How to Fix Harbor Freight Tool Chest Drawer Detent (Make it Easier to Open)

Stinger · Jan 28, 2010

Many people have noticed the Harbor Freight Tool Chest has a small issue of the drawers being difficult to open because the detent is too tight. This is the tool chest we are talking about:

I decided to figure out the problem and a fix.

Here is a picture of the rubber stopper at the back of the box that each drawer detent slides over when fully closed:

Here is a detent on the rail as delivered (note the end of the rail is bent towards the center:

It appears while they are punching the small detent into the rail, it bends the rail in varying amounts on each drawer. This is what creates the problem with the drawers being difficult to open. To fix it, simply put an adjustable wrench over the rail and bend it "close" to straight, leave just a little bend in the rail:

Fixed Rail:

After you do a few of the drawers you'll get a good idea how much bend to leave to get proper tension.

One additional bonus to this fix is it will decrease wear on the rubber stopper which will allow it to last longer. If it does begin to wear out, simply remove the drawers and add a little more bend to the rails to bring the detent tension back :thumbup:

jefferson · Jan 28, 2010

Awesome, thanks!
Couldnt be easier.

mr2autoxr · Jan 28, 2010

Thanks Stinger....now I have a good weekend project.

Mike

devilphrog · Jan 28, 2010

Good Solution!! I was having the same problem with my Craftsman box and I solved it by removing the detents and adding magnets. A little bit costlier but same result

musgofasta · Jan 28, 2010

I have the inverse problem - I'm going to use this to make some of mine harder to open because they don't stay closed...

Thanks!

Mr_fixit · Jan 28, 2010

musgofasta said:
I have the inverse problem - I'm going to use this to make some of mine harder to open because they don't stay closed...

Thanks!

If they don't stay closed it's probably because the box isn't level....?

Stinger · Jan 29, 2010

Mr_fixit said:
If they don't stay closed it's probably because the box isn't level....?

Yes and no. While not being level would cause them to slide open, if the detent has sufficient tension they shouldn't open by themselves regardless of the angle.

tonydanzah · Jan 29, 2010

that is pretty cool, but i like that magnet solution that was posted a while back

drsifu · Jan 29, 2010

thanks. seems like a good option.

about that magnet solution...you have a link? will go and try the search right now.

i've just closed the drawers far enough before the detent. unless you are locking the cabinet, any reason you guys are shutting it all the way?

jefferson · Jan 29, 2010

drsifu said:
thanks. seems like a good option.

about that magnet solution...you have a link? will go and try the search right now.

I dont have a link, but the main idea was glue some magnets to the inside of the box on the rear piece of metal, glue some magnets to the back of the drawers.

devilphrog · Jan 29, 2010

Here is the Magnetic Box Mod thread.... enjoy! :thumbup:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51731

Stinger · Feb 1, 2010

drsifu said:
i've just closed the drawers far enough before the detent. unless you are locking the cabinet, any reason you guys are shutting it all the way?

That's what I was doing until I modified the detents. I just didn't like it not being the "right" way to do it. I'd just rather fix the problem then band aid it is all. :beer:

BigEarn86 · Feb 6, 2015

Okay so I am bringing this back from the dead. I just bought the top and bottom 44" boxes. I cannot stand how hard they are to open and close. The tools slide all over the drawer. So I tried this option and ended up screwing up on of the drawers were it would not open and close right,there is too much resistance on one of the slides. So I stopped bending things and just took off the rubber bumpers, no more problem getting them closed but they wont say closed if I move the box. Any advice? Should I put the bumpers back on? I have been thinking magnets but I am not sure. Thanks

VoodooCLD · Feb 6, 2015

Can you just lock the drawers while moving?

GTA Matt · Feb 6, 2015

Put the bumpers back on. Put brake grease on the bumpers where they contact the rails. Gives a perfect amount of resistance.

Fantic · Feb 8, 2015

Agree with GTA Matt. Just put a little amount of grease on the rubber bumper.

BigEarn86 · Feb 8, 2015

Okay, I will try that option as it is by far the cheapest. Thanks.

BigEarn86 · Feb 8, 2015

It worked, I lubed it up with Permatex Ultra Disc Brake Caliper Lube. All problems have been solved. You guys rock!

defed · Apr 18, 2016

sorry for another 'bringing a thread back from the dead' post, but i've been looking all over and can't find what i need.

i have the opposite problem on my 44" HF box....the detents wear out and the drawers won't stay closed. i have flipped them and they are like new again, but it's only a matter of time before they wear out from daily use at work. question is, where can one buy just the rubber detents? i didn't think it would be so difficult to find them, but i can't!

thanks.

CHI_Tool&Die · Jan 22, 2022

*thread resurrection*

I recently purchased a Kennedy 378X rolling cabinet and I'm having similar problems where the force needed to open and close the drawers is way, way too much. I'm moving the whole box around trying to even get the drawers to open. I know it's not the slides because once they are open, the drawers move fine. Is it still recommended to use the brake lube on the detents/bumpers? Or is there another lubricant I can try? Or should I just remove the detent/bumper? It's really frustrating me since it's a brand new box.

How to Fix Harbor Freight Tool Chest Drawer Detent (Make it Easier to Open)

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