ᐅ The Malm chest of drawers no longer closes properly – what am I doing wrong?
Created on: 29 Jan 2021 09:17
K
KalemoHello everyone,
A few weeks ago, I bought and assembled a Malm dresser from IKEA. So far, so good, but now I have a problem with one of the drawers not closing properly.
When I push the drawer in, it doesn’t sit flush with the frame; instead, it either sticks out slightly or gets jammed. I have already checked the rails for any damage and realigned the drawer according to the instructions, but there has been no improvement.
I’m wondering if I might have made a mistake during assembly or if this is a known issue with the Malm series. What tips do you have to make the drawer close smoothly again?
I use the dresser normally, without overloading it, and I haven’t placed any furniture pads or similar under it.
Thank you very much for your help!
A few weeks ago, I bought and assembled a Malm dresser from IKEA. So far, so good, but now I have a problem with one of the drawers not closing properly.
When I push the drawer in, it doesn’t sit flush with the frame; instead, it either sticks out slightly or gets jammed. I have already checked the rails for any damage and realigned the drawer according to the instructions, but there has been no improvement.
I’m wondering if I might have made a mistake during assembly or if this is a known issue with the Malm series. What tips do you have to make the drawer close smoothly again?
I use the dresser normally, without overloading it, and I haven’t placed any furniture pads or similar under it.
Thank you very much for your help!
R
Rashadmeo29 Jan 2021 09:42Wow, that’s really frustrating! But don’t worry, it’s usually easy to fix 🙂
Have you tried completely removing the drawer slide and reinstalling it carefully? Sometimes the slides just stick if they aren’t perfectly parallel. For me, a little bit of screw loosening was enough to get the slide properly aligned under tension!
Hang in there, a Malm dresser is quite sturdy, so this can definitely be fixed quickly! 🙂
Have you tried completely removing the drawer slide and reinstalling it carefully? Sometimes the slides just stick if they aren’t perfectly parallel. For me, a little bit of screw loosening was enough to get the slide properly aligned under tension!
Hang in there, a Malm dresser is quite sturdy, so this can definitely be fixed quickly! 🙂
Hello Kalemo,
I understand your problem well, as the Malm dresser with its drawer slides can be somewhat sensitive during installation.
In general, I recommend first checking the drawer slides—both those on the frame and on the drawers. Make sure no screws are loose and that the slides are installed perfectly parallel and straight. Even small unevenness can prevent proper closing.
If the drawer is slightly crooked, this can also be caused by deformation or missing plastic stops—these often prevent the drawer from getting stuck in the frame.
It can also help to remove the drawer completely and then carefully and evenly slide it back in; this sometimes realigns the mechanism.
If the issue persists, it’s worth placing the dresser on a level surface—a slightly uneven floor can interfere with the closing mechanism.
I hope these tips help you!
I understand your problem well, as the Malm dresser with its drawer slides can be somewhat sensitive during installation.
In general, I recommend first checking the drawer slides—both those on the frame and on the drawers. Make sure no screws are loose and that the slides are installed perfectly parallel and straight. Even small unevenness can prevent proper closing.
If the drawer is slightly crooked, this can also be caused by deformation or missing plastic stops—these often prevent the drawer from getting stuck in the frame.
It can also help to remove the drawer completely and then carefully and evenly slide it back in; this sometimes realigns the mechanism.
If the issue persists, it’s worth placing the dresser on a level surface—a slightly uneven floor can interfere with the closing mechanism.
I hope these tips help you!
Hello,
Since you mentioned that the drawer does not close properly, I would like to explain a bit more about the mechanism.
The Malm dresser typically uses metal rails with plastic gliders. If the drawer sticks or does not close flush, the following reasons might be the cause:
1. Screws in the runners might not all be fully tightened, causing small gaps or misalignments.
2. The runners may have been installed slightly twisted, resulting in an offset.
3. The drawer itself could have become slightly warped, for example due to moisture.
4. Foreign objects or dirt in the sliding tracks can prevent smooth movement.
5. Plastic end caps or stops might be missing or damaged.
My suggestion for troubleshooting:
- Remove the drawer completely and check all screws on the rails and the cabinet.
- Use a spirit level to ensure the dresser is not tilted and the floor is even.
- Inspect the gliders for damage or missing parts.
- Visually check the drawer sides for any unevenness.
Can you confirm whether your dresser stands on as level a surface as possible, and if the rails are original and unmodified? Information about the load on the drawer might also help to rule out material deformation.
Thank you!
Since you mentioned that the drawer does not close properly, I would like to explain a bit more about the mechanism.
The Malm dresser typically uses metal rails with plastic gliders. If the drawer sticks or does not close flush, the following reasons might be the cause:
1. Screws in the runners might not all be fully tightened, causing small gaps or misalignments.
2. The runners may have been installed slightly twisted, resulting in an offset.
3. The drawer itself could have become slightly warped, for example due to moisture.
4. Foreign objects or dirt in the sliding tracks can prevent smooth movement.
5. Plastic end caps or stops might be missing or damaged.
My suggestion for troubleshooting:
- Remove the drawer completely and check all screws on the rails and the cabinet.
- Use a spirit level to ensure the dresser is not tilted and the floor is even.
- Inspect the gliders for damage or missing parts.
- Visually check the drawer sides for any unevenness.
Can you confirm whether your dresser stands on as level a surface as possible, and if the rails are original and unmodified? Information about the load on the drawer might also help to rule out material deformation.
Thank you!
Deandre schrieb:
Make sure none of the screws are loose and that the rails are installed perfectly parallel and straight.This is an important point. Additionally, if you have the tools, I recommend checking the running rails with a protractor to confirm their parallel alignment.
Also, the plastic rollers or gliders tend to shift or wear down slightly over time. If the sliding elements are damaged, replacing them can help – IKEA replacement parts are often available online.
minan schrieb:
Perform a visual inspection of the drawer side panels to check for any unevenness.Deformations sometimes occur, especially if the dresser is overloaded or older. Also, check whether the drawer sits flush on the track, as there may be a slight distortion.
In summary: check screws, align running rails, inspect gliders, and ensure the dresser is level.
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