ᐅ How to Repair IKEA Malm Drawer Slides – Step-by-Step Guide

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with the drawer slides on my IKEA Malm chest of drawers. More specifically, the drawers stick when opening and closing, which is probably due to worn or damaged runners or slides.

I want to repair or replace the drawer slides myself, as I prefer not to take the dresser apart completely.

Does anyone have experience with the best way to fix the rails? Are there replacement parts that can be easily purchased, or can the damage be repaired using household tools?

It would also be helpful to know if any special tools are required or if there is anything important to know before starting.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Leithklo schrieb:
the drawer slides no longer run smoothly

I know that all too well! My Malm drawer had problems with the runners too, and what can I say: it’s definitely worth repairing the drawer slides instead of buying new ones! 😊

First of all, check if there’s any dirt or lint in the tracks – that’s often the cause. You can easily remove it with a vacuum cleaner or a nozzle.

If the tracks themselves are bent, you can carefully straighten them slightly with pliers. Be careful not to use too much force, or the material might break!

A little trick: applying some silicone spray or paraffin as a lubricant on the tracks will make them run smoothly again!

If it’s worse, check online if IKEA offers the drawer slides separately. Replacement parts are usually available, which is great!

Good luck, you can do it! 🙂

bauku schrieb:
if the rails themselves are bent, you can carefully straighten them slightly with pliers

This is a quick tip, but you should be cautious with the Malm drawer: the running rails are made of galvanized steel sheet metal, which is relatively thin and can be permanently damaged if too much force is applied.

I recommend a more precise procedure for the repair:

1. Carefully remove the drawer to access the rails.
2. Visually inspect the rails and drawer runners for deformations, cracks, or loose screws.
3. Tighten any loose screws.
4. If the rails are bent, use a set of flat-nose pliers and make very small adjustments to avoid over-stressing the material.
5. For worn plastic gliders: these are often replaceable individually. IKEA usually sells replacement gliders.
6. After mechanical work, apply a small amount of dry Teflon spray—avoid oil—to keep dirt away.

If the issue cannot be resolved this way, replacing the rails is often easier.

Are there more details regarding the type of defect?

Leithklo schrieb:
I want to repair or replace the drawer slides myself

For targeted repair of the IKEA Malm drawer slides, I can offer the following:

The Malm dresser uses a simple mechanical rail system with metal strips attached to the drawer and matching plastic glides on the drawer side panel.

Common wear points are:
- Broken plastic glides
- Bent or distorted metal rails
- Worn or loose screws in the rail system

For repair:
- Replacing the plastic glides is often the quickest solution: these can be swapped by removing the drawer and carefully taking out the damaged parts. Replacement parts can be purchased from IKEA or third-party suppliers.
- If the metal rails are bent, gently straighten them with pliers. In rare cases, a complete replacement of the slides is necessary.

Tools you will need:
- Phillips screwdriver (for fasteners)
- Pliers (for careful adjustment of metal parts)

Before you start, I recommend removing the drawer, inspecting the condition of the rails closely, and then ordering the needed replacement parts.

For severe damage, it is usually better to replace the rails entirely. This is often an affordable spare part purchase, and a few simple steps are enough for the replacement.

If you can provide the exact model year of your Malm or details about the rails, I may be able to assist you more specifically.

roryvin schrieb:
Replacing the plastic glides is often the quickest solution

Absolutely! I did the same in my case. Another tip: if the plastic glide is just a bit loose, sometimes a tiny drop of super glue helps it stay in place better.

kulau schrieb:
Use a bit of dry Teflon spray after mechanical treatment, no oil

Great tip! From my experience, silicone spray can sometimes attract dust and dirt. Teflon works much better for me, keeping the drawers running smoothly without sticking.

So: do small repairs yourself; with proper care, they’ll last a long time! :-)