Wall Bed Assembly Step 26: Attaching the Pistons

Please provide these assembly instructions to the professional assembly company:

Out of all 33 steps, number 26 offers the greatest amount of direction and is the most complex. The cabinet and metal bedframe portions are loosely connected by the lower ends of gas pistons and pivot arms, and the time has come to attach the upper ends. If this is a stumbling block, there are a few possibilities to check. To break down each of the pieces of the puzzle:

• The pistons must be connected in the correct order. 
• The bed frame must be pushed past 90° in order for the pistons to completely reach.
• The stop rail cannot be prematurely assembled. 

The pistons must be connected in the correct order:

The gas pistons are placed in such a way that they are almost touching. At the bedframe end, they fit close together inside a groove:  

At the cabinet end, placement has one closer to the front of the unit than the other. It may seem a little counterintuitive, but the first piston to connect should be the one closest to you, even if this feels as though this may make reaching the rear piston more difficult.

When assembled out of order, the front piston will appear to be about a quarter inch too long and will not line up with the connector on the pivot arm:

To correct, simply untighten the nut and reassemble. 

The bed frame must be pushed passed 90° in order for the pistons to completely reach:

As indicated in the assembly instructions, wall beds require two people to assemble, and this is one of those moments. That extra degree or so of movement is imperative for getting the rear piston to connect. Remember that rocking the frame in and out somewhat may also be needed. 

The stop rail cannot be prematurely assembled:

In conjunction with the direction to push the bedframe beyond 90°, note that this can only be done if the stop rail is not already connected. The stop rail and kick are among the final pieces to be assembled; if the stop rail is installed too soon, it will prevent the bedframe from being able to do this.