Changing the kitchen layout or simply rearranging furniture often poses an unexpected question to owners of household appliances: how to change the refrigerator door to another one side. This procedure allows you to adapt a large unit to new space conditions, providing comfortable access to products and saving usable space. In most modern models, manufacturers provide the possibility of such modification, but the process requires accuracy and strict adherence to the sequence of actions.
Before starting work, you need to understand that the design of different brands may differ significantly. If you own equipment Indesit, LG or Atlant, the fastening mechanism will have its own unique features that cannot be ignored. Incorrect rearranging hinges or ignoring the stoppers can lead to skewing of the blade, loss of tightness and, as a result, failure of the compressor due to constant operation. It is important to prepare the workplace in advance and free up space around the refrigerator for maneuvers.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of rehanging the door, starting with preparing tools and ending with the final adjustment of the gaps. You will learn about the nuances of working with electronics if they are built into the facade, and how to properly dismantle the handle without damage. Door reverse This is not a complicated operation, but it requires attention to detail so that the result will please you for many years without creaks or distortions.
Necessary tools and worker training places
High-quality preparation is the key to the success of any repair operation. To hang the door, you will need a basic set of tools, which are usually in the arsenal of any home craftsman. The main tool will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different heads (phillips and flat), since fasteners may differ in the type of heads. It would also be a good idea to have a wrench, a building level and, possibly, a flat spatula on hand for carefully prying up the decorative plugs.
Particular attention should be paid to organizing the space. The refrigerator is a heavy unit and often requires tilting to access the bottom hinges. To avoid damaging the flooring and ensure stability, place thick cardboard or a special protective covering under the legs. Make sure that there is good lighting in the work area, as many fasteners are located in hard-to-reach places and have a dark color that blends with the body.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work on dismantling the doors, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This is critical for safety, especially if electronic control modules or displays are built into the door.
If your model is equipped with a system No Frost or has a complex sealing system, it is recommended to photograph the original position of all elements in advance. This will help avoid assembly errors. Also prepare a container for storing screws and small parts so that they do not get lost during the process. Some manufacturers, such as Bosch or Siemens, equip their units with special hex keys, which are better to find and use them so as not to tear off the edges of the bolts.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Dismantling the upper and lower hinges
The process of removing the door begins with dismantling the upper hinge, which is the main load-bearing element of the structure. Depending on the model, the top hinge may be hidden under a decorative panel or plastic plug. Carefully remove the protection using a flat-head screwdriver and unscrew the mounting bolts. At this stage, it is important to hold the door so that it does not fall, since after removing the top hinge, it will only be supported by the bottom hinge, which creates a risk of falling.
After removing the top hinge, you must carefully lift the door to remove it from the bottom pin. This action is best performed by two people, especially if we are talking about a two-chamber refrigerator with a heavy bottom door. Place the removed canvas in a safe place, after covering the floor with soft material. Now you can begin to dismantle the lower hinge, which often has a more complex design with a spring or latch.
When working with the lower hinge, pay attention to the presence Central pin. In some models it is part of the hinge, while in others it is built into the refrigerator body. If the pin needs to be repositioned, use flats or a special wrench. Do not use excessive force to avoid damaging the threads in the unit body, the restoration of which may be impossible at home.
| Hinge type | Location | Dismantling features | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper | On top of the case | Hidden under the decorative cover | Phillips screwdriver |
| Bottom | Bottom of the body | Often has a spring mechanism | Wrench, pliers |
| Medium | Between chambers | Requires removal of both doors | Set of hexagons |
| Hidden | Inside the body | Access through removing the panel | Long screwdriver |
Transfer of handle and elements controls
One of the most delicate operations is moving the handle and controls if they are located on the door. In modern models, such as Samsung or LG, the handle can be integrated into the profile or fastened with screws from the inside. To dismantle the built-in handle, it is often necessary to remove the entire inner panel of the door, which requires special care so as not to damage the fragile plastic or ventilation system.
If your model has a display or control buttons located on the facade, you must carefully disconnect the cables. Before doing this, make sure that the refrigerator is completely de-energized. The cables are usually secured with plastic latches that need to be bent before removing the contacts. When moving to the other side, it is important not to pinch the wires and make sure that they are long enough for the new position without tension.
What to do if the cable is too short?
In some cases, when reversing the door, the cable may not be enough to connect to the connector on the opposite side. In such a situation, it is absolutely forbidden to pull the wire. It is necessary to check whether the kit includes a spare extension cord or the ability to reconnect the main harness inside the refrigerator body, following the diagram in the instructions.
