ᐅ How does retrofitting soft-close work for Ikea Pax drawers?

Hello everyone,

I have a small project and need some input: How does retrofitting soft-close mechanisms on Ikea Pax drawers work in practice? My Pax wardrobes currently do not have a soft-close feature, and I want to understand how I can add this without having to buy completely new drawers.

I am especially interested in:
- Which parts are exactly needed?
- How difficult is the installation for someone with average DIY skills?
- Do all Ikea soft-close systems work with Pax drawers, or only specific ones?
- Are there any special considerations regarding adjustment or drawer stability after retrofitting?

I would appreciate detailed experiences or a step-by-step explanation!

For retrofitting, you need the Pax Soft-Close Set, which includes hinges and dampers. Installation is simple: remove the old drawer, take off the clips, attach the dampers and hinges, and you’re done. The soft-close sets from Ikea are specifically designed for Pax; other brands are not recommended.

Here is a brief summary of how to retrofit soft-close on Ikea Pax drawers:

1. What is needed?
- The official Pax soft-close retrofit kit from Ikea. It consists of dampers (usually mounted on the drawer side panel) and matching hinges.

2. Preparation
- Completely remove the drawer from the cabinet.
- Remove any existing stoppers or spacers, if present.

3. Installation
- Mount the soft-close dampers on the pre-drilled holes on the drawer side.
- Depending on the production year of the Pax system, there may be slight variations in the mounting method.
- Replace the hinges if necessary, or connect them with the existing ones.

4. Adjustment and function
- Test the drawer after installation.
- The soft-close should slow down the drawer when closing and gently pull it shut.
- If it sticks or doesn’t close properly, the damper position can be slightly adjusted.

Common mistakes:
- Incorrect placement of the dampers
- Mixing up the left and right sides

If you want, I can also explain how to correctly adjust the soft-close mechanism for your specific model.

RIDAN schrieb:
The soft-close sets from Ikea are specifically designed for Pax; other brands are not recommended.

This is an important note. Could you possibly explain how to identify which retrofit kit model fits which Pax production period or drawer size? I understand that IKEA’s models or designs have changed somewhat over the years, and I would prefer not to buy a kit that isn’t compatible.

The basic design of the Pax models changes very little, so the common soft-close retrofit kits usually fit all standard sizes. However, make sure to check the exact name of the set and compare it with your series or model number, if available. Otherwise, it generally fits.

Schehab56 schrieb:
I think the IKEA models or versions have changed somewhat over the years

That’s correct. For the Pax drawers, older models differ slightly in the pin and hole positions for mounting the dampers. In newer versions, these drill holes are pre-made, while with older ones you might need to make small adjustments.

My tip:
- Measure the position of the mounting points on a drawer before purchasing.
- Compare them with the specifications in the retrofit kit’s product sheet (often available online as a PDF).
- The drawer size (width/height) has less impact; what matters most is the arrangement of the drill holes.

This way, you can avoid unnecessary returns.