Learned that my monitor arm's gas spring can actually be refilled, not replaced

I was about to toss my old monitor arm because the gas spring stopped holding my 27 inch screen up. Did some digging on a repair forum and found out you can recharge them with a simple bicycle shock pump and a valve adapter. Tried it on my VIVO arm from 2019 and it's holding perfect again after 5 pumps. Has anyone else fixed a drooping arm this way or is this common knowledge I just missed?

2 comments

2 Comments

valthomas11d ago

You mentioned using a "simple bicycle shock pump" but those usually need a Schrader valve, and a lot of monitor arms use a smaller needle valve like on a basketball. Did you have to swap the adapter or did yours just fit straight on?

the_robin9d ago

Watched a buddy try this on his gaming chair armrest once with a tire pump and it blew the seal clean off. Thing shot across the room like a rocket, almost took out his monitor. He didn't know what valve type he had and just jammed it on there. My own VIVO arm uses a standard Schrader under a little plastic cap, no adapter needed. But I've seen those needle valves on some cheap gas springs from Amazon and you gotta be careful not to strip them. Honestly I'd check the manual or look for a tiny rubber plug before you start pumping.