ᐅ Malm Nightstand Wobbles After Assembly – How to Fix the Problem?

Emresar schrieb:
Could this really cause such lateral instability?

Yes, definitely. If you tighten the cam connectors too much, the panels can warp slightly. This means the joint won’t sit completely flush anymore, which can cause wobbling.

A torque wrench isn’t strictly necessary for furniture like the Malm, but you should develop a good feel for how much force to apply. Tighten the screws until you feel noticeable resistance, but avoid overtightening.

Tip: Start by tightening all connectors by hand, then go through them again one by one to tighten a bit more – this helps distribute the pressure more evenly.

Malm furniture is known for its particleboard panels slightly flexing or becoming tense if the screws are overtightened.

Here is a brief guide on how to proceed:

1. Fully loosen all cam lock connectors.
2. Assemble the components so that everything sits flat and flush without any misalignment.
3. Insert all fasteners with a light fit.
4. Slowly and evenly tighten the screws until they are snug—no more.

Also make sure that all wooden dowels are fully and straightly inserted into their holes. A crooked dowel can also cause typical wobbling issues.

If needed, gently tap or lightly sand (with fine sandpaper) areas where the wood in the hole is slightly swollen; this can help achieve a more precise fit.

Emresar schrieb:
Is it better to tighten screws with a torque wrench or are there general rules of thumb?

Technically, the tightening torque for furniture with cam lock fittings is not standardized, but a value of around 2-3 Nm (18-27 in-lb) is often recommended. Since you are tightening by feel, always tighten multiple times in short intervals—first, tighten all screws slightly, then go back and tighten again to allow the panels to settle properly.

I would also like to know more: does the bedside table wobble mainly sideways, forward, or backward?

If it wobbles sideways, it could also be due to a warped bottom panel, especially if the bedside table is placed on carpet or an uneven floor.

Can you also say whether the drawers open and close smoothly or if they stick? Warped fronts can also result from a twisted supporting frame.

Thank you all for the detailed answers and explanations! They really help to better understand the issue.

Regarding Wyatt's question: The wobbling is mostly noticeable side to side, while the front remains relatively stable. The bedside table is standing on a hard laminate floor, so the surface should be even. The drawers actually run smoothly, without any noticeable jamming or sticking.

Later, I will loosen all the cam lock fasteners again, check that the components are in full contact with each other, and then proceed by tightening the screws evenly.

Is there any recommendation on how to check the fit of the wooden dowels? I assume that having them perfectly straight is the key requirement.

Emresar schrieb:
Is there any recommendation on how to check the fit of wooden dowels?

Yes, the dowel must fit cleanly into the drilled hole without sitting crooked or having too much play. If you want to slightly disassemble the assembled nightstand, check:

- Is the dowel perpendicular in the hole?
- Does the dowel move or have any play?

If the latter is the case, you can very carefully apply a little wood glue to the dowel or into the hole to strengthen the connection. After assembly, you should let the piece of furniture rest for a while – the glue will cure and increase stability.

Be careful not to use glue in areas where movement is required.

For most Ikea furniture, wood glue is not strictly necessary, but it can be helpful if there are wobbling issues.

Wood glue on the dowels usually helps if they fit a bit too loosely. Then clamp everything firmly and let it dry thoroughly.