ᐅ How do I repair broken Malm drawer runners?

Good morning everyone, I noticed that the drawer slides on my MALM chest of drawers from IKEA are catching in several places and often jam when pulling the drawers out. I observed that some of the plastic parts on the rollers are broken, and the metal tracks no longer seem to engage properly.

My question is: What is the best way to repair the defective MALM drawer slides myself? Are there proven methods or replacement parts I can use without having to replace the entire drawer or the whole chest of drawers? I would like to know which steps are effective to restore the drawers’ functionality and which tools I should use for this.

Hello bar-lau, to repair the damaged MALM drawer slides, you should first fully pull the drawer box out of the cabinet and inspect the runners. Breaks in the plastic rollers are common with MALM. Replacement rollers are usually available through IKEA customer service or third-party suppliers. To replace the rollers, simply break off or unscrew the old ones and snap on or attach the new ones. The metal runners are fixed with screws that can be tightened or replaced if needed. A Phillips screwdriver and possibly a hammer to loosen stuck parts are sufficient. If the runner is bent, careful bending with pliers may help. A complete replacement of the rail is only necessary in cases of severe damage.

Great question, bar-lau!!! I had the exact same problem with my MALM drawers—they were really stiff to open until I replaced the rollers :-) I got replacement rollers directly from IKEA—affordable and quick to install! It’s important to remove the drawers properly and then carefully take out the damaged parts. If the sliding rails are dirty, cleaning them also helps a lot. After that, the drawers work like new again, really great! Good luck, you’ve got this!

In short: pull out the drawer, check the plastic rollers, replace any damaged parts, clean the guides, tighten everything – done.

chenlen schrieb:
Replacement rollers are usually available through IKEA customer service or third-party suppliers.

That's correct, but I strongly recommend using original IKEA replacement parts. The precise fit is essential for the function of the drawer runners in MALM models. With replicas, malfunctions or faster wear often occur. You can order replacement rollers through the IKEA online shop or at the nearest store.

nesau3 schrieb:
If the sliding rails are dirty, cleaning them also helps a lot.

Additionally, I recommend treating the sliding rails with a little silicone spray. It improves smoothness without damaging the plastic.

Thank you for the quick and helpful feedback! I have one more question: Do you have to completely unscrew the drawer slides to replace the individual rollers, or can you remove them one by one after taking the drawer out? I’m asking because I want to avoid unnecessary extensive modifications. Additionally, I would be interested to know if anyone knows a specific guide on the best way to attach the new rollers, as I’m concerned that the plastic could be damaged if handled carelessly.