The situation when the standard location of the refrigerator door becomes inconvenient arises quite often. This may be due to rearrangement of furniture, features of the kitchen layout, or simply a desire to optimize the work space. Equipment owners Gorenje often wonder whether it is possible to change the hitch themselves, and the answer here is affirmative. The manufacturer provides this option for most modern models, including series with the system NO FROST and classic options.
The process of rehanging is not just a mechanical movement of parts, but a technically competent operation that requires an understanding of the design of locking mechanisms. Incorrect actions can lead to distortion of the canvas, failure of the seal, or even damage to the decorative panels. That is why it is important to prepare the tool in advance and carefully study the design of your specific model, since the mounting patterns may differ significantly.
In this guide, we will analyze the stages of work in detail, paying special attention to the nuances of dismantling the electronics and adjusting the magnetic locks. You will learn what hidden screws to look for under the plugs and how to correctly rearrange the strikers so that the door closes tightly and silently. Compliance with the sequence of actions guarantees the safety of the warranty and long service life of the unit.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Working with live electrical wiring and mechanisms is strictly prohibited.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
The success of the operation depends 90% on proper preparation. You will need clear space around the refrigerator to allow access from all sides. Remove all products, shelves and drawers to lighten the structure and avoid damage to the contents when shaking or tilting the case.
As for tools, a basic set usually includes a Phillips and flat-head screwdriver, as well as a wrench or socket set. Some models Gorenje may use specific screws, so it is recommended to have a universal set of bits on hand. A soft rag for wiping surfaces and a container for storing small parts so they don’t get lost are also useful.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips PH1, PH2 and flat).
- 🔧 Wrench (often a size of 8 mm or 10 mm is required).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges.
- 📦 Container for storing screws and plugs.
It is important to ensure good lighting of the work area. Small fasteners, such as lock washers or plastic clips, are difficult to see in dim light and can complicate assembly if lost. If the floor in the kitchen is slippery, lay cardboard or a rug so that the refrigerator does not move while removing the doors.
☑️ Ready to rehang
Design features of Gorenje doors
Refrigerators of the Slovenian brand have their own design features that must be taken into account. Top freezer models usually have a two-door hinge system, while Side-by-Side or French refrigerators may have a more complex mechanism. The main difference lies in the method of fastening the handles and the presence of hidden wiring for door opening indicators.
Many users do not know that in some series hinges they are made asymmetrically, and simple rearrangement without replacing the elements themselves is impossible. However, in most cases, the manufacturer supplies the unit with spare fasteners already installed or provides universal holes in the housing. Carefully inspect the ends of the door: if the holes are threaded on one side and smooth on the other, then overweight is possible using the standard method.
⚠️ Attention: In models with a display on the door or a Smart Home system, wires may run inside the hinges. Make sure that the connectors allow you to extend the route or reconnect them to the other side.
Magnetic latches deserve special attention. Modern lines Gorenje often use a system where the magnet is located in the body, and the counter metal plate is in the door. When changing the opening side, it is necessary to rearrange the magnetic mechanism, otherwise the door will not lock in the closed position.
Hidden fasteners
Often, decorative hinge plugs are painted in the color of the body and are almost invisible. Run your finger along the end of the door to find small recesses hidden under a layer of plastic.
Removing the upper and lower doors
The removal process always begins with the upper door, regardless of the type of refrigerator. This is necessary to ensure the stability of the structure and safe access to the lower fastenings. First, remove the top trim panel if it is covering the hinges. Usually it is held on by latches or several screws that need to be unscrewed.
After gaining access to the top hinge, do not rush to unscrew it immediately. The door is heavy and without support it may fall. Have an assistant hold the blade or use a stop. Unscrew the hinge mounting bolts, remove it and carefully set the door aside, having first disconnected all wires, if any. Be careful with plastic wire clamps - they are fragile.
The bottom door is removed in a similar way, but here it is often necessary to remove the plinth grille or decorative plinth at the bottom of the case. In some models Gorenje the lower hinge is part of an axis passing through the entire body, which requires a special approach. If you feel strong resistance, do not use force - check the instructions; you may need to remove the back wall to access the mechanism.
- 🚪 Remove the top decorative cover.
- 🔩 Unscrew the bolts of the upper hinge.
- 👐 Remove the door by disconnecting wires.
- 📉 Repeat the procedure for the bottom door (if any).
Transferring fastening elements and fittings
The most important stage is transferring the fittings. You need to remove handles, lock strikers and opening limiters. There will be holes in the old places that need to be closed with special plugs that come with the refrigerator. If there are no plugs, they can be carefully removed from the new holes on the opposite side.
