The need to change the opening side of the refrigerator door Ariston often arises when remodeling a kitchen or purchasing new furniture that does not allow the use of a standard arrangement. This is an absolutely normal situation, since manufacturers of household appliances provide the possibility of dismantling and installing hinges on the other side of the case. A correctly performed procedure does not violate the tightness and retains the factory warranty if all actions are performed carefully.
Before starting work, it is important to understand that the design of refrigeration units Ariston may vary depending on the year of manufacture and the specific model. In some cases, it is enough to simply rearrange the hinges, in others, replacement of accessories or reinstallation of the magnetic lock is required. Careful study components before disassembly will protect against the loss of small parts and damage to the coating.
In this article we will analyze the reinstallation process in detail, paying attention to hidden nuances that are often silent about in short manuals. You will learn what tools you will need, how not to damage the seal and what to do if the screws are stuck. It is critically important before starting work to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply at least 2 hours before manipulations.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
Quality preparation is half the success of any repair. You will need to clear out some space around the refrigerator so you can access it from all sides. It is best to move the unit away from the wall at a distance of at least one meter, ensuring free passage.
To work, you will need a standard set of tools, which every home craftsman often has. However, it is worth preparing everything you need in advance so as not to interrupt the process of searching for a screwdriver.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers: Phillips (PH2) and flat for removing plugs.
- 🔧 8 and 10 mm wrenches or sockets (depending on the fastener model).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📦 Container for storing screws so they don’t get lost.
Pay special attention to the choice of screwdriver. A tip that is too thin can strip the splines on the screws, turning a simple repair into a complex fastener drilling problem. If you have a model Ariston with the No Frost system, make sure that the power cord is long enough to reach the outlet after moving the equipment away.
Removing the top hinge and door
The process always starts from the top of the unit. The first step is to remove the decorative plug that hides the top hinge mounting bolts. It can be made in the form of a plastic cover or sticker, which must be carefully pryed off with a flat screwdriver.
After gaining access to the fasteners, loosen the bolts, but do not unscrew them completely yet. The door is heavy, and if you remove all the fasteners at once, it could fall on your feet or damage the floor. It is better to act in stages, holding the door with your second hand or asking an assistant.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to remove the door with a jerk. A sudden movement can damage the closer mechanism or deform the hinge body, which will lead to a loose seal in the future.
When the bolts are loosened, carefully lift the door up, removing it from the bottom axis. In some models Ariston the upper hinge is also secured with a locking screw, which must be unscrewed in advance. Place the removed door on a soft surface, such as a blanket or cardboard, face up to avoid scratching the glossy finish.
Now you can completely unscrew the top hinge mounting screws and remove the metal strip itself. Save all screws, even those that seem redundant - they may be needed for installation on the other side. Often, the refrigerator comes with a special set of plugs for the holes that are formed after rearrangement.
Removing and reinstalling the lower support
The lower part of the structure requires special attention, since this is where the main support axis is located. In most refrigerator models Ariston the bottom hinge is hidden under a decorative base or plastic cover near the floor.
Remove the protective panel to gain access to the bolts. Unscrew them and remove the lower support. Pay attention to its design: sometimes the axle is part of the hinge, and sometimes it is pressed into the door body or lower platform.
☑️ Check before installation
If you plan to install the door on the opposite side, the lower support often needs to be rearranged. To do this, you may need to unscrew the axle from its old position and screw it into a symmetrical hole on the other side. Use wrench for secure fixation, but do not overdo it, so as not to strip the threads in the soft metal of the case.
In some modifications, the lower bushing is simply rearranged into a mirror hole. Make sure that when rearranging you do not lose the washers or thrust rings that regulate the height and tightness of the fit. Incorrect installation of the lower support will result in the door not closing completely or, conversely, closing too tightly.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Dismantling and transfer | Phillips screwdriver | Keep an eye on the washers |
| Lower support | Repositioning the axis | Key open-end 10 mm | Do not strip the thread |
| Door stopper | Replacing the plug | Flat screwdriver | Important for fixing |
| Door handle | Checking fasteners | Hexagon | Hidden screw from below |
Moving the opening limiter and plugs
One of the most An important but often forgotten step is rearranging the door opening stopper (limiter). This element is located at the bottom of the refrigerator and prevents the door from swinging too wide, preventing damage to the seal on the wall or furniture.
