Ottoman bed sturts

Danay

One of my ottoman bed sturt is fallen and screw came off while I was closing it.
now I’ve tried to put it back but its not fitting in the gap. it seems a little bog for the space now.
The bed base is quite heavy because its solid wood can lift it up properly too.

the sturt is not extended, Plz advise should I get a new one or try to put that one again.

teaselMay

Whilst the strut was in place it was being compressed by the weight of the bed, and so fitted. Now that it's liberated itself it's free to extend and so seems too big for the space.

If the ends can still be secured I'd try to reuse that strut. You might need to create a new fitting for the strut to make it secure, if you do you almost certainly need to move the fitments of both sides so that it matches.

ThisIsWeird

Photo, please, Danay.
You say the strut is not extended - are you sure you mean this?
In general, assuming the strut is actually working, then the two main ways of refitting it will likely be to lift the bed high enough upwards to allow the strut to fit whilst extended, or to partially compress the strut first, secure it, fit, release.
So, can you lift the bed higher? Or, can you compress the strut by hand?

Danay

I would love to post photo but as a new member I cant.
yes its not extended because Its the same length the other one which is working. The bed is so heavy I am lifting it fully but its just reaching till the half of the bolt hole, if u understand what I mean. I can not put the screw in. and I can not compress the Sturt with hand its so tight. 

How can I compress the sturt its not moving at all. 

Danay

I m thinking to buy new sturt and support props to lift the bed a little higher. I will try first with old sturt if it doesn’t close or work then I will replace it with new one. 

The only thing which is stopping me is that I am scared that would I be over extend the other sturt if i lift the bed ?? Advise @ThisIsWeird

how can i check that old sturt is working and not damaged? 

ThisIsWeird

If all that's happend is that the screws have come out one end bracket, then there's nothing to suggest that the strut itself is faulty. So I'd initially assume it's working fine and try and refit it.
I'm not actually surprised you can't compress it by hand, as the bed's weight is considerable, and you'd have to match that.
Are you using a pole or similar to hold the bed up when you are checking the fit? If not, can you get one? And how much extra movement do you need before you can get the screws into place - less than, say, a cm? 
Two possible ways to get the strut into place. I presume there's one fitted towards each side of the bed? Ok, lift the bed and prop up the side of the disconnected strut using a pole (eg a broom handle). Get someone to push that side of the bed up a bit further beyond what it 'wants' to - ie by flexing/twisting the actual upper bed frame. Support it there using the broom. Is that enough?
If not, then another way will require more care, and a reliable prop. Lift the bed up to full extension, and prop it. Now disconnect the other strut, the same way the first one has come undone. You'll sense whether it's still under some compression as you slacken the last screws, so be ready to prop the bed up a bit more so that all compression has been removed from the strut. You now have two disconnected struts!
Adjust the bed height up or down until the longest strut's bracket screws align, and screw away (I'm assuming that will be the 'loose' strut's bracket). Then lower the bed until the second strut now aligns, and rescrew that one too.
If the screws do not bite fully, then you may need to insert slivers of wood into the screw holes first - matchsticks are great for this - ideally with a wee blob of PVA. 
You ideally need an assistant for this, or a very secure broom or two...

Danay

Thank You so much. I will try first method because m too scared to touch the working sturt. Hopefully it works. The gap is around 2cm deffo more than 1cm. @ThisIsWeird

surely let u know which one worked for me.

ThisIsWeird

Looking at pics of such opening beds, I suspect the easiest option 1 might only work if the struts are fitted some way up the bed sides away from the hinged end, so the bed will allow enough twist & flex without being constrained by the hinges, but you won't know until you try.
Obviously, be careful - wasn't there a bizarre, but tragic, accident recently involving such a bed that fell shut, trapping the user?
You need dependable props for either option, and a reliable assistant, or two!
Also bear in mind that if you prop up the bed using a pole, and then try and push the bed up higher, the pole can fall away - please don't let such a Buster Keatonesque situation occur, 'cos it just won't be funny.
I would add - obvs remove as much weight as possible; mattress, all bedding, even slats - it'll also make the frame easier to flex.
Alternatively, if you have the luxury of floorspace, lift the bed on to its side
Have you earned enough brownie points to post a pic now? If so, that will help us.
Have an accident-free Chrimbo

Albermarle

Obviously, be careful - wasn't there a bizarre, but tragic, accident recently involving such a bed that fell shut, trapping the user? 

I don't know about that, but I do know that on a working ottoman, if you take the mattress off, the base flies up.
If it caught you under the chin, it would be messy.....

Danay

I am planning to buy adjustable telescopic support pole for the purpose.

Why would the sturt have fallen in first place? Why it didn’t compress like always? 

MikeJXE

You can’t close the strut with your bare hands as it too stiff 

In the same way you can’t lift a car because it’s’ too heavy 

But with a lever and a fulcrum you can lift the world so Samson said 

There would be a way to close the strut if you can work it out

Think outside the box