How to Replace Gym Bleachers

In most high school and college gymnasiums, rows of tall bleachers are attached to two walls. The bleachers provide seating for hundreds of people during basketball games, rallies and other school functions. Typically, the bleachers are made of very thick wood and metal and can be extended out, accordion style, from the walls to which they are affixed. The average bleacher is a single modular unit that lends itself to easy transport via the rollers it rests on.

Removing Old Bleachers

• 1

  Put on your rubber-gripped work gloves. Preparing a large bleacher unit for removal requires a strong grip and can also be tough on bare hands.

• 2

  Apply degreaser to any rolling tracks that need it. Over time the original track and wheel grease is gummed up with dust, dirt and other debris, making the folding of the bleachers very difficult. Degreaser loosens and eliminates caked-on grease. The tracks are located on the sides of each bleacher. Depending on your type of unit, there may also be tracks on the undersides of the seating area.

• 3

  Spray silicone lubricant into each set of rolling wheels. As with the bleacher tracks, the wheels used to move each unit become clogged with dirt and dried lubricant over time. Silicone lubricant helps get the wheels rolling again, making removal of the old unit much easier. The rollers are located around the perimeter of each bleacher and under each major supporting rod beneath the seating area.

• 4

  Squirt WD-40 onto each mounting bolt and bracket that secures the bleacher units to the walls. Let it settle in between the bolt and its threads, as this will simplify the removal process. The mounting brackets are located on the side corners of the unit and behind each major supporting rod.

• 5

  Remove each mounting bolt using your large torque wrench and the correct size socket. Socket size may vary depending on your unit.

• 6

  Fold the bleacher unit with the help of your team of assistants. The bleacher tracks must be unlocked by turning a lever, which is usually clearly marked, on either side of the unit. Spread your team out across the lowest seat and gradually push it toward the wall. The unit will begin to fold inward and upward.

• 7

  Move the unit out of the gymnasium, also with the help of your team. Repeat this and the above steps for each unit that you intend to remove.

Installing New Bleachers

• 1

  Transport the new bleacher unit into the gymnasium with the help of your team. Place it in its desired location, being sure to line up each mounting bracket on the unit with the corresponding one on the wall.

• 2

  Grease the threads of the mounting bolts and secure them to the side mounting brackets. As the unit is still folded up, you will only be able to access the side brackets.

• 3

  Unfold the unit with the help of your team by grasping the lowest seat and pulling outward. Engage the locking lever on the sides of the bleachers.

• 4

  Secure the remaining mounting bolts to the brackets underneath the seating area now that they are accessible. Grease the threads before threading on the bolts.

• 5

  Apply fresh grease to the tracks of the new bleacher unit. You may wish to spray a bit of silicone lubricant into the rolling wheels as well. Repeat this and the above steps for each unit you intend to install.