ᐅ How can I fix a problem with the drawers of the IKEA Brimnes wardrobe?

Hello everyone,

I have an IKEA Brimnes wardrobe with several drawers and am currently facing an issue: some of the drawers are difficult to open and close, and sometimes they get stuck or misalign when moving. I have already checked whether the slides are dirty or obstructed, but that does not seem to be the case. The drawers fit quite tightly in the guide rails, which in my opinion could indicate incorrect assembly or possibly improper adjustment of the slides or the drawer fronts.

Does anyone have experience with this particular piece of furniture and can offer advice on how exactly to fix the problem? For example, is there a method to adjust the slides or to loosen/tighten certain screws to prevent these issues?

Thanks in advance for any tips or shared experiences!

As a general rule with issues related to the Brimnes drawers, first check the rails carefully for secure attachment and correct alignment.

- Slightly loosen the screws that attach the rails to the cabinet frame.
- Align the rails so they are parallel and straight; also check visually.
- Then tighten the screws again.

Misalignment usually occurs when the guide rails are not perfectly parallel. Alternatively, dirt or wear on the plastic rollers could be the cause. Cleaning is important but is rarely the reason for stiff movement in this model.

Hello lugau39,

I’m familiar with your problem. Especially with cabinet systems like Brimnes, the drawers sometimes tend to catch or stick.

A bit more detailed:

- Check if the drawer slides are properly installed, meaning that both the front and rear parts are aligned and the drawer runs smoothly on the slides.
- If you can unscrew the drawer front, make sure it is mounted correctly and not sitting crookedly on the cabinet frame.
- Sometimes adjustable screws, which IKEA doesn’t always provide, can help by allowing you to slightly change the position using washers.
- Additionally, thoroughly cleaning the slides and possibly lubricating them with a very light silicone oil can improve operation.

It is important to proceed carefully to avoid any damage.

Remove the drawers, check the slides, adjust any misaligned slides, then reassemble everything. With Brimnes units, the slides often are not installed properly.

roryvin schrieb:
Align the rails parallel and straight, also check visually.

Thanks for the tip. I’m curious whether the rails can be adjusted using the existing screws or if new holes need to be drilled. With Brimnes, I don’t expect fine adjustment options, more like maneuvering based on the drill holes. But that seems unprofessional.

Also, I wonder how tight the drawer should fit in the rails to prevent wobbling but still allow smooth operation.

lugau39 schrieb:
Also, I’m wondering how tight the drawer should fit on the runners so that it doesn’t wobble but still slides smoothly.

It shouldn’t fit too tightly, or it will catch or pinch. A small gap is enough for the drawer to glide properly. If it sticks, adjusting the gap is a good idea. You can carefully check for clearance with a thin knife blade.

Sometimes a little sandpaper on the sides helps. Just be gentle! You don’t want to damage the wood.

And don’t worry, that’s normal with IKEA furniture—you have to accept some tolerance in the fit.