Kitchen corner pull-out cupboard problem

[underwhelmist]

We've got one of those corner cupboards where the door pulls straight out and then in an arc, and as it swings through the arc it pulls another pair of trays from the corner into view. My problem is that the door has suddenly started rocking forward when opened. This is lifting the bottom roller up in its channel and it has popped out on occasion. The whole frame that supports the door rocks forward. When the door is closed the soft-closing mechanism seems to hold the bottom rail of the frame down.

I can't see anything obviously broken, or any missing pieces. Do any kitchen experts on here know what might have gone wrong? It looks a weird arrangement, I can't see what would have originally been keeping the frame upright, or keeping the bottom runner in position, when the door was opened.

Some pics might help - this is the mechanism with the door (now removed) closed, you can see the soft-closing thing holding down the back of the runner:



This is how the bottom runner looks when opened - it's not very clear from the photo but the frame that supports the door and the bottom runner are tilted up/forward a fair bit:



This is the top runner with the door opened:



Thanks in advance for any help, and excuse the crumbs!

[greygoose]

In the last picture is the arm going off to the left supposed to be the other side of the little post on the bracket or does the arm have a hole for the post to go into? Or has the bracket with the post on bent so it isn’t holding the arm up as much as it should so the weight isn’t supported?

Edited by greygoose on Tuesday 28th January 20:56

[underwhelmist]

The little vertical post has a plastic roller wheel on it (axis is vertical, so the wheel is horizontal IYSWIM), the track runs on this, so I think it's just to control the way the door moves as it's pulled out. Can't see how it would provide any support against the weight of the door and frame.

[greygoose]

underwhelmist said:

The little vertical post has a plastic roller wheel on it (axis is vertical, so the wheel is horizontal IYSWIM), the track runs on this, so I think it's just to control the way the door moves as it's pulled out. Can't see how it would provide any support against the weight of the door and frame.

Is the top of the door coming out further than the bottom, perhaps the wheel at the top had a bumper to stop it travelling too far on the rail that has got dislodged?

[underwhelmist]

greygoose said:

Is the top of the door coming out further than the bottom, perhaps the wheel at the top had a bumper to stop it travelling too far on the rail that has got dislodged?

Hmm, will check, thanks.

[crispian22]

If that is a load of white silicone on the bottom rail in the first picture, it was bodged when originally fitted.

[underwhelmist]

crispian22 said:

If that is a load of white silicone on the bottom rail in the first picture, it was bodged when originally fitted.

It is, and you’re right I think it was (not by me!)

[underwhelmist]

Just to close this off, I've investigated a bit more this morning. The problem is that this weld has failed, it's on the bottom of the L-shaped frame that pulls out and swings round. When you pull the door out far enough the L shape becomes less than 90 degrees, meaning everything tilts forward.

Weldable, or should I just get a new one?

[B'stard Child]

underwhelmist said:

Just to close this off, I've investigated a bit more this morning. The problem is that this weld has failed, it's on the bottom of the L-shaped frame that pulls out and swings round. When you pull the door out far enough the L shape becomes less than 90 degrees, meaning everything tilts forward.

Weldable, or should I just get a new one?

Definately weldable - if you were local to me I’d fire up the hot glue gun and buzz it up

[underwhelmist]

Thanks BC, I'll look for a welder locally. Had some welding done on my Alfa a few months ago but that was in Stourbridge, I'm sure I can find somebody a bit closer.

[Arrivalist]

I know they are in credibly useful in creating usable storage space in a corner ... but I hate those corner cabinets and avoid them like the plague now.

YMMV

[B'stard Child]

underwhelmist said:

Thanks BC, I'll look for a welder locally. Had some welding done on my Alfa a few months ago but that was in Stourbridge, I'm sure I can find somebody a bit closer.

Anyone near you (as in your street/road) with old chod that needs regular tickles with a sparklie stick?

Alternatively MOT station that does repairs?

[119]

We had one and binned it off and just used the existing doors with new hinges.

One of the worst designs ever.

[sherman]

I would be tempted to try a cold weld with some extra bracing added.

https://www.diy.com/departments/j-b-weld-original-...

[Wozy68]

underwhelmist said:

Just to close this off, I've investigated a bit more this morning. The problem is that this weld has failed, it's on the bottom of the L-shaped frame that pulls out and swings round. When you pull the door out far enough the L shape becomes less than 90 degrees, meaning everything tilts forward.

Weldable, or should I just get a new one?

Bin it and buy one made by Hafele.
I’ve seen these before. They are cheap Chinese knockoffs and each time the weld fails.
Lastly whoever installed that originally was a right bodger…. I’ve never seen silicone used before in an install (and no idea why they’ve used it) in the twenty years I’ve been installing them.

[Joe M]

Have a look at "le mans corner unit".
Not quite as much storage space, but way more robust.

[Craikeybaby]

I have a Le Mans corner unit, it has pulled out of the carcass and is a bit of a PITA - may be related to the new/heavier pans that my wife bought though.