Repairing Guides

how to repair soft close drawer slides

by Prof. Mallory Mayer II Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How to Fix Soft Close Drawer Slides Not Working?

  • Inspect Soft Close Mechanism. You should always start the troubleshooting process by checking the integrity of the soft-close mechanism itself.
  • Fix the Alignment. Alignment issues are also a common reason why you might run into issues like these. ...
  • Clean the Slides. ...

Part of a video titled Realigning Your Soft-Closing Drawers - YouTube
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And pull out the drawer with it fully extended. You'll notice two green tabs on the right side thisMoreAnd pull out the drawer with it fully extended. You'll notice two green tabs on the right side this tab is going to be pulled. Up on the left side it will push. Down now with a little bit of coaxing.

Full Answer

How to fix a soft close drawer slider?

Things You'll Need

  • Flashlight
  • Pliers
  • Screwdrivers
  • Spray lubricant

Why to choose soft closing drawer slides?

  • You’re getting 6 size variants to choose from.
  • Made of solid cold-rolled stainless steel for enhanced durability.
  • The zinc-plated coating protects the drawer from
  • Hydraulic soft-close ball bearings allow you to open and close the drawers smoothly.
  • The full-extension opening lets you have access to the entire drawer.

How do you fix a soft close drawer?

  • Remove the drawer from the mounted runners.
  • Clean the metal slides on the drawer with a soft cloth.
  • Tighten the screws used to mount the runners.
  • Place the drawer back on the mounted runners.
  • Unscrew and reposition the drawer dampers if the automatic closing drawer is slamming shut instead of soft-closing.

How do you repair drawer slides?

  • Open the drawer and pull out as far as possible.
  • Look on the side of the drawer glides for retention screws or clips.
  • Make sure the drawer is extended to the fully open position.
  • While lifting the front of the drawer, pull it forward.
  • Once the back of the drawer has cleared the cabinet, lift it off the tracks.

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How do you fix a self closing drawer slide?

0:302:07How to Fix a Soft Close Drawer Slider - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is on the cabinet. Slide this back on. Pull this out with the screwdriver. And now it'sMoreThis is on the cabinet. Slide this back on. Pull this out with the screwdriver. And now it's engaging again so when I pull it out. It will soft close on its own.

Do soft close drawers wear out?

Improved durability: Repetitive slamming can actually shorten the life of your cabinets and drawers. The soft closure feature ensures both cabinets and drawers are always shut properly, reducing the amount of wear and tear the drawer sustains and the need for maintenance.

Why are my soft close drawers hard to close?

Due to the normal wear and tear or wrong installation, soft closing cabinet drawers may sometime present some challenges when closing. They may either bang or drag when closing, and this means that something is wrong with the slides or the runners. It could also mean the drawer box was built out of square.

How do you fix drawer slides with ball bearings?

1:092:27How To - Fix Ball Bearing Strips on Drawer Slider - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right so just keep feeding it through keep feeding it through. Now you'll see there's these twoMoreAll right so just keep feeding it through keep feeding it through. Now you'll see there's these two tabs at the back that actually keep the ball bearings from going all the way through.

Why are my drawer slides binding?

There are two reasons that a slide may fell tight on a side mount slide. Both have to do with the space between the drawer piece of the slide and cabinet piece. If the drawer is too narrow, the slide will bind up along the inside of the track. If the drawer is too wide, it will bind up along the outside of the track.

How do you adjust drawers that won't stay closed?

If you can easily wiggle it up and down while you're pulling, that's an indication of a loose fastener. Put the drawer on a level surface, and set a torpedo level on one of the glides. If the glide is loose, move it up or down with your fingers until the bubble is centered, then tighten the screws with a screwdriver.

How do you adjust a soft close damper?

1:503:41Soft Close Damper Adjustable for Cabinet Doors LocksOnline Product ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo as these spring in your in your hinge. Takes over and starts to get bring the door into slammingMoreSo as these spring in your in your hinge. Takes over and starts to get bring the door into slamming into position you would then adjust that so there's a little bit of momentum.

What are ball bearing drawer slides?

Ball-bearing slides make use of ball bearings instead of rollers to allow for the telescopic motion. They consist of three members and two sets of ball bearings that interface between each member. As the mechanism extends, the ball bearings allow each member to slide pass each other until fully extended.

How do you put ball bearings back together?

0:533:52Easy Way to Put Skate Bearings Back Together - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then you're going to want to take your outer right or your inner race. And come in at an angle.MoreAnd then you're going to want to take your outer right or your inner race. And come in at an angle. And then push this way and then flatten it.

How do ball bearing slides work?

0:001:45Drawer Slide Tutorial: Ball Bearing vs. Roller Style - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSlides are able to open and close so easily because of their mechanism. The two most common types ofMoreSlides are able to open and close so easily because of their mechanism. The two most common types of mechanisms are ball bearing and roller ball bearing slides are made from high-grade steel.

Are soft close drawers worth it?

Soft close hinges are a must for all drawers in environments where children our present. And it's not just safer for the kids. The soft close feature extends the life of your cabinet or drawers by protecting them from blunt force trauma. It puts minimal stress on the hinges, drawer rails and drawer stops.

Why won't my kitchen drawer stay closed?

If your kitchen drawers will not stay closed, you do not have to replace the drawers to correct the problem. Damaged, loose or misaligned drawer slides allow a drawer to slide back open after closing. Repairing or replacing the drawer's slides will keep it closed after you shut it.

How to fix a soft close drawer slide?