When rearranging the handles, pay attention to the direction of the screws. In some models fastener it comes from the inside of the door, in others - from the outside. It is important not to mix up the length of the screws so as not to damage the internal liner of the refrigerator or leave the handle wobbly. Use the table below to guide you by type of fastening.
| Element type | Screw location | Gorenje nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Top hinge | Top of the body | Often has a pin that needs to be knocked out |
| Bottom hinge | Bottom of the door/case | May require removal of the plinth |
| Handle | Inside or outside | Attention to thread length |
| Magnet | In the body opposite the handle | Requires precise centering |
| Decor plug | Inserted manually | Use a thin screwdriver |
Do not forget to rearrange the door opening limiter (damper). This is a small plastic or rubber element that softens the impact of the door on the body when opened sharply. If it is not rearranged, the door will open wider than necessary and may hit nearby furniture or a wall.
⚠️ Attention: When screwing screws into new holes, make sure that they fit smoothly. Broken threads in the plastic door body are practically not restored.
Installing doors on a new side
Installation begins from the bottom door. Place the bottom hinge on the new side, insert the axle into it and install the door leaf. It is important to get the axle into the loop hole. After this, install the upper intermediate hinge (if the model is two-chamber) and put on the upper door. Align the doors vertically using a building level.
Height adjustment is carried out using the swivel legs of the refrigerator or adjusting bolts on the hinges themselves. In technology Gorenje a mechanism is often used that allows (fine-tuning) the gap between the doors. The doors should close tightly, without gaps, but not too tightly.
After the mechanical installation, take care of the electrical. If you have a model with an indication, connect the wire connectors to the corresponding sockets on the new side. The wires should lie in the channels intended for them, without bending or protruding beyond the dimensions of the case, so as not to be pressed by the door.
Setting up a magnetic lock and tightness
The final touch is setting up the magnetic lock. If the magnet is not installed exactly opposite the strike plate, the door will not close completely and the seal will not fit tightly. In refrigerators Gorenje the magnet is often attached to screws inside the case, access to which is gained by removing the top panel or side plug.
Check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. To do this, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper: clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places. If the sheet is removed with force, the seal is good. If it falls out freely, adjustment of the hinges or replacement of the seal is required.
Pay attention to the gap between the doors in two-chamber models. It should be uniform over the entire height. If the door fits tightly on top, but there is a gap at the bottom (or vice versa), then the body is warped. Adjust the height of the refrigerator's front support legs by rotating them clockwise or counterclockwise.
Frequent errors when re-hanging
One of the most common mistakes is the loss of lock washers or nuts. In the design of hinges Gorenje special washers with “antennae” are often used to fix the position. Installing a regular flat washer instead of a special one can lead to the door sagging in a month.
Another mistake is ignoring the wires. Users forget that the wiring harness has a limited length. If you hang it on the opposite side, the length of the standard cable may not be enough. In such cases, extension of the wire is required, which is better to entrust to a professional so as not to break the insulation.
- ❌ They forget to rearrange the damper (limiter).
- ❌ They mix up the plugs, leaving holes open.
- ❌ They tighten the screws too much, breaking them plastic.
- ❌ They do not check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator.
They also often forget to remove the shipping bolts or film from the heat exchanger on the back wall if the refrigerator was moved against the wall for access. Make sure that nothing interferes with the normal air circulation and operation of the compressor after completing all the work.
What to do if the door does not hold?
If after all the manipulations the door opens by itself, check whether you have mixed up the top and bottom when installing the door leaf itself. It is also possible that the seal has not yet “straightened” after packaging.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Do you need a special kit for hanging Gorenje?
In most cases, you do not need to buy a separate kit. All the necessary plugs, screws and washers are already included in the package (often in a niche for a light bulb or in the vegetable compartment). If the complete set is lost, you can use metric fasteners of the same size.
Is it possible to hang the door on a model with a display?
Yes, it is possible, but it is more difficult. It is necessary to check the length of the display cable. If the wires are short, you will need to extend them or resolder the contacts, which requires electronics skills. In simple models with buttons inside, the wires usually have a reserve length.
Will the warranty be voided after re-hanging?
Re-hanging the door yourself will not void the warranty if parts were not damaged in the process (threads are torn off, plastic is broken, wires are broken). However, if the breakdown of the refrigerator is directly related to poor installation of the door (for example, the misalignment led to the breakdown of the compressor due to loose closing), the service may refuse.
Why did a creaking appear after rehanging?
The creaking may occur due to the fact that the new hinges are dry, or due to misalignment when the metal rubs against metal Try lubricating the hinges or re-adjusting the height of the refrigerator legs.
How to close the gap between the doors in a two-chamber refrigerator?
The gap is adjusted by the height of the lower door on the central hinge. Loosen the center hinge screws, raise or lower the door to the desired height, and tighten the screws. Adjusting the support legs of the refrigerator itself also helps.