Correcting drawers that are too wide/crooked/won't fully close.

Inserting drawers into your unit is the finish line, the grand finale, the homestretch. We hope for a happily ever after, but if that isn't the case, we can troubleshoot and determine the cause, then work with you to correct it. Whether drawers won't stay on track, or won't open or close smoothly, or if like this article, they seem crooked, too wide or won't fully close, there is usually a simple fix that doesn't involve starting over. This article focuses on drawers that won't fit within their frame, which can usually be answered by one of the following:

1. If drawers are rearranged, does the new drawer fit, or does the problem travel with the drawer?
2. Is the unit is square?
3. Are the widths of the opening(s) equal at the top and bottom? 
4. Do drawer fronts need adjustment so that they are no longer crooked?  

1. Play musical drawers and rearrange them. If the drawer that does not fit is moved to a different drawer slot and fits, problem solved! If the drawer does not fit in either opening, it's a good indication that the drawer is to blame, not the frame and we should be taking a closer look at it.  If you have a drawer slot that no drawer will work in, it's time to check the chassis. 

2. Ensure that the unit is square and that the back panel is properly attached. An improperly squared unit is far and away the most frequent source of drawer troubles. Diagonal measurement to diagonal measurement, your numbers should be within 1/16 of an inch of each other in order to be considered square. You can learn more about that by reading this article or by watching these helpful videos. 

3. Check the width of the opening(s) at top and bottom. It may sound redundant, but all same-size drawers should fit into slightly wider, same-size openings. The interior width at the top should equal the interior width at the bottom. Remove the drawers and measure the side-to-side width of each opening using a tape measure. 

If these measurements are not a match, the bottom may be towed in a little.

First:

Second: 

4. If the drawers fronts are crooked, most units include a drawer bracket that can be adjusted. This is the plastic piece that attaches the drawer front to the drawer sides. It may have one of several part numbers, but generally resembles one of the following:

Notice that the screw holes in this piece are oblong. By loosening the screws attaching this part to the drawer, you can move the drawer front up or down, so that it better fits in the frame surrounding it. Notice: there is no need to completely remove the screw; simply untightening it works best.

Drawers may be off in one of several ways. They could be too high, too low, or just crooked:

• If the drawer is only catching on one side, you can shift that side up or down, depending on which part of the frame it is hitting.
• If the drawer front hits the top of the frame, move the drawer front down.
• If the drawer front hits the bottom of the frame, adjust the drawer front up.

Key words: TC7015, TEV0011, TEV0023, TEV0024, TGO6513, TMP54520, TMP54530, TPB0041, TPB0046, TTA0028, TTA0030, A54510, A54520, A53520, A53510.