Hello everyone, I am planning to move soon and intend to disassemble my Ikea Pax wardrobe to take it with me. However, I have some questions about how to properly and safely take apart this type of wardrobe without damaging the structure or facing issues when reassembling it later. I am especially interested in which tools are necessary, whether certain screws and connectors need to be handled with extra care, and if there is a recommended order to follow during disassembly. Has anyone here had experience with taking apart an Ikea Pax wardrobe during a move? Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!
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pauPierce24 Apr 2020 09:12Hello Haykkin, your concern is very practical, and I’m happy to help with some detailed advice. Disassembling an Ikea Pax wardrobe requires a structured approach to avoid problems later on.
Essential tools:
- Screwdriver (Phillips head, PH2)
- Cordless drill with torque setting (use carefully to avoid damaging screws)
- Possibly an Allen key, depending on the model
- Ideally a screw organizer or small containers for small parts
Order and tips:
- Start with the wardrobe doors by carefully loosening the hinges at the attachment points. Often there are clips that can be opened with slight prying.
- Then remove the interior fittings (shelves, clothes rails).
- Carefully loosen the back panel, if possible – it is usually fixed with thin nails and should not break unexpectedly.
- For the carcass, undo the screws at the joints, preferably collecting and labeling each screw immediately after removal in a small container.
- Remember the orientation of the panels – photos can be very helpful here.
It is important not to over-tighten screws or use force. The fasteners made of cam connectors and dowels are typical for Pax and must be handled precisely.
Do you already know the exact Pax model? Some minor differences can slightly affect the procedure.
Essential tools:
- Screwdriver (Phillips head, PH2)
- Cordless drill with torque setting (use carefully to avoid damaging screws)
- Possibly an Allen key, depending on the model
- Ideally a screw organizer or small containers for small parts
Order and tips:
- Start with the wardrobe doors by carefully loosening the hinges at the attachment points. Often there are clips that can be opened with slight prying.
- Then remove the interior fittings (shelves, clothes rails).
- Carefully loosen the back panel, if possible – it is usually fixed with thin nails and should not break unexpectedly.
- For the carcass, undo the screws at the joints, preferably collecting and labeling each screw immediately after removal in a small container.
- Remember the orientation of the panels – photos can be very helpful here.
It is important not to over-tighten screws or use force. The fasteners made of cam connectors and dowels are typical for Pax and must be handled precisely.
Do you already know the exact Pax model? Some minor differences can slightly affect the procedure.
P
pauPierce24 Apr 2020 10:05KESIRI schrieb:
It’s best to assemble Pax wardrobes starting from the back.Exactly, that’s the key.
One more tip: When working with a screwdriver, check the screw holes beforehand for loose dowels. If the wooden joints are tight, it’s better to gently ease them with a small lever rather than pulling with force. Especially the floor panels can sometimes fit very snugly.
Hey, I find this topic really interesting because I disassembled my Pax last year when moving, and it caused me a lot of stress. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was taking it apart correctly because I was afraid of breaking something. My advice: take your time and proceed step by step. Taking photos really helps, just like pauPierce mentioned.
What helped me was putting each individual screw in a small bag with a Post-it note indicating which part it belongs to. That way, I never had the problem of missing screws.
Also, definitely don’t just tear off the back panel. I removed it, but it broke in some places because I was too impatient... This caused real problems during reassembly later on.
Many here say that a Phillips screwdriver is enough, but for me, a good cordless drill with low torque really helped—it’s faster and less frustrating. Still, always be careful!
What helped me was putting each individual screw in a small bag with a Post-it note indicating which part it belongs to. That way, I never had the problem of missing screws.
Also, definitely don’t just tear off the back panel. I removed it, but it broke in some places because I was too impatient... This caused real problems during reassembly later on.
Many here say that a Phillips screwdriver is enough, but for me, a good cordless drill with low torque really helped—it’s faster and less frustrating. Still, always be careful!
Lisele schrieb:
Taking photos really helps That's true, photos save a lot of time during the rebuild.
One more tip: leave screws slightly pre-driven and only fully tighten them all at the end. This way, you can easily make adjustments if needed.
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