Hello everyone,
I checked the drawer slides on the drawers under my IKEA Malm bed because one of them often sticks and doesn’t open or close properly anymore. Specifically, I’m talking about the fully extended metal runners, some of which are bent or damaged in my case. Because of this, the drawers don’t slide smoothly and catch noticeably in certain spots.
I’m especially interested in what options are available to repair or replace the slides without having to disassemble the entire drawer or bed. Are there any proven methods, replacement parts, specific tools, or tricks you would recommend to restore proper function?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
I checked the drawer slides on the drawers under my IKEA Malm bed because one of them often sticks and doesn’t open or close properly anymore. Specifically, I’m talking about the fully extended metal runners, some of which are bent or damaged in my case. Because of this, the drawers don’t slide smoothly and catch noticeably in certain spots.
I’m especially interested in what options are available to repair or replace the slides without having to disassemble the entire drawer or bed. Are there any proven methods, replacement parts, specific tools, or tricks you would recommend to restore proper function?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
The drawer slides on MALM beds are standardized full-extension ball bearing slides. Once they are damaged or bent, the smooth operation is noticeably affected.
My advice:
1. Fully extend the drawer and check for visible damage (deformations, broken parts, or loose screws).
2. Tighten screws and carefully bend the slides back into shape with pliers if necessary.
3. When in doubt, order complete replacement slide sets from IKEA; replacement is possible without disassembling the bed frame if you remove the drawer completely from the carcass.
Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, pliers, and possibly lubricant (WD-40 or silicone spray) for the slides.
I recommend a complete slide replacement, as bent or damaged slides usually cause further issues in the long term.
My advice:
1. Fully extend the drawer and check for visible damage (deformations, broken parts, or loose screws).
2. Tighten screws and carefully bend the slides back into shape with pliers if necessary.
3. When in doubt, order complete replacement slide sets from IKEA; replacement is possible without disassembling the bed frame if you remove the drawer completely from the carcass.
Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, pliers, and possibly lubricant (WD-40 or silicone spray) for the slides.
I recommend a complete slide replacement, as bent or damaged slides usually cause further issues in the long term.
K
Keatondra18 Jan 2022 11:05Hello Ronfa,
I had a similar problem with my MALM bed. I can tell you that sometimes spraying the rails with a little silicone spray helps. It suddenly made the drawers slide much more smoothly for me.
If the rails are bent, you should first carefully straighten them – I used pliers and tried to bend the rail straight without applying too much pressure.
If that doesn’t work, you unfortunately need to replace the rails. IKEA offers the rails as spare parts, and you can also order them online. When removing them, it’s best to take the drawer out completely so the screws on the side are easier to access.
A tip: wear gloves because the metal edges on the rails can be sharp!
Good luck, I’m sure you’ll get it working again! 🙂
I had a similar problem with my MALM bed. I can tell you that sometimes spraying the rails with a little silicone spray helps. It suddenly made the drawers slide much more smoothly for me.
If the rails are bent, you should first carefully straighten them – I used pliers and tried to bend the rail straight without applying too much pressure.
If that doesn’t work, you unfortunately need to replace the rails. IKEA offers the rails as spare parts, and you can also order them online. When removing them, it’s best to take the drawer out completely so the screws on the side are easier to access.
A tip: wear gloves because the metal edges on the rails can be sharp!
Good luck, I’m sure you’ll get it working again! 🙂
Keatondra schrieb:
Sometimes it helps to spray the tracks with a bit of silicone spray. That’s brilliant! I never would have thought that such a small product could make such a difference!
I also had a problem with sticking and was thinking I'd have to replace everything. After trying silicone spray, the drawers now open and close very smoothly!
So, everyone, don’t hesitate—try the simple solutions first before considering a replacement! 🙂
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