Symptoms
- Table rocks on two diagonal legs
- Wobble changes when you move it to a new spot
- Legs feel loose when pushed
Likely causes
- CommonUneven leg length from manufacturing or wearEven a small difference in leg length causes a persistent rock.
- CommonLoose leg-to-frame joint or screwWood joints loosen over time as glue dries out or screws back out.
- PossibleUneven floorTest by moving the table to a known-flat floor to rule this out.
- Less commonWarped tabletop or frameHumidity changes can bow wood panels slightly.
What to do
- Move the table to a different, known-flat area to see if the wobble follows it.
- Check each leg-to-frame connection for loose screws or bolts and tighten them.
- Identify the short leg by pushing down on each corner one at a time.
- Add a self-adhesive felt or rubber shim under the short leg until the rock stops.
- For a more permanent fix, trim the longer legs slightly with a saw so all four match.
- Consider furniture leg levelers (screw-in glides) for adjustable long-term leveling.
Tools and parts
- Screwdriver
- Felt pads or shims
- Level
Adjustable furniture leg levelersSearch: “screw-in furniture leg levelers”
Felt or rubber leg padsSearch: “self-adhesive furniture leg pads”
When to call a pro
If the frame itself is cracked or the wobble comes back immediately after fixing, a furniture repair professional can assess structural damage.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.