IKEA TOBIAS Spare Parts: Cracked Shell, Variants and Replacement
The transparent shell of the TOBIAS cracks. Clearly, transversely, often without prior impact. This guide covers the actual causes, available IKEA TOBIAS spare parts, and what to do when the shell fails.
Anatomy of the TOBIAS
The TOBIAS is a one-piece shell chair made of polycarbonate, mounted on a chrome steel frame. The shell constitutes both the seat and the backrest — a single molded piece, without a seam. This is what gives it its aesthetic. It also makes it irreparable in the event of a crack: it is impossible to replace "half" of a one-piece shell.
The shell/frame connection is through screws passing through the polycarbonate. These drilling points concentrate mechanical stress. The IKEA instructions specify not to overtighten.
Official dimensions:
| Measurement |
Value |
| Total height |
82 cm |
| Width |
55 cm |
| Depth |
56 cm |
| Seat height |
44 cm |
| Maximum load |
110 kg |
Variants and References
The chair format does not change between colors. But the color of the polycarbonate determines the product reference — and therefore the parts available from customer service.
- Transparent / chrome — ref. 803.496.71 (most common version)
- Blue / chrome — availability varies depending on stores
- Brown-red / chrome — ref. 905.325.89
- Gray / chrome — ref. 203.496.74
When you contact IKEA customer service, provide the reference for your color. A transparent shell and a brown-red shell are not interchangeable. The label under the chair is definitive.
Why Polycarbonate Cracks
Polycarbonate has two vulnerabilities that users often discover too late.
UV Degradation.
When exposed for a long time to ultraviolet rays — typically in front of a south-facing bay window — polycarbonate yellows and then becomes brittle. The process is invisible until the day the shell fails.
Chemical Sensitivity.
Common cleaners containing alcohol, ammonia or solvents attack polycarbonate silently. The surface appears intact. Internal micro-cracks propagate. IKEA explicitly prohibits this in the instructions.
"Clean with a damp cloth. Do not use solvents." — IKEA TOBIAS maintenance instructions
These two factors combined weaken a structurally sound shell. It can then fail under ordinary support.
The Cracking Problem: What Users Say
Reports are numerous and consistent: the shell cracks transversely, at the level of the seat or at the seat/backrest junction. Some users report several chairs from the same batch that have cracked. The crack is clear, creates a sharp edge, and poses a real risk of pinching or cutting.
No official recall has been issued. The standard warranty covers one year. After this period, IKEA assesses each case individually. Shell exchanges have been granted upon presentation of photos documenting spontaneous cracking.
IKEA TOBIAS Spare Parts: What is Available
The polycarbonate shell is the only critical part. IKEA lists it as a spare part orderable through customer service, by providing your article number. Availability varies depending on color and stock. If your color is no longer available, there is no reliable third-party source — unlike other IKEA furniture.
A cracked shell cannot be repaired. Neither epoxy glue nor plastic resins offer sufficient resistance on a load-bearing part. The only solution is replacement.
The fixing screws are not sold separately. Contact IKEA customer service with your article number — small hardware is sometimes provided free of charge upon request.
Do not continue to use a cracked chair. The crack widens with each use and the risk of cuts is real.
Maintenance and Prevention
- Cleaning: damp microfiber cloth, clear water only. No household spray, no disinfectant wipe, no glass cleaner.
- Placement: avoid direct and prolonged sunlight exposure. A blind or a few meters of distance from the window is enough to significantly reduce UV degradation.
- Tightening screws: annual check, without forcing. The polycarbonate around the drill holes is a fragile area — excessive tightening initiates micro-cracks.
- Storage: do not stack edge to edge. Place protections between the shells or store flat.
Sources: IKEA France — TOBIAS transparent, IKEA France — TOBIAS brown-red, IKEA France — TOBIAS gray, Dimensions.com — IKEA Tobias Chair, House Digest — What To Know About The IKEA TOBIAS Chair, Le Denicheur — TOBIAS Reviews
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