Redesigning the kitchen or simply the desire to optimize the space often dictates its own conditions, making you think about changing the opening side of the refrigerator door. Equipment owners Indesit may be faced with the need to move the attachment, since the factory equipment does not always fit perfectly into the ergonomics of a particular room. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand provides the ability to independently perform this procedure without calling a specialist.
The process requires accuracy and understanding of the mechanics of the units, since the door leaf has significant weight, and the hinges are subject to high loads. Rehanging doors —this is not just rearranging the bolts, it is a complex work of dismantling, moving the fittings and subsequent adjustment tightness. Improper execution of operations can lead to distortion of the canvas, disruption of thermal insulation and premature failure of the seal.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions, the necessary tools and specific nuances of working with various modifications of equipment Indesit. We will pay special attention to models with system No Frost and two-chamber units, where the design of the loops may differ from classic single-chamber solutions. Compliance with the sequence of steps guarantees the preservation of the warranty and long service life of the equipment.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before proceeding with dismantling, it is necessary to prepare the workspace and tools. The refrigerator Indesit is a large device, so clear the area around it at least one and a half meters in each direction. This will allow you to freely walk around the unit, lay down the removed parts and not damage the flooring or the equipment itself if elements accidentally fall.
For work, you will need a standard home craftsman's kit, but it is important to make sure that each tool is in working order. The main working element will be a hex key, the size of which is usually 5 or 6 mm, depending on the year of manufacture of the model. You'll also need a flathead and Phillips screwdriver, a 10mm wrench, and perhaps a socket with a driver for hard-to-reach bolts.
Keeping components safe and secure is critical. Heavy door leaves require reliable fixation or the help of a second person. Adjusting the hinges This is impossible if the body is skewed, so use a building level to check the horizontal position before starting work.
- 🔧 A set of hex keys (the main tool for loops).
- 🪛 Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead) for removing plastic plugs.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧼 Rags and degreaser for cleaning seats.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator Indesit from the electrical network. Working with live door wiring (if any) is strictly prohibited and dangerous to life.Removing the top panel and top hinge
The process begins from the top of the refrigerator compartment. On most models Indesit the top cover is secured with two bolts at the front and secured with latches at the back. Having carefully unscrewed the front fastenings, you need to slide the cover back until it disengages, after which it can be freely removed upwards. This provides access to the top hinge of the door.
Next, you should disconnect the electrical connectors if your model is equipped with a temperature indicator on the door or a system No Frost with a fan in the door. The connectors are usually located under the top cover or in the hinge niche. It is important not to pull the wires, but to carefully snap off the plastic connector clamps.
After turning off the electrics, unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge to the refrigerator body. At this moment, the door leaf remains supported only on the middle (if any) or lower support, but actually hangs by weight. Be sure to hold the door with your second hand or call an assistant so that the leaf does not fall and damage the floor or your own fingers.
☑️ Preparation for dismantling
Done: 0 / 5Do not move the removed top hinge far away yet - it will be needed for installation on the other side. If there is a pin on the hinge, knock it out carefully, but more often in modern models Indesit a bolt connection is used directly.
Removing the door leaf and moving the fittings
After releasing the top hinge, the door must be removed. In two-chamber models, first remove the upper door of the refrigerator compartment, then, after dismantling the intermediate cross member (if it is structurally connected to the door), remove the lower door of the freezer compartment. The canvas is laid on a prepared soft surface (blanket or cardboard) with the outer side down.
On the back of the door you will see holes closed with decorative plugs. These plugs need to be removed and moved to the opposite side, where the hinges will now be located. Plugs are screwed into the vacated holes on the other side. This is an important aesthetic point that cannot be ignored.
Now you need to rearrange the handle if the design of the model Indesit involves its relocation. Often the handles are symmetrical, but may require turning 180 degrees or rearranging the mounting screws. Use hex key to dismantle and then fix the handle in a new place.
- 🚪 Remove the door and place it on a soft surface.
- 🕳️ Rearrange the plastic plugs into the holes under hinges.
- 🔩 Move the handle to the opposite end of the door.
- 🧹 Clean the ends of the door from dust before assembly.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the door, watch the magnetic seal. Do not allow it to bend or stretch, as this will lead to a breakdown of the tightness and an increase in energy consumption.Rehanging the lower hinge and crossbar
The most difficult stage is working with the lower part of the structure. In refrigerators Indesit the lower hinge is often combined with the axis of rotation or attached to the base plate. It is necessary to unscrew the bolts securing the lower hinge on one side and move them to the opposite side. Some models require turning the hinge itself 180 degrees.
If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, there is a crossbar between the doors. It also needs to be dismantled. The design of the bar allows it to be installed in a mirror position. Pay attention to the pins and bushings - they must be installed correctly to ensure smooth operation.
When installing the bottom hinge to a new location, it is important not to tighten the bolts “all the way” right away. Leave a small gap for subsequent adjustment. Centering the door is performed at the final stage, when all the elements are already in place.
