ᐅ IKEA Malm Nightstand Wobbles – How Can I Fix It?

Created on: 10 Oct 2022 20:03
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Daanta
Hello everyone, I recently assembled an IKEA Malm nightstand, but unfortunately it wobbles quite a bit when touched or when something is placed on it. The construction seems correct, and I have already checked that all the screws are tight and the connectors are properly installed. However, the wobbling remains, which makes me wonder whether it could be due to an uneven floor surface or if the piece of furniture inherently has some tolerance in stability. Has anyone experienced this issue and can offer advice on how to permanently fix the wobble? I would appreciate any helpful tips or guidance on the correct assembly steps to ensure the nightstand stands firmly and safely in the end.
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rigau
11 Oct 2022 12:11
Did you tighten the screws with the correct torque, not too loose and not too tight? Sometimes, wobbling can also be caused by cross braces that are mounted too loosely.
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liRaul49
11 Oct 2022 13:47
Ellis schrieb:
Sometimes an incorrectly installed drawer can cause instability.

That's a good point. I once had a drawer that wasn't properly engaged, which made the whole piece of furniture wobble. It's definitely worth checking carefully.
C
chen67
11 Oct 2022 18:02
I’m very familiar with the problem of wobbling. For me, attaching some felt tape to the bottom of the table legs helped a lot – it perfectly compensates for unevenness and makes the nightstand much more stable. Also, don’t forget to check everything again after applying a light pressure. Sometimes these things can be quite sensitive 😉 Good luck!
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Daanta
12 Oct 2022 08:29
Thanks for the tips so far. Today, I checked with a spirit level—the bedside table is indeed slightly tilted on my laminate floor. I’ve now ordered felt pads to compensate for this. Regarding the screws, I tightened them all again, but it didn’t make any noticeable difference. The drawer fits properly; I double-checked that as well. Is there a recommended torque specification for the screws to ensure they are tightened optimally without damaging the material?
T
toril
12 Oct 2022 10:15
Daanta schrieb:
Is there a recommended torque specification for the screws

IKEA usually does not provide specific torque values. In general, screws should be tightened firmly by hand using the appropriate tool, taking care not to damage the wood. If a torque wrench is available, the typical torque for furniture screws is around 2 to 4 Nm (1.5 to 3 lb-ft). More important than the torque value is to ensure that all screws are tightened evenly to prevent stress.