Hackers Help: Expedit Help Needed

Ed·
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I got to this next to last step assembling this shelving unit and the two screws won’t go in. I tried the screws in the other corner and they work there so the screw isn’t the issue. Does anyone know how big of a wood piece they put in the corners (see circle noted by ‘A’)? If it is big enough maybe I can put in my own screw(s) offset from the hole they have in there.

Ed
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28 Responses

  1. I lost these screws while moving and my local ikea said they stopped carrying this screw! Any ideas?! Does anyone have the screw measurements? Maybe I can pick up from a hardware store. Thanks!

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  2. I work for IKEA, where I do the assembly of all the furniture in our showroom.
    So I’ve assembled quite a lot of Expedit and Kallax units.
    It’s always easier if you can use a screw gun, so you can put more pressure on the screws, but of course it’s also possible to assemble it with just the allen key.
    But the trick is to make it stand up and put in the first screw in one corner (but don’t screw it in all the way, just enough so you can feel the tension on the screw) and then screw in the one on the diagonally opposite corner, after that you can do the same for the other two screws.
    If you have done that, you can tighten all 4 screws.
    Hopefully this will work for you too, and if not, I’m sure they can always assist you in your local IKEA.

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  3. Loosen the screws on the other side of the picture–I just had the same problem…It gives you the extra room you need to get the screws in – then re-tighten the other side.

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  6. How are the holes misaligned, front-back or side-side? Are both top & bottom panel having the same issue? You could try loosen the other end and start with the problematic end first. A good estimate of how thick the wood blocking is take the length of the screw and subtract the thickness of the adjacent panel. But before hacking away, I would consider taking the part back to IKEA for a replacement due to poor quality control. No one should use brute force on a Particleboard fixture.

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  8. Just put the screws in the holes and give them a couple good whacks with a hammer. They’ll go in and you’ll be able to screw them in the rest of the way. I’ve done this at least 4 times with Expedit units that weren’t properly lined up. Works like a charm.

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  10. If the screws are tight I would rub the threads on a bar of soap to reduce friction. When building IKEA furniture I typically use my screw gun to speed things up, however be sure to avoid stripping or over tightening screws by using a screw gun with an adjustable clutch.

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  12. Did you put the top shelves/cubbies the wrong way? The top wood piece that make up the cubby holes could be upside down. I did this too and once I flipped them the right way and switched them around I could put the screws in. You shouldn’t have to use force to get the screws in because I definitely didn’t. Also I only used 2 screws on the top of my unit- one in the right front corner one in the back left corner.

    Good luck! That thing was a nightmare to put together

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  14. I had the same problem with mine, and the solution was to put something under the shelf to lift it just some mm from the floor. Then the holes will line up correctly…
    And before that make sure you get the shelves tightly in place all the way.

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  16. It’s been awhile…Are the screw holes at the front the same distance from the corners as the holes in the rear? If they’re not at a equal distance, pop that piece off and try flipping it around and see if the holes line up. If that doesn’t work, try inserting the screws through each corner until they pop through by half an inch or so. That way you can see how close they come to lining up with the pre drilled holes. If they’re really close you might have to finesse it together. I seem to remember having to loosen everything up a bit to give me a little movement where I needed it and then tighten it all up after everything was fitted. OR disregard the last few sentences and just drill new pilot holes into the piece you have marked ”A” using the holes in the other piece to determine drill bit size and to guide you in, that way you can use the screws you already have. Sorry if this was too long. Good luck!

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    2. So, you’re saying the pilot hole is too small? I don’t think the holes are actually threaded, I think as you drive in the screw it threads the hole. Can you post a picture of the hole?

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  20. I had the same problem but didn’t think to put it upright … The piece fits together very tightly. It took me and my partner together – him pulling the pieces in the direction that will align the holes, and me quickly screwing them together when the brute-strength method finally worked.

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  21. I had the same problem with the last 2 screws. After trying a bunch if things that didn’t work, I eventually stood it upright. This allowed the pieces to line up better and they screwed in immediately.

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