Hello everyone, I have a problem with an IKEA Malm dresser, specifically: the drawer no longer closes properly. It stops about 2 cm (1 inch) before fully closing and gets stuck there, so I can’t push it any further.
I have already checked if something is blocking it – nothing is visibly obstructing. The drawer slides also don’t appear to be bent. However, the sticking only happens on one side, the right one.
Has anyone experienced this issue? Are there common causes or repair methods when a Malm drawer doesn’t close correctly? I would appreciate any helpful tips.
I have already checked if something is blocking it – nothing is visibly obstructing. The drawer slides also don’t appear to be bent. However, the sticking only happens on one side, the right one.
Has anyone experienced this issue? Are there common causes or repair methods when a Malm drawer doesn’t close correctly? I would appreciate any helpful tips.
dra47 schrieb:
One question about that: How exactly can I detect misalignment?I had this once; at first glance, everything seemed properly installed. Only when I fully removed the drawer and compared both slides did I notice that one slide was slightly sagging downward.
Usually, it’s a difference of just a few millimeters (a fraction of an inch) that causes jamming. You can often tell because a drawer becomes difficult to slide in or tends to get stuck at an angle.
Maybe just compare the slides side by side to see if the spacing and attachment are identical. That usually clarifies things.
As a supplement, here is a simple guide that has proven effective when Malm drawers do not close properly:
Step 1: Fully extend and remove the drawer.
Step 2: Check both drawer slides for dirt and clean them with a dry cloth if necessary.
Step 3: Check the screws on the slides for tightness and tighten them if needed.
Step 4: Inspect whether the slides or mounting brackets are bent or worn.
Step 5: When reinserting, make sure the slide fits precisely on the cabinet’s guide rails.
These steps usually help prevent sticking. If the problem continues, replacing the slides might be advisable. IKEA offers individual replacement slides, which is a cost-effective option.
Step 1: Fully extend and remove the drawer.
Step 2: Check both drawer slides for dirt and clean them with a dry cloth if necessary.
Step 3: Check the screws on the slides for tightness and tighten them if needed.
Step 4: Inspect whether the slides or mounting brackets are bent or worn.
Step 5: When reinserting, make sure the slide fits precisely on the cabinet’s guide rails.
These steps usually help prevent sticking. If the problem continues, replacing the slides might be advisable. IKEA offers individual replacement slides, which is a cost-effective option.
LAURE-TA schrieb:
Check the screws on the rail for tightness and retighten if necessary.I will take care of this over the weekend. I have two additional questions:
1. Is it possible that a screw tightened too much puts the rail under tension, causing the drawer to stick?
2. If I need to replace a sliding rail, is there any experience regarding whether third-party replacements are of comparable quality, or should I buy the original part from IKEA?
Thanks for the helpful explanations so far!
Regarding point 1: Yes, overtightening a screw can easily deform a track and affect the running direction, which then leads to jamming. Screws should be tightened securely by hand without over-torquing.
Regarding point 2: Original parts from IKEA usually fit perfectly and are cost-effective. Replacements can vary; some are usable, others of lower quality. If you value durability and precise fit, I recommend using the original replacement parts.
Additionally: Check whether the plastic gliders inside the track are still intact – their wear also causes poor running performance.
Regarding point 2: Original parts from IKEA usually fit perfectly and are cost-effective. Replacements can vary; some are usable, others of lower quality. If you value durability and precise fit, I recommend using the original replacement parts.
Additionally: Check whether the plastic gliders inside the track are still intact – their wear also causes poor running performance.
Thanks to everyone for all the support! After a thorough inspection yesterday, I found the following:
The right running rail was slightly bent, and one of the screws was only half threaded into the wood, which caused the rail to loosen slightly. Additionally, the plastic gliders on the rail were worn out.
I tightened the screws, carefully straightened the rail, and replaced the black glide elements (original replacements from IKEA). Since then, the drawer has been closing smoothly again.
For anyone facing similar issues: it really pays off to be systematic. Even if it doesn’t look serious at first glance, small details can be the cause.
Thanks again to everyone who helped here – I learned a lot and will pay better attention to these details in the future. 🙂
The right running rail was slightly bent, and one of the screws was only half threaded into the wood, which caused the rail to loosen slightly. Additionally, the plastic gliders on the rail were worn out.
I tightened the screws, carefully straightened the rail, and replaced the black glide elements (original replacements from IKEA). Since then, the drawer has been closing smoothly again.
For anyone facing similar issues: it really pays off to be systematic. Even if it doesn’t look serious at first glance, small details can be the cause.
Thanks again to everyone who helped here – I learned a lot and will pay better attention to these details in the future. 🙂
Similar topics