Sticky (new) drawer runners

[cliffp]

I just bought some full extension soft close drawer slides (from ironmongery direct) and they seem stiff. They seem to be covered in a sticky substance (stickier than grease) which I can imagine would impair the operation of the ball bearings. On another and possibly unrelated note, quite a bit of effort is required to pull the slides out for the first 2-3" of travel as the spring is extended. Although I expected some effort, I am surprised how stiff they are. I can't see what can be done to lessen this as it is likely to be a direct function of the spring characteristics.

My main concern is that the slides are stiffer than expected when being extended over the rest of their travel. I am wondering if the ball race has been lubricated with a a very viscose grease (perhaps with the intention of making the slides service free).  The stiffness is present when single slides are operated and is not caused by errors in the alignment of slides/drawers/cabinet.

I am wondering if I should de-grease the relevant moving parts and re-lubricate with something more slippery. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Oops Now Fix]

I've used several full extension drawer slides, Accuride 3862C mostly, and they have all come well greased.  At first, I was concerned as you about how tough they were to open at the first part of travel.  I can say that after use, everything loosens up, and the slides work as expected.  The dimension of the drawer relative to the carcass is CRITICAL.  When they say space to be .50" + .0031 - 0 on each side, they aren't kidding.

- Dick Beverly
  -27F wind chill in Wisconsin this morning

 

[GarryMartin]

If they aren't attached to a drawer yet, you'll get a completely different feel. The "naked" runner behaves somewhat differently to when you have a drawer attached and it is in a cabinet. Because they are soft-close, you should expect the first couple of inches to be different too as when the drawer is closed, especially if they are also a self-closing soft-close,  the mechanism will "grab" the drawer when it reaches a certain point of being closed.

 

[greg mann]

I've used several full extension drawer slides, Accuride 3862C mostly, and they have all come well greased.  At first, I was concerned as you about how tough they were to open at the first part of travel.  I can say that after use, everything loosens up, and the slides work as expected.  The dimension of the drawer relative to the carcass is CRITICAL.  When they say space to be .50" + .0031 - 0 on each side, they aren't kidding.

- Dick Beverly
  -27F wind chill in Wisconsin this morning

Do you mean .50" + .031?

 

[Oops Now Fix]

Yup, should be .50" +0.031 / -0.  Chilly fingers, frozen mind . . .