i assembled my core desk but it has a wobble side to side when i type. did i put it together wrong?

Diagnosis

Side-to-side wobble in the Autonomous SmartDesk Core is typically caused by "mechanical play" within the joint tolerances of the lifting columns and the center crossbar. While a small amount of sway is expected when the desk is extended to its maximum standing height (due to the physics of the telescoping legs), a noticeable shake while typing at sitting height almost always indicates that the frame is not perfectly square or the fasteners have not been torqued to their maximum capacity. This happens because the Core uses a series of interlocking steel plates and bolts that must be tightened in a specific sequence. If one side of the crossbar is tightened fully before the other, the frame can sit at a slight angle, creating an uneven distribution of weight. This imbalance manifests as a rhythmic side-to-side oscillation whenever you apply force to the desktop through typing or leaning. You can confirm this by placing your hands on the center of the desk and pushing firmly left-to-right; if you hear a clicking sound or feel a "gap" before the desk resists, the bolts are loose.

How to Fix It

To eliminate the wobble, you must reset the tension of the frame. Follow these steps precisely:

1. Lower the desk to its absolute lowest height setting. This removes the leverage of the extended legs and allows you to apply maximum torque to the bolts without the frame shifting.
2. Locate the four primary bolts that secure the center crossbar to the lifting columns. Using the provided 5mm Allen wrench, loosen each of these bolts by two full turns. Do not remove them; simply break the initial tension to allow the frame to "settle."
3. Place the desk on a flat, hard surface (avoid thick carpets if possible during this process). Push down firmly on the center of the desktop to ensure all four feet are making full contact with the floor.
4. Tighten the crossbar bolts using a "cross-pattern" (Top-Left, Bottom-Right, Top-Right, Bottom-Left). Tighten each bolt until it is snug, then give it one final quarter-turn. Do not over-tighten to the point of stripping the threads, but ensure there is zero movement when you tug on the crossbar.
5. Check the bolts connecting the desktop to the frame. Ensure the M6 screws are driven flush against the underside of the wood. If these are loose, the desktop will slide independently of the frame, mimicking a leg wobble.
6. Raise the desk to your preferred standing height and test the stability again.

If That Didn't Work

• Check your flooring. If you are on a high-pile carpet or an uneven hardwood floor, the leveling feet may be uneven. Rotate the adjustable glides at the bottom of each leg clockwise or counter-clockwise until the desk no longer rocks when you apply pressure to the corners.
• Inspect the leg column alignment. Ensure the telescoping segments are sliding smoothly. If one leg is slightly tilted, it can cause a lateral sway. Loosen the leg-to-frame bolts slightly, align the leg perfectly vertical using a spirit level, and re-tighten.
• Relocate the desk against a wall. While the SmartDesk Core is designed to be freestanding, pushing the rear edge of the desktop within 1 inch of a wall significantly dampens side-to-side oscillation by limiting the range of motion.
• Check for "Desktop Flex." If you have a very large third-party top installed on the Core frame, the wobble may actually be the wood bending rather than the frame shaking. Adding a center support brace or a stiffener rail to the underside of the desktop can resolve this.

Heads Up

• Perform a "Bolt Audit" every six months. The vibrations from the motor and daily use can naturally loosen the M6 and M8 fasteners over time.
• Avoid placing heavy monitors or CPU towers on the extreme edges of the desk, as this creates an asymmetrical load that increases the likelihood of lateral sway.
• Never apply lateral (side-to-side) force to the desk while it is in motion; this puts immense stress on the motor gears and can lead to permanent misalignment.
• If you use a cable management tray, ensure the screws are tight. A loose heavy tray hanging off the back can act as a pendulum, amplifying the wobble during typing.