Hello forum,
I have a problem with one of my Ikea Malm dressers: the thread in one of the furniture legs seems to have come loose from the wood, so the leg is now wobbly and the dresser rocks. I suspect that the wood around the screw is damaged due to the load. My specific question is: what can I do to firmly reattach this broken furniture leg? Are there practical repair methods that don’t require replacing the entire leg? I have already considered wood glue, larger screws, or special dowels, but I would like to know if anyone here has experience with these kinds of repairs and which solution really holds. Thanks in advance for your advice!
I have a problem with one of my Ikea Malm dressers: the thread in one of the furniture legs seems to have come loose from the wood, so the leg is now wobbly and the dresser rocks. I suspect that the wood around the screw is damaged due to the load. My specific question is: what can I do to firmly reattach this broken furniture leg? Are there practical repair methods that don’t require replacing the entire leg? I have already considered wood glue, larger screws, or special dowels, but I would like to know if anyone here has experience with these kinds of repairs and which solution really holds. Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hello zeynel66,
"I suspect that the wood around the screw is damaged due to the stress." – that’s exactly what happened with my MALM as well. It’s really frustrating when you like a piece of furniture and then it starts to weaken at such points.
What helped me was first trying to fix the broken leg with wood glue and small wooden dowels. However, that was more of a temporary solution – it only holds up to a certain extent.
Then I switched to replacing the screws with longer and thicker ones. Be careful to pre-drill the wood well, otherwise you risk new splits. If the hole is already too large, I first filled it a bit with wood filler and then pre-drilled after it hardened.
It’s a bit fiddly, but you can reattach the leg quite firmly, and the dresser stands securely again. If you have the time and patience, give it a try.
I hope this helps, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you can fix it. 🙂
"I suspect that the wood around the screw is damaged due to the stress." – that’s exactly what happened with my MALM as well. It’s really frustrating when you like a piece of furniture and then it starts to weaken at such points.
What helped me was first trying to fix the broken leg with wood glue and small wooden dowels. However, that was more of a temporary solution – it only holds up to a certain extent.
Then I switched to replacing the screws with longer and thicker ones. Be careful to pre-drill the wood well, otherwise you risk new splits. If the hole is already too large, I first filled it a bit with wood filler and then pre-drilled after it hardened.
It’s a bit fiddly, but you can reattach the leg quite firmly, and the dresser stands securely again. If you have the time and patience, give it a try.
I hope this helps, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you can fix it. 🙂
In addition to HORST41, I can recommend the following:
First, check whether the threaded hole in the wood is permanently damaged or simply loose. If it’s the latter, applying wood glue along with small wooden dowels or toothpick pieces inserted into the hole before gluing often helps.
If the hole has become too large, it is advisable to fill it with waterproof wood filler or wood putty, allow it to cure completely, and then drill a new pilot hole for the screw.
Alternatively, a so-called “threaded insert for wood” (e.g., brass Helicoil type) can be used if the screw’s base has a standard thread. These inserts provide a permanent solution but are generally more common in professional settings.
In general, original spare parts from Ikea are sometimes available, so it might be worth asking Ikea for replacement furniture feet as a straightforward solution.
Summary:
1. Check the stability of the existing hole
2. Use wood glue + dowels for minor damage
3. Use wood filler to reduce hole size for more extensive damage
4. Consider a threaded wood insert
5. Spare part option through Ikea
This should help you find a suitable method for your problem.
First, check whether the threaded hole in the wood is permanently damaged or simply loose. If it’s the latter, applying wood glue along with small wooden dowels or toothpick pieces inserted into the hole before gluing often helps.
If the hole has become too large, it is advisable to fill it with waterproof wood filler or wood putty, allow it to cure completely, and then drill a new pilot hole for the screw.
Alternatively, a so-called “threaded insert for wood” (e.g., brass Helicoil type) can be used if the screw’s base has a standard thread. These inserts provide a permanent solution but are generally more common in professional settings.
In general, original spare parts from Ikea are sometimes available, so it might be worth asking Ikea for replacement furniture feet as a straightforward solution.
Summary:
1. Check the stability of the existing hole
2. Use wood glue + dowels for minor damage
3. Use wood filler to reduce hole size for more extensive damage
4. Consider a threaded wood insert
5. Spare part option through Ikea
This should help you find a suitable method for your problem.
Hello zeynel66,
I would like to share a brief guide on how I handle broken furniture legs on MALM furniture. It’s important to work step by step to ensure the repair lasts as well as possible:
1. Clean the leg and dresser from dirt, dust, or old glue residues.
2. Carefully inspect the damaged hole. Is it just enlarged or completely torn through?
3. If the thread is loose, brush wood glue into the hole. Then, be careful: soak small wooden pieces (e.g., toothpicks, wooden sticks) with some glue and insert them into the hole.
4. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly (at least 12 hours). This creates a strong bond.
5. After drying, carefully drill a new pilot hole. Don’t drill too large, to ensure a good hold for the screw.
6. Attach the screw with the furniture leg—ideally without overtightening, to avoid new wood splintering.
7. If the hole is too large, use wood filler before repeating steps 3 to 6.
8. If possible, you can also use furniture gliders or plate feet instead of the original legs, which sometimes provide a more stable attachment.
Mistakes to avoid:
- Simply using a larger screw without preparation. This often leads to further damage.
- Not waiting for the glue to dry!
I have repaired quite a few this way, and it has held firmly for months. I hope this helps you.
I would like to share a brief guide on how I handle broken furniture legs on MALM furniture. It’s important to work step by step to ensure the repair lasts as well as possible:
1. Clean the leg and dresser from dirt, dust, or old glue residues.
2. Carefully inspect the damaged hole. Is it just enlarged or completely torn through?
3. If the thread is loose, brush wood glue into the hole. Then, be careful: soak small wooden pieces (e.g., toothpicks, wooden sticks) with some glue and insert them into the hole.
4. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly (at least 12 hours). This creates a strong bond.
5. After drying, carefully drill a new pilot hole. Don’t drill too large, to ensure a good hold for the screw.
6. Attach the screw with the furniture leg—ideally without overtightening, to avoid new wood splintering.
7. If the hole is too large, use wood filler before repeating steps 3 to 6.
8. If possible, you can also use furniture gliders or plate feet instead of the original legs, which sometimes provide a more stable attachment.
Mistakes to avoid:
- Simply using a larger screw without preparation. This often leads to further damage.
- Not waiting for the glue to dry!
I have repaired quite a few this way, and it has held firmly for months. I hope this helps you.
B
bareynaldo24 Nov 2015 22:18HORST41 schrieb:
Then I switched to replacing the screws with longer and thicker ones. That’s exactly the mistake most people make. Using stronger screws actually damages the wood more because it increases the stress.
sarpa schrieb:
Spare parts from Ikea are sometimes available Spare parts? Forget about it. Ikea often leaves you stranded with such problems. Their products simply aren’t designed to be repaired, but to be replaced.
In my opinion: If a piece of furniture falls apart like that, it’s better to buy a new one or go for more solid alternatives. “Repairing” MALM legs is at best a temporary fix.
Sure, you can glue and fill, but how long will that last? A few months, maybe, but not more. If you want truly stable legs, replace them with metal feet with threaded fittings. They are solid, and the screws hold up even after years.
Just my provocative view—don’t be fooled by low cost.
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