will give you much better grip, especially in the tight space underneath the chair. A flashlight is also helpful if you’re working in a dimly lit room — you may even want a second person to hold it while you work.

How to Access the Tension Springs

Start by closing the legrest completely. This is important because tilting the chair with the legrest open can damage the mechanism. Once the legrest is closed, gently tilt the recliner forward so it rests on the front of its arms and the top of the back. You can also lay it on its side — either way, you need clear access to the underside of the seat.

Look underneath and you’ll see two tension springs with wing nuts, one on the left side and one on the right. On Reclina-Rocker, Reclina-Glider, and Reclina-Way models, these sit toward the back of the recliner under the seat. On La-Z-Boy Classics Low Profile and High Leg recliners with a three-position mechanism, they sit closer to the center. Some Reclina-Glider Swivel Recliners use thumb wheels instead of wing nuts, but the adjustment process is the same.

How to Make the Adjustment

Think of the wing nuts like regular screws. Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey. Turn both wing nuts to the right (clockwise) to increase tension and make the recliner harder to push back. Turn them to the left (counterclockwise) to decrease tension and make it easier. Always adjust both sides equally so the chair stays balanced.

Work in small increments — a quarter turn to a half turn at a time. After each adjustment, flip the recliner back upright, sit down, and test it. If the tension still isn’t where you want it, tip the chair over again and give it another turn. Repeat this flip-adjust-test cycle until the resistance feels right for you.

What Not to Do

La-Z-Boy’s official instructions include a few important warnings worth knowing. Never tighten the wing nuts all the way down. If the tension springs become fully compressed, you risk damaging the spring assembly. If you accidentally go too far, back the wing nuts off at least a half turn.

On the other end, never loosen the wing nuts completely either. If the spring starts to slide freely on the bolt, the chair can become unstable and tip-prone. If you notice the spring sliding, tighten the wing nut clockwise at least a half turn past the point where it stops moving.

And again — always adjust both wing nuts the same amount so the chair reclines evenly.

It’s a Simple Fix That Makes a Real Difference

This is one of those five-minute adjustments that can completely change how your recliner feels. Whether you’ve had your La-Z-Boy for years and your body has changed, or you just brought one home and the factory setting doesn’t quite fit, the tension springs give you a surprisingly wide range of customization. No service call needed.