Ottoman Bed Lift Mechanism Replacement — Complete UK Guide (2026)

If your ottoman storage bed has started dropping shut on its own, feels heavy or jerky to lift, or simply won't stay open any more, the problem is almost always the lift mechanism — the pair of gas struts (and sometimes the hinges) that do the heavy lifting. The good news: it's one of the easiest and cheapest bed repairs you can do yourself, usually in under 15 minutes with no tools beyond a screwdriver.

Signs You Need an Ottoman Bed Lift Mechanism Replacement

  • The bed slams or drops suddenly instead of lowering smoothly — the gas struts have lost pressure.
  • You have to hold the bed open or prop it up — it no longer stays up on its own.
  • It feels stiff, jerky, or uneven when lifting one side more than the other.
  • Visible oil residue or a hissing sound from the strut body — a sign the seal has failed.
  • Loose or rusted hinges at the mounting points, even if the struts themselves are fine.

How to Choose the Right Replacement (N-Rating Explained)

Gas struts are rated in Newtons (N) — the force they provide to lift your mattress and base. Fitting the wrong rating is the most common mistake:

  • Too weak — the bed will be hard to lift and may not stay open.
  • Too strong — the bed can spring open too fast or slam shut when closing.

As a rule of thumb: standard/double ottoman beds with a lighter mattress typically need 750N, while kingsize beds or thicker memory foam mattresses (250mm+) usually need 1200N. Not sure? Use our free Gas Strut Force Calculator to confirm your exact N-rating in seconds before ordering.

Struts Only, or a Complete Mechanism Set?

If your existing hinges are still solid and only the gas struts have failed, you can replace struts only. If the hinges are also worn, rusted, or you're building an ottoman base from scratch, a complete lift mechanism set (struts + hinges + fixings) is the simpler, better-value option:

Step-by-Step: Replacing Your Ottoman Bed Lift Mechanism

  1. Measure your existing strut — fully extend it and measure eye-to-eye (centre of one end fitting to the centre of the other). Most standard ottoman beds use 360mm eye-to-eye struts.
  2. Support the bed base safely before removing the old struts — never work underneath an unsupported lid.
  3. Remove the old strut by releasing the retaining clips at each end fitting.
  4. Fit the new strut with the piston rod facing down — this is important for long-term performance and is often overlooked.
  5. Replace both struts together as a matched pair — never mix a worn strut with a new one, as this causes uneven lifting.
  6. Test before loading — the mechanism will feel stiff to move by hand without the mattress in place; that's normal and safe.

Still Not Sure Which Part You Need?

Send us a photo of your current strut and end fittings and we'll confirm the exact replacement before you order — no guesswork, no wasted postage on the wrong part.

Dispatch & Delivery

Orders placed Monday to Sunday before 16:00 are dispatched the same day. Free UK delivery on all orders, shipped via Royal Mail or Evri depending on parcel size.

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