ᐅ Why do MALM drawers stick even when installed correctly?

Hello everyone, I noticed that the drawers in my Malm dresser project keep sticking despite seemingly correct assembly. The drawer slides are properly installed, all screws are tight, yet the drawers don’t open and close smoothly – they often catch, and you have to use quite a bit of force. This puzzles me because I followed the instructions exactly, all the drill holes are correctly spaced, and the front is aligned straight. Does anyone have an idea what else could be causing this? Is there a common issue with Malm drawers that is easily overlooked, or any specific tips on how to permanently eliminate the grinding or sticking? I look forward to your experiences and suggestions.

Check whether the rails are installed exactly parallel. Even slight deviations can cause jamming. Additionally, the drawer bottom must sit precisely on the rails – sometimes it slightly sags.

Frequent sticking of MALM drawers despite correct assembly often results from minimal dimensional deviations in the drawer slides. Although these are pre-manufactured at the factory, installation errors can occur if screws are not fully tightened or drawer fronts are mounted too tightly. Another factor is the internal load – if the drawer is too heavily loaded, friction increases. A quote to illustrate this:

Luchen schrieb:
"Check if the slides are truly mounted perfectly parallel."

This is crucial. I also recommend using silicone spray to lubricate the drawer slides, which can significantly improve their movement.

Good evening! The MALM drawers are quite sensitive when it comes to alignment. Besides the runners, you should also check whether the side panels of the dresser are truly square. I have experienced that a slight deformation of the side panels in a new piece of furniture can cause the drawers to stick. The front can also create pressure if it is not installed with millimeter precision. Tip: Fully extend the drawer and gently test whether it sticks anywhere. If so, inspect the exact spot and, if necessary, file or adjust it slightly.

Sometimes the drawers are installed incorrectly or crooked. Make sure they run precisely along the drawer slides without binding. That’s all you need to do.

Thank you for the previous answers! I actually measured again, and the rails hold exactly the distances specified by the manufacturer. The sides of the dresser meet at a right angle, but the tip about the drawer front made me think. I wonder if the front not only needs to hang straight but also has to be properly adjusted, for example with the small adjustment mechanisms in the system? I have installed them but haven’t fine-tuned them—maybe this causes lateral pressure. Does anyone have experience with how to optimally adjust the front so it doesn’t stick?