La Z Boy 813mm Long Drive Shaft/Rod
$95.00
In stock
Original La-Z-Boy replacement drive shaft/rod, 813mm long and 11 mm square, designed for manual rocker-recliners, Glideaway and other Lazy Boy mechanisms. Replaces part 12000725-16P to keep both sides of the foot-rest moving in sync, eliminate side-play and stop uneven lifting. Made from cold-drawn steel and easy to swap in. 11mm Square Shaft for Manual Rockers. Compatible with any La-Z-Boy Glideaway and rocker-recliners that use a 813mm long rod. Match the length of your old shaft and reuse the existing nylon bearings and toggle links for a quick, cost-effective repair. Need another length? We also stock 680mm, 692mm, 724mm and 737mm drive rods if this size isn’t a match. Browse our full range of La-Z-Boy drive shafts (click here) or contact us and we’ll help you get the right one. read more
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Description
813 mm Drive Shaft/Rod for La-Z-Boy/Jason Manual Rocker-Recliners
Bring your favourite La-Z-Boy manual rocker recliner or Glideaway back to smooth, level action with this genuine 11 mm square steel drive rod (La-Z-Boy family 12000725, length suffix 16P). The shaft runs laterally between the two upholstered arms and keeps both foot-rest arms perfectly in sync so the leg-rest raises evenly and locks shut. Built from cold-drawn steel and pre-drilled for the original cotter pins, it’s a straight swap for any bent or broken rod.
Which Length Drive Shaft Do I Need? Measuring Guide
Remove your existing rod and measure tip-to-tip. If it reads 813mm (≈ 32″) this is the right replacement. We also stock other factory lengths: 680mm, 692mm, 724mm and 737mm. See our full range of La-Z-Boy drive shafts (click here) or contact us if you’re unsure.
Not suitable for XR or some powered La-Z-Boy frames, which use a different tube style.
Why Drive Shafts Snap – and How to Prevent It Happening Again
A square drive rod is meant to spin inside a nylon bearing that sits in the round hole of the metal mechanism spacing link (P/N 12000279-01 L/R). That bearing—held in place by a small steel retaining-ring spacer (P/N 12000167-00) that acts as the bushing that lets the rod rotate smoothly each time you open or close the foot-rest. On many older chairs La-Z-Boy used a smaller white nylon bush that was notorious for working loose; later models switched to a larger black nylon bush and opened the hole to suit, which cut failures dramatically but hasn’t eliminated them.
When the bearing pops out, the square steel rod now turns metal-on-metal inside the spacing link’s round hole. Every recline cycle shaves a little more off the rod’s corners, cutting a deep groove until the shaft finally snaps. (Severe overloads, seized toggle links and corrosion can also break a rod, but a missing bearing is by far the No. 1 culprit.)
- Replace any missing or worn retaining ring spacer and nylon bearings while the chair is apart.
- If the spacing link shows a worn hole, notched edge, fit a new Mechanism Spacing Link Bar 12000279-01 L/R (click here) at the same time to stop fresh damage.
Genuine Spare Parts – Buy Only What’s Needed
Because we carry the rod, bearings and link bars separately, you replace just the worn items—not an entire mechanism—saving money and reducing waste. Each shaft is OEM-spec steel with the original 11 mm square profile so your toggle links and bearings slide straight on. Light oil dip protects against corrosion during years of daily reclining.
Save Time & Money and Do it Yourself!
Swapping the drive shaft/rod is a true “You Can Do It” repair:
- Remove the cotter pins or truss screws at each end.
- Slide out the damaged rod, dropping the toggle links and bearings.
- Grease lightly, thread the new shaft through bearings and toggle links, refit the pins.
Total time: about 30 minutes with pliers, screwdriver and a torx head tool. Follow our step-by-step guides or video tutorials, and remember our support team is only a phone call, email or live chat away if you need a hand. Enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done—and the cash you kept in your pocket—by repairing your recliner yourself!
