Hello everyone,
I have a question about adjusting the drawers on my IKEA Malm dressers. Specifically, I want to know how to adjust the drawers so they don’t stick or sit crooked, but at the same time aren’t too loose. It seems there are several mechanical adjustment options, but I’m not completely clear on how they work.
Could someone please explain step by step which screws or levers should be adjusted and how, to ensure smooth opening and closing?
Are there any differences depending on the production year or version of the Malm dresser? I have the 3-piece model with metal drawer slides. Thanks in advance for your help!
I have a question about adjusting the drawers on my IKEA Malm dressers. Specifically, I want to know how to adjust the drawers so they don’t stick or sit crooked, but at the same time aren’t too loose. It seems there are several mechanical adjustment options, but I’m not completely clear on how they work.
Could someone please explain step by step which screws or levers should be adjusted and how, to ensure smooth opening and closing?
Are there any differences depending on the production year or version of the Malm dresser? I have the 3-piece model with metal drawer slides. Thanks in advance for your help!
Good morning!
First of all: It’s good that you mentioned the version with metal slides, as this makes the advice more precise.
The Malm drawers can generally be adjusted in three ways:
1. Front alignment (left/right)
2. Vertical positioning (up/down)
3. Depth (forward/backward)
This allows you to correct misalignments.
I recommend loosening the screws for the lateral adjustment first, then slightly adjusting the drawer, and finally tightening all screws again. Different screws are used for the various adjustment axes, usually somewhat hidden on the side of the drawer slide.
In detail:
- For horizontal adjustment, there is a screw near the drawer front that you can turn left or right.
- Vertical adjustment is usually done via another screw on the back of the drawer frame.
- Depth can often be adjusted with a small screw on the side rail that regulates the stop.
Have you noticed whether your drawers tend to stick at the bottom or stick out too far when closing? Then I can help you more specifically.
First of all: It’s good that you mentioned the version with metal slides, as this makes the advice more precise.
The Malm drawers can generally be adjusted in three ways:
1. Front alignment (left/right)
2. Vertical positioning (up/down)
3. Depth (forward/backward)
This allows you to correct misalignments.
I recommend loosening the screws for the lateral adjustment first, then slightly adjusting the drawer, and finally tightening all screws again. Different screws are used for the various adjustment axes, usually somewhat hidden on the side of the drawer slide.
In detail:
- For horizontal adjustment, there is a screw near the drawer front that you can turn left or right.
- Vertical adjustment is usually done via another screw on the back of the drawer frame.
- Depth can often be adjusted with a small screw on the side rail that regulates the stop.
Have you noticed whether your drawers tend to stick at the bottom or stick out too far when closing? Then I can help you more specifically.
I would like to add to Filippo’s post and present it in a more structured way to make the adjustment process as straightforward as possible.
Step-by-step guide for adjusting Malm drawers with metal runners:
1. Fully pull out the drawer and carefully remove it.
2. Loosen the screws on the side rail to adjust horizontally, then slightly loosen the screws on the drawer front.
3. Push the drawer back in and check if it sits level.
4. If the drawer is too high or too low, adjust the vertical adjustment screw.
5. The rear stop screw can be turned to adjust the depth so the drawer closes properly.
6. Finally, tighten all screws while repeatedly checking to ensure the drawer moves smoothly and evenly without play.
Common mistakes:
- Tightening screws too much before positioning the drawer.
- Making too many adjustments at once and not fine-tuning afterward.
Hope this helps! 🙂
Step-by-step guide for adjusting Malm drawers with metal runners:
1. Fully pull out the drawer and carefully remove it.
2. Loosen the screws on the side rail to adjust horizontally, then slightly loosen the screws on the drawer front.
3. Push the drawer back in and check if it sits level.
4. If the drawer is too high or too low, adjust the vertical adjustment screw.
5. The rear stop screw can be turned to adjust the depth so the drawer closes properly.
6. Finally, tighten all screws while repeatedly checking to ensure the drawer moves smoothly and evenly without play.
Common mistakes:
- Tightening screws too much before positioning the drawer.
- Making too many adjustments at once and not fine-tuning afterward.
Filippo schrieb:This is really important because the adjustment mechanism differs significantly in older or budget versions with plastic runners.
zuallererst: Es ist gut, dass du die Version mit Metallauszügen erwähnt hast
Hope this helps! 🙂
Thank you, Filippo and Nabla64, your answers are already very helpful!
Regarding Filippo’s reply: My drawers tend to stick slightly when closing; sometimes a bit of force is needed. It especially feels like there’s some rubbing along the bottom edge. So far, I have only tried loosening the screws and slightly adjusting the drawer, but that didn’t really improve the situation.
Your guide is great, especially the tip about removing the drawer for adjustment—I hadn’t properly tried that before.
One more question: Is there a way to adjust the drawer so it closes very smoothly and almost clicks into the final position by itself? Or do metal runners generally not have much friction for that?
Thanks!
Regarding Filippo’s reply: My drawers tend to stick slightly when closing; sometimes a bit of force is needed. It especially feels like there’s some rubbing along the bottom edge. So far, I have only tried loosening the screws and slightly adjusting the drawer, but that didn’t really improve the situation.
Nabla64 schrieb:
Step-by-step guide for adjusting Malm drawers with metal runners
Your guide is great, especially the tip about removing the drawer for adjustment—I hadn’t properly tried that before.
One more question: Is there a way to adjust the drawer so it closes very smoothly and almost clicks into the final position by itself? Or do metal runners generally not have much friction for that?
Thanks!
A quick comment from me to offer a different perspective 🙂
In my experience, there is too much debate about perfect adjustment, while the Malm dresser is quite sturdy in its simplicity. If your drawers stick, it is often not due to the screw adjustments, but rather small distortions in the wood or because the dresser is not standing perfectly level.
So before you get stressed about tiny wedge adjustments, better check with a spirit level if the dresser is standing properly. I have often found that uneven or slanted floors are to blame.
Just throwing this out there to provoke some thought, but maybe it helps you.
In my experience, there is too much debate about perfect adjustment, while the Malm dresser is quite sturdy in its simplicity. If your drawers stick, it is often not due to the screw adjustments, but rather small distortions in the wood or because the dresser is not standing perfectly level.
bous54 schrieb:
Drawers mostly stick slightly when closing; sometimes a bit of force is needed
So before you get stressed about tiny wedge adjustments, better check with a spirit level if the dresser is standing properly. I have often found that uneven or slanted floors are to blame.
Just throwing this out there to provoke some thought, but maybe it helps you.
Hello everyone!
A little light-hearted advice on the topic: I once had a Malm dresser drawer that kept sticking. What worked really well for me was simply taking the drawers out completely, checking the runners for dust and lint, and then adjusting the screws so the drawer moves smoothly.
It’s also important not to tighten the screws too much, otherwise the runner gets pressed too tightly and the drawer won’t slide properly 🙂
Here’s another tip: listen carefully when opening and closing the drawer. Sometimes you can pinpoint exactly where it’s sticking 😉
A bit of patience is needed, but you’ll manage it, promise! 🙂
A little light-hearted advice on the topic: I once had a Malm dresser drawer that kept sticking. What worked really well for me was simply taking the drawers out completely, checking the runners for dust and lint, and then adjusting the screws so the drawer moves smoothly.
It’s also important not to tighten the screws too much, otherwise the runner gets pressed too tightly and the drawer won’t slide properly 🙂
Here’s another tip: listen carefully when opening and closing the drawer. Sometimes you can pinpoint exactly where it’s sticking 😉
A bit of patience is needed, but you’ll manage it, promise! 🙂
Similar topics