ᐅ Kallax legs break off after a short time – replacement?

Hello everyone, for the past few weeks I have been having an issue with the feet supplied with my IKEA Kallax shelving unit breaking repeatedly after a relatively short period of use. There is no obvious excessive load or incorrect assembly during setup and use, yet the feet keep cracking or breaking. Has anyone else experienced similar problems or maybe even found a solution? It would also be helpful to know whether replacing the feet with different ones is advisable or even possible without compromising stability. Thanks in advance for your experiences and tips!

Deo41 schrieb:
Has anyone else experienced similar issues or maybe even found a solution?

Oh yes, I know the Kallax leg drama! Those small plastic feet really aren’t the most durable. Mine cracked within two months at most – as if the shelf was built on sand 😅. My “solution” was to switch to sturdier furniture legs made of wood. It even looks nicer and supports the weight much better. But be careful: make sure to measure accurately so the new height is right and the shelf doesn’t stand unevenly. Maybe this helps you too! 🙂

KNUTGI schrieb:
In my case, they cracked after a maximum of two months

The problem often lies in the material quality of the legs. Replacing them with sturdy furniture feet or small metal sleeves can help.

The breaking of the Kallax feet is usually due to the relatively soft plastic compound, which is designed for the intended use but fails under higher load or frequent movement. A direct replacement is difficult because IKEA uses specific dimensions. It is recommended to choose alternative furniture feet made of hardwood or metal with the same thread pitch to ensure secure stability. Additionally, when tightening the screws, proper torque should be applied to prevent material failure.

Deo41 schrieb:
still, the legs simply chip or break through.

Honestly, I wonder if IKEA does this on purpose – so you have to buy replacements more often? These parts often feel cheap, and part of the problem is definitely that people put too much weight on them. If someone seriously uses a piece of furniture as a heavy-duty shelf, they should consider other options. Maybe the issue isn’t the product, but the user. 😉

The original Kallax feet are designed for a specific load, usually for household shelves with normal use. If the feet break despite proper installation, there might be a material defect or a faulty batch. Replacing the screws with ones that provide a better thread base is technically possible. I also recommend securing the shelf to the wall to reduce the load on the feet. This increases stability and extends the lifespan.