Rearranging furniture in the kitchen or changing the layout of the room often requires changing the direction of opening the refrigerator door. For owners of Belarusian brand equipment Atlant this task is not insurmountable, but requires a careful approach and strict adherence to the sequence of actions. Reweighing doors is a process that can be performed independently with a minimum set of tools, but rushing is unacceptable here.
Two-chamber models, whether series 4500, 6000 or more modern modifications, have a similar hinge mechanism design, but may differ in the nuances of fastening handles and decorative panels. Before proceeding with dismantling, it is necessary to free up the working space around the unit and prepare a flat surface for temporary placement of the removed elements.
In this article we will look in detail at how to properly re-hang the door on a two-chamber refrigerator to avoid damage to the housing and ensure a tight fit of the seal. It is important to understand that violation of the installation technology can lead to misalignment of the leaf, which will affect energy consumption and the service life of the compressor.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
The success of the operation directly depends on how well you prepared for the process. You won't need specialized equipment, but missing even one key tool can make the task much more difficult. The main requirement is the presence of stable support and good lighting, since the lower fasteners are often hidden in the twilight of the basement area.
To work with the fastening elements of most models Atlant you will need a standard home craftsman's kit. The key point is to use tools with good working edges so as not to tear off the bolt heads that could have become “stuck” over years of operation.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for working with screws of different diameters.
- 🔩 Open-end or socket keys (most often sizes 8, 10 mm) for hinge nuts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧱 A small wooden stand or a stack of books for fixing the removed door.
Be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from power supply before starting any work. This is a basic rule Electrical safetythat cannot be ignored, even if you are only changing mechanical elements. While the unit is cooling, you can prepare a place for storing the dismantled parts.
Scheme of working with the top hinge and dismantling the freezer door
The process always starts from the top of the refrigerator, since this is where the main support loop for the freezer door is located. In two-chamber models Atlant the design often implies that the upper door is independent, but its dismantling is necessary to access the internal mechanisms or simply as the first stage of a general re-hanging.
First you need to remove the decorative plug that hides the mounting bolts. It can be made in the form of a plastic cover with latches or simply a glued element that needs to be carefully pryed off with a flat screwdriver. Be careful not to damage plastic housing or the paintwork.
⚠️ Attention: Before unscrewing the top hinge, make sure that the freezer door is not secured in anything and will not fall on your feet when removing the last bolt.
After removing the decorative elements, the main fasteners become visible. Use the appropriate wrench to loosen the top hinge bolts. Do not remove them completely at once - leave the threads engaged so that you can secure the structure with your hand. Then carefully lift the door, removing it from the lower pin, if the hinge design requires this, or simply move it to the side after completely unscrewing it.
☑️ Preparing to remove the hinges
If on your model Atlant the handle is integrated into the body or has a complex fastening system, also remove it or move it to the opposite side. Often, to do this, it is enough to unscrew the screws on the inside of the door, access to which becomes available after removing the decorative panel.
Removing the main door of the refrigeration compartment
The most difficult stage is working with the main door of the refrigeration compartment. It is much more massive than the upper sash and requires the mandatory help of a second person or the use of reliable supports. Dealing with this element alone is difficult and risky for your back and the integrity of the equipment.
The principle of operation is similar to working with the top door, but the scale is larger. You will need to remove the middle hinge that connects the two chambers and the bottom support hinge. In some models Atlant there is no middle hinge as such, and the doors are held on a single axis passing through the body, which requires special care when removing.
When unscrewing the middle hinge bolts, it is important to hold the bottom door, since after removing the fasteners it will remain hanging only on the bottom pin or, conversely, will lose the upper flask. A sharp jerk can deform sealing rubber or damage the shelves if you forget to remove them.
- 🚪 Remove all shelves and drawers from the door to reduce the weight of the structure.
- 🔌 Disconnect the sensor wires opening the door if they are connected to the top.
- 🛠️ Use a magnetic screwdriver to prevent small screws from falling inside the case.
After removing the door from its hinges, carefully place it face down on a prepared soft surface. Cover the floor with cardboard or a blanket to prevent scratches on the glossy surface. Now you can begin preparing the holes on the opposite side of the case.
Rearranging fasteners and handles
On the refrigerator body Atlant initially there are technological holes for both opening options. They are closed with plastic plugs that need to be removed. Usually the plugs on the working side have already been removed (there were loops there), and on the opposite side they are in their sockets.
