ᐅ What should I do if the back panel of the Pax wardrobe does not fit?

Created on: 22 Jul 2024 09:13
T
Tarleo
Hello everyone,

I am currently facing an issue with my new Pax wardrobe: the back panel does not fit. More precisely, the wall where I wanted to place the Pax wardrobe is slightly uneven, and the back panel cannot be attached flush because it either falls short or does not rest properly on the sides. I have double-checked the measurements, and the back panel is the original Ikea part for this model, so it should fit properly.

My question is: What can I specifically do if the Pax back panel doesn’t fit? Are there any tricks to adjust or attach it differently without compromising the stability of the wardrobe? Or would it be better to look for an alternative solution?

I would be very grateful for practical advice and any experiences you have had with similar situations. Thank you!
K
KNUTGI
22 Jul 2024 13:55
Hi Tarleo,

It can be really frustrating when a seemingly simple part like the back panel doesn’t fit. But don’t worry – the back panel on the Pax is mainly meant for stability, not appearance.

My advice: make it easier on yourself by pushing the cabinet slightly away from the wall using small wooden or rubber spacers. This way, you can nail the back panel in normally and avoid struggling with the panel itself.

Also, having a bit of space behind the cabinet worked well for me, since older walls aren’t always perfectly straight. Like a minimum clearance for proper alignment, you could say.

That way, the cabinet sits firmly and you’ll be happy – and the back panel will appreciate not being squeezed, too.
L
LOGEMIN
23 Jul 2024 08:26
Hello everyone,

I would like to provide a brief troubleshooting guide for situations when the Pax back panel does not fit properly:

1. Measure: Take precise measurements of the inside of the cabinet and the back panel to identify any discrepancies.
2. Check the surface: Verify whether the floor and especially the wall are level and even.
3. Level the wall: If there are uneven areas on the wall, thin spacers (such as wooden strips or plastic pads) can help.
4. Align the back panel: The standard Ikea nails can be replaced with screws and washers to secure the back panel more firmly.
5. If the back panel is slightly too short (about 1–2 cm (around 1 inch)): Do not extend the back panel but check if it is possible to move the cabinet slightly away from the wall.
6. Adjust the cabinet: Modify the side leveling feet to ensure the cabinet stands flat on the floor.

Summary: The back panel mainly serves as a stabilizing element. Extensive repairs to the panel itself are usually less effective than adjusting the surroundings, such as the wall and positioning.

If the issue is specifically related to height (e.g., the panel is 1.5 cm (about 0.6 inches) too short), it may help to cover the upper area of the back panel with a wooden board or decorative molding to improve the appearance. However, this does not add stability and is purely a visual adjustment.

Hopefully, this guide is useful.
G
Gloriagl10
23 Jul 2024 09:14
Back panel not fitting? For the narrow gap: place the cabinet slightly away from the wall so the back panel fits. That’s how I did it, and it holds. If needed, use small wooden strips as spacers.
N
Nathanaelk
23 Jul 2024 10:03
Filippo schrieb:

I’m curious: What type of base is the cabinet standing on? And how large are the deviations exactly in your case? This will help provide more targeted advice.

I agree with Filippo and want to emphasize that this information is really essential to properly identify the cause of fitting issues. From my experience, the main problem is often the wall and the floor, not the back panel itself.

For the next steps:
- Check with a long spirit level or laser level whether the floor is even and the wall is vertical.
- If there are uneven spots on the wall, it helps to attach small spacer blocks to the wall to compensate for irregularities.
- If the back panel is too short, I would not recommend trying to extend it yourself, as the back panel supports stability and must be fixed with spot connections.

I have also found it helpful to check the substructure before installing the back panel: do all the side panels fit properly, and is the cabinet frame truly square? Only then will the back panel fit firmly and securely.

Your 1.5 cm (0.6 inch) gap could, for example, be caused by a floor panel that is not perfectly flat due to uneven painting or warping. It might be worth slightly adjusting the cabinet to relieve pressure on the back panel.

Please let us know whether your cabinet stands on adjustable feet or directly on the floor.