In models with the system No Frost additional cables or air ducts can pass through the lower part. Make sure that when turning the door over, nothing is pinched and all channels coincide with the holes in the body.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some older Indesit models, holes for hinges may only be on one side. In this case, you need to check the instructions: sometimes you need to drill new holes or use special adapters included in the kit. If there are no adapters, self-drilling is not recommended - contact the service.
Installing the door and electrical connection
Returning the door leaf to its place. We put the lower hinge on the axle or insert a pin, then carefully place the door on the lower pivot. Now you need to install the top hinge on the new side. Insert the upper hinge mounting bolts into the holes of the housing, but just tighten them for now.
The next step is connecting the electrical. If your model Indesit has a display or light bulb in the door, connect the connectors. They have a specific shape, so it is difficult to confuse them, but make sure that the latch clicks. The wires must be laid in special grooves so as not to be pinched by metal.
After connection, you can finally fix the upper loop. The door is now installed, but it will likely hang unevenly. This is fine. The main task at this stage is to make sure that all the bolts are screwed in and nothing is loose.
- 🔌 Connect the wire connectors until the hinge is completely fixed.
- 🔩 Tighten the bolts of the top hinge, but do not tighten it completely.
- 🧱 Check that the door opened and closed freely.
- 👀 Make sure that the gaps around the perimeter look uniform.
Only after successful testing of the mechanics can you replace the top cover of the refrigerator. Align the grooves, slide the cover forward and tighten the fixing bolts.
Final adjustment and tightness check
The final stage is fine-tuning the door position. If the door is skewed (one corner fits tighter than the other), it is necessary to loosen the fastenings of the middle or lower hinge and slightly move the leaf. Adjustment is made by trial and error: with micro movements we achieve a perfect fit of the seal around the entire perimeter.
Pay special attention to the magnetic tape. It should fit tightly to the body, without gaps. Checking the tightness is done by a simple test with a sheet of paper: hold the sheet with the door and try to pull it out. If the sheet is pulled out easily anywhere, the seal is broken. If with force, everything is in order.
Some models Indesit provide for adjusting the height of the refrigerator legs. If, after rehanging, the door begins to open on its own or, conversely, does not close completely, try tightening the front support legs, changing the angle of inclination of the entire body back.
Element Action Tool Criteria success Upper loop Transfer to the other side Hexagon 5-6 mm No play in the vertical Lower hinge Reversal or rearrangement 10 mm key Smooth opening operation Seal Checking fit Sheet of paper The sheet is clamped tightly in a circle Electrical Connecting connectors Hands The lamp is on/working display ⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the gaps still remain, the door leaf itself or the seal may have become deformed. In this case, replacement of the sealing rubber is required, since adjusting the hinges will not correct the geometry.Common mistakes and troubleshooting
When re-hanging the doors on the refrigerator on their own Indesit beginners often make a number of common mistakes. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of bolts of different lengths. Carefully sort the fasteners: long bolts in short holes can pierce the thermal insulation of the case, which is unacceptable.
Another problem is overtightening the bolts. Excessive force may strip the threads in the aluminum housing or burst the plastic hinge bushing. Tighten the fasteners tightly, but without fanaticism. If you feel that the bolt is going tight, it is better to stop.
The damper (closer) is also often forgotten. In some models it is installed on only one side. When re-hanging it, it is necessary to rearrange it or install a second one, if the equipment allows it. Without a closer, the door will slam shut with a bang, which harms the compressor and the structure.
If after all the manipulations the refrigerator starts to work louder or there are problems with closing, double-check the installation of the crossbar between the chambers. Its incorrect installation is a common cause of distortions.
Is it possible to rehang the door without completely removing it from the body?
Theoretically, this is possible on some models, where the design of the hinges allows you to unscrew them from one side and screw them to the other while the door is hanging. However, in practice this is extremely inconvenient and dangerous: the door can fall sharply, damaging the floor or the master’s legs. In addition, it is difficult to rearrange the handle and plugs without removing the door. It is still recommended to completely dismantle the panel.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door opens by itself?
This is a sign of a violation of the angle of the refrigerator. The body should be tilted slightly backwards so that the center of gravity of the door moves towards the closing direction. Adjust the height of the front legs of the refrigerator Indesitby unscrewing them to raise the front of the unit.
Do I need to wait after installation before turning it on?
Yes, after transportation and mechanical work, the refrigerator needs time to stabilize. If you just changed the opening side without tilting more than 45 degrees, 2-3 hours is enough. If the refrigerator was tilted or lying down strongly, it is better to wait 4-6 hours before starting the compressor for the first time.
Will the warranty still apply after re-hanging it yourself?
According to the law, independent repairs or modifications (which include re-hanging) may become grounds for denial of warranty service if the breakdown is related to your actions. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call an official master. However, reweighing itself does not void the warranty on the compressor if you did not damage anything.
Where can I get plugs if they are lost?
Decorative plugs are a consumable item that is rarely sold separately. If you have lost your loved ones, you can order a set of plugs for a specific model Indesit at the service center or use universal furniture plugs of a suitable diameter, selecting them by color at a hardware store.