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
| Part Number (OEM) | 12000725-16P Drive Rod / Shaft |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 813 mm ±1 mm |
| Cross-Section | 11 mm square (cold-drawn) |
| Material | Mild carbon steel, cold-drawn, oil-dipped for corrosion resistance |
| End Fixings | Ø 6.3 mm (¼″) through-drilled holes to accept cotter pin / truss screw |
| Compatible Mechanism | La-Z-Boy manual Glideaway / rocker-recliner frames with ≈ 700 mm seat-box width |
| Common Companion Parts | Nylon Spacer Bearings 95000123-00 / -01 / -02 (not included) Mechanism Spacing Link Bar 12000279-01 L/R (not included)Retaining Ring Scpacer (not included) |
How To Tutorial
How To Tutorial
Step-by-Step Installation Guide – Replace Your Drive Shaft Safely
Before You Start … Safety First!
• Unplug if electric version and remove any loose cushions.
• Get a helper if the chair is heavy – two people can flip and steady it without strain.
• Clear a working space and lay an old blanket or cardboard on the floor to protect the fabric and your back.
• Gloves and eye protection stop pinched fingers and flying cotter pins.
📸 Take a quick “before” photo of the mechanism with your phone. If any parts shift while you work, you’ll know exactly how they go back.
- Tip the chair forward. With your helper, roll the rocker gently onto its front so the underside is fully exposed and stable on the blanket.
- Locate the drive shaft. It runs laterally between the two metal mechanism plates and is secured by a retianer or cotter pin or truss screw at each end.
- Unhook the Toggle-Link Sub-Assembly Extension Spring.
Carefully unhook the extension spring from the front support tube and let the toggle-link sub-assembly hang free. - Remove the retainer or cotter pins. Use pliers or a small screwdriver to straighten and pull each pin (or unscrew the truss screws). Keep them in a dish so they don’t disappear.
- Slide out the old rod. Hold the toggle links with one hand and withdraw the shaft with the other. Note the position of the nylon bearings and retaining-ring spacers as you remove them.
- Inspect bearings, retaining ring spacer pin & spacing link. If a nylon bush is missing, damaged or loose in the spacing link, replace it now (see parts section above).
- Lightly grease the new rod. A smear of multipurpose grease or silicone spray will help the bushings last.
- Thread the new shaft. Feed it through the first bearing, both toggle links and the second bearing, making sure the square profile sits fully inside each nylon bush.
- Re-secure with pins. Re-insert the retainer or cotter pins (or truss screws) and bend the legs over so they can’t back out.
- Re-attach the extension spring.
Hook the extension spring back onto the front support tube – take care, the spring is powerful and can snap back suddenly. - Test the action. Still upside-down, work the foot-rest lever a few times. The rod should spin freely and both sides should move together without grinding.
- Return the chair to upright. Lift with your legs, not your back. Replace cushions, sit down, recline, and enjoy that smooth “like-new” motion!
Job done in about 30 minutes – and you saved a service call.
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FAQs
FAQs
How do I confirm the rod length I need?
Remove the old shaft completely, lay it flat and measure the overall tip-to-tip length in millimetres. Do not measure the seat width or just the exposed section. If it reads 813 mm, this rod is correct; if you get 680 mm, 692 mm, 724 mm or 737 mm choose the matching length we also stock.
Will a 813 mm shaft fit power-recliner or XR models?
This square rod is designed for manual La-Z-Boy rocker mechanisms. Power and XR frames use a different keyed or threaded tube. Using the wrong rod may damage the mechanism.
What tools and time should I allow for the swap?
A screwdriver, a pair of pliers and about 30 minutes. Most of that time is spent tipping the chair over safely and removing cotter pins; fitting the new shaft itself is quick. A helper makes flipping the chair safer.
Do I need new nylon bearings, retaining ring spacer pin or a spacing link as well?
Inspect the black (or older white) nylon bushes that sit in the spacing link’s round hole. If a bearing is missing, worn oval or loose, replace it and—if the link hole is burred—fit a new spacing link bar (p/n 12000279-01 L/R) or ra broken retaining ring spacer at the same time to stop a repeat failure.
What usually causes a drive rod to snap and how can I prevent it?
The No. 1 cause is a nylon bearing that has fallen out, letting the metal spacing link grind a groove into the square rod until it shears. Replacing any missing bearings and re-seating the retaining-ring spacer cures the problem. Over-loading the foot-rest, seized toggle links or severe rust can also break a shaft, so keep the mechanism clean, lightly greased and free of obstructions.
