Heavy Duty 5" Stroke Replacement Office Chair Gas Lift Cylinder Pneumatic Shock - S6111-HD Black

Update 4/14/2021:3+ years later and this product is still strong. I recommend these heavy duty gas lift cylinders.Update:Had this cylinder for over 5 months and it is solid and working very well without any issues at all.-----------------------------------------------I saw other reviews and videos on this part arriving in a PVC like container. Mine arrived from amazon in a thick plastic bag placed free in the box. The padding used was those plastic air bags but there was not enough to prevent any movement at all. Though it did not seem to be damaged at all or marked up. Not sure why as there was other items in the box that were also metal.The only thing I can say about this cylinder is that it works. The travel is much higher than the original that came with my chair. The lowest compressed state is right about where I like it. So if this were to blow out I don't really have to do anything because it is set already at the compressed end to where I would set it anyway.This is for taller people so do not get this if you are short say 5.8" or less because you will be up off the ground with your feet dangling and then you go up from there. I am 6'2" and at the highest setting my feet are almost off the ground. So if you are tall in the 6'5" to 6'7" range you will enjoy this cylinder a lot!I have a desk that has the keyboard under it on a pull out. These hang fairly far under the desk that prevent the typical office chair with arm rests from fitting underneath it. This cylinder at the lowest compressed state my legs fit under this comfortable with room to move up some.At 6' 2" at the lowest level my legs are 90 degree perpendicular to the floor so be aware that this is the starting point and lowest this will go.If you also have higher wheels than the default ones that come with your chair you will be up too high at the lowest setting. Though it depends on your desk and where you place your keyboard. For a normal below level slide out keyboard tray, with default standard sized wheels the lowest setting is great at my height. If you are taller you will be reaching more and your arms will be more extended because of it.There are other shorter versions of this "type" of cylinder available on amazon with heavy duty construction and able to handle 450 lbs. I would go with one of those if you are raising up higher by roller blade wheels and/or a new metal base. This cylinder will start you up too high and no way to go lower.I added 2" to 3" of travel to my chair compared to the original cylinder and raised my seat by 2" at the low end.This fits normal standard sized bases where the wheels fit into, 2" wide hole. The top end that fits into the tilt mechanism is also the standard size fit. If you have an office chair from any box store this should fit though measure the outer dimension of the top casing to make sure it is 2". It will taper down towards the bottom so that it wedges itself into the hole at the wheel base.Removing the old cylinder from the wheel base requires a hammer and either a block of wood or just lots of power hitting at the center of the cylinder tube to break it loose.I replaced the top tilt mechanism at the same time as replacing the cylinder so I did not remove the top of the cylinder from the tilt mechanism. I just threw both away and installed the new mechanism and cylinder. Took probably 10 minutes and then another 3 or 4 to adjust the tilt to how I like the spring tension. Removing the old parts was the longest part of the process.

This cylinder DOES work with an Aeron chair. I was a bit worried, because the tail end of the old cylinder (the part that sticks out below the chair, which I could measure with calipers) measured only 1.86" in diameter. But the base opening is tapered; a 2" cylinder slides in just fine. There is a plastic ring that holds the top of the cylinder stable; don't lose track of that when removing the old cylinder. This cylinder has a real heavy-duty feel about it; you can just tell it's built like the proverbial tank.The only instructions that come with this thing are on the yellow cap: "remove yellow cap." Other than that, you're on your own. But there are helpful videos on that site that starts with a "y" and ends with "outube." Just search for "Aeron chair repair." (Note: there is a red plastic button under the yellow cap. Do not remove that.)I was able to do the whole process with the chair sideways on the floor. Warning: put down a drop cloth or something, because grease and grime will fly. Pound the bottom of the old cylinder with a dead-blow hammer or rubber mallet to pop it out of the base. Save the plastic ring I mentioned before.The top post was stuck fast in the chair base. Not surprising; the chair is over 10 years old. I had to use a 24" pipe wrench and a 2 pound hammer to get it loose, pounding on the wrench handle to jar the post and twist it free. It took about 60 blows, and the post turned at least 3/4 of a turn before it finally popped out. So be patient. It doesn't matter which way you turn it, by the way; it's just a tapered end held in by friction. A lot of friction.Drop the new cylinder in the base and slide the plastic ring over it. I had to tap the ring fully seated by lightly tapping around the edge with a short piece of wood and the dead-blow hammer. Drop the chair on top and you're done. Maybe.I'm glad I watched the video first, because it mentioned a set screw adjustment. The lift/lower lever presses the red button on top of the rod; that's what releases the internal lock on the rod. If the set screw isn't correct, it either won't lock or won't unlock. If it won't lock, you will need to back out the set screw. If it won't unlock, screw it down. The set screw is a 5/32" hex-head screw that's hidden under the dust cover under the chair mesh. Just pop the cover off to expose the innards. Work the raise/lower handle and watch for a moving lever. The set screw is in that lever, about an inch from the fulcrum.

I had to replace my last office chair because at 375lbs I'm too heavy for it. One arm was broken and the gas strut had collapsed. Found what I'd thought would be the perfect new chair, my favorite colors, recline function, it just fit my style perfectly. Unfortunately it was also not up to my weight, and it's gas strut started collapsing within a week. Luckily I found this heavy duty replacement strut. It fits the chair perfectly, and the increased height fits my workbench of a computer desk perfectly. Installation is simple, if you assembled your own chair to start with, as it seems is the case with most of these types of chairs, installing this new strut will be a breeze for you.

My old office chair's cylinder lost compression and thought I may have to purchase a entirely new chair until I look for a replacement cylinder. It was fairly easy to take the old one out and this fit well. Glad I was able to save some money by just having to replace the cylinder.