Hinges Suitable for IKEA Faktum, Pax & Utrusta: Identify Spare Parts by Part Number

A concealed hinge for IKEA furniture is a concealed cabinet hinge with a standard cup diameter of 35 mm, adapted to the hole patterns of Faktum, Metod, or Pax systems using specific mounting plates.

Replacing a defective hinge or fitting additional doors to an existing cabinet system often presents a challenge. The Swedish furniture brand does not produce hardware itself, sourcing fittings from major manufacturers such as Blum or Hettich instead. The part numbers stated in assembly instructions (such as the Utrusta or Komplement ranges) change over the years, whilst the core mechanism of the fitting frequently remains identical. This guide explains the technical specifications of these hinges, how to identify spare parts via stampings and measurements, and what to consider when choosing the door overlay type.

IKEA Cabinet Systems and Their Hinge Requirements

Compatibility of a replacement hinge depends primarily on the cabinet carcass series. The hole spacing in the engineered wood – typically melamine-faced chipboard – determines which mounting plate is required.

Faktum (Kitchen System until 2014)

This older kitchen system uses a specific drilling pattern for its mounting plates. The hole line differs from modern standards. When sourcing replacement fittings, pay close attention to the mounting plate height/distance. The original hinges were predominantly manufactured by Blum (Modul series or older Clip Top versions). Direct replacement of the hinge arm alone is often impossible if the old cruciform mounting plate remains in the carcass. Replacing the complete set of hinge and plate is recommended.

Metod / Utrusta (Kitchen System from 2014)

The current kitchen range relies on a strict grid. The hole lines in the carcass follow the standardised System 32, where the distance between two drill holes is exactly 32 mm. The distance from the front carcass edge to the centre of the hole is 37 mm. Hinges sold under the Utrusta name are generally modern clip-on models with integrated soft-close damping.

Pax (Wardrobe System)

Hinges for Pax wardrobes (often marketed under the Komplement name) must support the weight of large, heavy doors (up to 236 cm high). These also utilise System 32. Particular attention must be paid to door thickness, as some Pax doors are thicker than standard kitchen frontals, requiring hinges with a greater door clearance to prevent the door from binding against the carcass during opening.

Hinge Types and Door Overlays

To identify the correct replacement part, determine the position of the door relative to the cabinet side panel (carcass side). This dictates the crank (bend) of the hinge arm.

• Full overlay: When closed, the cabinet door covers almost the entire front edge of the carcass side. The hinge arm is straight (0 mm crank). This is standard for standalone cabinets or the outer sides of cabinet runs.
• Half overlay: Two doors share a single central carcass divider (twin doors). The door covers only half of the front edge. The hinge arm is visibly cranked (9.5 mm crank). Suitable fittings are found under half overlay concealed hinges.
• Inset: The door sits flush within the cabinet carcass; the front edge of the carcass wall remains fully visible. The hinge arm has a pronounced crank (18 mm crank). Matching fittings are listed under inset concealed hinges.

Opening Angle

The opening angle determines how far the door swings open.

• 110°: The standard for most kitchen cabinets and wardrobes, providing sufficient clearance for everyday access. Replacement parts are available in the 110-degree concealed cabinet hinges section.
• 153° to 165°: Wide-angle hinges. These are essential when internal drawers or pull-outs are fitted behind the door. A standard 110° hinge protrudes into the internal opening, blocking the full extension of the drawer runners. A wide-angle hinge swings the door completely clear. Heavy-duty versions are available under 165-degree concealed cabinet hinges.

Identifying Spare Parts by Part Number and Dimensions

When a hinge breaks or the soft-close damper fails, the IKEA part number (e.g. 105.248.82) is often of limited help, as numbers are discontinued during range updates. Identification is best carried out using the technical attributes of the hardware.

1. Check Manufacturer Stampings

Multi-digit numbers are usually stamped on the hinge arm or inside the cup (the part recessed into the door). On Blum hinges, these frequently begin with codes such as 70T, 71B, or 73T.

• Example: A stamp marked "71B3550" indicates a 110° full overlay hinge with integrated soft-close damping.
• The stamping on the cruciform mounting plate (e.g. "173L6100") indicates the plate height/spacing (D value).

2. Take Measurements from the Defective Hinge

If no stampings are legible, determine three critical measurements using a calliper or precise ruler:

• Cup diameter: The recess drilled into the door. On Metod, Faktum, and Pax, this is almost universally 35 mm.
• Cup hole pattern: The centre-to-centre distance between the two small fixing screws securing the cup to the door. Common dimensions are 45 mm (Blum standard) or 52 mm (Hettich standard).
• Carcass drilling setback: The distance from the front carcass edge to the mounting plate fixing holes. On Metod and Pax, this is exactly 37 mm.

How to Select the Correct Replacement Hinge (Key Criteria)

When purchasing replacement hardware, specifications must match existing drillings precisely to avoid making new holes in the chipboard.

With or Without Soft-Close

Modern Utrusta and Komplement hinges feature an integrated soft-close damper inside the hinge cup, ensuring quiet closure. Older Faktum hinges often used clip-on dampers. Upgrading to concealed cabinet hinges with soft-close damping is straightforward, provided the primary dimensions match. Important: A soft-close hinge must not be paired with a push-to-open (tip-on) mechanism, as the mechanisms work against each other. Handleless frontals require unsprung hinges or dedicated push-open hardware.

