Hello everyone,
I have noticed that the screws in several Billy shelves tend to loosen or come out completely after some time. My question is: why does this happen?
I’m not referring to poor assembly or overloading, but even with normal use, the screws seem to come loose on their own. Could this be due to the design, the material of the screws, or possibly the way the screws are inserted into the wood? Might it also be related to everyday vibrations?
I would appreciate it if someone could explain the causes, either from experience or a technical perspective, since this seems to happen quite often and doesn’t appear to be an isolated case.
I have noticed that the screws in several Billy shelves tend to loosen or come out completely after some time. My question is: why does this happen?
I’m not referring to poor assembly or overloading, but even with normal use, the screws seem to come loose on their own. Could this be due to the design, the material of the screws, or possibly the way the screws are inserted into the wood? Might it also be related to everyday vibrations?
I would appreciate it if someone could explain the causes, either from experience or a technical perspective, since this seems to happen quite often and doesn’t appear to be an isolated case.
I would like to raise a critical question here:
"I am not referring to cases where the shelf is poorly assembled or overloaded, but even with proper use, the screws seem to loosen by themselves."
How exactly is "proper use" defined? Without specific information on load limits or assembly instructions, this statement is difficult to assess.
From a technical perspective, several factors could be involved: Wood is a natural material that can expand and contract depending on humidity, causing stress in the wood and potentially leading to some loosening. Also, the screws used (usually electro-galvanized) are not designed to prevent long-term movement if vibrations or minor stresses occur repeatedly.
Furthermore, there is some clearance between the thread and the wood – this can sometimes cause a loss of clamping force.
Could we check the assembly instructions from IKEA or get more detailed model information to better understand this issue?
"I am not referring to cases where the shelf is poorly assembled or overloaded, but even with proper use, the screws seem to loosen by themselves."
How exactly is "proper use" defined? Without specific information on load limits or assembly instructions, this statement is difficult to assess.
From a technical perspective, several factors could be involved: Wood is a natural material that can expand and contract depending on humidity, causing stress in the wood and potentially leading to some loosening. Also, the screws used (usually electro-galvanized) are not designed to prevent long-term movement if vibrations or minor stresses occur repeatedly.
Furthermore, there is some clearance between the thread and the wood – this can sometimes cause a loss of clamping force.
Could we check the assembly instructions from IKEA or get more detailed model information to better understand this issue?
It’s great that you’re already sharing so many details here! 🙂
I had exactly the same problem at first, and I thought I had done something wrong! But you’re right, the type of wood really makes a big difference – particleboard just isn’t that sturdy.
I then placed small rubber pads under the feet to reduce vibrations, and sure enough, it really improved!
I hope you keep at it – with tips like these, you can definitely get it under control! :-)
I had exactly the same problem at first, and I thought I had done something wrong! But you’re right, the type of wood really makes a big difference – particleboard just isn’t that sturdy.
I then placed small rubber pads under the feet to reduce vibrations, and sure enough, it really improved!
I hope you keep at it – with tips like these, you can definitely get it under control! :-)
Victor54 schrieb:
Wood is a natural material that expands and contracts depending on humidity levelsI agree with that. However, I also see the assembly method involving angle brackets or screws combined with the material as another factor: IKEA often uses so-called cam connectors for screw joints. These connectors do not provide the same stability as solid wood screws in real wood, which can lead to more play and gradual loosening.
SUPE2 schrieb:
The loosening of screws in Billy shelves is mostly due to the properties of particleboardAdditionally, particleboard is not very dimensionally stable over time, especially when it fluctuates – the material itself loses the holding strength of the screw.
Therefore, the issue of “self-loosening” screws is quite understandable, but the construction method and the types of connectors used also play a role.
pilous schrieb:
IKEA often uses so-called caps for the screw connections\Thank you for the tip. I had already considered those connectors. The wood itself obviously doesn’t hold the screws very firmly, but the combination of a metal connector and the screw seems to be crucial here.
Victor54 schrieb:
Wood is a natural material that experiences dimensional changes depending on humidity\I find the humidity aspect particularly plausible because it occurs especially often in rooms with fluctuating moisture, like kitchens or basements.
Would you recommend regularly retightening the screws to prevent loosening, or are there other mechanical solutions such as thread lockers for screws?
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