Finding Replacements for IKEA Faktum Hinges and Changing Old Concealed Hinges

A replacement hinge for the old IKEA Faktum system generally requires a concealed hinge with a 35 mm cup diameter and the matching hole spacings for the cruciform mounting plate in System 32.

The Faktum kitchen system was replaced several years ago by the Metod range. If a hinge tears out of an old cupboard door or the spring breaks, many fitters and DIY enthusiasts wonder how to find a suitable replacement. The good news: the fittings used back then are based on common industry standards. You do not need brand-specific special parts; you can use standard concealed hinges / cupboard hinges, provided that the technical parameters such as cup drilling and mounting type match exactly.

This guide will take you through identifying the correct replacement part, preparing the old drill holes, and completing a professional installation. The time required per door is around 10 to 15 minutes.

Required Tools and Materials

Only basic workshop equipment is needed to remove the old fittings and install the new components:

• Cordless screwdriver with suitable bits
• Screwdriver with a PZ2 drive (Pozidriv) for the adjustment screws
• Folding rule or vernier calliper to determine the distances accurately
• New concealed hinges 35 mm including matching mounting plates
• If necessary, repair material for stripped screw holes (wooden dowels, glue, or threaded inserts)

Determining the Exact Replacement: Dimensions and Mounting Types

Before replacing the old kitchen cupboard hinges, you must analyse the geometric specifications of the existing door and cabinet carcass. Like a precisely matching gear in a transmission, the drilling pattern of the new fitting must align perfectly with the existing routings in the door.

The Cup Diameter

The cylindrical routed hole in the cupboard door accommodates the hinge cup. In Faktum kitchens, this diameter is standardly 35 mm. Check with a vernier calliper to be sure. Smaller 26 mm variants are generally not used in this system.

The Mounting Type

The position of the door in relation to the cabinet side determines the crank of the hinge arm. This is where the most common mistakes occur when sourcing replacement parts. Check how your door closes:

1. Full overlay: When closed, the door covers almost the entire front edge of the carcass wall. Only a minimal gap is visible. Here you need concealed hinges full overlay (uncranked).
2. Half overlay: Two doors share a central carcass partition wall (twin doors). Each door covers only half of the front edge. The hinge arm is slightly curved (half-cranked).
3. Inset: The door does not rest on the carcass wall, but closes flush inside the side walls within the cabinet interior. The hinge arm is heavily curved (fully cranked).

Opening Angle and Special Features

For standard kitchen doors, an opening angle of 110° is usually sufficient. Corresponding concealed hinges / cupboard hinges 110 degrees cover the majority of Faktum cabinets. Corner cabinets with carousels or bi-fold doors often require wide-angle hinges, usually concealed hinges / cupboard hinges 165 degrees.

In addition, you can upgrade during replacement: old Faktum hinges often had separate clip-on dampers. Modern concealed hinges / cupboard hinges with soft close already have the damping cylinder integrated invisibly within the hinge arm.

Step-by-Step Guide: Replacing Old Hinges

Once you have the matching replacement parts, you can proceed with the mechanical replacement. Work precisely so that the kitchen door gaps can be optimally adjusted later.

Step 1: Removing the Old Fittings

First, detach the door from the carcass. With clip-on hinges, simply press the rear release button on the hinge arm. On older models, you must loosen the fixing screw on the cruciform mounting plate. Place the door flat on a soft surface. Now unscrew the fixing screws on the cup and gently lever the old concealed hinge out of the chipboard. Finally, remove the mounting plates from the cabinet carcass.

Step 2: Checking and Preparing Drill Holes

Inspect the 35 mm bore hole as well as the small screw holes. In older kitchens, the screw holes are often worn out. If this is the case, fill the holes with a suitable wooden dowel (glued in and cut flush) or use threaded inserts. The main cup hole must be free of dust.

Step 3: Installing the New Cruciform Mounting Plate

The mounting plate is fixed inside the carcass. The old Faktum system generally uses System 32. This means the distance from the drill holes to the front carcass edge is 37 mm, and the vertical distance between the screw holes is 32 mm. Screw the new plates tightly using matching Euro screws (for existing 5 mm holes) or wood screws. Pay attention to the correct height orientation, usually marked by a small arrow on the plate.

Step 4: Inserting the Concealed Hinge into the Door

Press the hinge cup into the 35 mm routed hole of the door. Align the hinge precisely at a 90-degree angle to the door edge using a set square. Secure the hinge with two chipboard screws (usually 3.5 mm x 16 mm). Use a hand screwdriver or set the torque on your cordless screwdriver very low to prevent stripping the chipboard.

Step 5: Hanging the Door and 3D Adjustment

Bring the door up to the carcass. Hook the hinge arm onto the front of the mounting plate and press firmly at the back until it audibly clicks into place (clip-on mechanism). Now perform the fine adjustment using the three adjustment screws on the hinge arm:

• Depth adjustment: Loosening the rear screw allows you to change the gap between the door and carcass (usually -2 mm to +3 mm).
• Lateral adjustment: The front screw regulates the gap between the doors. Turning it clockwise moves the door towards the hinge side.
• Height adjustment: Using the screws on the cruciform mounting plate (or a separate eccentric screw on the plate), the door can be raised or lowered vertically.

Adjust the reveals so they run parallel all the way round and are roughly 2 mm to 3 mm wide.

Common Installation Mistakes

• Mixing old and new hinges: Always replace all hinges on a door at the same time. Different manufacturers use different opening kinematics. A mix leads to tension and rapid wear of the fittings.
• Incorrect screw length: If screws that are too long are used to fasten the cup, they will pierce through the front of the door. Use screws that are a maximum of 16 mm long for a standard door thickness of 19 mm.
• Forcing the clip-on fitting: If the hinge arm does not snap onto the mounting plate, there is usually a height misalignment. Do not use force; check the parallel alignment of the mounting plate instead.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install hinges with soft close in my old Faktum kitchen? Yes. As long as the cup diameter of 35 mm and the mounting type (e.g. full overlay) match, you can easily fit modern hinges with integrated soft close.

How do I repair a torn-out concealed hinge? If the main 35 mm bore hole is damaged, a dedicated hinge repair plate is often the best solution. This is screwed over the damaged area and provides new threaded holes for the hinge. If only the small screw holes are affected, you can drill them out, plug them with wooden dowels, and drill fresh pilot holes.

Do I definitely need to replace the mounting plates inside the cabinet? Yes. The mounting geometry between the hinge arm and base plate varies depending on the manufacturer and product line. A new hinge will not sit securely on an old mounting plate.

What is the difference between a concealed hinge and a flap stay? A hinge guides a door sideways. A flap stay, on the other hand, is used for wall cabinets where the front opens upwards. These two mechanisms must not be confused, as they handle completely different load distributions.