ᐅ Why doesn't the drawer of the MALM bed close completely anymore?
Created on: 29 Dec 2020 18:37
P
potielHello forum,
I have a Malm bed with drawers underneath, which have always closed smoothly until now. Recently, one of the drawers no longer closes completely; it stays open by about 3-4 cm (1-1.5 inches) even though I push it all the way in. There doesn’t seem to be any mechanical obstruction, and the drawer is not misaligned on its track, but something is clearly holding it back.
I suspect it might be related to the drawer slide, possibly a warped rail or a minor internal defect. I also checked for any items stuck inside, but found nothing.
Has anyone had similar experiences with Malm beds or knows what could cause such a problem? Is there possibly a way to adjust or repair the drawer slides yourself?
I look forward to any tips and explanations, thanks in advance!
I have a Malm bed with drawers underneath, which have always closed smoothly until now. Recently, one of the drawers no longer closes completely; it stays open by about 3-4 cm (1-1.5 inches) even though I push it all the way in. There doesn’t seem to be any mechanical obstruction, and the drawer is not misaligned on its track, but something is clearly holding it back.
I suspect it might be related to the drawer slide, possibly a warped rail or a minor internal defect. I also checked for any items stuck inside, but found nothing.
Has anyone had similar experiences with Malm beds or knows what could cause such a problem? Is there possibly a way to adjust or repair the drawer slides yourself?
I look forward to any tips and explanations, thanks in advance!
Hello potiel,
I am familiar with this issue, and it is not uncommon for MALM drawers to stop closing completely after some time, even though everything appears to be functioning smoothly.
There can be several causes for this:
1. The rollers or guide rails may be slightly bent or dirty, causing minor resistance that prevents the drawer from closing fully.
2. The drawer might be slightly warped, for example due to uneven loading or material deformation over time.
3. Sometimes the mounting hardware or a small screw can jam or loosen due to vibration or use.
My advice: remove the drawer completely and carefully inspect the rails and rollers. Clean all moving parts thoroughly with a dry cloth to remove dust and fresh dirt. Also check that all screws are tight. Afterwards, apply a light coating of silicone-based lubricant (avoid oils that attract dust).
If that doesn’t help, adjusting the guides slightly may be useful—carefully straighten or realign the metal rails. This requires some tact.
Let me know if you need more details.
I am familiar with this issue, and it is not uncommon for MALM drawers to stop closing completely after some time, even though everything appears to be functioning smoothly.
potiel schrieb:
Mechanically, nothing seems to be blocking, and it doesn’t run crooked in the track, but something obviously stops it.
There can be several causes for this:
1. The rollers or guide rails may be slightly bent or dirty, causing minor resistance that prevents the drawer from closing fully.
2. The drawer might be slightly warped, for example due to uneven loading or material deformation over time.
3. Sometimes the mounting hardware or a small screw can jam or loosen due to vibration or use.
My advice: remove the drawer completely and carefully inspect the rails and rollers. Clean all moving parts thoroughly with a dry cloth to remove dust and fresh dirt. Also check that all screws are tight. Afterwards, apply a light coating of silicone-based lubricant (avoid oils that attract dust).
If that doesn’t help, adjusting the guides slightly may be useful—carefully straighten or realign the metal rails. This requires some tact.
Let me know if you need more details.
RON57 schrieb:
Fully remove the drawer and carefully inspect the slides and rollers.This approach is correct and methodical. It is important to systematically rule out possible causes of failure. In addition to cleaning and lubricating, as RON57 mentioned, you should also check the following points:
- Are the guides securely screwed to the bed frame? A loose screw can significantly affect functionality.
- Has anything been changed or installed near the drawer that might slightly limit its sliding range?
- The bottom of the drawer might be slightly warped; to check this, you can remove the empty drawer and carefully reinstall it.
In general, with MALM beds, proper adjustment of the pull-out mechanism is crucial, as even small deviations can cause blockages. If all visible causes have been eliminated, a slight replacement of the drawer slides might be useful; these are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace.
Practical tip: Do not force the drawer closed, as this can permanently damage the drawer front or the slides.
S
SauDietmar30 Dec 2020 10:07Hello potiel,
I would like to add my experience, as the issue of a MALM bed drawer not closing completely has many aspects. Assuming you have already removed the drawer, checked and cleaned the slides and rollers, here is a brief step-by-step guide for troubleshooting and fixing the problem:
1. Fully extend and unload: The drawer should be completely emptied and pulled out of the frame.
2. Check the drawer slides:
• Inspect both sides carefully for small cracks, bent parts, or missing plastic end caps, as these can prevent the drawer from closing fully.
• The slides often have small clips – if these come loose, they can sometimes block movement.
3. Check adjustment:
• The MALM bed drawer slides can be adjusted using two small screws on the side. Slightly loosening these screws and repositioning can improve the drawer’s alignment and clear any jams.
4. Identify mechanical issues:
• Dirt or small foreign objects at the back of the frame can block the final part of the drawer’s travel.
• Also check if the drawer front is perfectly parallel to the frame when inserted – a misaligned drawer can get stuck.
5. Lubrication:
• Use a dry lubricant or WD-40 sparingly (not too much!) to improve sliding performance. Oil attracts dust, so silicone or PTFE sprays are better.
If all these steps fail, there may be damage to the slides or rollers, in which case replacement is recommended. Spare parts are available directly from IKEA or third-party suppliers.
Summary: The problem usually comes down to slight misalignment, dirt, or loose screws. Patience and thorough checking are key.
Good luck with the repair! 🙂
I would like to add my experience, as the issue of a MALM bed drawer not closing completely has many aspects. Assuming you have already removed the drawer, checked and cleaned the slides and rollers, here is a brief step-by-step guide for troubleshooting and fixing the problem:
1. Fully extend and unload: The drawer should be completely emptied and pulled out of the frame.
2. Check the drawer slides:
• Inspect both sides carefully for small cracks, bent parts, or missing plastic end caps, as these can prevent the drawer from closing fully.
• The slides often have small clips – if these come loose, they can sometimes block movement.
3. Check adjustment:
• The MALM bed drawer slides can be adjusted using two small screws on the side. Slightly loosening these screws and repositioning can improve the drawer’s alignment and clear any jams.
4. Identify mechanical issues:
• Dirt or small foreign objects at the back of the frame can block the final part of the drawer’s travel.
• Also check if the drawer front is perfectly parallel to the frame when inserted – a misaligned drawer can get stuck.
5. Lubrication:
• Use a dry lubricant or WD-40 sparingly (not too much!) to improve sliding performance. Oil attracts dust, so silicone or PTFE sprays are better.
If all these steps fail, there may be damage to the slides or rollers, in which case replacement is recommended. Spare parts are available directly from IKEA or third-party suppliers.
Summary: The problem usually comes down to slight misalignment, dirt, or loose screws. Patience and thorough checking are key.
Good luck with the repair! 🙂
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