ᐅ MALM drawers squeak and stick at the same time – how can they be fixed?
Created on: 2 Mar 2017 08:17
E
emrah36
Hello 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!
emrah36 schrieb:
Then it seems my problem is also a combination of construction, load, and inaccurate installation.That matches my expectations. The interaction of physical factors in such "everyday furniture" is often underestimated.
Installation on uneven ground leads to stresses. Warping in the rails due to improper assembly or material fatigue increases the number of friction points, which explains the squeaking. Fingers crossed that you can fix the issue well.
If you notice problems again, it might be worth considering applying PTFE tape to the contact points.
BAUEVA schrieb:
... one might consider whether applying PTFE film to the contact points is an option.Wow, that almost sounds like a professional furniture makeover, haha! But it’s doable: PTFE film (Teflon) is very slippery and really helps prevent sticking.
Of course, this is more for the dedicated DIY enthusiast, but if you have several drawers that start to squeak or stick, the effort can be worth it.
Otherwise: don’t forget, a little care and patience can sometimes do wonders. Thanks for thinking along here, everyone! 🙂
Similar topics