The situation when redevelopment kitchens or simply the peculiarities of furniture arrangement require changing the direction of opening the refrigerator door is quite common often. Many owners of household appliances do not suspect that this function is included in the design of most modern models. Independent reweighing is a real way to adapt the unit to new conditions without calling a specialist, which will save the family budget.
This process does not require unique engineering knowledge, but requires the presence of a basic set of tools and accuracy. Refrigerator is a complex device where the tightness of the circuit plays a key role, so any manipulations with seals and hinges must be carried out carefully. In this article we will look at all the nuances that will help you change the opening side of the doors safely and effectively.
Before you get started, you should make sure that your model generally supports this option. Usually information about this is contained in instructions or on the manufacturer’s website. If the design allows, then at the end of the case, on the opposite side from the current hinges, you will find hidden technical holes, closed with decorative plugs.
One of the most common reasons for this procedure is the ergonomics of the kitchen space. When a door opens in the wrong direction, it can block passage or interfere with opening adjacent cabinets. Important: if electrical cables for a display or backlight bulbs run inside the door, simple re-hanging may be impossible without extending the wiring or is completely prohibited manufacturer. Always check this point before starting disassembly.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is a basic safety rule that will prevent electric shock and protect electronics from power surges when contacts are accidentally shorted.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task, you will need a minimum set of tools that are usually found in every home. The main element will be a set of screwdrivers, since the mounting screws may have different heads. In some models, especially large two-chamber ones refrigerators, you may need a socket wrench or a wrench of a certain size.
- 🔧 A set of Phillips and flathead screwdrivers of different sizes for different screws.
- 🔩 A wrench or head with a knob (often a size of 8 or 10 mm is required).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧹 Masking tape to secure moving parts while working.
Prepare free space around the unit. You will need to move the appliance away from the wall to allow access to the back and sides. It is also recommended to cover the floor in front of the refrigerator with a soft cloth or cardboard so that the laid parts do not scratch the coating or damage themselves.
Pay special attention to the preparation of fasteners. It is best to place all removed screws, washers and plugs in a magnetic tray or container with sides. Small parts tend to roll under the baseboard at the most inopportune moment, which can stop the whole process.
Dismantling the top door and removing the hinges
You should always start the process from the top chamber if you have a two-door model. The first step is to remove the decorative panel or cover covering the top hinge. It is usually held in place by latches or one small screw. After removal, you will see the main fastening unit, which holds the weight of the entire sash.
Do not rush to unscrew all the screws of the top hinge at once. Because the door is heavy, it needs to be secured to prevent it from falling on your feet or damaging the bottom drawer. Ask an assistant to hold the door or use masking tape to glue the door to the body of the refrigerator in a vertical position.
After fixing, you can loosen and unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge. Pay attention to the presence of washers or bushings - their order and location must be remembered or photographed. When reassembling on the other side, these elements must fall into place, otherwise the mechanism will not work correctly.
☑️ Preparing to remove the door
When the top hinge is disconnected, carefully lift the door by removing it from the pins of the middle hinge (if there is one) or simply freeing it from the fasteners. It is better to put the removed part in a safe place, after wiping the seal from dust. Now you will have access to the middle part of the case.
Working with the lower part and moving the fittings
The next stage is dismantling the lower door and rearranging the fittings. Remove the plinth grille from the bottom of the refrigerator if it interferes with access to the bottom hinge. Unscrew the lower hinge mounting bolts and remove it. Now you have on your hands a complete set of parts for rearrangement.
Carefully inspect the removed hinges. On many models they are symmetrical, but have specific guides. You may need to reverse the pin or rearrange the opening limiter. Limiter is a small plastic or metal element that prevents the door from swinging open too far.
On the opposite side of the case you will find holes covered with plastic plugs. Remove them carefully. Often these plugs are used as decorative elements on the active side, so they will need to be moved to the newly vacated spaces on the working side.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when removing the plugs. The plastic on older refrigerators can be brittle. If the plug cannot be removed with your fingers, carefully pry it with a flat-head screwdriver through a soft cloth so as not to leave marks.
Install the hinges in new places using the prepared holes. Do not tighten the bolts all the way yet, leave a little play for adjustment. This will allow you to further align the doors relative to each other and the body.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some models of refrigerators (especially older or specific brands), the grid of holes may differ. If you see that the holes on the new side do not coincide with the holes on the hinge, it is possible that your model is not designed for overhang, or you may need to use the adapter bushings included in the kit. Check the instructions again.
Installing the doors on the new side and adjusting
Now the most crucial moment - hanging the doors. Start with the bottom sash. Place it on the bottom hinge, placing the pin in the hole. Then secure the top of the bottom door to the middle hinge (or to the body, depending on the design). Here again you will need the help of a second person, since it is difficult to hold the heavy door and get into the holes at the same time.
