The situation when the refrigerator has to be turned around because the door does not open or rests against the wall is familiar to many owners household appliances. You can often solve the rearrangement problem without calling a technician if you know how to change the doors on the refrigerator correctly. This procedure requires accuracy, but is quite within the capabilities of a person who knows how to hold a screwdriver.
Hanging the door leaf allows you to adapt unit design to the features of the kitchen layout. Depending on the model, the process can take from 15 to 40 minutes. The main thing is to follow the sequence of actions and not lose the fasteners.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
Before starting any work on casing modifications it is necessary to prepare the tools. You will need a Phillips screwdriver, a hex wrench (often included with the appliance), and possibly a socket wrench. Free up space in front of the refrigerator to have access to it from all sides.
Be sure to disconnect the appliance from the power supply. This is a basic safety rule when working with any equipment. Clear the doors of products and removable shelves to reduce their weight and avoid breaking glass or plastic.
Put a soft blanket or thick cardboard on the floor. This will protect the flooring from scratches if parts fall, and will allow you to carefully place the removed door. Also prepare a container for folding the screws so that they do not get lost.
Assessing the design and removing the top hinge
The first step is always dismantling the top hinge. In most models, it is hidden under a decorative plug, which must be carefully pryed off with a knife or flat-head screwdriver. Be careful not to damage plastic elements the design.
After removing the plug, access to the mounting bolts will open. Unscrew them, but do not remove them completely yet if the design requires a pin. On some models Samsung or LG the top hinge is part of the air supply system, so it may be necessary to disconnect the electrical connector.
- 🔧 Remove the decorative hinge cover.
- 🔧 Unscrew the mounting bolts key.
- 🔧 Disconnect the wires if they are connected to the door.
- 🔧 Hold the door so that it does not fall.
It is important to understand that in two-chamber models with a system No Frost control wiring often passes through the top hinge display or lighting. The connectors may be tight; they should be loosened carefully, holding the connector body and not the wires.
Removing the door leaf
When the top hinge is released, it is necessary to remove the door itself. It is better to perform this operation with an assistant, since the door leaf with seal and magnetic tape weighs quite a lot. If you are working alone, make sure you have a secure stop.
Remove the door from the bottom shaft or pin. Place it on a prepared soft surface, outer side down. Now you have access to the bottom hinge, which also needs to be dismantled to move it to the other side.
Carefully inspect the mounting points. Sometimes there may be washers or bushings left there that need to be moved to a new location. Remember or write down which parts belong to the upper and which to the lower fastening.
Transfer of fittings and handles
The next step is the transfer of handles and plugs. There are usually symmetrical openings at the ends of the door and on the body of the refrigerator. Remove the handle by unscrewing the screws from the inside of the door and install it on the opposite end.
The holes that have become free must be closed with decorative plugs. They often come with the refrigerator or are already installed on the opposite side. If there are no plugs, they can be ordered separately to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
⚠️ Attention: Do not overtighten the handle screws. The plastic may crack, and the metal may deform, which will lead to the opening mechanism being distorted.
Also check the condition of the magnetic seal. When removing the door, it may be accidentally damaged. If there are creases on the seal, they can be straightened with a hairdryer, heating the rubber with warm air.
Installing the lower hinge and hanging the door
Now you need to rearrange the lower support hinge. Unscrew it from one side of the case and screw it on the other using the reserved holes. Make sure that the pin (axis) on which the door will be placed is installed vertically and securely fixed.
After installing the lower hinge, you can put the door in place. Place the bottom hole of the loop onto the pin. It is better to perform this stage together: one person holds the door, the second prepares the upper part for installation.
☑️ Installation checklist
When hanging, it is important not to damage the wires passing inside. Carefully place the harness in the channel provided for it so that when closing the door it does not rub against the metal of the body.
Installation of the top hinge and electrical connections
The final stage of mechanical assembly is installation of the top hinge. Insert the pin into the door hole, align the hinge holes on the body and tighten the bolts. Do not tighten them completely before checking the mechanism.
If your model is equipped with a display or door control system, connect the electrical connectors. They should click into place in the grooves. Make sure that the wires are not tense and lie freely.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Dismantling and transfer | Hex / Screwdriver |
| Door handle | Change to end | Phillips screwdriver |
| Bottom support | Change sides fastenings | Open-end wrench |
| Plugs | Installation in free holes | Fingers / Tweezers |
After connecting the electrics, assemble the decorative box of the top hinge. Make sure that all cables are tucked inside and do not interfere with movement.
Adjusting gaps and tightness
After assembly, you need to check how the door closes. It should fit snugly around the entire perimeter. If you notice a misalignment or a loose fit, you will need to adjust the height of the door.
In most modern models, adjustment is carried out by rotating the adjusting bolts on the bottom hinge. By rotating them, you can raise or lower the corner of the door. Do this gradually, checking the result after each half-turn.
What to do if the door slams?
If the door closes too tightly or, on the contrary, slams, check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself. Raise the front legs so that the body has a slight tilt back.
Check the operation of the magnetic lock. The door should magnetize itself when there are a few centimeters left before closing. If this does not happen, the seal may be installed incorrectly or deformed.
Common errors and precautions
One of the common mistakes is ignoring the instructions for a specific model. The design Bosch may differ from Indesit, especially in the arrangement of wires and the shape of the loops. Always check the manual.
Another problem is the loss of fasteners. The screws of different units may differ in length and thread. By mixing them up, you can damage the threads in the body or fail to press the part. Sort fasteners immediately during disassembly.
⚠️ Attention: If the model has a self-closing system with a closer, do not use excessive force during installation so as not to break the spring mechanism.
Do not forget that after hanging the refrigerator may take time (from 2 to 4 hours) to stabilize the temperature, especially if you have been holding it for a long time turned off.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built-in?
In most cases built-in refrigerators have special fastenings for the furniture facade, which allow you to change the opening side. However, access to the hinges may be limited by furniture, so partial dismantling of the kitchen unit is often required.
What to do if after rehanging there is an extra wire left?
There should be no extra wires. If the wire is too long, it must be carefully rolled up and placed in a specially designated channel inside the housing or loop. Do not cut the wires or leave them dangling.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before work?
Complete defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if the door will be removed for a long time or you plan to clean the seal, it is better to defrost the unit in advance so that water does not flow into the mechanisms.
Why has the door begun to close worse?
Most likely, the geometry of the installation is broken. Check that the refrigerator is level on the floor and adjust the height of the door leaf using the screws on the bottom hinge. Also check if anything is interfering with the seal.