After dismantling all the elements on one side, they are installed on the opposite side. For this purpose, symmetrical holes are provided at the end of the door, closed with plastic plugs. Remove the plugs from the new side and install them in place of the old holes to maintain the aesthetic appearance. Make sure that all the screws are tightened tightly, but not fanatically, so as not to break the threads in the plastic.
Installing the door on the new side
Installing the door on the new side is done in the reverse order of dismantling. First, the lower loop is mounted in a new place. The refrigerator body has corresponding threaded holes, which were initially closed with plugs. Screw the pin or hinge base into the new slot, making sure it sits evenly and snugly.
Then hang the door on the bottom hinge and align it. At this point you will need a helper to hold the door upright while you secure the top hinge. The top hinge is installed in new holes on the top end of the case. Do not tighten the top hinge bolts all the way right away - leave a small gap for later adjustment of the door position.
Pay special attention sealing rubber. When hanging the door, it could become deformed or displaced. Warm the rubber with a hairdryer at low temperature or just warm water so that it straightens and fits tightly to the body around the entire perimeter. A loose fit of the seal will lead to loss of cold and the formation of ice.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the door, make sure that the wiring, if present, does not fall under the hinges or into the gap between the door and the body. A pinched wire can cause a short circuit or failure of the electronics.
Adjusting the position and gaps
After installing the door in place, it is necessary to carry out a thorough adjustment. The door should open freely, without distortions or creaks, and when closing, fit tightly to the body around the entire perimeter. Adjustment is usually carried out by loosening the fastening bolts of the upper and middle hinges and moving the blade in the desired direction. Use a building level to check that the installation is vertical.
If the door is skewed to one side, loosen the top hinge bolts and slightly raise or lower the corresponding corner of the door. Some models use special adjustment screws in the supports to adjust the height. After each small change, check the tightness of the seal by closing the door on a sheet of paper - it should be removed with a little effort along the entire perimeter.
It is also important to check the operation of closers and magnetic latches. The door should close on its own when opened to a certain angle (usually 15-20 degrees). If this does not happen, the refrigerator may not be level or the angle of the cabinet requires correction using the front adjustable supports.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
When rehanging doors yourself, mistakes are often made that can negate all efforts. The most common of them is the loss or confusion of fasteners. The bolts for the left and right sides may have different lengths or thread pitches. Installing a long bolt into a short hole can damage the inner wall of the refrigerator or chamber.
Another mistake is to ignore the plugs. Many people forget to replace the plastic plugs in the vacated holes, which spoils the appearance and allows dust and moisture to penetrate inside the structure. Also, users often forget to check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself after all manipulations, which leads to spontaneous opening of the doors.
- 🔧 Thread breakage: Occurs when using a tool of the wrong size or applying excessive force. Always start screwing the bolt in by hand.
- 🚪 Distortion of the leaf: The result of uneven tightening of the hinge bolts. Tighten the fasteners crosswise, gradually increasing the force.
- ❄️ Breach of tightness: Often caused by damage to the seal during installation or incorrect adjustment of the door angle.
⚠️ Attention: If, after rehanging the door, the refrigerator begins to make strange sounds or does not close well, do not ignore it. Re-checking the installation level and tension of the loops is mandatory, otherwise the compressor will work with overload.
Features of models of different brands
Different manufacturers use different engineering solutions. For example, refrigerators Atlant often use a simple and reliable hinge system that does not require complex tools, but requires care when removing decorative trims. In models Indesit and Ariston there is often a hidden top hinge, accessed by removing the top cover of the case.
Premium segment equipment, such as Liebherr or Miele, may have integrated handles and a complex system of hinges with closers. In such cases, it is strongly recommended to have the original instructions at hand, since the procedure may be strictly regulated. Some models require removing the entire front panel to access the fasteners.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that re-hanging a door is a very real task for a DIYer with basic tool skills. The main thing is to act consistently, not to force events and remember about safety. Properly done work will allow you to enjoy the updated ergonomics of the kitchen and the ease of use of the refrigerator.
Is it possible to rehang the door if a display is installed on it?
Yes, you can, but this requires more caution. It is necessary to carefully disconnect the display power cable, move the control panel to the other side (if the design allows) and reconnect the cable. It is important to make sure that the length of the wire allows this to be done without tension.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
Plugs can be ordered at the manufacturer’s service center or selected universal analogues in furniture fittings stores. As a last resort, you can use decorative stickers of a suitable color, although this is less aesthetically pleasing.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if you plan to tilt the refrigerator strongly or lay it on its side, it is better to remove all the food and let the unit stand turned off for at least 30 minutes so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.
Why does the door not close tightly after rehanging?
Most likely, the geometry of the installation is broken. Check if the refrigerator is level and adjust the height of the front legs. Also check if the seal is jammed during installation, and if necessary, warm it up with a hairdryer.