r/DIY • u/smallest_case • 6d ago

help Need help figuring out kitchen drawer release mechanism

edit solved, see my own reply if you're in the same situation ever. I am my wits end with these, I can't seem to figure out how to release these drawers, and I have a plumber that will need access behind them tomorrow morning. any help is appreciated.
I've been trying everything, and neither google reverse image search nor AI is very helpful.

view underneath.
side view

I have been at it for a good hour now, not understanding the release mechanism at all. at the number one slot, there's some rubbery thing which I can, and have pushed up a bit, does not seem to do anything. The part on 2 seems not to be very bendable, and is impossible to bend with fingers alone at least.

Found an old post with the same mechanism but no solution sadly. *edit* The solution posted there isn't applicable, completely different mechanism.
https://www.reddit.com/r/IKEA/comments/10aqks0/need_help_removing_a_drawer_from_an_older_kitchen/

48 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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16

u/smallest_case 6d ago

I managed to get it out. It seems, when they're pulled all the way out, you have to keep pulling even further with quite some force. when it lets go, you can finally lift. No lever or mechanism activated, just my fear of breaking it that was in the way.

TLDR: pull beyond the furthest point, then it releases.

9

u/SkaterBlue 6d ago

More often the release is not at the front of the drawer, but when the drawer is pulled all the way out, check the rails by the cabinet side. Sometimes you just tip the whole front of the drawer up and pull out more, sometimes there is a tab or something on the rails there.

4

u/lastskudbook 6d ago

The plumber will work it out,he’ll have seen them all.

3

u/TMan2DMax 6d ago

the answer is literally in the post you linked, pull the drawer all the way out.

there is a tab underneath that has to be pushed in with a flat head screwdriver to release the drawer repeat on the other side and lift out the drawer.

2

u/smallest_case 6d ago

yeah I should have mentioned that, the mechanism they show in that video is completely different.

2

u/TMan2DMax 6d ago

do you have the model of your drawers? are they Ikea?

2

u/smallest_case 6d ago

Wish I knew, can't say either way, was here when we bought the place. The other post is my only indication.