When your swivel barstools don't swivel anymore, it may seem like you'll have to pony up and replace your entire bar stool set. Don't worry if you're still attached to your stools; you can find repair kits online for your barstools that are easy to install and can keep your bar stools moving for years to come.
Reviving Swivel Barstools
Swivel Bar Stools
With a new swivel, retro or rustic barstools can be as good as new. Make sure you remove your barstool covers or barstool cushions before you get started, as some swivels may still have a bit of grease on them.
* First, you will need to determine what kind of swivel to buy; this will probably be the hardest part of installing your new swivel. Start by measuring the distance between the screws on your current swivel. Don't measure diagonally across the center rivet, but measure from the center of each screw to the screw in the next slot. Don't worry if the swivels you see aren't exactly the same as your measurements, the elongated slot on the swivels will allow for some error. 5-1/4-inches is the industry standard for mounting screw hole patterns.
* Do you need a flat or tilted swivel? For barstools without backs, the swivel will always be flat. Barstools with backs can either have tilted or flat swivels. Your swivel is probably flat if the seat is flat to the floor, all sides of the plates on the swivel are equal distance from one another, and a level on the removed plate shows that it is level. Your swivel is tilted if it is not level.
* Don't worry if you can't find a swivel plate that is that exact same size as your old one; they can vary ¼-inch or so and will still be weight-bearing.