Replacement Connectors for IKEA Pax & Kallax: Finding the Right Cam Locks & Connecting Bolts

A cam lock connector pulls two furniture components firmly together via a rotating bolt, whilst a screw-in connecting bolt securely anchors the tensile force into the chipboard.

Anyone rebuilding a large wardrobe or a substantial room-divider shelving unit after moving house often faces a common problem: connectors are bent, threads are stripped, or the small fittings have simply disappeared. A piece of furniture without intact fixings is like an engine without bolts – it immediately loses its structural stability. Especially with well-known systems such as Pax or Kallax, the question of finding the right replacement arises. Since furniture manufacturers generally install standardised industrial hardware, these parts can easily be replaced with standardised fittings.

This guide explains the technical differences between the various types of connections and shows what to look out for when measuring and selecting compatible replacement parts.

What Is a Cam Lock Connector?

The cam lock connector (often simply called an eccentric cam or Minifix) is the centrepiece of modern flat-pack furniture assembly. It consists of a cylindrical housing that is inserted into a pre-drilled recess in the chipboard. Inside this housing is a spiral-shaped curved track.

When the cam is turned with a screwdriver (usually PZ or PH), this curved track grips the head of the opposing bolt and draws it in continuously. This presses the two wooden panels tightly together at a 90-degree angle. Standard cam locks usually have a diameter of 15 mm. The height of the housing varies depending on the board thickness – an 18 mm thick side panel requires a different cam lock than a 15 mm or 16 mm panel.

What Is a Screw-In Connecting Bolt?

The counterpart to the cam lock is the screw-in connecting bolt (the pin or dowel). Its role is to absorb the tensile force of the cam and transfer it into the timber. Such a bolt consists of two relevant sections:

1. The thread: This part is screwed into the wood. There are variants with a coarse wood thread for screwing directly into chipboard, and versions with a metric thread (e.g. M6) that screw into a pre-fitted threaded insert.
2. The shaft with head: This part protrudes from the wood and is enclosed by the cam lock. The length of this shaft (the clamping measurement) is the most critical figure when purchasing replacement hardware.

Differences and Interplay of Components

When replacing fixing materials, it is less about choosing "either/or" and more about understanding how the components work together as furniture connectors. If a wardrobe wobbles, the issue usually lies with one of the following components.

Material: Die-Cast Zinc vs. Plastic

Original cam housings in heavily loaded wardrobes are made of die-cast zinc. In lighter pieces of furniture or drawers, plastic carcase connectors are often used. Die-cast zinc offers significantly higher tensile strength and does not shear or snap as easily when tightened. If a plastic cam has broken, it can easily be replaced with a metal variant of the same drill hole diameter.

Thread Types of Connecting Bolts

A classic screw-in connecting bolt for the System 32 standard (the furniture construction standard featuring hole spacings of 32 mm and drill holes of 5 mm) has an Euro thread. This is specially designed to be screwed into pre-drilled 5 mm holes without splitting the material. Standard wood screws cannot perform this function because they lack the precisely shaped head required for the cam lock.

Lengths and Clamping Dimensions

The clamping dimension defines the distance between the timber surface and the head of the bolt. If a bolt that is too short is chosen, the cam lock grips into empty space. If the bolt is too long, the joint cannot close flush, leaving an unsightly gap. Common industrial lengths include 24 mm, 28 mm, and 34 mm.

Which Connector Is Required for Which Application?

Different dimensions are used depending on the furniture type and load. Anyone looking for replacement fittings for Swedish furniture needs to examine the construction of the specific piece.

Replacements for Wardrobes (Pax System)

A large wardrobe carries considerable self-weight plus the load of clothes rails and shelves. Here, classic metal cam lock connectors with a diameter of 15 mm are used. Long screw-in connecting bolts serve as the counterpart. Often, a shaft length of 34 mm is used to ensure deep and sturdy anchoring. When replacing them, measure precisely and choose a 34mm connecting bolt if required. Check whether the original bolt was seated directly in the timber or in a plastic sleeve insert.

Replacements for Room-Divider Shelving (Kallax System)

These shelving units are characterised by very thick outer panels. Internally, however, these panels often consist of a honeycomb cardboard core, with solid material only at the edges. Here, standard cam locks often reach their limits. Assembly is usually achieved via extremely long wood screws (often hex-drive) and thick wooden dowels for alignment. If joints tear out here, it is often necessary to drill out the holes and work with specialised threaded inserts or through-bolts. For the inner, thinner shelf dividers, standard wooden dowels are used once again. In professional timber construction, biscuit dowels are often used as an alternative to create durable and invisible joints, though this requires a biscuit joiner.

Standard Chests of Drawers and Drawer Boxes

Space is limited in smaller carcases and drawer fronts. Shorter bolts are frequently used here to avoid breaking through the front panel thickness. A 24mm connecting bolt or a 28mm connecting bolt is the typical size. Always measure the depth of the drill hole in the drawer front before replacing fixings.

How to Find the Right Alternative

To find the correct replacement for a damaged screw-in connecting bolt or cam lock, you will need a vernier calliper or an accurate ruler. Proceed as follows:

1. Measure the cam lock: Measure the diameter of the hole in the wood or the outer diameter of the old cam. The standard dimension is 15 mm.
2. Determine the board thickness: Measure the thickness of the panel in which the cam sits (e.g. 16 mm or 19 mm). This determines the required height of the cam lock housing.
3. Determine the bolt length (clamping dimension): On the old bolt, measure only the section that protrudes from the wood up to the underside of the head. The thread that disappears into the wood is not included in this measurement.
4. Check the thread: Does the bolt have a coarse wood thread or a fine metric thread for an insert sleeve?

Once you know these four parameters, you can select the suitable connectors and brackets for your project, regardless of brand.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What size is the cam lock on an IKEA Pax? As a rule, Pax carcases use cam lock connectors with a standard diameter of 15 mm. The height of the cam is matched to the panel thickness, which is typically 18 mm (though this may vary on older versions).

How do I correctly measure the length of a connecting bolt? The stated length (e.g. 34 mm) always refers to the clamping dimension. This is the distance from the collar of the dowel (which sits flush against the timber surface) to the head that is gripped by the cam lock. The screw thread itself is not counted in this measurement.

Can I repair torn-out cam lock holes? If the 15 mm hole for the cam lock in the chipboard has stripped or torn out, a new cam will no longer hold. One solution is to fill the hole with a mixture of wood glue and sawdust or dedicated wood filler, let it cure completely, and re-drill the hole precisely using a Forstner bit.

Are plastic connectors worse than metal ones? Plastic connectors are sufficient for light loads (e.g. small drawers). For load-bearing components like wardrobe side panels, however, die-cast zinc cam locks offer considerably higher tensile strength and longevity. Swapping from plastic to metal is always possible and advisable if dimensions match.