The balls are bearings that help the drawer slide operate. They go in the "U"-shaped cut-outs in the first picture, and the other part of the drawer slide (picture 2) slides in between them. I like to hold them the bearings in place with a little grease (white lithium works) as I assemble the drawer slide. It looks like you might be missing one (twenty holes, 19 balls), but that should be fine. The front of the slide (1st picture) is also bent. It's possible you / someone tried to force the drawer open when it was stuck, causing the slide to separate. You'll need to straighten any bent pieces of metal first, so the slide operates properly. One assembled, you can bend the front edges of the slide inwards (slightly) to prevent it from coming apart again. It's easier to remove the entire slide assembly from the drawer and cabinet to repair, then reinstall once fixed. You can try to fix it, but it's pretty finicky. If you have trouble reassembling, you might be better off buying a new drawer slide. Answer from RawMaterial11 on reddit.com
🌐
Woodworker Express
woodworkerexpress.com › home › cabinet hardware & accessories › how to fix drawer slides easily in 3 steps
How to Fix Drawer Slides Easily in 3 Steps - Woodworker Express Blog
February 17, 2025 - That drawer in your kitchen keeps sticking. You push, it resists. Pull harder, and it screeches like a rusty gate. We've all been there - fighting with a drawer that should glide smoothly but doesn't. Let's learn how to fix drawer slides in 3 easy steps. The good news? You don't need to be a
🌐
Accuride
accuride.com › en-us › blog › how-to-install-drawer-slides › what-is-drawer-racking-and-how-do-i-fix-it
How to Prevent and Fix Racking In Cabinets & Drawers
In most cases, overcoming drawer rack is easy: Pull a drawer (or whatever slide application you have) out all the way, thus extending the slide members back into alignment. Then push the drawer back in. You may have to do this two or three times to ensure the slide members are fully in sync.
People also ask

How do you fix a drawer that falls out?

A drawer falling out of place usually indicates there’s too much in it, so the best place to start is by emptying it of any non-essential items to check whether it was simply a weight issue. If that’s not the case, check whether the front panel or hardware is damaged, and replace parts as necessary. You may need to replace the drawer or the drawer slides if the issue persists.

🌐
angi.com
angi.com › solution center › kitchen remodeling
How to Fix Drawer Slides for Dressers & More | Angi
What lubricant to use on metal drawer slides?

If your drawer slides are made of metal or plastic, it’s best to use white lithium grease to lubricate them. The dense formula of that compound creates long-lasting results and should prevent you from having to re-grease the drawer slides frequently. Test the white lithium grease on a small, less-visible area of the slides first to ensure it doesn’t damage the finish before applying to the entire fixture.

🌐
angi.com
angi.com › solution center › kitchen remodeling
How to Fix Drawer Slides for Dressers & More | Angi
How do you make sticky dresser drawers slide easier?

There are many tips and tricks you can try to make your dresser drawers stop sticking and slide easier. You can rub a small amount of beeswax on the drawer slides or apply paraffin wax in the same manner. If you need to unstick wooden dresser drawers, consider using silicone, graphite, or Teflon-based lubricants for best results.

🌐
angi.com
angi.com › solution center › kitchen remodeling
How to Fix Drawer Slides for Dressers & More | Angi
🌐
Angi
angi.com › solution center › kitchen remodeling
How to Fix Drawer Slides for Dressers & More | Angi
December 22, 2023 - You can rub a small amount of beeswax on the drawer slides or apply paraffin wax in the same manner. If you need to unstick wooden dresser drawers, consider using silicone, graphite, or Teflon-based lubricants for best results.
🌐
The Spruce
thespruce.com › how-to-make-wood-drawers-slide-easier-6944387
How to Fix Stuck Wood Drawers So They Slide More Easily
February 14, 2024 - If the wood drawer has wood slides that are sticking due to rough or uneven spots on the tracks or the drawer, sanding these sticking points will smooth them and help the drawer slide more easily.
🌐
Door Handle Store
doorhandlestore.com › home › blog › dhs how to guides
How to Fix Sliding Drawers That Have Lost Their Smooth Action | Door Handle Store
December 12, 2023 - So, the first step to the job is removing the drawer, which involves carefully pulling it out as far as it will go. When it reaches that point, gently lift it up at a 45-degree angle, which should see it come ...
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/fixit › i removed this drawer and these balls fell everywhere. how do i put the drawer back?
r/fixit on Reddit: I removed this drawer and these balls fell everywhere. How do I put the drawer back?
January 19, 2025 -

This drawer has been getting stuck halfway unless I push it down ever since I moved in, and it finally got on my nerves so much that I removed it to try and see what the problem was. Well, when I did, all of these steel balls fell out. Now I don’t know how to put it all back together. Any tips? (Last pic is overhead view of drawer track underneath)

