ᐅ MALM drawers squeak and stick at the same time – how can they be fixed?
Created on: 2 Mar 2017 08:17
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emrah36Hello everyone,
I have the following problem with my Malm chest of drawers from IKEA: The drawers squeak quite loudly when pulled out, and at the same time, they sometimes stick so they don’t slide out properly. It sounds like the runners aren’t working smoothly or are somehow catching. I have already tried cleaning the runners, but that only helped minimally. Does anyone have an idea how to permanently fix this combination of squeaking and sticking? I suspect it has something to do with the drawer slides, but I’m unsure whether I need to lubricate them, replace them entirely, or adjust them differently. I would really appreciate any advice, including tips on how to maintain and properly handle these drawers. Thanks in advance!
I have the following problem with my Malm chest of drawers from IKEA: The drawers squeak quite loudly when pulled out, and at the same time, they sometimes stick so they don’t slide out properly. It sounds like the runners aren’t working smoothly or are somehow catching. I have already tried cleaning the runners, but that only helped minimally. Does anyone have an idea how to permanently fix this combination of squeaking and sticking? I suspect it has something to do with the drawer slides, but I’m unsure whether I need to lubricate them, replace them entirely, or adjust them differently. I would really appreciate any advice, including tips on how to maintain and properly handle these drawers. Thanks in advance!
Hello emrah36,
First of all, the problem sounds like a combination of overloaded or misadjusted rollers/tracks and a lack of lubrication. MALM drawers usually have metal or plastic runners with rollers.
I recommend the following steps:
1. Completely remove the drawer and check the guide rails for damage.
2. Thoroughly clean any dirt or small particles, preferably with isopropanol.
3. Lightly lubricate the moving parts (rollers, tracks) with a silicone spray or a lubricant designed for plastics. Oil can cause long-term issues with plastic, so avoid anything that might become sticky.
4. Reinsert the drawer and check if the squeaking and sticking have improved.
If it still sticks, check whether the rails are slightly bent or not mounted perfectly parallel (this is common with MALM when the dresser is self-assembled).
First of all, the problem sounds like a combination of overloaded or misadjusted rollers/tracks and a lack of lubrication. MALM drawers usually have metal or plastic runners with rollers.
I recommend the following steps:
1. Completely remove the drawer and check the guide rails for damage.
2. Thoroughly clean any dirt or small particles, preferably with isopropanol.
3. Lightly lubricate the moving parts (rollers, tracks) with a silicone spray or a lubricant designed for plastics. Oil can cause long-term issues with plastic, so avoid anything that might become sticky.
4. Reinsert the drawer and check if the squeaking and sticking have improved.
If it still sticks, check whether the rails are slightly bent or not mounted perfectly parallel (this is common with MALM when the dresser is self-assembled).
Gino38 schrieb:
I recommend you proceed as follows: ... with a silicone sprayI can only agree with that advice, emrah36! Sometimes just a light application of silicone spray in the right places helps. And that without any oil, which tends to get sticky.
Also: Sometimes it’s enough to reposition the drawer, making sure it properly ‘locks’ in place. It may sound simple, but it really worked wonders for me. Try giving it a gentle push and check if the rollers move freely. If they squeak, close it firmly—but not too hard, otherwise it might get stuck even more. 🙂
What puzzles me about the issue is the combination of "squeaking" and "jamming" at the same time.
The squeaking is caused by friction, while the jamming is more of an obstruction that blocks movement. This leads me to suspect that either foreign objects or a deformation are present, which can partly be overcome but otherwise slow down the drawer.
However, MALM often comes with tolerances, so even with correct assembly, there is not a perfect fit. This means some adjustment work might be necessary to align the drawer precisely within its runners.
How flexible are the guides? Are there any clearances? It would be important to check carefully whether the rails have bent or if a screw is loose, causing the structure to be misaligned.
emrah36 schrieb:
sometimes they jam at the same time, so they don't slide out properly
The squeaking is caused by friction, while the jamming is more of an obstruction that blocks movement. This leads me to suspect that either foreign objects or a deformation are present, which can partly be overcome but otherwise slow down the drawer.
However, MALM often comes with tolerances, so even with correct assembly, there is not a perfect fit. This means some adjustment work might be necessary to align the drawer precisely within its runners.
How flexible are the guides? Are there any clearances? It would be important to check carefully whether the rails have bent or if a screw is loose, causing the structure to be misaligned.
BAUEVA schrieb:
The combination of "squeaking" and "jamming" in the problem description confuses me.I agree, it is an unusual combination. I have removed the drawer several times and noticed the slides have some play. Just enough that they aren’t completely tight, but at the same time, you can see they are slightly warped – I would suspect this is due to incorrect installation or minor material deformation over the years.
Gino38 schrieb:
I recommend ... using a silicone sprayI have actually used silicone spray before, but not directly on the slides, more on the rollers. It helped for a few weeks, but then the symptoms returned.
Could it be that the slide material simply becomes more brittle over time, causing the squeaking to persist despite lubrication? Also, I wonder if it’s possible to just buy replacement slides and swap them out without having to replace the entire drawer.
Thanks in advance for your helpful tips!
The issue with MALM drawers is well known and usually caused by the plastic rollers or the thin steel runners.
I can confirm that a thorough cleaning with a protective silicone oil followed by an adjustment of the rails usually works best. The rails can be replaced individually if you know the exact measurements you need – that would be my next step if lubrication and cleaning do not provide a lasting solution.
Squeaking can also be caused by a small gap at the contact point between metal and plastic, where dirt can accumulate and block smooth sliding.
My tip: fully remove the drawers, disassemble all moving parts if possible, lightly sand or file them as needed, then carefully reassemble all components in an organized way. If necessary, IKEA support can also provide replacement parts.
I can confirm that a thorough cleaning with a protective silicone oil followed by an adjustment of the rails usually works best. The rails can be replaced individually if you know the exact measurements you need – that would be my next step if lubrication and cleaning do not provide a lasting solution.
Squeaking can also be caused by a small gap at the contact point between metal and plastic, where dirt can accumulate and block smooth sliding.
My tip: fully remove the drawers, disassemble all moving parts if possible, lightly sand or file them as needed, then carefully reassemble all components in an organized way. If necessary, IKEA support can also provide replacement parts.
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