The situation when the kitchen layout changes or the new one refrigerator faces up on the wrong side is familiar to many owners of household appliances. Instead of putting up with inconvenient opening or rearranging furniture, it is much easier to change the side of the door hinge. For owners of Belarusian brand appliances, this task can be solved quite successfully at home if they act carefully and consistently.
You can rehang the door on the refrigerator Atlant on your own, having a minimal set of tools and basic skills in working with mechanics. The process takes from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the model of the unit and the number of chambers. The main thing is to take your time, properly prepare the workplace and strictly follow the algorithm for dismantling the fittings.
In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of the work: from preparing the tools to the final adjustment of the gaps. You will learn what nuances different series of refrigerators have, how not to damage seal during dismantling and what to do if the hinges are rusty. Carefully studying the instructions will help you avoid common mistakes and maintain the product warranty.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
Before starting any manipulations with household appliances, you must make sure you have the appropriate tools. To work with refrigerators Atlant most often you need standard plumbing supplies that can be found in the drawer of any home craftsman. The absence of the required key can lead to the breaking of the edges of the bolts, which will significantly complicate the process.
Organize the space around the unit: move the refrigerator away from the wall, ensuring free access from all sides. It is advisable to cover the floor with soft material so as not to scratch the floor covering and the body of the equipment itself if parts accidentally fall. It is also recommended to empty the door shelves of food and bottles to reduce the weight of the structure.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) - for removing decorative plugs and working with small diameter screws.
- 🔩 Open-end or socket wrenches (usually 8, 10 mm) - the main tools for dismantling loops.
- 🧤 Work gloves - will protect your hands from sharp metal edges and possible rust on old bolts.
- 🧹 Rags and lubricant (WD-40 or equivalent) - will come in handy if threaded connections have become stuck over years of use.
It is important to select the tools exactly according to the size of the fastener heads. Using a wrench that is too small or a sharpened screwdriver can damage the bolt heads. Some models may require a hex key, which is often included with new appliances.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Remove the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of electric shock or accidental start of the compressor while manipulating the wiring if it passes through the loops.
Design features of Atlant refrigerators
Equipment Atlant famous for its maintainability and unified door fastening system. However, the design may differ depending on the series and year of manufacture of the model. Most modern units have symmetrical holes for attaching hinges on both sides of the body, which initially provides for the possibility of rehanging.
There are models with one chamber, two-chamber refrigerators, as well as system units No Frost. In two-chamber models, the process is complicated by the presence of an intermediate partition and, possibly, a jumper between the chambers. In some cases, it is necessary to dismantle the decorative strip that hides the fasteners.
Hidden nuances of old models
In Atlant refrigerators of early years of production (before 2010), the holes for the hinges on the opposite side can be closed with plastic plugs that are not through. In rare cases, it may be necessary to carefully drill technological holes or use existing ones, but hidden under a layer of paint.
Pay attention to the control system. If the display or buttons are located on the door, extra care will be required when disconnecting the cables. In simpler models, the wires can pass inside the body and exit only in the area of the top hinge. In models with electronic control, the length of the wires is often limited, so it is impossible to completely remove the door without disconnecting the connector.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the top hinge
Work always starts from the top part of the structure, since it is the top the hinge holds the main weight of the door. First you need to remove the decorative cover, if provided by the design. Usually it is fixed with latches or one screw that needs to be unscrewed.
After removing the cover, access to the mounting bolts becomes available. They need to be loosened, but not completely unscrewed yet. At this stage, you will need an assistant who will hold the door so that it does not fall or warp under its own weight. Abruptly removing the load can damage the lower bushing.
☑️ Checklist before removing the door
When the upper hinge bolts are unscrewed, the door should be carefully lifted to remove it from the lower axis. If the model is two-chamber and the doors are connected, the sequence of actions may change: sometimes it is necessary to first remove the upper door of the freezer. Carefully inspect fasteners before jerking.
