ᐅ How do I fix loose joints in MALM furniture?

Good morning everyone, I have several Malm furniture pieces (mostly dressers and similar items) in my home that, after a few years, have started to develop loose joints. This means that some drawers or connections wobble and are no longer properly stable. My specific question is: What is the best way to repair loose joints in Malm furniture? Which tools or materials are recommended to restore stability without damaging the piece? Are there any special techniques to securely tighten the joints again, possibly including tips for worn threads or stuck wooden parts? I look forward to your advice, as I don’t want to throw away the furniture or replace it with a costly alternative.

Most loose connections in MALM furniture occur due to loosening screws or worn threads in the dowel sleeves. A good first step is to tighten all screws using the appropriate Allen key or screwdriver. If the threads are worn out, it is advisable to remove the old dowel sleeves and replace them with new ones, which can be ordered online or directly from IKEA. Careful alignment is important during this process to avoid new wobbling. Additionally, applying a small amount of wood glue to the joints can help, as long as it is used sparingly to avoid damaging the furniture. Never use too much glue, as this will make the furniture non-disassemblable.

RENMA schrieb:
A good starting point is to tighten all screws with the appropriate Allen key or screwdriver.

That sounds practical, but honestly: If IKEA already designs such unstable joints, what’s the point of constantly re-tightening them? Wouldn’t it be smarter to use solid screws and anchors from the start? I find it somewhat symptomatic of the entire furniture industry that repairs are prioritized over quality. Still, renma, your tips remain the best compromise for us end users.

GALEO4 schrieb:
If IKEA builds such unstable joints, what is the point of continually tightening them?

I agree, thanks for the thought-provoking comment. However, I want to focus on the repair first before buying anything new.

RENMA schrieb:
Replacing the insert sleeves, which can be ordered online or directly from IKEA.

Could you please briefly explain the best way to replace these sleeves? Do you need to disassemble the entire joint, or can the tension sleeve be simply pushed out? And what type of wood glue do you use? Thanks!

Replacing the tension sleeves is actually quite straightforward, provided you follow a methodical approach. Before installing new sleeves, the old ones should be carefully pushed out using a thin screwdriver or a pointed tool. Sometimes, a slight twisting motion helps to loosen them. It is important to avoid any cracks or damage to the particleboard while doing this – so proceed with caution.

For the wood glue, I recommend using a standard PVA wood glue, which works well and dries without excessive moisture. The amount of glue should be applied sparingly – a thin layer is sufficient to fill small gaps and strengthen the joints. After that, tighten the screws firmly to secure the connection properly. Allow some patience for drying time, ideally at least 12 hours without any load.

Retighten screws. Replace worn-out sleeves. For stripped threads, you can also put wood shavings mixed with wood glue into the hole before inserting the screw. This strengthens the hold. Simple and quick.