Cup Fixing Methods

• Screw-on cup: The cup is secured to the door using two wood screws (typically 3.5 x 15 mm).
• Press-in cup: The cup features pre-fitted expanding dowels, pressed into pre-drilled holes and held by friction.
• Tool-free assembly (Inserta/Fixhut): A flap mechanism expands clamping plates directly into the timber.

For DIY repair, a screw-on cup is the most reliable option, as it can be securely refastened into slightly worn drill holes using marginally longer screws.

Selecting the Mounting Plate

The mounting plate connects the concealed hinge to the cabinet carcass. For System 32, cruciform mounting plates are standard. The critical value is the spacing/height (D). For a standard full overlay on 18 mm carcass side walls, the plate spacing is typically 0 mm. Fixing into the carcass is done either with pre-fitted Euro screws (for 5 mm holes) or chipboard screws (for 3 mm pilot holes).

Installation and Setup: Replacing and Adjusting Hinges

Replacing a cabinet hinge requires only basic tools and the correct fitting to restore full function to a cabinet door in minutes.

Required Tools

• Cordless screwdriver or manual screwdriver
• Matching bits: PZ (Pozidriv) size 2 for most adjustment screws; PH (Phillips) for older fittings
• Ruler or calliper
• Bradawl / marking awl (if required)

Step-by-Step Replacement

1. Unhinge the door: For clip-on hinges, press the release lever at the tail of the hinge arm. The hinge disengages from the mounting plate. Remove the door.
2. Remove old hardware: Undo the screws on the hinge cup in the door and the screws on the carcass mounting plate.
3. Install mounting plate: Screw the new cruciform mounting plate into the carcass, ensuring any directional arrow points towards the front edge of the unit.
4. Insert hinge cup: Place the new hinge into the 35 mm door recess. Ensure exact 90° alignment with the door edge, then secure with screws.
5. Rehang the door: Slide the hinge arm onto the mounting plate from the front and apply light pressure at the back until it clicks securely into place.

3D Hinge Adjustment

Once fitted, doors usually require fine alignment. Modern hinges provide three adjustment points on the hinge arm:

• Depth adjustment: Moves the door closer to or further from the carcass, preventing the door from binding. Typical range is +3 mm / -2 mm.
• Lateral (side) adjustment: Adjusts the gap between adjacent doors or between the door and carcass side. Turning the front screw moves the door left or right.
• Height adjustment: Adjusted directly on the mounting plate. Loosening the fixing screws (or rotating a dedicated cam screw) allows the door to move up or down by approximately +/- 2 mm.

For upward-opening cabinets (such as microwave housings), flap stays and lift-up fittings are used instead of standard concealed hinges, with spring tension matched to the frontal weight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is there a drilling jig specifically for the IKEA Utrusta 110-degree hinge?

Yes. Universal drilling jigs are available for precise positioning of 35 mm cup holes and their 45 mm fixing screw spacing. Standard concealed hinge templates match Utrusta specifications, establishing the 21.5 mm to 22.5 mm drilling distance from the door edge to the centre of the 35 mm cup hole.

Do current Utrusta hinges fit an older Faktum kitchen?

No, not without modification. Utrusta hinges (designed for Metod) use System 32 mounting plates. Faktum carcasses feature a different hole spacing pattern. To fit Utrusta hinges to Faktum, you must either locate original-specification spares or drill new mounting plate pilot holes into the carcass wall.

Why has my Pax wardrobe door stopped closing properly?

This is usually due to worn damping mechanisms (hydraulic fluid loss in the damper cylinder) or the door dropping under its own weight. First check the height and lateral adjustment screws. If the integrated soft-close mechanism has failed, the hinge must be replaced.

Which screws are needed for mounting plates?

This depends on the pre-drilled holes in the carcass. For 5 mm holes, use Euro screws (typically 6.3 x 13 mm or 14 mm). For 3 mm pilot holes or undrilled surfaces, use countersunk chipboard screws (e.g. 3.5 x 15 mm or 4.0 x 16 mm) with the correct screwdriver drive (PZ or TX).

How do I fix stripped screw holes in a carcass?

If the chipboard core is stripped and screws no longer hold the mounting plate, two repair methods work well: drill out the damaged hole to 8 mm and glue in a hardwood dowel (re-drilling a pilot hole once cured), or insert a threaded insert (Rampa insert) to accept a standard metric machine screw.

What does the degree rating mean on a hinge?

The degree rating (e.g. 110°, 155°) specifies the maximum opening angle of the cabinet door. A 110° hinge opens slightly past a right angle, while a 155° hinge swings the door clear of the cabinet opening—essential when internal drawers are present.

Can I combine push-to-open hardware with existing soft-close hinges?

No. Soft-close hinges pull the door shut over the final closing travel, whereas push-to-open latches require an unsprung door to release properly. The two mechanisms counter each other. For push-to-open frontals, use unsprung hinges without closing springs.

Related Hardware Categories & Fitting Advice

Whether repairing or upgrading kitchen units and wardrobes, selecting quality furniture hardware is essential. High-grade concealed cabinet hinges matched to door weight and opening requirements provide long-term reliability.

For bespoke carcass designs or angled corners where doors do not meet panels at 90°, specialised angled hinges are required. Similarly, internal drawer pull-outs require zero-protrusion fittings found within the 155-degree concealed cabinet hinges range.

Accurate identification using dimensions, overlay type, and hole patterns ensures new fittings install cleanly into Metod, Faktum, or Pax systems without unnecessary structural alterations to the chipboard.