The washers were stuck together.  I had to boil them in water, spray them with wd40 and pry them apart.  The pre-assembled piece that attaches to the bottom of the chair was not lining up with the holes so I had loosen it up and straighten it out..  after all those obstacles were resolved the chair was finally assembled..  The cloth on the seat was not lined up properly by the factory and it can't be moved so after all this I have a chair that isn't cosmetically pleasing to me.. disappointing