Hello everyone,
I have an issue with some drawers in my IKEA Malm dressers—they close crookedly. This means the drawer sticks on one side, doesn’t close properly, or doesn’t sit level at the bottom. It seems to happen mainly with loaded drawers, so maybe it’s related to alignment or assembly?
In my opinion, the problem could have several causes: bent drawer slides, incorrect assembly, an uneven dresser, or everyday wear and tear.
How do you prevent Malm drawers from closing crookedly? Are there any proven adjustment methods, specific tools, or tricks to make the drawer close level and smoothly?
I’m looking forward to your experiences and advice!
I have an issue with some drawers in my IKEA Malm dressers—they close crookedly. This means the drawer sticks on one side, doesn’t close properly, or doesn’t sit level at the bottom. It seems to happen mainly with loaded drawers, so maybe it’s related to alignment or assembly?
In my opinion, the problem could have several causes: bent drawer slides, incorrect assembly, an uneven dresser, or everyday wear and tear.
How do you prevent Malm drawers from closing crookedly? Are there any proven adjustment methods, specific tools, or tricks to make the drawer close level and smoothly?
I’m looking forward to your experiences and advice!
F
fabianflo10 May 2022 08:53KINMIN4 schrieb:
Slightly loosen the screws of the sliding rails and realign the rail. Then tighten the screws again.Thanks! I'll try that today to slightly adjust the position of the sliding rails.
nubar schrieb:
A loose front can affect the drawer alignment and thus also the sliding action.That made me think: I had a loose front because I tightened a screw too loosely during assembly. Maybe that’s a reason for the drawer not closing evenly.
I’ll work on the adjustment today and report back if it helped.
In addition to the previous suggestions:
With the Malm system, it can help to adjust the drawer front not only sideways but also slightly in height. This is done using the screws behind the front, which often allow some play.
Furthermore, the quality of the drawer runners at IKEA is unfortunately not always optimal, which can lead to slight warping from repeated use.
I recommend adjusting in several steps:
1. Loosen the drawer runner screws slightly.
2. Position the drawer roughly.
3. Slightly adjust the front and drawer against each other.
4. Tighten the screws evenly.
This prevents tightening the screws in a skewed position and helps avoid jamming.
If this does not work, considering a stable alternative guide might be an option.
With the Malm system, it can help to adjust the drawer front not only sideways but also slightly in height. This is done using the screws behind the front, which often allow some play.
Furthermore, the quality of the drawer runners at IKEA is unfortunately not always optimal, which can lead to slight warping from repeated use.
I recommend adjusting in several steps:
1. Loosen the drawer runner screws slightly.
2. Position the drawer roughly.
3. Slightly adjust the front and drawer against each other.
4. Tighten the screws evenly.
This prevents tightening the screws in a skewed position and helps avoid jamming.
If this does not work, considering a stable alternative guide might be an option.
I think it is a bit simplistic to attribute the problem solely to warped drawer slides or poor workmanship.
That is correct, but who can guarantee that all Malm dressers are manufactured and stored under ideal conditions? Even slight production tolerances add up in IKEA furniture to barely noticeable but measurable deviations, which become apparent in everyday use as misaligned drawer gaps.
I would argue: there is no 100% perfect setup without individual adjustments. Those who want can spend hours fine-tuning or simply install higher-quality drawer slides from third-party suppliers.
Malm is a compromise. If you value precision, you either need to invest time in adjustments or buy higher-quality furniture outright.
bapar schrieb:
Place the dresser on a flat surface.
That is correct, but who can guarantee that all Malm dressers are manufactured and stored under ideal conditions? Even slight production tolerances add up in IKEA furniture to barely noticeable but measurable deviations, which become apparent in everyday use as misaligned drawer gaps.
I would argue: there is no 100% perfect setup without individual adjustments. Those who want can spend hours fine-tuning or simply install higher-quality drawer slides from third-party suppliers.
Malm is a compromise. If you value precision, you either need to invest time in adjustments or buy higher-quality furniture outright.
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