According to some users, you can realign the slides by firmly tugging at them a few times. If you are lucky then that will fix the drawer glides. However, if you’re still stuck in the same problem then you might need to take out the drawer and adjust the runners again. That should fix the gliding problem with your soft-close drawer slides.

What to do if drawer slides are defective?

On the off chance, if they are defective, then the only fix is to get yourself a new pair and replace the current drawer slides.

Why is my drawer not closing?

If the drawer is not closing all the way, then the issue is most probably related to dirt entrapped in the drawer slides.

How to clean a slide?

You can clean the slides by removing the drawer and then using a brush to remove any dirt or gunk from the slides.

What is soft close on a drawer?

The soft-close feature makes it possible for the customers to extend the life of their units. With the soft-close, you won’t have to worry about the drawers being slammed into place. This feature takes over mid-way of closing the drawer and ensures that the drawer goes softly into its proper place.

What to do if you can't find any physical damage to the pin?

So, even if you can’t find any physical damage to the pin, you should try messing around with the mechanism to find the defects which are creating this problem.

Is soft close good for motorhomes?

If you want to keep your units in perfect condition, then the soft-close feature is a worthwhile investment. You won’t have to spend a lot of money on it, and you will be able to substantially extend the life of units installed in your motorhome.

How to fix a broken drawer slide?

To fix a broken drawer slide try adjusting the drawer slides to see if that will solve the problem. If not you can easily and inexpensively replace them. A drawer in your kitchen or bathroom that doesn’t open smoothly is annoying. It’s possible to repair or replace the drawer slides to make them glide with ease.

How to put drawer slides on cabinets?

Take your new drawer slides out of the packaging and read the labels to sort them into sets of right and left hardware. Attach your tracks and slides to the cabinets and drawers with your driver with the screws that came with the new hardware. Make sure you don’t over tighten the adjustment screws which are located at each end. Place screws in these areas but don’t tighten them down.

How to fix a drawer that is sticking?

Slide the drawer into and out of the cabinetry and pay close attention to if it is straight, rubbing anywhere, or if it is sticking. If so make sure you loosen the adjustment screws in the oval shaped holes and tap it in the direction which will resolve the problem. Always test and adjust until the drawer slides easily and smoothly, then tighten down your adjustment screws.

How to replace slides and tracks?

To replace your slides and tracks you need to identify the type of slide you have, make sure you either identify what size you have or measure, and then disconnect the drawer and replace the hardware.

What is a side mount drawer slide?

Side-mount drawer slides are mounted on the side of the drawer box and telescope out to allow the drawer to extend further than a bottom mount drawer slide. These drawer slides are generally rated to handle more weight and are attached either half way up the side of the box, or at the bottom. To know for sure which design you have, if it doesn’t telescope, it isn’t a side mount drawer slide.

How to take out drawers from cabinet?

Take the drawer out of the cabinet by removing all of the screws. Make sure you buy new slides of the same design and have openings that match the size and position of the screws. It saves a lot of effort if you use a handheld power tool to remove the hardware. Ensure that you set the tension lower when reattaching your screws to prevent splintering of your drawers.

What are the labels on drawer slides?

After you’ve removed your old hardware inspect your new slides for stamps. You will find markings DL (drawer left) AND DR (drawer right). You will also see pieces that connect your drawer to the cabinetry marked with CL (cabinet left) and CR (cabinet right).

Why won't my drawer slide move?

Screws can often come loose over time. When drawer slides aren’t attached to the sides (or bottom) of your drawer properly , the drawer won’t move smoothly anymore. Consider the condition of your drawer slides before pursuing this next step. If they’re in good condition and the screws are the sole problem, get some wood glue before re-tightening the screws. Put some wood glue in the whole and tighten the screws for a seamless and secure attachment.

How to fix a drawer that is bent?

Often times, the bend can be smoothed out by re-shaping the slide. First you’ll have to carefully remove the slides from the drawer and drawer box. Use pliers to reshape the drawer slides and smooth out any warped areas. Clean and replace the slides, and you should have a functioning drawer again.

What are roller wheels on a slide?

The roller wheels to the slides are essential for smooth running, especially with soft-closing or self-close drawer slides. If the wheels are just roughed up or mildly damaged, some grease and cleaning should put the wheel back into to normal rolling shape. However if the wheel has been worn down to a more flat edge, or if it’s completely broken, you’ll need to completely replace your drawer slides. The roller wheels are riveted to the body of the slide and cannot be replaced individually.

vjhahn New Member

I have soft closing drawers in my kitchen. A drawer started making a sort of ping or click when I open it and I noticed it wasn't closing all the way by itself anymore. I figured out how to take the drawer out. I found the gas pistons at the rear of the gliders and discovered that the left piston is working properly but the right one is not.

chippie244 Super Member

I can't tell anything from your description or photo's but have a look on Woodfit's website.

Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select

You should be able to look at the working catch, and figure out what needs doing to the non-working catch to fix it. You can do it, trust me.

vjhahn New Member

I have looked at the working catch and compared them, which is why I'm stumped. I don't see any difference that should be causing the right catch not to work.

snezza31 New Member

What make of drawer runner is it? Are there any names written on it anywhere?

vjhahn New Member

It is hard to tell, but I don't think so. I took the drawer off again and found DTC 533 on the rail. A google search turned up: http://dtc.gmc.globalmarket.com/products/details/dtc-full-extension-under-mount-slide-376391.html I didn't really find any trouble shooting information on that site however. maybe I should just buy a new one? Thanks, Val

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