Symptoms
- Armrest wiggles when pushed or leaned on
- Creaking sound from the arm area
- Gap forming between the arm and the main frame
Likely causes
- CommonLoose bolts or screws connecting the arm to the frameThese connectors are hidden under fabric or a removable panel.
- PossibleCracked internal wood block at the arm jointThe wood the screws thread into can crack from repeated leaning.
- PossibleWorn out corner brace at the arm-to-seat junctionSimilar to seat frame corner blocks, arm braces can loosen over time.
What to do
- Check the underside of the couch or the outside of the arm panel for an access point (zipper, panel, or staples).
- Locate the bolts or screws connecting the arm to the seat frame and tighten them.
- If screws spin without tightening, the wood may be stripped; back the screw out and fill the hole with wood glue and a golf tee or dowel before redriving.
- If a corner brace is cracked, replace it with a new L-bracket screwed into solid wood.
- Reattach any fabric panel or dust cover you removed to access the joint.
- Test the arm by leaning on it firmly to confirm it no longer moves.
Tools and parts
- Screwdriver
- Wood glue
- Wood dowel or golf tee (for stripped holes)
L-bracket corner braceSearch: “furniture L bracket corner brace”
When to call a pro
If the internal frame wood is split beyond simple reinforcement, an upholsterer can rebuild that section properly.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.