ᐅ How do I replace Malm drawer slides?

Hello everyone,

I am currently facing the issue of having to replace a defective drawer slide on my Malm chest of drawers from Ikea. The metal slides are sticking, and the drawer barely opens or closes.

My specific question is: How exactly do I replace the drawer slides on the Malm chests? I would like to know which tools are needed, how the slides are attached, and if there is anything I should keep in mind to ensure the drawer runs smoothly afterward.

It is important to me that the instructions are practical and include tips on common mistakes during removal and installation.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello remar,

I’m happy to answer your question about replacing the Malm drawer slides with a step-by-step guide to help you avoid missing anything.

1) First, completely remove the drawer from the cabinet. Malm drawers often pull out quite tightly; sometimes you need to press or lift the release lever on the slide halfway along the track to free it.

2) The slide rails are attached to the cabinet frame with small screws. These are usually Phillips head screws, so have a suitable screwdriver or cordless drill ready.

3) Unscrew all screws completely and remove the old slides. It’s important to keep all screws in case you need to reuse them during installation or have spare parts available.

4) Install the new slides at the same height and orientation. It’s best to measure beforehand or check the old slide with a ruler to avoid misalignment.

5) Tighten the screws securely—but not too tight to avoid damaging the metal. Then reinsert the drawer and test it.

Also helpful: Check in advance whether the new slides are compatible with your model. Ikea Malm has different versions, and the mechanism has changed slightly over the years.

Common mistakes:
- Slides not mounted perfectly parallel, causing the drawer to be difficult to open or jam.
- Screws tightened too much or too little, affecting functionality.
- Ignoring the release mechanisms on the drawers, preventing complete removal.

If you like, I can also provide a list of suitable tools and small helpful accessories.

Good luck with the repair!

Hello remar,

I can understand how frustrating a sticking Malm drawer system can be. I experienced the same issue and was quite annoyed because at first glance everything seemed pretty simple, but the runner still wouldn’t slide smoothly.

klo40 schrieb:
Rails not mounted exactly parallel can make the drawer slides stiff or cause them to stick.

That was the case for me: I hadn’t aligned the rails perfectly parallel during installation. I double-checked with a spirit level and found my mistake. In situations like this, it always helps to stay calm and proceed step by step.

What also helped me was applying a small amount of lubricant (WD-40 or silicone spray) carefully onto the runners. However, it’s important to use it sparingly, otherwise it attracts dust.

Overall, I get the impression that Malm dressers are quite sturdy, but with heavy use the rails can get worn out or bent.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you can fix it without much trouble! If you have any more questions or run into problems, just let me know – I’m happy to help.

remar schrieb:
Which tools are needed, how the rails are fastened, and if there is anything to watch out for

Simply use a Phillips screwdriver or a cordless drill with the appropriate bit. The rails are secured with four to six small screws.

First, fully pull out the drawer, press the release latch, then unscrew the rails. When reinstalling, make sure everything is aligned properly.

No special preparation is necessary, just work calmly and methodically.