Good morning everyone, I have an IKEA Malm chest of drawers that has unfortunately become quite wobbly – especially when you pull a drawer out completely or place more weight on it, it starts to tip or sway. The chest is not very old, but I suspect the stability has decreased due to the joints or screws loosening. Does anyone know specific procedures or repair tips to make the Malm chest stable and secure again? I don’t want to just improvise, but am looking for recommended assembly methods or materials that have proven effective. Thanks in advance for any help!
Hello Hans48, your issue with the wobbly MALM chest of drawers is often caused by loose fasteners or uneven floor contact points. I would first recommend checking all screws and connections one by one and tightening them if necessary – IKEA typically uses wood screws and metal fittings, which can loosen over time with movement.
If the chest is standing on an uneven floor, simply leveling it with small felt pads or washers can also work wonders.
Another tip is to inspect the drawer slides and side panels for cracks or damaged dowels, as missing connections significantly increase the risk of tipping.
If you want, I can explain in more detail how to check each component and ensure they are properly secured!
If the chest is standing on an uneven floor, simply leveling it with small felt pads or washers can also work wonders.
Another tip is to inspect the drawer slides and side panels for cracks or damaged dowels, as missing connections significantly increase the risk of tipping.
If you want, I can explain in more detail how to check each component and ensure they are properly secured!
Naomige schrieb:
First, I would recommend checking all screws and connections one by one and tightening them if necessary.That’s a good start, but with the MALM chest of drawers, the wobbling often comes down to a detail many overlook: loose or damaged wooden dowels. IKEA uses these together with metal connectors to join the side panels. If the dowels swell or wear out, gaps develop, which become very noticeable when pulling the drawers.
My advice: empty the chest, detach the side panels, and inspect the dowels. If they are damaged, you can cut replacement 8 mm (5/16 inch) wooden rods to size. The slightly tighter fit provides better stability.
Additionally, applying wood glue to the joints can help secure everything permanently. It is important to clamp the parts tightly and let them dry thoroughly.
If you want, I can provide a detailed step-by-step guide, including a tool list and tips on using wood glue.
Palenar schrieb:
loose or damaged wooden dowels [...] cut suitable 8 mm (5/16 inch) round wooden rods as replacementsThanks a lot for this very helpful tip! The idea of using replacement round wooden rods sounds smart, especially since I had already feared that the original dowels might no longer fit perfectly.
Could you please explain how to reliably remove the old dowels and how to best prepare the new round rods? Should the rods be treated beforehand (e.g., sanding or sealing) to prevent potential issues later on?
Also, what about the metal connectors – do they need to be readjusted as well, or is it enough to just replace the dowels and then firmly reconnect everything?
I would appreciate a detailed explanation!
Here is a step-by-step guide to repairing a wobbly MALM chest of drawers:
1. Completely empty the chest and carefully lift or tilt it to access the connection points.
2. Use a hammer and a thin chisel or screwdriver to partially loosen the old wooden dowels and gently twist them out. Be careful not to damage the wood.
3. Cut new dowels to about 8 mm diameter (measure precisely), lightly sand them to remove sharp edges, but don’t make them too smooth so the glue can adhere well.
4. Apply wood glue (preferably waterproof PVA or a similar type) to the dowels and the drilled holes.
5. Insert the new dowels and assemble the parts. You may need to clamp them or stand the chest upright and weigh it down until the glue dries (at least 4 hours).
6. Afterward, check all metal connectors: tighten screws and inspect the drawer slides.
7. If available, use washers to compensate for uneven flooring.
Tip: Do not overtighten screws! This can damage the material and cause wobbling.
If anyone has further detailed questions, feel free to ask.
1. Completely empty the chest and carefully lift or tilt it to access the connection points.
2. Use a hammer and a thin chisel or screwdriver to partially loosen the old wooden dowels and gently twist them out. Be careful not to damage the wood.
3. Cut new dowels to about 8 mm diameter (measure precisely), lightly sand them to remove sharp edges, but don’t make them too smooth so the glue can adhere well.
4. Apply wood glue (preferably waterproof PVA or a similar type) to the dowels and the drilled holes.
5. Insert the new dowels and assemble the parts. You may need to clamp them or stand the chest upright and weigh it down until the glue dries (at least 4 hours).
6. Afterward, check all metal connectors: tighten screws and inspect the drawer slides.
7. If available, use washers to compensate for uneven flooring.
Tip: Do not overtighten screws! This can damage the material and cause wobbling.
If anyone has further detailed questions, feel free to ask.
LOGEMIN schrieb:
Don’t overtighten! That damages the material and can cause wobbling.I always say the same! The main weakness of IKEA furniture is this cheap screw system. You assemble it, tighten everything firmly – and after a few months it becomes wobbly because the wood has swollen or the screws have torn out.
Why they don’t just use terminal blocks or proper metal brackets, I have no idea. I guess you can’t expect much more at that price. But the frustration is real.
My recommendation to everyone: If you don’t want to deal with constant repairs, replace the screws immediately with longer ones and stronger connectors (and yes, that’s not exactly original, but much more stable). Otherwise, you won’t avoid all the hassle.
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