We have a Z-Gallerie bedroom set we purchased on Craigslist and recently one of the drawer slides on one of the dressers came apart. Â The ball bearings dumped in the drawer (and they are always greasy to pick up) and so I just took off the slide and collected the parts and went to the internet to see if I can find a replacement. Â I tried contacting Z-Gallerie but I could not tell them what model of dresser this is and it is not manufactured anymore so they were not any help and with not much luck in finding a replacement drawer glide (and with ALL the options to consider of length, thickness, height, and more), I decided to repair it…
How to Repair the Drawer Slides on a Z-Gallerie Dresser
Hardware:
- Z-Gallerie 6-Drawer Dresser
Tools Needed:
- Heavy Needle-Nose Pliers
- Channel-Lock Pliers
- Vice (optional)
Drawer Slide Dimensions
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| Z-Gallerie Drawer Slide |
I then decided I was going to try to repair them…
Step 1: Locate all the drawer glide bearings.
I counted the ball bearings I had recovered and realized that there should be 12/slide and after going over the carpet with a magnet (a rare-earth one I harvested out of a hard drive) I was able to locate 20 of them and I determined that would be enough. Â I measured the bearings and their diameter is 0.118″ as seen below:
Step 2: Carefully bend open the metal rails.
After playing around with how they fit back together and what (is supposed) to hold them together I decide I was going to lightly bend open the ends of the outer rail as seen below, so I can re-insert the bearings:
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| Plastic bearing guide (has 3 holes in each side for the bearings) |
Step 3: Re-insert the plastic bearing guide and bearings.
Insert the plastic part that holds the bearings, inserting the bearings in pairs as I slide the parts together. Â Make sure to place the plastic bearing guide on the inner rail oriented in a way so the tab on the inner rail keeps the bearing guide from sliding off the end (the metal tab should stop it from sliding off). Â Gradually insert the inner rail, pressing the bearings down into their holes as you go:
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| Inserting the first pair of ball bearings |
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| Inserting the second pair of ball bearings |
Repeat the process for the third set (that is, if you have them–I did not).
Step 4: Bend back the metal rails.
Push the slide all the way together and then gently squeeze the outer rail back into shape. Â Be careful not to bend it too far because then the drawer will bind when you are pulling it out to the end of its travel.
Step 5: Repeat as necessary.
I took the second rail off the drawer and it came apart as well so I had to repair them both. Â Once I figured out how to do it, it was easy though:
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| The repaired rails. |
Now you saved the $20 bucks you couldn’t spend on the replacement rails (since you can’t find them anywhere like me) on what is most likely a $600 dresser. Â We didn’t pay that for the whole set and that’s why we love Craigslist. Â Mission accomplished.
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Thank you for this! I had an ikea alex drawer with the exact same problem and was able to fix it with this info.
Oh good, thanks for sharing Wendy and good work on fixing your drawer.
Thank you so much. Put the slides back together and ordered from Harwaretree just in case.
Thank you. I just managed to fix my drawer slide. Saved me going out and finding the exact size! Brilliant post
Yes, I dug through every clothing item in the dresser until I came up with 16 ball bearings. The glides would normally use 24, but I took your suggestion and used 16. It works perfectly. I decided to put rarely used clothing items in this drawer… Right now, gym attire. 🙂
John, thank you so much for your detailed instructions. My Ikea dresser slide came apart with ball bearings going everywhere. I could not find a 17 mm replacement. I could order one online but it was ridiculously expensive. Ikea was of no help. Your instructions were perfect. So this 68-year-old woman is very much appreciative for sharing your knowledge on how to fix ball bearing drawer slides.
You are so welcome Jill, we have another one that my wife turned over to me, with only the plastic part that holds the bearings (but no bearings). I’ve hunted the floor (and drawers below) more than once trying to track down at least 4 bearings for each slide–you don’t have to have all 6 or 8 or however many you originally get. Thanks for leaving a note!
Hi, I can’t get the ends pried apart with the pliers. I just can’t budge it cause I guess I’m not strong enough. Can you suggest a way to leverage them apart? Thank you.
