Many owners of new household appliances do not even suspect that immediately after delivering the unit to the apartment, an important mission awaits them: freeing the “heart” of the device. We are talking about finding and dismantling special fasteners that hold compressor in a stationary state during transportation. If you ignore this stage, the refrigerator will operate with strong noise, vibration and can quickly fail due to destruction of the motor mount.
The question of where the shipping bolts are located on the refrigerator is often perplexing, since manufacturers hide them in different places, disguising them as decorative plugs or structural elements. Unlike washing machines, where these elements are visible to the naked eye on the back wall, everything here is not so obvious. Modern models they may have hidden fasteners located at the bottom, behind or even inside the case, and finding them requires care and some preparation.
In this article we will analyze in detail all possible locations fasteners, we will explain why it needs to be removed, and we will provide a step-by-step algorithm of actions. You'll learn what tools you'll need for the job, how to tell the difference between a transport bolt and an adjuster foot, and what to do if the screw is rusty or won't come out. Proper preparation for the first start is the key to a long and quiet service of your equipment.
Why are transport bolts needed and why should they not be left
The main function of these elements is to rigidly fix the compressor relative to the frame of the refrigerator body. During transportation, the unit is subject to shaking, shock and vibration, which can damage suspension system the motor. To prevent the springs from stretching and the tubes from bursting, the manufacturer installs rigid stops, turning the movable unit into a monolithic structure.
⚠️ Attention: Operating the refrigerator with installed transport bolts leads to severe vibration of the entire body, a loud hum and eventual breakage of the tubes or destruction compressor mounts.
After installing the equipment in a permanent place, these bolts become redundant. The compressor should swing freely on springs, dampening vibrations during operation. If you forget to unscrew them, the motor will hit the metal walls of the cabinet, transferring shock to the entire cabinet. This not only creates unbearable noise, but also drastically reduces the resource of the unit unit.
Some users mistakenly believe that if the refrigerator stands level and does not shake, then the bolts can be left “for reliability.” This is a dangerous misconception. The design of the motor is designed to operate in a suspended state. Rigid fixation disrupts the balancing and can lead to overheating or jamming of the piston group.
Localization of fasteners: where to look for bolts on different models
Search transport clamps is the first step after unpacking. The location of the bolts depends on the brand, model and year of manufacture of the refrigerator. Most often they are located on the back wall, but can be hidden in niches or covered with decorative panels. In some older models, they could even be located in the lower part, at the base.
In modern Samsung refrigerators or LG there is often a system of two or four bolts located symmetrically on the sides of the compressor. They can be painted black or silver to match the color of the frame. On models Bosch i Siemens fasteners are sometimes hidden under plastic plugs that need to be carefully pryed off with a knife or screwdriver.
There is a table that helps you navigate the typical locations of fasteners for popular brands:
| Brand | Typical location | Number of bolts | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indesit / Ariston | Rear, on the sides of the compressor | 2 or 4 | Often have red plastic tips |
| Samsung | The lower part of the rear wall | 2 | Can be hidden under a decorative cover |
| LG | At the back, on the pallet frame | 2 or 4 | Require a 10 or 12 mm wrench |
| Bosch | In the niche of the compressor compartment | 2 | Often come complete with plugs for holes |
| Atlant | Rear, on the bracket | 2 | Large bolts, easily visible |
If you do not see the bolts right away, carefully inspect the perimeter of the compressor compartment. Sometimes they are not screwed into the frame itself, but into special brackets screwed to the bottom. In such cases, you may need to tilt refrigerator (being careful) or remove the bottom decorative panel.
Tools and preparation for dismantling
Before To start unscrewing the fasteners, you need to prepare a working tool. This usually requires a wrench or socket of a certain size. The most commonly used sizes are 10 mm, 12 mm or 14 mm. In some cases, you may need open-end wrench or a ratchet with an extension if access to the bolts is difficult.
You may also need:
- 🔧 A set of wrenches (take several sizes, just in case).
- 🔦 Flashlight (for illuminating hard-to-reach places behind the refrigerator).
- 🧤 Work gloves (will protect your hands from sharp edges and possible rust).
- 📸 Smartphone (to photograph the location of the bolts before removal, if in doubt).
- 🧴 WD-40 grease (if the bolts are stuck or rusted).
It is important to ensure good access to the rear wall. Move the refrigerator away from the wall at a distance sufficient for comfortable operation. Do not forget that before any manipulations with the rear part of the unit it is necessary de-energize. Unplug the cord from the outlet to eliminate the risk of electric shock or accidental start of the compressor.
☑️ Preparation for dismantling
Step-by-step instructions: how to unscrew the bolts
The dismantling process usually does not cause difficulties if you act consistently. First, visually determine the number of bolts. There may be two or four. If there are four bolts, unscrew them diagonally, loosening each a couple of turns to evenly relieve tension from the frame.
Place the wrench on the head of the bolt and start turning counterclockwise. If the bolt does not budge, do not apply excessive force right away - try rocking the wrench from side to side or spraying lubricant on the threads. Once the bolt is completely removed, set it aside. Don't throw away these parts! Save them in case you have to transport the refrigerator or send it to service center.
