ᐅ KALLAX Floor Supports Break Easily – How to Prevent This?

Hello everyone,

I have had the KALLAX shelf unit from IKEA for some time, and I have noticed that the shelf supports (the small plastic clips that hold the shelves) often break very easily. This especially happens when the unit is moved slightly or when installing new shelves. My question is: Are there any reliable tips or practical methods to handle the shelf supports gently so they don’t break so quickly? I am also interested in alternative solutions if the original replacement parts do not provide a lasting fix.

It is important for me to know how to properly distribute the load or if there are specific precautions when installing or removing the shelves to avoid weakening the material unnecessarily. Maybe others have had the same problem and found certain tricks or accessories that helped.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

folkelen41 schrieb:
My question is: Are there any proven tips or practical methods for handling the shelf supports of the KALLAX unit gently so they don’t break so quickly?

Oh yes, I know that feeling all too well! It’s really frustrating when those small plastic parts fail so quickly! 🙂

My advice: Try not to force the shelf supports in roughly when inserting them, but rather do it gently and straight. And if you have a lot of weight on the shelves, distribute it as evenly as possible.

Also, I sometimes use thin felt pads or small furniture gliders under the shelves to relieve some of the pressure on the supports.

It sounds simple, but these small steps can prevent the shelf supports from breaking all the time. Keep at it, everyone, we can do this! :-)

The issue with the KALLAX shelf supports is, unfortunately, not uncommon.

It is important that the supports are positioned correctly: they should rest on the plastic or wooden strip of the shelf unit and not hang at an angle, as this increases the risk of breakage.

NUPIN schrieb:
Try not to force the shelf supports in with brute force when inserting them, but rather carefully and straight.

I can only emphasize this. The supports should be inserted very gently, as they are made of brittle plastic. Additionally, I recommend not overloading the shelves. The manufacturer provides guidelines for the maximum load per shelf, which should be followed.

If supports do break, it is possible to replace them with stronger metal shelf supports, which IKEA sometimes offers or can be purchased separately.

If you have any questions about the exact load limits or replacements, I’m happy to help!

I would like to add some technical background to the previous tips.

The KALLAX shelf supports are made from a plastic material that can only withstand limited mechanical stress. Lever forces are particularly problematic when the shelves are not fully and evenly supported.

sarlo schrieb:
The supports should be inserted very carefully, as they are made of brittle plastic.

In line with this: do not push the supports too deep into the slots and make sure they sit precisely in the intended groove. Additional pressure or tightening causes unnecessary stress.

As an alternative, metal shelf supports are available, offering higher load capacity and durability. Although they are somewhat more expensive, they are generally compatible.

It is also advisable to insert the shelves crosswise or at an angle first and then carefully lay them down, instead of simply dropping them fully onto the supports. This reduces point loads.

For anyone planning to place consistently high loads on the shelves, it is worth considering adding additional supports (e.g., thin plywood panels) to better distribute the weight.

If in doubt, the exact load specifications can be checked on IKEA’s website, although these are usually conservative.

CARLA schrieb:
Metal shelf supports that provide higher load capacity and durability.

That may be true, but I think it’s important to question how well these metal shelf supports actually fit with KALLAX. Often, the problems are not only due to the material of the supports but also because of the very simple design of the slot fittings in the shelving unit frame, which are simply not designed for heavy loads.

Let’s take a look at the mechanical stress: twisting or skewing of the shelves is a common cause of the supports breaking.

Therefore, my recommendation would be to first focus on the handling, meaning careful and even insertion and avoiding any twisting movements.

If anyone knows a guideline for the maximum point load on the supports, please share it so we can better understand their limits.

In conclusion: from my point of view, we should also consider whether modifying the shelving units themselves would be sensible, for example by adding additional side braces to prevent skewing. One thing is clear: trying to fix the problem solely by using different supports is probably only a partial solution.