Find elsewhere
🌐
Window Hardware Direct
windowhardwaredirect.com › news › a step-by-step guide on how to fix drawer slides with ball bearings for smooth operation
A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Fix Drawer Slides with Ball Bearings fo — Window Hardware Direct
December 17, 2024 - Take the time to prepare properly, and you'll thank yourself later. First things first, you gotta take the drawer out. Grab the drawer and pull it all the way out until it stops. Look for the release levers on each side of the slides.
🌐
Window Hardware Direct
windowhardwaredirect.com › news › expert guide: how to fix a broken drawer slide for smooth operation
Expert Guide: How to Fix a Broken Drawer Slide for Smooth Operation — Window Hardware Direct
November 6, 2024 - To start, you need to remove the drawer from its opening. Pull the drawer out completely and locate the release levers on each slide. Press these levers at the same time and gently pull the drawer towards you.
🌐
The Vixen's Den Studio
thevixensden.com › home › blog posts › beginner guides › how to replace drawer slides
How to Replace Drawer Slides - The Vixen's Den Studio
July 7, 2025 - The back of the drawer was an easy fix, I used a hacksaw to saw against the bottom of the drawer and cut the back panel down to size on either side of the drawer slide opening. Stopping at the marks that I made, I then cut down against the drawer ...
🌐
JLCMC
jlcmc.com › blog › why-do-drawer-slides-get-stuck-how-to-fix
Why Do Your Drawer Slides Get Stuck, How to Fix It?
Dust and dirt buildup can cause wear and clogs on the slides. Fixing Clogged Drawer Slides: If the slides are clogged, disassembling and cleaning them or using a specialized lubricant can help.
🌐
Ironmongery World
ironmongeryworld.com › home › diy › what to do if a drawer slides is stuck?
What to do if a drawer Slides is Stuck?
May 9, 2023 - Whether you need to remove an obstruction, lubricate the slide, adjust the alignment, or replace the slide altogether. There are steps you can take to get your cabinet drawer sliding smoothly again.
🌐
Eaglewoodworking
eaglewoodworking.com › blog › how-to-remove-drawer-slides
How To Remove Drawer Slides in 4 Easy Steps
October 2, 2025 - Roller slides: Pull the drawer until it stops and then tilt it up slightly to pull it out all the way.
🌐
OVIS
ovisonline.com › blog › resources-3 › sticky-drawer-how-to-lubricate-metal-or-wood-drawer-slides-25
Sticky Drawer? How to Lubricate Metal or Wood Drawer Slides | OVIS
June 13, 2024 - Sometimes, a drawer can pop out ... slides properly but is not moving smoothly or is stuck, you likely need to lubricate both it and its slides. Because of high humidity that ......
🌐
Tallsen
tallsen.com › what are the most common problems with drawer slides and how to fix them?
What Are the Most Common Problems with Drawer Slides and How to Fix Them? - Tallsen
September 5, 2025 - By following the strategies outlined in this article, you can fix these common problems and ensure that your drawer slides operate smoothly and efficiently. Whether you are dealing with standard drawer slides or full-extension drawer slides, proper installation, maintenance, and occasional replacement can help to prevent and resolve these issues, keeping your drawers in excellent working condition. When it comes ...
🌐
Reclaimedkarma
reclaimedkarma.com › how-to-fix-a-broken-drawer-glide-slide-with-scotch-tape
How to Fix a Broken Drawer Slide / Glide with Scotch Tape – Reclaimed Karma
That is…until late the other night…when Chris stumbled upon a fool proof way to fix those pesky broken slides. We decided to shot a quick youtube video breaking down how scotch tape has become our new best friend. 🙂 · Hope our little discovery helps you as much as it’s helped us!
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/homemaintenance › how do i get my drawer to stop sliding out so easily. if i even bump the counter it will go
r/HomeMaintenance on Reddit: How do I get my drawer to stop sliding out so easily. If I even bump the counter it will go
November 16, 2021 - If so you might be able to loosen a screw and jiggle the slides up or down then re tighten' ... Just like open and close it 1000 times. It will cease up naturally. I wish my kitchen drawers opened this smoothly.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/woodworking › need some help with drawers not gliding smoothly. not sure how to fix.
r/woodworking on Reddit: Need some help with drawers not gliding smoothly. Not sure how to fix.
September 12, 2022 - If it's not quite square, or the drawer is the wrong width, you can use shims or a router/planer/table saw/belt sander/etc to fix it. Continue this thread Continue this thread ...
🌐
Dcdrawers
dcdrawers.com › home › kitchen cabinets › how to fix drawer slides
How To Fix Drawer Slides | Drawer Connection
August 29, 2024 - Attach your tracks and slides to the cabinets and drawers with your driver with the screws that came with the new hardware. Make sure you don’t over tighten the adjustment screws which are located at each end.