Hello everyone,
I recently purchased a MALM chest of drawers unit from IKEA, and now I’m wondering how to properly attach the drawer rollers. Specifically, I mean the small rollers that sit in the side rails and allow the drawer to slide open and closed.
I have already looked through the instructions, but they only give a very general guideline to insert the rollers, without detailed advice on the best way to do it, whether special tools are needed, or if there are any precautions to take.
I’m also interested in how to best ensure that the rollers are securely and evenly positioned so that the drawer doesn’t stick or jam later on.
Does anyone have experience with the exact installation of these rollers on MALM drawers? Are there any tips, pitfalls, or special techniques that should be known?
Thanks in advance for your help!
I recently purchased a MALM chest of drawers unit from IKEA, and now I’m wondering how to properly attach the drawer rollers. Specifically, I mean the small rollers that sit in the side rails and allow the drawer to slide open and closed.
I have already looked through the instructions, but they only give a very general guideline to insert the rollers, without detailed advice on the best way to do it, whether special tools are needed, or if there are any precautions to take.
I’m also interested in how to best ensure that the rollers are securely and evenly positioned so that the drawer doesn’t stick or jam later on.
Does anyone have experience with the exact installation of these rollers on MALM drawers? Are there any tips, pitfalls, or special techniques that should be known?
Thanks in advance for your help!
The MALM drawer rollers are usually simply hooked into the metal side rails. It is important that they sit straight in the designated cutout and can rotate freely. No special tools are needed for installation, but some finesse is required to avoid bending or misaligning the rollers.
A particularly important procedure:
1. Position the drawer at a slight angle
2. Press the rollers on the drawer along the rails
3. Make sure the rollers are centered
4. Perform a test run by opening and closing the drawer several times to ensure smooth movement
If the drawer sticks, simply remove the rollers and realign them. Additional lubrication is usually not necessary, as the rollers are made of plastic.
I recommend following IKEA’s instructions carefully, as the components are typically designed to fit precisely.
A particularly important procedure:
1. Position the drawer at a slight angle
2. Press the rollers on the drawer along the rails
3. Make sure the rollers are centered
4. Perform a test run by opening and closing the drawer several times to ensure smooth movement
If the drawer sticks, simply remove the rollers and realign them. Additional lubrication is usually not necessary, as the rollers are made of plastic.
I recommend following IKEA’s instructions carefully, as the components are typically designed to fit precisely.
Hello Piri33,
to answer your question in detail: MALM drawers typically use two types of rollers – the small running wheels on the sides that run on rails, and sometimes small plastic glide bearings at the bottom. When installing the running wheels, please follow these steps:
First of all, the condition of the rollers is crucial – check that they have no material deformation or damage, as this could cause the drawer to get stuck.
For installation:
1. Preparation of the rail: The metal guides on the dresser should be clean and free of debris. Remove any dust or wood particles to ensure smooth movement.
2. Positioning the roller: The rollers are usually clipped into the designated recess in the guide. Make sure the roller is fully seated in the track and the bearing is not tilted. The roller axle should be perpendicular to the rail.
3. Mounting on the drawer: The rollers often come preassembled on small retaining clips or plates that are attached to the drawer sides. If this hasn’t been done yet, you should secure these first, usually using a small Phillips screwdriver and the supplied screws.
4. Check: After securing, verify there is no play that could cause wobbling, but also no excessive tightness that might block the roller.
5. Additional tips: A common mistake is that the plastic rollers are not aligned parallel to the rails, so it’s worth checking the alignment of the drawer sides with a small square or spirit level.
One more question: How many drawers are there, and have you noticed any issues with the fit of the drawer box?
That could affect the installation further.
to answer your question in detail: MALM drawers typically use two types of rollers – the small running wheels on the sides that run on rails, and sometimes small plastic glide bearings at the bottom. When installing the running wheels, please follow these steps:
First of all, the condition of the rollers is crucial – check that they have no material deformation or damage, as this could cause the drawer to get stuck.
For installation:
1. Preparation of the rail: The metal guides on the dresser should be clean and free of debris. Remove any dust or wood particles to ensure smooth movement.
2. Positioning the roller: The rollers are usually clipped into the designated recess in the guide. Make sure the roller is fully seated in the track and the bearing is not tilted. The roller axle should be perpendicular to the rail.
3. Mounting on the drawer: The rollers often come preassembled on small retaining clips or plates that are attached to the drawer sides. If this hasn’t been done yet, you should secure these first, usually using a small Phillips screwdriver and the supplied screws.
4. Check: After securing, verify there is no play that could cause wobbling, but also no excessive tightness that might block the roller.
5. Additional tips: A common mistake is that the plastic rollers are not aligned parallel to the rails, so it’s worth checking the alignment of the drawer sides with a small square or spirit level.
One more question: How many drawers are there, and have you noticed any issues with the fit of the drawer box?
That could affect the installation further.
Lilygla schrieb:
One more question: How many drawers are there, and have you noticed any issues with the fit of the drawer boxes?Thanks, Lilygla. There are three drawers in total, all unused, so brand new straight out of the box. The fit generally looks good, but during the first attempt, I noticed that one of the rollers on a drawer was slightly misaligned, causing the drawer to stick a bit.
Do you have any tips on how to best check the contact pattern of the rollers? In other words, how can I ensure they are properly and flushly seated without using special tools?
I want to avoid damaging the rollers.
Piri33 schrieb:
Do you have any tips on how to best check the pressure marks on the rollers?Yes, you can do this easily without special tools by slightly lifting the drawer sideways by hand and checking each roller for a firm fit.
One method is:
1. Gently remove the roller, then carefully press it back into the track using a thin wooden block or a light piece of plastic. Make sure there is even contact pressure at all points.
2. Then, gently shake the drawer sideways to check if it feels loose or wobbly.
3. If the roller sits at an angle, you can slightly bend the retaining clips of the roller with a small screwdriver to make it run straight again. Be careful not to break the material.
4. It’s important to install the rollers carefully so they are not misaligned, which can cause sticking.
Spot lubrication with a little silicone spray can also help if the track and roller feel a bit rough, but use it sparingly.
Try these steps; that should solve your problem.
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