How to Replace Herman Miller Aeron Classic Arm Pads

The arm pads on an Aeron Classic take the most wear of any part of the chair, and on older chairs the vinyl often cracks or peels long before anything else goes. Each pad is held on by two screws from underneath, so replacing them is a ten-minute job with a single screwdriver.

Will these pads fit my chair?

The same pads fit every Aeron Classic: sizes A, B and C, on fixed arms and on adjustable arms, whether yours adjusts with a lever or a wheel. They do not fit the Aeron Remastered (2016 onwards), which has a different pad. If you are not sure which you have, see Aeron Remastered vs Classic, or see the Remastered arm pad guide.

What you will need

• A #2 Phillips screwdriver.
• A towel or blanket to lay the chair on.
• The Aeron Classic replacement arm pads. Screws are not included, because you reuse the ones already in your chair.

Step by step

1. Lay the chair down. Put a towel on the floor and lay the chair face down, with the seat and back towards the floor, so the undersides of the arms face you.
2. Undo the two screws under the first arm pad and put them somewhere safe.
3. Lift the old pad off the arm.
4. Clean the top of the arm. Old pads often leave dust and grime behind.
5. Place the new pad over the arm so the two holes line up with the holes in the arm.
6. Refit the screws. Start both by hand, then tighten until snug and give them about a quarter turn more. Do not force them, as the thread is in plastic.
7. Repeat on the other arm, stand the chair up and press down on each pad to check it is solid.

If the arm itself is loose

A new pad will not fix an arm that wobbles. On the Aeron Classic that is usually one of these:

• Adjustable arms that wobble from side to side: the E-clips that hold the arm in place are often worn or missing. Aeron E-clips are a cheap fix.
• Arms that move where they meet the chair: the long arm bolts wear or bend over time. Get the arm bolts for adjustable (roller wheel) arms or the arm bolts for fixed arms.
• A wheel-adjusted arm that will not hold its height: the roller arm mechanism replaces the worn part.

Good to know

• Always use a hand screwdriver. A drill strips the thread in the arm very easily.
• If a screw hole in the arm is stripped, email us before forcing a bigger screw in.
• Arm pads are not size-specific on the Classic, unlike the seat mesh. See which size Aeron you have for the parts that are.

Not sure, or stuck?

Email a photo of your chair and the underside of the arm to info@hmchairs.co.uk and we will tell you which pads fit. If you would rather not do it yourself, our chair repair service can fit them for you.

Got a different chair? See how to replace office chair arm pads for the other models we stock pads for.