ᐅ How do I repair MALM drawer runners?

Hello everyone,

I have several Malm dressers from IKEA at home, and I noticed that on some drawers, the rollers that guide the drawer no longer run smoothly. This causes the drawers to sometimes get stuck or be difficult to open, and some of them are even slightly misaligned. Now I would like to know how to best repair or possibly replace these drawer rollers. What exact steps should I follow to make sure the drawer works smoothly again? Are there common mistakes I should avoid when working on this roller mechanism?

I look forward to your tips and advice!

Hello REFAR,

I think I can help you with this. MALM drawer rollers are usually made of plastic and run on a metal or plastic guide rail. If the drawer sticks, it is often because the rollers are dirty or worn out.

Here is a brief repair guide:

1. Fully pull out the drawer and remove it. This means you carefully pull the drawer all the way out and then lift it slightly to release it from the guide.

2. Inspect the rollers carefully. If they are damaged or cracked, replacement is usually the only solution.

3. To clean, wipe the rollers with a lint-free cloth and optionally apply some silicone spray (avoid grease, as it attracts dirt).

4. Check the guide rails for deformation or dirt and clean them if necessary, as this greatly affects smooth movement.

5. If replacement is needed, I recommend ordering original spare rollers from IKEA or looking for compatible rollers at a hardware store.

Common mistakes include:
- Using grease, which causes everything to stick
- Incorrectly reinstalling the drawer, which causes the rollers to jam

When reinstalling: Make sure the rollers snap exactly into the guide rail; then the drawer should slide smoothly again.

I hope this helps you!

mesila schrieb:
The MALM drawer rollers are usually made of plastic and run on a metal or plastic guide rail

That’s not entirely correct, mesila. Depending on the production year and model, MALM drawer rollers are mostly made of nylon, and the guide rails are made of galvanized steel – this is important because it significantly affects load capacity and wear behavior.

To address the repair effectively, you should check whether the issue is caused by:

- broken rollers
- bent guide rails
- or insufficient lubrication.

I recommend first removing the drawer, then taking out the rollers. To do this, you need to carefully release the small clips on the rollers, making sure not to damage the spring mechanisms.

A common problem is that the roller axle in the plastic housing becomes worn out – in this case, a complete replacement of the roller is usually necessary. Replacement parts are best obtained directly from IKEA, as they offer these small components as spare parts, although the ordering process can often be complicated.

Also: Before reassembling, check the guide rails for bends and use fine sandpaper to remove minor unevenness. Sometimes sticking is caused by dirt or dried-up lubricant.

Finally, a tip: install the rollers symmetrically on both sides, as many assembly errors happen when the left and right rollers are swapped.

Can you say whether the drawers are still original or have already been repaired?

Domau0 schrieb:
Can you tell if the drawers are still original or if they have been repaired before?

Hi Domau0, thanks for the detailed reply!

The drawers are still original; none have been repaired so far. I suspect some of the rollers are showing signs of material fatigue, as the drawers are usually quite heavily loaded.

Your note about the clips sounds interesting – maybe I was too rough with them, which could have worsened their condition. I will thoroughly check the rollers and guide rails again, paying special attention to any possible deformations.

Is there a preferred type of lubricant? I’ve often read that silicone spray is recommended, but some suggest using special dry lubricants or even nothing at all to avoid attracting dirt. What are your thoughts?

Thanks so far!

REFAR schrieb:
Is there a preferred type of lubricant? I’ve often read that silicone spray is recommended, but some also suggest special dry lubricants or even nothing at all to avoid attracting dirt.

Hello REFAR,

I would actually recommend silicone spray as a lubricant because it dries quickly and doesn’t stick as much as conventional oils or greases, which tend to attract dirt.

A few tips for application:

1. Thoroughly clean the rollers and guide rails before applying the lubricant.

2. Spray the silicone spray sparingly and evenly onto the moving parts.

3. After spraying, move the drawer back and forth several times so the lubricant spreads well.

What you should avoid is oil or grease, since dust and other particles stick to them, causing the drawers to jam even more over time.

If silicone spray is not available, graphite spray can also be used; it is a dry lubricant that also does not attract dirt.

I hope this clarifies things for you. Good luck with the repair! 🙂