ᐅ Sliding drawer on Kallax makes a cracking noise every time it is pulled out – any repair advice?

Hello everyone,

I have ball-bearing drawer slides on my Kallax shelving unit, but unfortunately, the tracks make an unpleasant cracking noise every time I pull the drawer out. The sound is very mechanical and seems like the rollers or the guide are slightly sticking or wearing out. I have already tried cleaning the tracks, but without any success. The cracking occurs under both light and heavy load.

Has anyone experienced this issue or can offer repair advice? I am especially interested in tips on how to properly maintain the slides, whether the rollers might need replacing, and if a specific lubricant is recommended.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Christophm schrieb:
The noise sounds very mechanical and seems like the rollers or the guide are slightly sticking or wearing out.

This is a typical sign of a worn or dirty guide rail. I recommend removing the rails completely first and cleaning them thoroughly – dust, dirt, or small foreign objects can cause exactly this kind of clicking noise.

Afterward, the rollers and rails should be treated with a good, non-sticky lubricant, such as silicone spray or dry lubricant. Oil-based lubricants are less suitable because they can attract dirt.

If the rollers wobble or show visible damage, replacement is advisable. With IKEA spare parts, it is easy to purchase individual rollers separately.

I’m familiar with this problem—especially when the rails don’t slide smoothly anymore, pulling can really test your patience. In my experience, it helps not to overload the extension or pull it fully out to the stop.

What helped me was regular cleaning and lubricating, as well as staying mentally patient. Otherwise, the grinding noise can become quite irritating. Does anyone else have tips for achieving truly silent operation?

REOHEINRIC schrieb:
I recommend removing the tracks completely first and cleaning them thoroughly

I agree with that. It is especially important to fully dismantle the tracks in order to clean the inner parts as well. Sometimes the clicking mechanism is caused by a jammed bearing.

Additionally, the screws should be checked – loose fittings can also cause noises. If the rollers are made of plastic and appear cracked, they should be replaced urgently, as cracks can significantly impair their function.

I can understand well that such cracking noises affect the comfort of use. I have noticed that the rollers on my Kallax drawers sometimes change due to temperature and humidity – sometimes they become slightly brittle or the lubricants harden.

A tip from me: once you have removed the tracks or rollers, try using a PTFE-based lubricant (e.g., a Teflon spray), as it often works much more effectively and lasts longer than silicone spray. Also, gently readjusting the slides can help prevent any jamming.

I would like to briefly explain some basics in case anyone is new here:

The Kallax roller slides are essentially small wheels running on metal tracks. If you hear clicking sounds in the mechanism, it usually means that either the wheels no longer roll freely or there is an issue with the track.

In my experience, this is often caused by a combination of dust, old lubricant, and/or excessive load. Important: lubricants should be used sparingly, as too much can attract dust again. I recommend cleaning more often and applying a thin layer of lubricant.

Replacement rollers can also be easily obtained from IKEA or the manufacturer. Replacing them is relatively simple if you work carefully.