ᐅ What should I do if my Pax wardrobe doors are rubbing or scraping?

Hello everyone, I recently got a Pax wardrobe system from IKEA and now have an issue where the wardrobe doors rub against certain areas. Specifically, when opening and closing, they sometimes catch on the frame or the adjacent door, which can be felt as a noticeable scraping. All the doors are correctly installed, but despite several readjustments of the hinges, this rubbing still occurs.

My question is: What can I do if the PAX wardrobe doors are rubbing? What adjustment or repair steps have you successfully used? Do I need to have specific tools or replacement parts on hand, or can these issues usually be resolved by simply adjusting the hinges?

If it’s relevant: The doors are not sliding doors, but hinged doors. Thanks in advance for any helpful tips!

Jariflo schrieb:
My question is: What can I do if the PAX wardrobe doors are rubbing?

Basically, adjusting the hinges is the first and most important step when dealing with PAX doors. These hinges are standardized and usually have three adjustment screws:
- One for the horizontal position of the door (left/right)
- One for the vertical alignment (up/down)
- One screw for the depth (bringing the door closer to or further from the cabinet frame)

Rubbing often results from the doors not being perfectly parallel or aligned in the same plane. I recommend taking the doors off completely and adjusting each hinge individually. You will only need a Phillips screwdriver.

Also check if all hinges are installed correctly. Especially with self-assembly, there can be minor installation errors that interfere with the final adjustment.

Finally, lightly sanding the edge with fine sandpaper can help if adjustment alone is not enough, but I would consider this only as a last resort.

Jariflo schrieb:
Which adjustment or repair steps have you successfully applied so far?

I had similar issues with my PAX system. It’s important to approach the adjustment systematically:

- Remove the door: This makes it easier to work on and helps prevent damage.
- Inspect the hinges: Each hinge usually has three main adjustment options that you should try.
- Make small changes, then rehang and test repeatedly.

If the doors are scraping because they have warped over time, a small but targeted spacer inside the frame can help; these are often called "felt pads." They prevent unpleasant scraping and protect the materials.

Also, it’s normal for wooden doors to shift slightly, so adjustments may need to be repeated after some time, especially with high humidity or temperature fluctuations.

The main tool you need is a good screwdriver. If you are careful, you won’t have to replace any parts.

gesar32 schrieb:
You only need a Phillips screwdriver for tools.

That’s correct. Just adjust the hinges. If that doesn’t help, you can carefully sand the edge with fine sandpaper. But only minimally, otherwise you won’t get a clean finish.

Jeanbar schrieb:
It is also normal for wooden doors to expand or contract slightly, requiring readjustment after some time

I can confirm this. It happened to me after a few months as well, and I was briefly unsure what to do. It’s important not to apply too much pressure on the doors to avoid damaging the material. If you proceed slowly and stay patient with the adjustments, you will manage it.

Maybe a little encouragement: The hinges from PAX are very durable and long-lasting; most people handle them well without major issues. Keep at it!