ᐅ Kallax Divider Broken – Any Experience with Replacement Parts?

Hello everyone,

Unfortunately, one of the vertical dividers in my IKEA Kallax shelving unit has broken — specifically the central divider, which provides important stability. Since I don't want to replace the entire unit, I’m wondering if anyone here has experience with repairing or replacing individual parts?

Are there official replacement parts available directly from IKEA, or do you have to rely on third-party suppliers? Also, how is the overall stability after such a replacement?

I’m looking forward to your tips or experiences, especially regarding the correct assembly or any tricks to keep the shelving unit stable and durable.

Thanks in advance!

There are officially no spare parts available from IKEA for the Kallax models, at least not directly through customer service. Generally, IKEA recommends replacing damaged furniture entirely.

However, some users report that they were able to obtain individual components directly in the store, often from returns or display items. The stability depends heavily on proper assembly, especially the vertical dividing panel, which bears the main load.

If you are looking for a replacement, I would recommend measuring the full dimensions and then either getting a custom-made wood panel or at least something very sturdy with the appropriate thickness. It is important to install the dividing panel carefully and precisely to ensure it not only holds but also prevents the shelving unit from twisting.

Here is a brief guide if you want to repair the shelf yourself:

1. Sourcing replacement parts: Official replacement parts are, as mentioned by LEVI41, hard to impossible to obtain. I recommend contacting specialized wood suppliers and having a board made from MDF or particleboard cut to the appropriate thickness (about 15 mm (0.6 inches)).

2. Preparation: Completely remove the shelf section and check all connection points. If dowels or screws are damaged, they should also be replaced.

3. Assembly: Use wooden dowels or biscuits to securely install the new divider. Make sure there are no large gaps to prevent wobbling later.

4. Finishing: Paint any visible edges or cover them with a thin strip to achieve a neat appearance.

Regarding stability: A properly fitted replacement part can be almost as strong as the original component. Also, consider the difference between glued joints and joints that are just fitted together; the latter usually results in weaker durability.

Good luck!

So, I had the same problem a few months ago – a very wobbly Kallax shelf due to a broken divider was really annoying. I decided to build a custom solution by cutting an MDF board to size, fitting it perfectly, and securing it with small angle brackets.

LEVI41 schrieb:
Use a custom-made wooden panel with the appropriate thickness

That’s exactly what I did. It’s not a perfect visual copy, but it’s stable and no longer a concern. :-)

What really helps: before screwing everything together, align all parts carefully and clamp them in place with screw clamps. This prevents misalignment and the typical Kallax leaning issue.

If appearance matters to you, just carefully file and sand the edges. Then add a bit of paint or finish – done! 😊

This is amazing—so many tips have already been shared here! I can totally agree: repairing is definitely worth it, especially if you want to keep using the shelf for a long time :-)

I also bought a set of wooden dowels and fitted the board myself. With some patience, you can do this even without a professional workshop. Just make sure the new partition fits flush, otherwise you’ll have trouble adjusting it later.

A small tip: if you want to be extra safe, you can also attach a thin metal angle profile inside the partition. This adds extra support without looking too bulky.

Definitely don’t throw away the entire shelf—instead, take action yourself! It’s really fun ;-)

miAlessio schrieb:
Use wooden dowels or biscuits to securely install the new partition wall.

I can only agree with that. Biscuits are often better than dowels in this case because they provide larger bonding surfaces and distribute the load more effectively.

Additionally, I strongly recommend checking the side panels and shelves of the unit for any micro-cracks or weak spots. Sometimes damage occurs not only in the partition wall but also in other areas, which can further reduce stability.

When buying replacement parts, those skilled in DIY will find better prices at timber suppliers. IKEA replacement parts are — as mentioned here several times — hardly available or very expensive.

Good planning and precise work are the keys to success.