Hello everyone,
I have been using IKEA Billy bookcases for a while now, and I have noticed that some of the doors start squeaking after some time when opened or closed. I’m curious why only certain doors squeak, while others remain completely silent.
Are there specific mechanical reasons? Could it be related to the type of hinges, the material, or perhaps how the doors are adjusted? Maybe environmental factors like humidity or temperature also play a role?
I would like to better understand why this squeaking occurs in order to hopefully prevent or fix it. If anyone has experience with this or can provide a technical explanation, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
I have been using IKEA Billy bookcases for a while now, and I have noticed that some of the doors start squeaking after some time when opened or closed. I’m curious why only certain doors squeak, while others remain completely silent.
Are there specific mechanical reasons? Could it be related to the type of hinges, the material, or perhaps how the doors are adjusted? Maybe environmental factors like humidity or temperature also play a role?
I would like to better understand why this squeaking occurs in order to hopefully prevent or fix it. If anyone has experience with this or can provide a technical explanation, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
blapau schrieb:
To permanently prevent squeaking, a dry lubricant such as PTFE spray or graphite powder is suitable. Thanks for the tip, that helps me a lot! I had actually only tried regular oil products so far, but they mostly made the problem worse.
@Filippo, what is your take on this, especially if you can provide any technical details about the possible cause? I would also be interested to know whether the squeaking increases over time or stabilizes after it has been treated once.
Hello Parlis,
@Parlis, I’d like to explain this from a more technical perspective: The squeaking mainly occurs due to microscopic irregularities on the contact surfaces within the hinges. The transition areas between metal and plastic are particularly critical, as these materials have different elastic and frictional properties.
When we talk about contact surfaces made of plastic (usually polyamide) and steel, insufficient lubrication leads to so-called adhesive friction, which generates noise.
In practice, it is noticeable that during the initial use after installation, there is relatively little friction noise because the parts are new and still smooth. Over time, wear can develop, which initially increases the squeaking before a certain wear stability is reached and the surfaces slightly adapt to each other.
Regular maintenance with dry lubricants and, if necessary, readjusting the hinge position is important, as misalignment causes uneven load distribution and thus increased wear.
A specific cause can also be a slightly warped door or frame, especially with changing humidity levels. This sometimes results in additional friction and uneven pressure on the hinges.
@Parlis, I’d like to explain this from a more technical perspective: The squeaking mainly occurs due to microscopic irregularities on the contact surfaces within the hinges. The transition areas between metal and plastic are particularly critical, as these materials have different elastic and frictional properties.
When we talk about contact surfaces made of plastic (usually polyamide) and steel, insufficient lubrication leads to so-called adhesive friction, which generates noise.
In practice, it is noticeable that during the initial use after installation, there is relatively little friction noise because the parts are new and still smooth. Over time, wear can develop, which initially increases the squeaking before a certain wear stability is reached and the surfaces slightly adapt to each other.
Regular maintenance with dry lubricants and, if necessary, readjusting the hinge position is important, as misalignment causes uneven load distribution and thus increased wear.
A specific cause can also be a slightly warped door or frame, especially with changing humidity levels. This sometimes results in additional friction and uneven pressure on the hinges.
Filippo schrieb:
When discussing contact surfaces made of plastic (usually polyamide) and steel, insufficient lubrication leads to so-called adhesion friction. Exactly, this type of friction causes noise in almost all components with plastic-to-metal connections. Additionally, hinges that fit very tightly with no room for slight movements or shifts are more prone to this, as the load is concentrated on a smaller surface area.
My advice to anyone wanting to reduce the typical "Billy hinge" noise: regular cleaning, blowing out dust, and lubricating once a year with a suitable spray – this prolongs the lifespan and saves your nerves.
gasidney schrieb:
Simply treat the hinge with silicone spray or a dry lubricant. Problem solved.Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. Especially cheaply made hinges can start squeaking due to material fatigue, so temporary lubrication only helps for a short time. In those cases, replacement is really the only solution. I believe the problem needs to be viewed holistically.
Thanks to everyone so far who has shared technical background and tips!
I’m now wondering if you have any experience with how long hinge maintenance on Billy doors typically lasts. Is this something I should do annually, or is every few years sufficient?
Also, I’ve been wondering whether squeaking is an indicator of early damage or material fatigue. If so, how do you usually assess this in practice?
I’m now wondering if you have any experience with how long hinge maintenance on Billy doors typically lasts. Is this something I should do annually, or is every few years sufficient?
Also, I’ve been wondering whether squeaking is an indicator of early damage or material fatigue. If so, how do you usually assess this in practice?
Similar topics