How To Fix A Lazy Susan Kitchen Cabinet

Lazy Susan kitchen cabinets are popular fixtures in kitchens, giving extra storage space for small items like canned goods. But even though this type of cabinetry may seem simple in design, once you try to repair a rotating shelf, you realize just how complicated these cabinets really are. Whether you're repairing or replacing part or all of the cabinet, there are a few steps to follow.

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Before you get started, it's important to understand where things typically go wrong with one of these cabinets. Lazy Susan cabinets are designed to rotate, making them more prone to issues than basic cabinetry. A Lazy Susan is a shelving system that has multiple shelves and a pole down the center. When a Lazy Susan malfunctions, usually it indicates a problem with one of the shelves or the pole holding them in place.

Before you get started, remove everything from the unit and reach behind the shelves to make sure no items have fallen and become lodged in the back. Dislodging the mystery item can be an easy, quick fix for rotation problems. If you find nothing, locate the bolt at the top of the pole. Tighten it and check to see if this fixes the rotation issue. Look for any loose or missing screws on each of the shelves. Lastly, at the bottom of the cabinet you'll find some ball bearing hardware. Note any damage or missing ball bearings and replace if necessary.

If your cabinet has multiple decades of use or you can't find an easy fix, it might be more cost effective to replace the entire cabinet. To remove the old cabinet, you'll need to look for a bolt, usually located close to the top of the pole, and remove it. Remove any other pins you find along the length of the pole and push the pole downward until you can slide the shelves off. You'll then be able to remove the pole.

Installing the replacement cabinetry is the more challenging part of the job. You'll begin by installing a Lazy Susan mount at the bottom of the cabinet, then marking where the screws should go. Tthen drill holes for those screws and lock the mount in place. Repeat the process for the mount at the top of the cabinet, then slide the shelves onto the pole. You can then slide the pole and shelves into the bottom mount first, then the top and screw both ends in place.

Although a Lazy Susan can be useful, it can also easily go off kilter. With a little determination and the right hardware, you can easily repair any problems and enjoy many more years of use from your cabinet.