Hello everyone,
A few months ago, I bought Malm dressers from IKEA and have now noticed that some of the drawers no longer close smoothly, tend to catch slightly, or are not aligned at the same height. The issue mainly appears as some drawers running a bit crooked or slightly sagging downward, which not only looks untidy over time but also makes closing them more difficult.
My specific question is: How can I readjust the drawers of the IKEA Malm dresser to correct the sliding direction and properly set the height? Are there special adjustment options on the mechanism, or do parts possibly need to be replaced? I am aware that these drawers use metal runners, but I am not familiar with the exact method for fine-tuning.
I appreciate any tips, shared experiences, or recommendations regarding tools and procedures that have proven effective. Thanks in advance!
A few months ago, I bought Malm dressers from IKEA and have now noticed that some of the drawers no longer close smoothly, tend to catch slightly, or are not aligned at the same height. The issue mainly appears as some drawers running a bit crooked or slightly sagging downward, which not only looks untidy over time but also makes closing them more difficult.
My specific question is: How can I readjust the drawers of the IKEA Malm dresser to correct the sliding direction and properly set the height? Are there special adjustment options on the mechanism, or do parts possibly need to be replaced? I am aware that these drawers use metal runners, but I am not familiar with the exact method for fine-tuning.
I appreciate any tips, shared experiences, or recommendations regarding tools and procedures that have proven effective. Thanks in advance!
Here is a step-by-step tutorial for adjusting Malm drawers:
1. Fully pull out the drawer and remove it from the track. Often, this requires gently pressing the metal tabs on the side.
2. The plastic clips that adjust the height are usually located on the sides of the metal runners. Carefully lift them with a small screwdriver or your fingers.
3. Slide the clips upward if the drawer sags on the right or left side, or downward if it is too high. They will click into place one after another.
4. Reinsert the drawer. Check if it now runs evenly and closes properly.
5. If it still sticks, inspect whether the runners are clean and free of debris. You might need to lightly lubricate the rollers.
6. If closing is very stiff, never use grease; instead, use a silicone-based spray, as grease quickly attracts dirt.
If multiple drawers are affected, check the cabinet alignment itself, as this can be influenced by an uneven floor.
1. Fully pull out the drawer and remove it from the track. Often, this requires gently pressing the metal tabs on the side.
2. The plastic clips that adjust the height are usually located on the sides of the metal runners. Carefully lift them with a small screwdriver or your fingers.
3. Slide the clips upward if the drawer sags on the right or left side, or downward if it is too high. They will click into place one after another.
4. Reinsert the drawer. Check if it now runs evenly and closes properly.
5. If it still sticks, inspect whether the runners are clean and free of debris. You might need to lightly lubricate the rollers.
6. If closing is very stiff, never use grease; instead, use a silicone-based spray, as grease quickly attracts dirt.
If multiple drawers are affected, check the cabinet alignment itself, as this can be influenced by an uneven floor.
fredle schrieb:
Put the drawer back in. Check if the drawer now runs smoothly and closes properly.Very helpful, thanks! A quick question: How much tolerance is there in the adjustment? Does the drawer need to close perfectly evenly on all sides (i.e., fitting precisely with no gaps), or is a slight gap normal and even desirable to prevent mechanical jamming? I ask because there is always a small visible gap in my case.
The minimal gap between the drawer and the cabinet is a design necessity and completely normal. It helps to prevent friction and jamming, especially with wood, which can expand or contract slightly due to moisture.
An optimal gap is about 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.12 inches) on all sides. If the gap is smaller, there is a risk that the drawer will become harder to open or may jam. If it is larger, it looks untidy and the drawer will have too much play.
Therefore, it is better to maintain a consistent, small gap rather than setting it too tight.
An optimal gap is about 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.12 inches) on all sides. If the gap is smaller, there is a risk that the drawer will become harder to open or may jam. If it is larger, it looks untidy and the drawer will have too much play.
Therefore, it is better to maintain a consistent, small gap rather than setting it too tight.
Hello again,
I am following up with another technical question based on the insights shared here:
Occasionally, I have problems with Malm drawers where the drawers not only sag but also get slightly stuck or rub on the side, which usually indicates incorrect adjustment of the sliding mechanism. Besides adjusting the height using the plastic clips, there are often small screws or adjusting knobs that can be moved to fine-tune the running direction and eliminate lateral play.
Are there any experiences regarding whether the Malm models also offer fine adjustment for the lateral alignment, or is the mechanism too simple and only replacing the sliding rail helps? If you have this issue, it probably points to damaged or warped rails.
Furthermore, I am interested in how heavy the drawer loads are in relation to wear and tear. Using heavier drawer loads (e.g., many books) could be a reason for deformed sliding rails.
I am following up with another technical question based on the insights shared here:
Occasionally, I have problems with Malm drawers where the drawers not only sag but also get slightly stuck or rub on the side, which usually indicates incorrect adjustment of the sliding mechanism. Besides adjusting the height using the plastic clips, there are often small screws or adjusting knobs that can be moved to fine-tune the running direction and eliminate lateral play.
Are there any experiences regarding whether the Malm models also offer fine adjustment for the lateral alignment, or is the mechanism too simple and only replacing the sliding rail helps? If you have this issue, it probably points to damaged or warped rails.
Furthermore, I am interested in how heavy the drawer loads are in relation to wear and tear. Using heavier drawer loads (e.g., many books) could be a reason for deformed sliding rails.
bapar schrieb:
Has anyone had experience whether the Malm models also have fine lateral adjustment for the drawer position, or is the mechanism too simple?The Malm drawers do not have a separate fine lateral adjustment. Precise alignment is ensured by the runners and clips. Misalignment or lateral scraping is usually caused by warped or dirty runners.
My advice: thoroughly clean the runners, possibly round off any sharp edges slightly with fine sandpaper, and carefully readjust. If that doesn’t help, replace the runners – the replacement is straightforward and significantly extends the lifespan.
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