Retrofitting Drawer Runners for Pelipal Kitchens

When retrofitting drawer runners in existing kitchen cabinets, the exact hole pattern in the 32 mm system determines the technical compatibility of the new slides.

Anyone wishing to modernise an existing kitchen or replace defective slides is often looking for accurately dimensioned spare parts. Our fittings are compatible with Pelipal and offer a purely functional and mechanical alternative to the factory-installed components. Replacement does not require custom-made parts, provided that the nominal lengths, installation width, and cabinet grid dimensions match exactly.

What to Look for Regarding Cabinet Compatibility

The standard in European furniture manufacturing is the 32 mm system. This means the vertical drill holes in the cabinet side panel have a spacing of exactly 32 mm between them. When looking for fittings as a replacement for Pelipal, first measure the internal depth of the cabinet carcass and the length of the old runner. Common installation lengths in base cabinets range from 400 mm to 500 mm.

Additionally, the design of the runner must be identified before replacement:

• Ball bearing runner: A telescopic system usually mounted to the side of the drawer or running within a 17 mm wide groove in the drawer side.
• Roller runner: A simple, often white or brown plastic/metal runner that sits beneath the drawer base and glides on a single roller wheel.
• Undermount runner: Completely concealed mounting beneath the baseboard. The runner often engages into the drawer via a plastic locking clip behind the front panel.

Selecting Suitable Slides and Runner Systems

Depending on the load weight and desired mechanical comfort, various solutions are available that can be used to fit Pelipal kitchen cabinets.

For those who want an unobstructed overview of the entire drawer contents without any protruding overlap, choose full extension drawer runners. A full extension runner can be pulled 100% out of the cabinet carcass. For silent closing of the front panel, pairing this with soft-close drawer runners is recommended. Here, an integrated hydraulic damping cylinder decelerates the drawer momentum, and a spring gently pulls the front onto the cabinet over the last few centimetres. Important for planning: Soft-close damping is the mechanical counterpart to push-to-open (handleless opening via pressure on the front) – both mechanisms cannot be combined into one and the same component on traditional slides.

For lightweight drawers in secondary rooms or narrow cabinets, a classic roller drawer runner is often sufficient. For storing heavy porcelain tableware, pans, or cast-iron pots, heavy-duty drawer runners are strictly required. These reinforced profiles feature a load capacity of 30 kg to 45 kg and prevent the drawer from sagging when fully extended. When redesigning the entire internal layout during renovation, new kitchen cabinet pull-outs can be coordinated directly with a tailored kitchen drawer organiser.

Installation and Retrofitting: Technical Execution

A precisely aligned drawer runner is like the chassis of a vehicle – if the track alignment is off by even 1.5 mm, the entire system rubs and the carriage wears out prematurely.

Required Tools

• Cordless screwdriver
• Screwdriver with PZ (Pozidriv) drive
• Folding rule and spirit level
• Bradawl or wood drill bit (Ø 3 mm or 5 mm, depending on the screw type)

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Dismantling: Unscrew the old runners from the cabinet carcass. Clear any wood chips from the old drill holes.
2. Measuring: Mark the installation height from the carcass edge. The 32 mm system simplifies the vertical positioning of the new cabinet runner.
3. Aligning: Position the new runner completely level. For side-mounted ball bearing runners, the gap (the clearance) between the drawer side and the carcass inner wall must match the runner thickness exactly (typically 12.7 mm per side).
4. Screwing into place: Secure the runners in the system holes using matching chipboard screws. Start by using the vertical elongated slots on the runner.
5. Adjusting: Insert the drawer and check the gap alignment of the front panel. The height can be adjusted by a few millimetres using the elongated slots before the final fixing screws are driven into the round holes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Regarding Compatibility

Can I replace a partial extension with a full extension runner? Yes, provided the installation length (e.g. 450 mm) and the lateral clearance requirements are identical. A full extension runner offers the advantage of making the rear area of the drawer fully accessible from above.

Which screws do I need for mounting the runners? Use wood screws with a countersunk head, typically 3.5 mm or 4 mm in diameter. The head must sit flush within the metal runner after driving it in, otherwise the sliding carriage will catch when pulled out.

What is the exact difference between roller runners and ball bearing runners? The roller runner glides over a plastic wheel, requires lifting slightly to remove the drawer, and is usually designed as a partial extension. The ball bearing runner uses small steel balls within an interlocking telescopic profile. This allows significantly higher load capacities, smooth play-free movement, and implementation as a full or over-extension runner.