⚠️ Attention: Do not unscrew the bolts if they are part of the adjustment mechanism or hold the compressor itself on a suspension (in rare cases of design). Make sure that you are unscrewing the transport lock, which rests against the frame and does not hold the motor.
After removing all the bolts, check whether the compressor swings freely. Push it lightly with your hand (with the power off). It should spring back. If the motor shakes, it means you have removed all the fasteners. If it is clamped, check if there are any hidden fasteners left.
What to do if the bolt breaks?
If the head of the bolt comes off when unscrewing, do not panic. You can try to unscrew the remaining part of the thread with pliers if it sticks out, or drill it out. As a last resort, if the residue does not interfere with the operation of the springs, you can leave it, but it is better to contact a specialist.
Model specifics: where the bolts are hidden in popular brands
Different manufacturers approach the issue of fixation in their own way. For example, in refrigerators, bolts often have bright red plastic tips that immediately catch the eye. They are located on the sides of the motor and act as both a lock and a travel limiter. Indesit And Ariston The bolts often have bright red plastic tips that are immediately noticeable. They are located on the sides of the motor and act as both a lock and a travel limiter.
For equipment Samsung i LG the situation may be more complicated. In some models, the bolts are covered with a metal or plastic cover, which is screwed on with self-tapping screws. You will have to first remove this cover to gain access to transport stops. Be careful: do not confuse them with the bolts holding the compressor cover itself.
In models Beko i Candy sometimes there is an option when the bolts are screwed in from below, in the bottom of the housing, and they are visible only if you look under the refrigerator or lay it on its side (which is highly not recommended to do without preparation). In such cases, it is better to use a mirror or smartphone camera for inspection.
Common mistakes when removing fasteners
One of the most common mistakes is trying to unscrew the bolts without studying the design. Users often confuse the transport bolts with with adjusting supports (legs) at the front bottom of the refrigerator. By unscrewing the legs, you will simply drop the unit to the floor, but will not release the compressor.
Another mistake is removing the bolts before the refrigerator “settles.” If the equipment was transported lying down, oil from the compressor could get into the cooling circuit. It is necessary to let the unit stand upright for at least 2-4 hours (or preferably a day) before turning it on. You can unscrew the bolts immediately, but plug them into the network only after settling.
Some “masters” advise lubricating the threads with oil before unscrewing, which is correct, but they forget to remove the excess. Oil that gets on electrical contacts or wiring can cause a short circuit. Use WD-40 or similar means carefully, protecting adjacent components with a rag.
⚠️ Attention: If you find that the bolts have already been unscrewed before you (for example, a used refrigerator or a store-bought sample), check the condition of the springs. They must be intact, without traces of impacts on the body.
Ignoring the plugs is another nuance. After unscrewing the bolts, holes remain in the housing. The refrigerator often comes with plastic plugs or stickers that need to be used to close these holes to prevent dust and moisture from getting inside. Do not leave the holes open.
What to do if the bolts are not located or missing
There are situations when you have climbed the entire refrigerator, but there are no bolts. This is possible in two cases: either they have already been unscrewed before you (in the store or during a previous delivery), or in this model suspension design does not require their removal. Modern inverter compressors sometimes use a shock absorption system that does not require rigid fixation during transportation, but this is rare.
If the instructions say that the bolts need to be removed, but they are not physically there, carefully inspect the holes. If threads are visible and they look used, then the fasteners have already been removed. If the holes are closed with factory seals or plugs that cannot be removed without destruction, perhaps in your model the latches are located differently (for example, inside, which requires removing the back wall, but this is a job for a service engineer).
If in doubt, it is better to contact an authorized service center of your brand. A specialist will determine in a couple of minutes whether something needs to be unscrewed, and will do it correctly without damaging warranty seals. Opening the case yourself may lead to loss of warranty.
Is it possible to transport a refrigerator with the bolts installed?
Yes, and even necessary! For any transportation (even to the country house through the yard), the bolts must be screwed back in. This will prevent damage to the compressor due to shaking. Before each transportation, repeat the fixing procedure.
What will happen if I forget to unscrew the bolts and turn on the refrigerator?
The refrigerator will vibrate and hum strongly. If you notice this in the first minutes of operation, turn it off immediately. If it runs for so long, the springs may become deformed and the compressor will begin to bang against the housing, which will lead to expensive repairs.
Do you need to lubricate the bolts before storage?
It is recommended to wipe them with a rag and lightly lubricate them with machine oil so that they do not rust over the years of storage. Fold them into a bag and stick them with tape to the back wall of the refrigerator or put them in a box with documents.
Where to find the instructions if the paper version is lost?
Enter the model of your refrigerator (indicated on the sticker inside the chamber) in the search engine with the postscript "manual" or "instructions". Official websites of brands always have a section with documentation where you can download a PDF file.
Do bolts interfere with the operation of No Frost?
The bolts themselves do not directly affect the No Frost system, but vibration from a loose (or vice versa, clamped) compressor can loosen plastic air ducts and fan mounts inside the freezer, which will lead to the appearance of noise and disruption of air circulation.