ᐅ KALLAX doors become loose after several years – should the screws be tightened?

Created on: 16 Feb 2018 18:03

Hello everyone,

I have an IKEA KALLAX shelving unit for which I installed the doors a few years ago. Now, after about 5 years of heavy use, I've noticed that some of the doors are quite loose and no longer sit firmly. The doors are attached using the supplied hinges and screws, which are screwed into the pre-drilled holes.

My specific question is: Should I simply tighten the existing screws to restore the doors’ stability, or are other measures necessary to prevent the door attachments from becoming loose over time? Has anyone experienced similar issues and can offer advice on the best way to fix this?

Thanks in advance!

GLALEO17 Feb 2018 08:13

It's brilliant that you can fix the doors securely again with such simple measures! 🙂 I had similar issues with KALLAX doors, and after tightening the screws, everything was perfectly stable again.

Tip: Take your time and carefully check all the screws. I sometimes completely forgot that they need to be retightened. After that, the doors feel like new!

eldubi17 Feb 2018 09:46

In short: Tighten screws if they are loose. Are the holes worn out? Insert wooden dowels or small toothpicks, moisten them with wood glue, let dry, then screw firmly. After that, the stability should be restored.

DIGOREN18 Feb 2018 11:39

Can confirm that occasionally tightening screws is normal with IKEA furniture. This is especially true for KALLAX units with doors. If it’s already wobbling, first check the screws, then if necessary, carry out minor repairs using wood glue and dowels.

kloreo18 Feb 2018 12:52

#10

Works well with wood chips or toothpicks combined with glue. Afterwards, screw in the screws. This is a permanent solution for worn-out drill holes.

balzdeo19 Feb 2018 18:09

#11

GLALEO schrieb:
after tightening, everything was perfectly stable again.

Great, thanks for the confirmation!

Fitigu schrieb:
A more durable approach would be to use metal threaded inserts

How difficult would that be for someone with average DIY skills? I don't have a workshop, but with some patience and the right tools, I can manage most tasks. Would this method make the construction more secure in the long run?

KarTristan20 Feb 2018 09:23

#12

balzdeo schrieb:
How difficult would this be for someone with average DIY skills?

Metal threaded inserts are usually not a problem if you have the right drilling tools and prepare the holes properly. However, they are generally a bit more involved than simply repairing with wood glue and small wooden pieces.

My advice: If the piece of furniture is otherwise intact and the effort isn’t too high, threaded inserts can provide real improvements in stability. You just need a suitable countersink or drill bit, pliers or an insertion tool, and some patience to position them accurately. Otherwise, tightening the screws or re-drilling and reinforcing the holes with wood glue and dowels is usually sufficient.

ᐅ KALLAX doors become loose after several years – should the screws be tightened?

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