ᐅ Malm dresser squeaks despite being secured to the wall – any solutions?
Created on: 2 Dec 2020 07:13
G
Gegite
Hello everyone,
I have an IKEA Malm chest of drawers, which I have securely fixed to the wall with a safety bracket to prevent tipping. Despite this attachment, the chest still squeaks during normal use of the drawers. The noise seems to occur when moving the drawers and sounds somewhat metallic or creaky.
I have already checked that all screws are properly tightened, and the chest is standing level, but the squeaking unfortunately persists. My question is: What specific causes could be responsible for the squeaking despite the wall bracket? Are there any proven solutions or maintenance tips to permanently eliminate the noise?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
I have an IKEA Malm chest of drawers, which I have securely fixed to the wall with a safety bracket to prevent tipping. Despite this attachment, the chest still squeaks during normal use of the drawers. The noise seems to occur when moving the drawers and sounds somewhat metallic or creaky.
I have already checked that all screws are properly tightened, and the chest is standing level, but the squeaking unfortunately persists. My question is: What specific causes could be responsible for the squeaking despite the wall bracket? Are there any proven solutions or maintenance tips to permanently eliminate the noise?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
P
pauPierce3 Dec 2020 14:42Gegite schrieb:
The squeaking occurs with both slightly open and fully closed drawers, but it is louder when pulling them out.This fits well with this case. If the squeaking is louder when the drawer is fully extended, it is likely that the track at the front end is not perfectly aligned or the plastic glides could be slightly damaged.
When cleaning, I also recommend carefully checking for small chips or cracks in the plastic profile of the runner rails. Sometimes, lightly roughening the glides with fine sandpaper and then treating them with silicone spray can reduce friction.
If possible, follow the original IKEA assembly instructions when removing the drawers, as small details in inserting the runners are sometimes overlooked.
As an option, if there is significant wear, you can also order complete replacement runner rails, which typically cost under 10 euros each. These come factory-coated and in new condition, which often solves many squeaking problems immediately.
If you like, I can also write you a short step-by-step guide for removing the drawer slides.
Additional tip:
Most squeaking is usually caused by minimal metal-on-metal friction between the runner and drawer slides. One effective measure is to insert thin felt pads or self-adhesive felt dots at the contact points, which do not require visible movement but can help dampen vibrating parts. This reduces vibrations and thus noise.
It is also worthwhile to check the wall mounting for any tension. An overly tight angle may slightly warp the dresser, which can then create mechanical stress in the guides.
Finally, pay attention to regular maintenance, especially during warmer and drier months, as wood and plastic materials can react. A light application of lubricant or cleaning every 6-12 months can help prevent issues.
This way, you can avoid persistent noise problems in the long term.
Most squeaking is usually caused by minimal metal-on-metal friction between the runner and drawer slides. One effective measure is to insert thin felt pads or self-adhesive felt dots at the contact points, which do not require visible movement but can help dampen vibrating parts. This reduces vibrations and thus noise.
It is also worthwhile to check the wall mounting for any tension. An overly tight angle may slightly warp the dresser, which can then create mechanical stress in the guides.
Finally, pay attention to regular maintenance, especially during warmer and drier months, as wood and plastic materials can react. A light application of lubricant or cleaning every 6-12 months can help prevent issues.
This way, you can avoid persistent noise problems in the long term.
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