To move the stopper, you need to find its current location (usually a plastic or metal pin on the side below) and unscrew it. Then screw it into the symmetrical threaded hole on the opposite side. If this is not done, the door may hit the body or fly out of the grooves when opening 180 degrees.
What to do if the stopper does not screw in?
If the thread in the new hole is clogged with factory paint or plastic, carefully clean it with a thin drill or the tip of a knife. Do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the plastic housing of the refrigerator. In rare cases, it is necessary to drill a hole with a drill with a diameter of 3-4 mm.
In parallel with the stopper, you need to work on decorative plugs. The holes that remain free after removing the hinges on one side must be closed. This is necessary not only for aesthetics, but also to maintain thermal insulation and protect internal components from dust and moisture.
Use the plugs that came with the refrigerator, or those that were removed from the holes on the new side of the unit. They are simply inserted into the holes until they click. If the supplied plugs are lost, you can use silicone sealants in the color of the body, although this is less aesthetically pleasing.
Installing the door on a new side
After preparing all the elements, you can begin installation. Place the door on the bottom axle, carefully aligning the hole in the door hinge with the axle. It is better to perform this action together, since the refrigerator door Ariston weighs a lot, and it will be difficult to hold it straight with one hand.
Holding the door in a vertical position, align the top hinge with the holes on the body. Insert the mounting bolts and begin tightening them. At this stage, do not tighten them all the way - first you need to align the position of the door so that the gaps on all sides are the same.
⚠️ Attention: If after installation the door is skewed and does not fit tightly, do not try to solve the problem by force. Loosen the top hinge fasteners and move the door slightly in the desired direction, then tighten the bolts again.
Tighten all the top hinge bolts completely. Check the operation of the mechanism: the door should open smoothly, without squeaks or jams. Make sure that the magnetic seal fits snugly around the entire perimeter of the refrigerator body. To check, you can clamp a sheet of paper between the door and the body - it should be removed with noticeable force.
Adjustment and final check
The final stage is fine tuning. Even with careful installation, slight distortions may occur. Height adjustment is carried out by rotating the lower support or special adjustment screws, if they are provided by the design of your model Ariston.
Check the operation of the internal shelves and drawers. When you change the opening side, the inertia of movement changes, and heavy glass shelves may begin to move out when slammed shut. You may have to change the position of the limiters on the shelves themselves.
Plug in the refrigerator only after making sure that all tools have been removed and the door is level. Let the unit operate for several hours without loading food to allow the temperature to stabilize. During the first day, periodically check whether ice has appeared at the joints, which could indicate a violation of the tightness.
Is it necessary to change the position of the handle on the door?
In most modern models of refrigerators Ariston the handles are symmetrical or hidden (mortise), so their relocation is not possible required. However, if your model has an asymmetrical screw-mounted handle, you may need to move that as well. To do this, unscrew the mounting screws (often they are hidden under decorative plugs at the end of the handle) and rearrange the handle into symmetrical holes on the other side.
What to do if the holes for the hinges do not match?
If you find that the holes on the body and on the door do not match after rearrangement, check whether you have mixed up the top and bottom loops. They may look similar but have different angles or pin lengths. Also make sure that you use the correct holes on the body - sometimes there are several pairs of them for different modifications.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen?
Technically this is possible, but it is extremely difficult. To access the side edges and bottom, you will need to remove the refrigerator from the niche or remove the side walls of the furniture box. It is not recommended to carry out work inside a narrow niche without completely removing the equipment due to the risk of damaging the furniture or not tightening the fasteners properly.
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
According to the law and the rules of service centers, independent re-hanging of the door is not is grounds for refusal of warranty service if During the process, no mechanical damage was caused (scratches, chips, broken threads). However, if you break the thread or break the glass, there will be a charge for repairing these specific damages.