Tips on getting this draw apart?

[SurreyNick]

Hello
The hardboard base of one of our draws had become badly warped (see picture) and won't go back into its slot. I fear I will have to replace it, which means dismantling the draw. However, it's a slot together type with one-way lugs (see pics) and I am fearful of breaking the draw if I try to force them out because after 20 years I expect the plastic has become quite brittle. Does anyone have any tips on how I can approach this?
Thank you in advance.

 

[Dramfineday]

You could try bending the drawer bottom back into place then reinforcing it by adding (say) three cross drawer straps - take the runners off and screw and glue the straps in place. Refit the runners. Might be easier than messing about with old plastic studs.

 

[SurreyNick]

Mmm. It's a good suggestion and if all else fails I might have a go at that. If at all possible though I would like to replace the hardboard. I have tried to bend the drawer bottom back into place but without any success. It has become irreversibly distorted. I think one of the previous owners must have put something damp in the draw which caused the distortion and it has since dried out and become permanently fixed in its current shape.

 

[Falcon 269]

Remove the old warped base, cut it out if necessary.

Cut a replacement base accurately to size on the long sides and one end, allowing as much material as the slots in the frame will allow.

Flex the new base into place side to side first, then into the front face. Put a bracing strip across the middle, plus a retaining batten to support the base where it needs it at the back face.

 

[SurreyNick]

Ah, yes, that's the answer! Thank you

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[Andy MacD]

if the tabs won’t move you could try VERY gently heating with a hairdryer and fee if they become more flexible to the extent yiu can ease it apart.

 

[Boldly]

Or you could soak the hardboard till it becomes flexible again bend it back into the grooves and clamp it somehow until dry then glue to stop it happening again

 

[PP Bear]

I’ve fixed a number of draws like this, but simply screwing in 2 self tappers along the back wall of the draw at a slight angle, of course using the floor that’s in place.

5 minutes fix

 

[SurreyNick]

Thank you very much everyone. Once again this forum's members come up trumps. Happy days!