Changing the side of the door opening Refrigerator installation is often a necessary procedure that allows you to adapt the equipment to a new kitchen layout or correct operational inconveniences. The owner of household appliances Atlant may encounter a situation where right-side opening interferes with free passage or access to products. Fortunately, the design of most models of the Belarusian manufacturer provides for the ability to rehang the hinges without calling a specialist.
This process requires care and adherence to the sequence of actions so as not to damage the fittings or break the tightness refrigerator compartment. In this article, we will analyze in detail how to properly dismantle and install the doors on the other side, what tools will be needed and what to pay special attention to when working with the mechanisms of Atlant.
Before starting work, it is important to understand that the design may vary slightly depending on the series of the device. However, the general principle remains the same for most dual-chamber and single-chamber models. You will not need complex engineering knowledge, but accuracy will be the main requirement for the successful completion of the operation.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task of changing the opening side, you will need a minimum set of tools that are usually found in every home. The main tool will be a set screwdrivers with different tips, since the screws may differ in the type of slot. You may also need a wrench or socket head if the hinges are secured with bolts.
Be sure to prepare a flat surface next to the refrigerator where you can temporarily place the removed doors. To avoid scratching the floor or decorative covering, lay down thick cardboard, a blanket or soft cloth. This is especially important if you are working on laminate or parquet.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Working with live electrical appliances is strictly prohibited by safety regulations.
Make sure you have free space to maneuver. Refrigerator doors Atlant have significant weight and will need to be held with one hand while you unscrew the fasteners. Therefore, having an assistant will greatly simplify the process and reduce the risk of dropping a heavy element.
☑️ Preparing to rehang the door
Removing the top door of the refrigerator compartment
The process of removing the top door usually begins with dismantling the decorative plugs and the top hinge. In some models Atlant the plugs can be hidden under plastic covers or simply inserted into the holes. Use a flat-head screwdriver to carefully pry them off.
After access to the fasteners is open, you need to fix the door in the open position or ask an assistant to hold it. Then the bolts holding the upper hinge are unscrewed. It is important not to lose washers and gaskets, as they will be needed during reassembly.
- 🔧 Remove the top decorative panel or plug above the door.
- 🔩 Unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge to the refrigerator body.
- 🚪 Remove the hinge and carefully place the top door in side onto the prepared bedding.
- 🧊 Check the condition of the sealing rubber for damage.
If your model is equipped with middle hinge, which also serves as a support for the upper door, you do not need to touch it yet. We move on to the next stage only after the upper structural element is completely freed.
Removing the bottom door of the freezer
After dismantling the upper part, you can proceed to the bottom door. Here, an important element is middle hinge, which often has a complex design with protrusions for fixation. In some models Atlant it may be equipped with an additional closer mechanism or stopper.
It is necessary to unscrew the mounting bolts holding the middle hinge to the body. At the same time, the bottom door must also be held so that it does not fall. Once the bolts are removed, the hinge is dismantled and the bottom door is carefully removed from the bottom pin.
⚠️ Note: The bottom door may be heavier than the top door due to the design of the freezer. Be careful not to damage your fingers or the flooring when lowering it.
Now that both doors are removed, you need to start rearranging the hardware. At the ends of the doors you will see holes for hinges. Those holes that were used will become free, and you need to screw into the previously empty holes plastic plugsthat came with the kit or were in the old places.
What to do if the plugs are lost?
If the plastic plugs are lost, they can be used temporarily replace with pieces of rubber or plugs from other components, but it is better to order original spare parts from the manufacturer in order to maintain aesthetics and protection from moisture.
Rearranging hinges and fittings
The most critical stage is transferring the metal hinges to the opposite side of the refrigerator body. The housing design Atlant is symmetrical, so on the other side you will find identical threaded holes. We move the upper loop to the upper part on the other side.
Pay special attention to the middle loop. In some models, it has an asymmetrical shape or special protrusions that should look in a certain direction. Rotary sleeve The middle hinge must be correctly oriented relative to the new opening side.
Do not forget to rearrange the stoppers or clamps, if they are provided for in the design. These small parts often get lost, so it is recommended to put all fasteners in a separate container. The lower support is also transferred to the corresponding hole at the bottom of the body.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Transfer to the opposite side | Phillips screwdriver |
| Middle hinge | Removing and turning the bushing | Wrench |
| Lower support | Installation in the lower hole | Open-end wrench |
| Plugs | Rearrangement into vacated holes | Flat screwdriver |
After installing all metal elements to new places, check the reliability of their fixation. They shouldn’t wobble, but you shouldn’t overtighten the thread either, so as not to rip it off in a plastic or metal case.
