ᐅ How do you install sliding doors on an Ikea PAX wardrobe?

Hello everyone, I am currently facing the task of installing sliding doors on an Ikea Pax wardrobe and could use some support. Although the Ikea instructions are included, I find them somewhat insufficient in certain areas, especially regarding the precise attachment of the running rails and how to best adjust the doors so they close cleanly and flush.

Could someone please explain in detail how to properly install the sliding doors, what to pay attention to, and if there are any specific tips or tools that make the installation and adjustment easier and more precise? What is a sensible order of steps, and are there common mistakes I should avoid?

I would appreciate as detailed guidance as possible, as I want to do this properly.

First, install the sliding rails at the top and bottom of the cabinet, making sure they are perfectly level. Then, insert the doors into the rails and adjust them using the small screws at the top and bottom. It is best to use a spirit level.

Hello karflo54, I am happy to provide a step-by-step guide for installing the sliding doors on the PAX wardrobe:

- Step 1: Check that the frame is perfectly level. Unevenness at the floor or wall can make adjustment difficult.
- Step 2: Secure the upper track firmly to the inner edge of the top frame, paying attention to the recommended markings to ensure it is installed parallel.
- Step 3: Similarly, attach the lower track at the bottom of the wardrobe, making sure it is at the same height and parallel to the upper track.
- Step 4: Now insert the sliding doors from the top into the tracks, making sure the rollers engage properly.
- Step 5: Adjust the doors horizontally and vertically using the screws on the bottom guide bracket. This ensures the doors run flush and smoothly.

Common mistakes:
- Installing the tracks not exactly parallel
- Not aligning the doors correctly before tightening the screws
- Over-tightening screws and causing the rollers to jam

Tools needed: spirit level, screwdriver, possibly the Allen key included in the package. This is the best way to achieve a secure and durable installation.

LANICOLE schrieb:
Typical mistakes:
- Not installing the tracks perfectly parallel
- Not aligning the doors properly before tightening the screws
- Over-tightening the screws, causing the rollers to lock up

Thank you for pointing out these common mistakes. I'm especially unsure about the issue with the tracks not being exactly parallel, as I only followed the pre-drilled holes and am not sure how strictly I need to adhere to them. Should the tracks be fixed strictly according to the pre-made holes, or is there some flexibility to adjust them during installation? Also, is there a risk that even slight misalignments could cause the doors to operate poorly or stick?

The pre-drilled holes on Ikea PAX units serve as a guideline, but slight adjustments can be beneficial. It is important that the rails are installed perfectly straight and parallel to each other.

If you notice the doors sticking, this usually indicates that the rails are not precisely aligned or have been installed unevenly. In such cases, I would slightly loosen the rails and realign them, possibly using an additional spirit level.

This often resolves many running issues and helps prevent damage to the doors and rollers.

As a supplement: Although the rail profiles come pre-drilled, it is still advisable to initially insert the doors without fully tightening the rails. This way, you can ensure that the sliding paths are correct.

From a technical perspective, the parallelism between the upper and lower rails is crucial. Even small deviations of a few millimeters can cause the doors to jam.

I recommend having an assistant during the final installation to lightly hold and guide the wardrobe door while inserting it. One tip for adjustment: use the adjustment screws on the bottom track to align the gaps between the doors. This will help achieve a visually even front.