You will need to be able to pry them apart AND bend them back so I don’t know what to say. Maybe you can get someone to help you?
I was extremely determined and got them apart and was able to fix them! These instructions saved me having to buy new slides. That would have been a nightmare – trying to find the right ones. Thanks!
It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we are determined! Thanks for sharing your success–it will encourage others that they can do it too.
OMG, I am so glad i stumbled across this! I have a dresser found on CL too. Same everything, but what I’m confused about is once you’ve fixed the slide what were you attaching it to, the outside of the drawer or the inside of the dresser? Did you fix it attached to one of them and then install it or separate from both? And then how do you attach the other side of the drawer slide to either the inside of the dresser or the outside of the drawer (depending on which one you installed the slide on first)? I hope this isn’t too confusing. Thank you in advance for any advice you can give and double thank you for the advice you’ve already given!
Thanks for the comment. It would be very difficult to repair while attached to the dresser. I fixed it with both parts of the drawer slide removed from the dresser (and drawer). To reinstall first attach it to the dresser, second extend the drawer slide, and third attach it to the drawer. Hopefully this helps and let me know if you have any other questions.
Thank u! I can visualize what your describing. Gonna give it a shot!
This is awesome! Thank you, I was ready to give up in despair about fixing my slide drawer.
Thanks for your comment–I’m glad I was able to help!
hi the plastic slider that holds the balls is broken so the metal thin slide which slides into the bigger slide doesn't fit it falls out . what can i do ive googled for replacements but i need 17mm depth and 545mm lengh closed please help .
HELP! I don't fully understand your instructions… I need a more simple explanation please.
This part in particular I don't understand "Make sure to place the plastic bearing guide on the inner rail so the tab on the inner rail keeps the bearing guide from coming off the end."
I have a dresser and armoire that have basically come apart & the drawers are sliding around on the track. I pulled out a drawer that wasn't working tonight & found that the track came apart and all the ball bearings came out and I need to figure out how to put it back together. I am assuming I have the same problem with all the drawers that are sliding around.
Please help so I can do this myself. I don't have the money to get them fixed so I need to do it myself.
Thanks so much!!
I added a picture to point out the plastic bearing guide. From what I remember, depending on where you put it over the metal track, it will either slip off the end when you slide it or it will catch on the metal tab of the internal track–make sure it catches or is on the inside of the tab so it hits and doesn't slide off.
I was able to get it fixed! hopefully it lasts… thanks so much!
That's great to hear–take care.
Found the slides and ordered the 17 1/4" ones – a bit long but should work
here is the link to lee valley tools
http://www.leevalley.com/US/Hardware/page.aspx?p=40591&cat=3,43614,43616&ap=2
Steve, did you have success in replacing your Z Gallerie drawer slides with the Lee Valley ones?
Steve, thanks for the link– were you installing these on a Z-Gallerie Dresser? How did they work out? I'd love to hear how it turned out.
I have also been in the search for Ikea hardware and found this link. I haven't ordered yet – but thought id share the link http://www.hardwaretree.com/proddetail.php?prod=DSP-8817%2F373 – hope this helps everyone – good luck everyone (John, your blog was very helpful – thank you again)
If you do order from hardwaretree let us know how it goes and how they fit. Thanks for the lead.
I finally ordered from Rufkahrs the link of what i ordered : http://www.hardwaretree.com/proddetail.php?prod=DSP-8817%2F373 It worked perfectly for the Ikea dresser we have, which are the same sliders you have pictured above. Thank you again for your blog. We found it really helpful.
Thanks for letting me know. That will be useful for anyone who cannot repair them or has lost all the ball bearings. Good job!
Well…. I was just shooting to make someone's day. I'm glad I was able to help. You probably would have been able to buy replacements from Ikea but in my case, Z Gallerie was impossible to work with. For future reference, you can request replacement (or missing) parts from Ikea at: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/customer_service/contact_us/hardware.html
Your instructions just made my week! I moved my cheap ikea dresser this week and in the process a drawer slide broke. I've been unable to get a replacement but now I've fixed it thanks to your awesome post!