Hello everyone,
I have been experiencing issues with my IKEA Malm drawers for some time now. Specifically, some drawers no longer slide in and out smoothly; they sometimes stick or even jam. Additionally, on two drawers, the side runners are slightly bent or have come loose from their mounts. My question to the community is: What is the best way to repair Malm drawers when the runners no longer operate smoothly, the guides are sticking, and certain parts may need to be replaced? Is special tooling required, and are original replacement parts from IKEA recommended, or are there universal compatible alternatives available?
For efficient answers, it would be great if you could cover common causes, a step-by-step repair guide, or common pitfalls to avoid during the repair. Thanks!
I have been experiencing issues with my IKEA Malm drawers for some time now. Specifically, some drawers no longer slide in and out smoothly; they sometimes stick or even jam. Additionally, on two drawers, the side runners are slightly bent or have come loose from their mounts. My question to the community is: What is the best way to repair Malm drawers when the runners no longer operate smoothly, the guides are sticking, and certain parts may need to be replaced? Is special tooling required, and are original replacement parts from IKEA recommended, or are there universal compatible alternatives available?
For efficient answers, it would be great if you could cover common causes, a step-by-step repair guide, or common pitfalls to avoid during the repair. Thanks!
Hey Colbytan, cleaning the tracks with a brush followed by applying silicone spray really worked wonders for me. 🙂
From your description, it also seems important to not only check the track itself but also the small guide rollers and the alignment of the drawer within the furniture. Sometimes you only realize how smoothly things can operate when the peace with the Malm drawer is restored. ?
Good luck with the repair!
From your description, it also seems important to not only check the track itself but also the small guide rollers and the alignment of the drawer within the furniture. Sometimes you only realize how smoothly things can operate when the peace with the Malm drawer is restored. ?
Good luck with the repair!
I would like to get a bit more technical.
First, about the drawer slides themselves: MALM usually uses ball-bearing slides, which have two main components – the fixed rail (metal track, attached to the cabinet body) and the moving slide part, which holds the drawer. If the slide no longer runs smoothly, it can be due to deformed ball cages or dirty tracks.
Standard procedure:
- Completely remove the drawer slides, not just the drawer
- Visually inspect all sliding elements and ball bearings
- If there are deformations: carefully straighten them; if there is serious damage, I would recommend replacing them
Tools: Phillips screwdriver (magnetic recommended!), file for edges, possibly needle-nose pliers.
Also: Do not use oil-based lubricants! Only use PTFE spray or silicone, since oil attracts dust and can cause seizing in the long run.
Regarding original replacement parts: it’s better to use ETA-certified parts rather than cheap universal ones, because tolerances are very tight. I wonder how much your drawers are already deformed – do they come out of the slides completely, or do they just catch when opening/closing?
That might be the best diagnosis to give further advice.
First, about the drawer slides themselves: MALM usually uses ball-bearing slides, which have two main components – the fixed rail (metal track, attached to the cabinet body) and the moving slide part, which holds the drawer. If the slide no longer runs smoothly, it can be due to deformed ball cages or dirty tracks.
Standard procedure:
- Completely remove the drawer slides, not just the drawer
- Visually inspect all sliding elements and ball bearings
- If there are deformations: carefully straighten them; if there is serious damage, I would recommend replacing them
Tools: Phillips screwdriver (magnetic recommended!), file for edges, possibly needle-nose pliers.
Also: Do not use oil-based lubricants! Only use PTFE spray or silicone, since oil attracts dust and can cause seizing in the long run.
Regarding original replacement parts: it’s better to use ETA-certified parts rather than cheap universal ones, because tolerances are very tight. I wonder how much your drawers are already deformed – do they come out of the slides completely, or do they just catch when opening/closing?
That might be the best diagnosis to give further advice.
Domau0 schrieb:
I wonder how much your drawers are already deformed – do they come off the runners, or do they just catch when opening/closing?Good question. The drawers don’t come off completely; they just catch occasionally, and opening often feels rough. On closer inspection, I noticed that the left runner of one drawer is slightly bent and the guide has a bit of play. However, it still seems repairable. Thanks for the advice about oil and PTFE spray – I was initially going to use some WD-40, but apparently, it’s better to avoid that?
Colbytan schrieb:
Seems repairable thoughYes, that does sound really repairable. WD-40 is not a long-term lubricant; it cleans temporarily but can also provide some lubrication. For drawer slides, proper lubricants like silicone or PTFE (Teflon) sprays are more suitable.
If you need replacement parts, you can contact IKEA directly or place a replacement order through their service.
Also important: When reinserting the drawers, pay close attention to their alignment within the furniture frame. This is often underestimated but can lead to the problems you described.
gregto schrieb:
If you need spare parts, you can contact IKEA directlyThat’s correct, and sometimes a quick visit to the IKEA housewares section or IKEA Customer Service can also help. They often have the exact models of drawer slides or replacement rollers you need.
If you’re unsure, feel free to post exact model numbers or photos of the damaged parts (usually not allowed here in the forum, but we can continue describing).
Important for repairs: tighten firmly but avoid over-tightening to prevent the wood from splitting. It’s better to tighten slightly and check again.
Good morning everyone,
I would like to add to the previous advice that having the right tools is often underestimated. For the drawer slides, a ratchet with the appropriate bits is recommended to quickly and cleanly loosen and tighten the screws. This also makes it easier to replace screws that might be completely stripped or damaged.
Also:
- Set up a small workspace where you can comfortably work on the drawer along with the slides.
- Avoid applying strong pressure on plastic parts, as they tend to break more easily than you might expect.
For minor bends in metal, you can use a bench vise if available, or carefully realign the slide with a clamp. Always work step by step and check frequently!
Regarding spare parts: most IKEA components for MALM have a part number that can be checked online or via the IKEA hotline. The prices are usually low, and often replacing individual parts is more worthwhile than buying new.
I hope this helps!
I would like to add to the previous advice that having the right tools is often underestimated. For the drawer slides, a ratchet with the appropriate bits is recommended to quickly and cleanly loosen and tighten the screws. This also makes it easier to replace screws that might be completely stripped or damaged.
Also:
- Set up a small workspace where you can comfortably work on the drawer along with the slides.
- Avoid applying strong pressure on plastic parts, as they tend to break more easily than you might expect.
For minor bends in metal, you can use a bench vise if available, or carefully realign the slide with a clamp. Always work step by step and check frequently!
Regarding spare parts: most IKEA components for MALM have a part number that can be checked online or via the IKEA hotline. The prices are usually low, and often replacing individual parts is more worthwhile than buying new.
I hope this helps!
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