Installing doors on a new side
Now that the hinges are secured, you can begin installing the doors in the reverse order. The bottom freezer door is installed first. Slide it onto the bottom support and align the holes with the holes in the middle hinge.
After aligning the bottom door, secure the middle hinge with bolts. Make sure the door is level and not warped. Then we move on to installing the top door. Here again you will need the help of a second person, since you need to simultaneously hold the door and get into the holes of the upper hinge.
- 📦 Install the lower door on the pin and secure the middle hinge.
- 🔝 Put on the upper door and secure it with the upper hinge.
- 🔨 Check the horizontal installation of the doors relative to each other.
- 🧲 Make sure that the magnetic seal fits around the entire perimeter.
If the doors are installed correctly, they should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. The gap between the door and the body must be uniform along its entire length. In case of misalignment, it may be necessary to adjust the height of the legs of the refrigerator.
Adjustment and checking tightness
After installation, you need to check the quality of fit sealing gum. Take a sheet of paper, clamp it with the refrigerator door and try to pull it out. If the paper is pulled out with difficulty along the entire perimeter, then the tightness is normal.
In some cases, it may be necessary to adjust the tilt of the body. If the door opens on its own or does not close completely, try tightening the front legs of the refrigerator. The body should have a slight tilt back so that the door closes under its own weight.
⚠️ Attention: If after rehanging the door does not close tightly, check whether the contents of the shelves or the shelf itself are in the way. Sometimes, when changing the opening side, products may move and prevent closing.
It is also worth checking the operation of the light switch, which is located inside the chamber. When the door is open, the light should be on, when closed, it should go out. If the switch mechanism has been misaligned, it can be corrected by slightly moving the plastic rod.
How to check the operation of the thermostat after turning it over?
If the thermostat knob or control panel was on the door, make sure that the wires are not kinked and are long enough for the new door position. In Atlant models, the wires usually have a reserve, but it is necessary to check their tension.
Common mistakes and expert advice
One of the common mistakes is the loss of small parts such as bushings or washers. To avoid this, use a magnetic tray or jar to collect all screws during disassembly. Chaotically scattered fasteners may cause you to be unable to put the refrigerator back together.
Another mistake is the incorrect orientation of the middle hinge. If you mix up top and bottom or inside and outside, the door will not fit properly or will be warped. Carefully study the design of the hinge before installation.
Do not ignore the need to clean the ends of the doors and the body from dust and dirt before installation. The ingress of debris between the seal and the housing can disrupt the tightness, which will lead to the formation of ice and increased load on the compressor.
- 🧹 Wipe the ends of the doors and the contact areas of the seal before assembly.
- 🔍 Check the integrity of the threads in the housing holes before screwing in bolts.
- 🛠 Use only standard fasteners that come with the refrigerator.
- 📏 Control the gaps between the doors using a ruler or visually.
Following these simple recommendations will allow you to avoid repeated disassembly and will ensure long and reliable operation of your refrigerator Atlant in the new opening mode.
Do you need to call a technician to rehang the door?
In most cases, calling a technician is not required. The design of Atlant refrigerators allows you to perform this operation yourself in 20-30 minutes. A technician will only be needed if you are afraid of damaging your equipment or if the model has complex electronic cables that require resoldering (which is rare).
Is it possible to rehang the door if there is a control panel on it?
Yes, you can. In such models, the wires run inside the door and body with a margin of length. However, extreme care must be taken to avoid damaging the cable when moving the door. Sometimes it is necessary to rearrange the control panel itself, if the design allows for it.
What to do if a gap has formed after rehanging?
If a gap has formed, check whether the hinges are installed correctly and whether the sides are mixed up. Also, the gap may occur due to the skew of the case. Try adjusting the height of the front legs of the refrigerator to change the angle of the door.
Will the warranty remain valid after re-hanging the door?
Re-hanging the door yourself, as a rule, is not a warranty case and does not lead to loss of warranty if no parts were damaged in the process. However, if you strip a thread or break a hinge, there may be a cost to repair these specific components.
How often should the rubber seal be changed?
The rubber seal is replaced as it wears out, usually every 5-7 years. Signs of wear include loss of elasticity, cracks, or the appearance of a yellow coating. If the rubber band does not fit tightly even after adjustment, it must be replaced.