Hello everyone, I have a problem with my Malm dressers from Ikea. The drawers don’t slide properly anymore: they stick, jam, or sometimes even fall out, although nothing seems obviously damaged. Especially the drawer slides feel a bit stiff, and I suspect that the mechanism inside might be worn out or loose. Does anyone have experience with repairing or replacing the drawer runners and rollers? I want to avoid replacing the entire dresser but I’m not very skilled with DIY, so I’m looking for a clear and easy-to-follow guide. How exactly should I proceed to make the drawers slide smoothly and securely again?
Good morning! To properly understand and repair the Malm drawer system, you should focus on two main components: the runners (metal rails with plastic rollers) and the drawer sides where the rollers are attached. Often, difficulty in sliding is not just due to wear but caused by dust particles that have entered or slightly bent rails.
My advice:
1. Remove the drawer completely – usually, there are small levers or release mechanisms on the front of the metal runners.
2. Carefully inspect the runners and clean them with isopropanol or mild dish soap. Then lightly lubricate with silicone spray; never use oil, as it attracts dirt!
3. Check the rollers – sometimes the plastic rollers or their axles break. Spare parts are available directly from Ikea or third-party suppliers; replacing rollers only takes a few minutes.
4. If the rails are bent, carefully straighten them to ensure smooth movement.
Can you say whether the drawer can be fully removed from the track or if it only sticks partway? That would help narrow down the cause.
My advice:
1. Remove the drawer completely – usually, there are small levers or release mechanisms on the front of the metal runners.
2. Carefully inspect the runners and clean them with isopropanol or mild dish soap. Then lightly lubricate with silicone spray; never use oil, as it attracts dirt!
3. Check the rollers – sometimes the plastic rollers or their axles break. Spare parts are available directly from Ikea or third-party suppliers; replacing rollers only takes a few minutes.
4. If the rails are bent, carefully straighten them to ensure smooth movement.
Can you say whether the drawer can be fully removed from the track or if it only sticks partway? That would help narrow down the cause.
Gafiel schrieb:
If the rails are bent, carefully straighten them to ensure smooth movement.Thank you, that sounds reasonable. I was able to fully pull out the drawer now, although it felt quite stiff in some places. The running rails don’t appear to be visibly bent, and the rollers also look intact from the outside. However, sometimes you can hear a creaking noise when moving it. Do you think this could be due to missing lubrication or the extension mechanism? How can I clean the plastic rollers without damaging them? Should I remove the running rails or is it enough to clean them while they are still installed?
Oh yes, I know that creaking sound from the Malm itself! 😊 It usually means the rollers or tracks are dry or have dust in them. Super easy to fix: just carefully remove dust from the rollers with a fine brush or cloth, then spray some silicone lubricant on the tracks. This will make the drawer slide smoothly again! Don’t get discouraged, it’s definitely doable. Good luck! 👍
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