Removing the door and working with the lower hinge
After the upper hinge is released, the door is carefully removed from the lower support. Place the removed part on a prepared soft surface with the outer side facing down so as not to damage the sealing rubber. Now you can begin dismantling the lower hinge.
Unscrew the bolts securing the lower hinge to the refrigerator body. If you plan to move the door to the other side, the same hinge (or components from the kit) will need to be rearranged. Some models Atlant use upper and lower hinges of different designs, so you cannot confuse them.
- 🔍 Inspect the axis of the lower hinge for wear or corrosion - replace the element if necessary.
- 🧼 Clean the seats from dust and old grease before installing on the new side.
- 🔩 Store all removed bolts and washers in a separate container so as not to lose small parts.
If your model has a middle hinge (for two-chamber refrigerators), it must also be removed. Often it is attached to the end of the body and connects the upper and lower doors. When rehanging, it must be moved symmetrically to the other side, using the holes provided by the factory.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when unscrewing the old bolts. If the threads are stuck, use a penetrating lubricant and give it time to work. Broken threads in the refrigerator body will require complex restoration using threaded bushings.
Installing hinges and hanging the door on a new side
Installation is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. First, install the bottom hinge in its new location using the holes previously covered with plugs. Secure it with the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet, leaving a slight play to adjust the position of the door.
Then carefully install the door on the lower axis, holding it. If the model requires an intermediate hinge, mount it and put on the top of the door (or the second door). Only after this do you proceed to installing the top hinge on the opposite side of the body.
Secure the top hinge with bolts. Now that the door is secured on both sides, you can perform the initial tightening. Check that the door is installed vertically relative to the body. The gaps around the perimeter should be uniform, and the door itself should not protrude beyond the dimensions of the body or, conversely, fall inward.
Adjusting the position and eliminating distortions
The final stage is fine adjustment. If the door is skewed, loosen the bottom or middle hinge and slightly move the door in the desired direction. Make sure the seal fits snugly around the entire perimeter. Uneven pressure will lead to loss of cold and ice freezing.
Check the operation closer (if any) and the opening angle. The door should open freely, without creaking or jamming. If you notice rubbing against the cabinet, the height of the refrigerator legs may need to be adjusted. By tightening the front supports, you can change the tilt of the entire unit, which will affect the door's independent closing.
| Problem | Probable cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Door does not close tightly | Hinges are distorted or the seal is dirty | Loosen the fastenings and align the door, wash the rubber |
| Strong creaking when opening | Lack of lubrication in the hinges | Lubricate the hinge axes with lithium grease or oil |
| The door opens itself | The refrigerator is not level | Unscrew the front adjusting feet |
| The gap between the door and body | Incorrect installation of the intermediate hinge | Adjust the position of the middle axis |
Often asked questions (FAQ)
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before re-hanging the doors?
It is not necessary to defrost the unit specifically for this procedure if there is no ice inside that can spill out when tilted. However, if you plan to move the refrigerator far from the wall or tilt it more than 45 degrees, it is better to drain the water from the drain and remove the food to avoid moisture getting on the compressor or inside the mechanisms.
What to do if there are no holes for hinges on the new side?
Most models Atlant holes are provided on both sides and closed with plastic plugs. If you find a blank wall, carefully inspect the end - sometimes the holes are hidden under a decorative strip. Drilling new holes in the body is strictly not recommended, this will break the tightness of the thermal insulation.
Is it possible to re-hang the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
According to the operating rules of most manufacturers, re-hanging the doors yourself is not grounds for voiding the warranty if the components were not damaged in the process unit. However, if you strip the threads or damage the wiring, the service center may refuse free repairs. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call a specialist.
What to do with the wires if they are short?
In rare cases, the length of the wiring harness can only be designed for one side. If the wires are stretched, they should not be left in this state. It is necessary to carefully expand the wire loop inside the case (through technological holes) or, as a last resort, increase the wiring, observing the color marking, although Atlant this is required extremely rarely.