ᐅ What to do if your MALM bed frame squeaks even though the screws are tight?

Created on: 7 Apr 2023 08:13
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Sionpar
Hello everyone,

I have a Malm bed frame from Ikea that has recently started to squeak quite annoyingly. The issue is that I have already checked and tightened all the screws several times, but the squeaking persists. My question to the community is: What can I do if the Malm bed frame squeaks even though all the screws are tight? Are there common areas or causes that are not directly related to loose screws? I would like to fix this sustainably without having to do complicated repairs. Thank you in advance for your tips and experiences!
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Sionpar
8 Apr 2023 07:52
Danial schrieb:
Or whether a screw is tight but sits in an elongated drill hole, perhaps due to slight wear?

Thank you for this important tip. I bought the bed just under 5 years ago and have already rebuilt it twice during that time. It hadn’t occurred to me that there might be some play in the drill hole. I will carefully examine this with a flashlight and magnifying glass to see if I can spot anything.

Regarding the wooden dowels, you’re also making a good point. I will try to mark them or take the bed apart to check if they are firmly seated.

I will write again after testing to share if I found anything.
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Tobias
8 Apr 2023 08:25
I once had a problem with another bed where the slats didn’t fit tightly enough in the frame. They then moved on the sides and squeaked.

Check if your slats fit properly and snugly. Sometimes, attaching thin felt strips between the slatted frame and the bed frame can help.
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BiDennis
8 Apr 2023 09:16
Sionpar schrieb:
I will examine this carefully using a flashlight and magnifying glass

Good idea!

A small tip: If you find worn-out drill holes, you can repair them using some wood glue and small wooden dowels or toothpick pieces. Just apply the glue and filler, let it dry briefly, then insert the screw again – this will provide new grip and stabilize the whole area.

Good luck with that; these little repairs often make a big difference!

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
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karlau
9 Apr 2023 14:48
Let's be honest, constantly tightening screws rarely solves the problem. These beds simply aren’t designed to last forever. If the bed creaks after several years, some part of the material has likely fatigued or warped.

My advice: if you really don’t want to keep fiddling with it, get a new frame or at least replace the wooden slats. What’s the point of repeatedly fixing it if the frame is already slightly warped?

Of course, I know this isn’t a very popular opinion, but sometimes buying new is the most practical solution.