ᐅ Kallax doors installed incorrectly – how to fix the mistakes?

If the hinges are not adjustable, you can compensate slightly by placing a small washer between the hinge and the shelf.

Thanks in advance for the many helpful tips. I installed the shelf using a cordless drill with a standard screwdriver bit. Although the holes for the hinges were pre-drilled, I sometimes felt that the screwdriver was not perfectly aligned when driving the screws in. As a result, the doors are now slightly crooked and rub against the top edge.

I'm still not entirely sure about adjusting the hinges—how exactly can the hinges be adjusted? I see a small adjustment mechanism, but it is very tight. Is it worth treating this with some WD-40 or a similar lubricant? Or could that potentially cause damage?

Plotan schrieb:
I’m still not quite clear about the adjustment of the hinges — how exactly can the hinges be adjusted?

Most Kallax hinges are angle or cup hinges with adjustment screws. Usually, there are three ways to adjust them: vertically, horizontally, and in depth. The screws for these should be clearly visible, typically with a Phillips head.

WD-40 can help if they are stiff — but use it sparingly and not too often, as it could eventually damage the coating. If the mechanism is very tight, you can carefully apply a small amount of WD-40 and then move it gently back and forth. Important: Do not tighten the screws too much, as this can cause the wood to crack.

Plotan schrieb:
Is it worth treating this with some WD-40 or similar? Or could I actually damage something?

WD-40 is generally okay for adjusting if the mechanism is sticking. Just don’t use too much, and avoid contact with wood or paint. If you find that too risky, you can use a small amount of sewing machine oil, which is gentler on these kinds of mechanical parts.

If the adjustment mechanism still doesn’t move afterward, it might be that the hinges aren’t designed for fine tuning. In that case, the best solution is usually to take the door off and reposition it properly.

One more tip: place a piece of paper between the door and the shelf, close the door, then remove the paper—this way you can see exactly where the door is binding.

PAREL schrieb:
Hold a piece of paper between the door and the shelf, close the door, then remove the paper – this way you can see exactly where the door is sticking.

This is a really practical tip; I also had great success with it during my last Kallax assembly. It really gives you a good feeling when you can pinpoint the problem so precisely and then fix it directly.

I just wanted to quickly say: If you take the doors off again, it’s best to leave all the screws only loosely tightened until the very end. That way, you can still make a lot of adjustments if you keep everything loose at first and only secure it firmly at the end 🙂

And remember, WD-40 not only makes the joints run smoother but also lifts your spirits while screwing! 😉