After installing the bottom door, move on to the top one. Hang it on the middle loop and secure the top fastening unit. At this point the bolts still do not need to be torqued to death. Your task is to achieve perfect visual alignment.
For adjustment (alignment), use a level or simply visually assess the gaps. The doors must fit tightly to the body around the entire perimeter. If misalignment is noticeable, loosen the fasteners and slightly move the door up, down or sideways. Height adjustment is often carried out by rotating the hinge itself or using washers.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not fit tightly | Hinges skewed or dirty | Loosen the fastenings, align, clean the seal |
| The door opens itself | Tilt the refrigerator back | Adjust the support legs, by increasing the tilt back |
| The door is difficult to open | The hinges are too tight | Slightly loosen the fastening bolts |
| The gap between the doors is different | Incorrect installation of the pins | Check the installation of all bushings and washers |
When you are completely satisfied with the position of the doors, finally tighten all the bolts. Check the operation of the mechanism: the door should open smoothly, without squeaks, and close tightly from a slight push at a distance of about 30-40 degrees.
Nuances for models with a display and the No system Frost
Owners of modern models with No Frost and an electronic display on the door need to be especially careful. In such refrigerators, a wiring harness often passes through the top hinge, connecting the main control unit with the display panel and lamp.
When dismantling the top door, you cannot simply disconnect the hinge. First you need to find the wire connector. It can be located inside the refrigerator body (under the top cover) or directly in the hinge area. Carefully disconnect the chip, remembering its position.
When installing the door on the other side, the length of the standard wire may not be enough. Such refrigerators often come with an extension cord. If it is not there and the wire is short, independent re-hanging may be impossible without the intervention of a service center.
- 🔌 Find the electrical connector before completely removing the door.
- 📏 Check the cable length to see if it is enough for the new side.
- 🛡️ Protect the contacts from moisture and dust during assembly.
Also in No Frost systems, it is important not to damage the cold air supply channels, which may pass near the hinge attachment points. Be careful with the tool so as not to puncture the insulation or plastic ducts.
⚠️ Warning: If you find that the display cable is too short to reach the new side, do not try to stretch it or twist the wires with electrical tape. This may cause a short circuit. In this case, it is better to leave the door as is or contact an authorized dealer.
Tightness check and final tests
After completing the mechanical assembly, it is necessary to check the quality of the installation. The main indicator of success is tightness. Cold air should not escape outside, and warm air should not penetrate inside. For the initial check, you can use a simple visual method and a method with a sheet of paper.
Take a regular sheet of A4 paper. Open the door and place the sheet across the seal so that part hangs out. Close the door. Try to pull out the sheet. It should come out with noticeable effort. If the sheet falls out or is pulled out too easily, it means that the fit is broken in this place.
Carry out this procedure along the entire perimeter of both doors. Pay special attention to the corners, since this is where distortions most often occur if the hinges are installed incorrectly. If problem areas are found, repeat the procedure for adjusting the height and tilt of the door.
After checking the tightness, turn on the refrigerator. Let it run for several hours without loading food. Listen to the operation of the compressor to see if there are any unnecessary vibrations that could arise due to the skew of the housing (although this is unlikely if installed correctly). Check whether the door touches adjacent furniture when opened 90 degrees.
Is it possible to change the doors on a built-in refrigerator?
Yes, on built-in models this is done according to a similar principle, but there is a nuance with the façade furniture overlay. You will have to remove the furniture front from the refrigerator door and rehang it along with the metal door to the new side. This requires greater care so as not to damage the fastenings of the furniture hinges.
What to do if, after rehanging, the refrigerator door does not close on its own?
Most likely, the angle of the refrigerator itself is broken. For proper closure, the housing must be slightly tilted back (the upper part is further from the wall than the lower part). Adjust the front support legs by unscrewing them to lift the front of the unit.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to turn off the refrigerator in advance. Heavy blocks of ice can shift the center of gravity when removing the door, which complicates the process. In addition, when the door is tilted, residual water may flow out.
Will the magnets gather on the door if it is turned over?
Yes, the magnetic field of the refrigerator door is uniform over the entire surface and does not depend on the opening side. The magnets will hold just as tightly as before. The opening direction does not in any way affect the magnetic properties of the metal sheet inside the door.
Is it possible to lose the warranty if you re-hang it yourself?
In most cases, simply re-hanging the doors, as provided for in the instructions, is not a reason to refuse warranty service if you have not broken anything. However, if you strip threads, break plastic, or damage wiring, your warranty claim may not be recognized. Keep all removed parts.