Owners of household appliances Indesit often face the need to change the direction of door opening, especially after moving or remodeling the kitchen. The standard factory configuration provides for right-hand opening, which is not always convenient in small apartments. The procedure for replacing the side of the hinge is completely reversible and does not require special technical skills if you act carefully.
Before proceeding with dismantling, you need to make sure that you have free space for work and all the necessary tools at hand. It is important to understandthat the design of the hinges may vary slightly between different models, so a visual inspection of the fasteners is mandatory. In this article we will analyze a universal algorithm of actions suitable for most models of refrigerators of this brand.
You should not be afraid of damaging your equipment if you follow the sequence of operations. Replacing the opening side takes from 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your skill and the configuration of a particular model. The main thing is not to rush and carefully monitor the location of all the removed parts in order to assemble the mechanism correctly.
To get started, you will need to prepare a minimum set of tools that can be found in any home. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 or 5 mm in size) or a Phillips screwdriver, depending on the type of screws used in your modification. It would also be a good idea to have a flathead screwdriver on hand to carefully remove the decorative plugs.
Preparation for dismantling and safety precautions
The first step in the preparation process is to completely empty the door from the contents. Empty door weighs significantly less, which reduces the risk of accidental falling or distortion when removing hinges. In addition, food may spill out while you are busy unscrewing the bolts, so it is better to immediately transfer them to another container or temporarily place them in a cold place.
Be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply before starting any manipulations. Although we will not touch electrical components directly, accidental damage to wiring or short circuiting when working with metal tools near a running unit is unacceptable. Indesit - reliable technology, but following electrical safety rules is never a bad idea.
Find a flat surface near the refrigerator where you can temporarily place the removed door. Cover the floor with cardboard or thick fabric to avoid scratching the decorative covering of the door and damaging the floor covering. Some models require you to slightly tilt the refrigerator body to access the lower fastenings, so make sure that the floor is not slippery.
⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator is equipped with a system No Frost or has an electronic display on the door, be especially careful with the wires. Do not pull the cables sharply so as not to damage the contacts or insulation.
Removing the top and middle hinges
The dismantling process always begins with the top hinge, since it is this that holds the main weight of the door in a vertical position. Locate the decorative plug at the top end of the refrigerator compartment and carefully pry it off with a flat-head screwdriver. Underneath it are hidden mounting bolts that must be unscrewed with a prepared hexagon or screwdriver.
After loosening the upper fasteners, do not remove the hinge completely immediately. First you need to release the middle part if you have a two-chamber model. In some modifications Indesit the middle hinge also serves as a lock for the pin on which the lower door is placed. Secure the door by hand or ask an assistant so that it does not fall when removing the fasteners.
Unscrewing middle hinge bolts, carefully lift the top door and remove it from the bottom pin. Place the door on the prepared surface with the outer side facing up to avoid damaging the inner plastic lining. Now you need to carry out a similar procedure with the bottom door if you change the opening side of both chambers.
- 🔧 Use a magnetic cup or container to store small bolts so that they do not roll under the refrigerator.
- 📏 Measure the distance between the holes for the hinges if you plan to drill new holes (although in Indesit Usually ready-made technological holes on the opposite side are used).
- 🧼 Wipe the free mounting points from dust and old grease before installing on the new side.
☑️ Tools and preparation
Removing the bottom hinge and handle
The bottom hinge is often hidden by a decorative base or plastic cover near the floor. Carefully remove this element by pulling it towards you or releasing the latches. Below this you will see the main support hinge that attaches to the bottom of the refrigerator. This is where the main load is created, so the bolts can be tightened quite tightly.
After removing the bottom hinge from the main door, attention turns to the handles. In most models Indesit handles are attached to screws that are hidden under decorative plugs or located on the inside of the door. Unscrew the mounting screws and remove the handles to move them to the opposite side.
If your model has hidden hinges or specific door closer mechanisms, carefully study their design before removing. Closer mechanism may require preliminary unlocking or a special removal procedure. Do not apply excessive force, if the part does not give in - it is better to study the instructions for the specific series again.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the handles, ensure the integrity of the plastic bushings. If they are cracked, the handle will dangle and will have to be replaced entirely.
Now that all the elements have been removed, you can prepare the body for rehanging. On the opposite side of the refrigerator you will find technological holes closed with plastic plugs. These plugs need to be moved to the places where the hinges were just in order to close the resulting voids.
What to do if the plugs are lost?
If the plastic plugs are lost or damaged, they can be carefully replaced with plugs of similar size from other equipment or painted over the holes with enamel of a suitable color, having previously sealed the edges with paint tape.
Rearranging hinges and fittings
The most important stage is installing the hinges on the new side. Take the top hinge and install it on the corresponding holes on the opposite side of the case. Insert the mounting bolts, but do not fully tighten them yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door when hanging.
Install the lower support hinge on the bottom of the refrigerator on the new side. Make sure the hinge pin is pointing straight up. Any deviation will result in the door not closing tightly or being skewed. Verticality is a key parameter for proper operation of the seal.
Move the handles to new mounting locations. Screw plugs into the holes that became free after moving the handles (usually they come with the refrigerator or are already installed from the factory on the opposite side). If there are no plugs, you can use decorative screws if the design of the model allows it.
| Mounting type | Tool | Tightening torque | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Hexagon 4 mm | Medium | Requires door fixation |
| Middle hinge | Hexagon 5 mm | Strong | Carries the weight of two chambers |
| Bottom hinge | Phillips screwdriver | Maximum | Support element design |
| Handle fastening | Philipps screwdriver | Weak | Risk of damaging the plastic |
Hanging the door and adjusting the gaps
After installing the hinges in a new place, you need to hang the doors. Start with the bottom chamber (if the model is two-chamber). Slide the bottom door onto the support hinge pin, then install the middle hinge and slide the top door on. Have an assistant hold the structure while you insert the fasteners.
Now you need to adjust the position of the door. Loosen the top hinge bolts a little and swing the door left and right, achieving a uniform gap around the entire perimeter. Uniform gap ensures that the magnetic seal will fit equally tightly to the body on all sides.
Check the operation door: it should open