Carefully squeeze the plugs out of the holes on the new side of the installation and move them to the vacant spaces on the working side. This is necessary to maintain an aesthetic appearance and protect the internal cavity from dust. If the plugs are lost or broken, you can use pieces of insulation, although this is less beautiful.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some older Atlant models, the holes may not be through or have different threads. In this case, you need to use adapter bushings, which often come with the refrigerator in a package with documents, or cut the thread yourself with a tap of the appropriate diameter. Be careful not to damage the thermal insulation layer of the case.
Now take care of the handles. If they are asymmetrical, they need to be rearranged. On the inside of the door, unscrew the fixing screws, remove the handle and install it on the other side using the provided holes. In models with recessed handles (recesses in the body), this step is skipped, which greatly simplifies the task.
It is important to check the condition fastening bolts. If the thread is torn or the metal is very worn, it is better to replace the hardware with new ones of the same size. This ensures that the heavy door will not fall off after a month of active use.
Installing doors on a new side
Installation is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. First, the lower support hinge of the main door is installed. Insert the hinge pin into the prepared hole and tighten the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door in space.
Then the main door of the refrigerator compartment is hung. Align the holes in the end of the door with the bottom hinge pin. Have an assistant hold the sash while you align it vertically. After this, the middle hinge is installed (if it is suitable for your model Atlant) and fixes the upper part of the lower door.
The freezer door is installed last. It is hung on the top loop, which is now attached to the opposite side. Make sure that the sensor wires (if any) are not pinched by the metal elements of the loops.
| Work stage | Action | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Removal plugs | Do not lose small plastic parts |
| Bottom installation | Installing the support loop | Do not tighten the bolts to the end immediately |
| Hanging | Installing the main door | Requires the help of a second person |
| Finish | Tightening the fasteners | Checking the gap around the entire perimeter |
After installing all elements in place, you can make the final tightening of all bolts. Move from the bottom hinge to the top, making sure that the door does not move. Make sure that all screws are tightened tightly, but without excessive force, which can lead to deformation of the threads.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
The final and perhaps most important step is adjustment. Even with precise installation, it may be necessary to adjust the position of the doors to ensure ideal pressure of the seal round the entire perimeter. A loose fit will lead to freezing of the “fur coat” and increased energy consumption.
Visually inspect the refrigerator. Doors should close tightly, without gaps. If you notice a misalignment, loosen the middle or bottom hinge and move the door slightly in the desired direction. Some models Atlant provide the ability to adjust the height of the support legs of the refrigerator itself, which also affects the angle of inclination and self-closing of the doors.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the door still does not fit tightly, the sealing rubber may have become deformed during storage. Try heating it with a hairdryer at a low temperature or pouring boiling water into the grooves so that it straightens.
Check the operation of the sensors. When the door is opened, the light should come on (unless it is separately blocked) and, on some models, an audible signal should sound. If the light does not light, the wire may be pinched or the contact is broken.
Let the refrigerator stand off for at least 30-40 minutes after active work, especially if you kept it in a horizontal position for a long time (although this is usually not required when rehanging). Then turn on the unit and check its operation during the first day.
Is it possible to re-hang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen unit?
This is extremely difficult and often impossible without removing the refrigerator itself from the niche. To rehang, you need access from all sides, especially from the back and sides, in order to remove the doors and rearrange the hinges. If the gap between the side walls of the cabinet and the refrigerator is minimal, you simply will not be able to unfold the removed door. It is recommended to first completely remove the equipment from the furniture.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
The plugs perform a decorative function. If they are lost, you can order a set of spare parts for Atlant at the service center or use plastic dowels of suitable size, having previously painted them in the color of the case. You can also carefully cut out circles from thick plastic or even use plugs from furniture screws.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly and carefully. However, if there is a lot of ice inside, it may spill out when tilting or removing shelves. Plus, an empty refrigerator is lighter. It is recommended to at least empty the door shelves and remove heavy drawers in order to reduce the load on the hinges at the moment of separation.
Why does the door not close completely after rehanging?
Most likely, the problem is in the seal, which “remembered” the old position, or in incorrect adjustment of the tilt of the body. Try adjusting the front legs of the refrigerator so that the body is slightly tilted back. Also check whether the products on the shelves are preventing the door from closing.