ᐅ Has anyone managed to stabilize their KALLAX after moving it?

Hello everyone,

I have the following concern: I recently took apart my KALLAX shelf unit from IKEA after moving and reassembled it, but somehow it doesn’t feel as stable as before. The back panel is no longer completely straight, and the individual shelves don’t seem to be perfectly level.

Has anyone experienced the same issue and managed to restore the KALLAX to its original stability and load-bearing capacity after moving? I would like to know which steps or tricks you would recommend to reassemble the unit so that it is solid and torsion-resistant.

Additionally, I’m interested to hear if you used any specific tools or aids to make the assembly easier or to improve stability.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hello Anwarna,

I have carefully read your concern and can share some tips about KALLAX after moving, based on my own experience.

First, a few points about stability:
1. Back panel: The back panel of KALLAX is generally not a load-bearing element providing structural strength but serves more to stiffen the unit. If the back panel is warped or does not sit flat, I recommend first removing it completely. During reassembly, make sure all screws are properly tightened, even with light pressure. You can also gently use small nails to add extra tension.

2. Shelves: These are usually secured with dowels and screws. It’s important not to overtighten the screws to avoid damaging the material, but they should be tight enough to prevent any movement.

3. Assembly tips: I personally use a cordless screwdriver with torque control to avoid stripping the screws. Also, I assemble the KALLAX on a level surface and check with a spirit level to ensure everything is straight.

A small tip: If the original back panel no longer fits tightly, you can attach a thin plywood sheet as an additional back panel – this significantly increases stability.

In summary:
- Realign the back panel and secure it if needed with nails
- Tighten screws with torque control
- Check shelves for even distribution
- Assemble on a flat surface

I hope this helps!

Hello Anwarna,

I can fully understand the issues with the KALLAX after moving. Taking it apart and reassembling it often puts a lot of stress on the joints, which can lead to slightly reduced stability.

Regarding your question about whether anyone has managed to restore the stability of their KALLAX afterward: yes, I have experienced this myself. It often depends on exactly where the loosening occurs. For example, the dowel connections tend to come loose, or the back panel may no longer sit completely flat.

Jensson schrieb:
If the original back panel no longer fits tightly, you can attach a thin plywood sheet as an additional back panel – this significantly increases stability.

I think that’s a very important addition! Also, I always use a bit of wood glue on the dowels when I reassemble the unit. This makes the joints much more durable.

One more tip: be careful not to fully load the unit immediately after assembly. Testing with light loads on individual shelves helps you identify any weak points so you can fix them.

If you like, I can also provide a short checklist for the assembly?

I have reassembled my KALLAX after two moves. Important: Tighten the screws properly, but do not overtighten. Insert the back panel correctly, otherwise the unit will wobble. Wood glue helps with dowels and screws. This keeps it stable.

It’s great that you’re sharing such helpful tips here! 🙂

I had the same problem myself—after moving, my KALLAX started to wobble. My trick was to completely remove the back panel and then carefully make small notches in the strips where the back panel fits using a utility knife. This provides better support! I also tightened the screws a bit, and voilà, the unit is now rock solid again!

So don’t worry, the KALLAX is sturdier than you might think! With a little effort, you can definitely get it stable again. Good luck!