How to flip the door on an Indesit refrigerator: complete instructions

The situation when after installing a new refrigerator or remodeling the kitchen it turns out that door opens in the wrong direction, familiar to many owners of household appliances. This creates significant inconvenience, interfering with free access to the shelves and taking up extra space in the aisle. Fortunately, the design of most models Indesit provides for the possibility of changing the opening side.

The process rehanging does not require calling a specialist and special technical knowledge if you act carefully and consistently. You will only need a minimal set of tools and about half an hour of free time. The main thing is to follow the order of dismantling and installing the fittings so as not to damage facade or the seal.

In this article we will look in detail at how to flip the door on an Indesit refrigerator, paying attention to the nuances for different series of equipment. Correctly performed work will ensure the tightness of the closure and extend the service life hinge mechanism. Carefully study the recommendations before starting work.

Necessary tools and workplace preparation

Before you start disassembling fasteners, you need to prepare the workspace. The refrigerator should be moved away from the wall, allowing access from all sides, including the rear. Free the internal shelves adjacent to the doors so that they do not fall out when the case is tilted.

To work, you will need a standard home handyman set. It is important to use the correct size tools so as not to strip slots on the bolts, which are often tightened with great force at the factory.

• 🔧 Screwdriver set (Phillips and flathead) - for removing plastic plugs and screws.
• 🔩 A wrench or 8 mm socket is the main tool for removing hinges.
• 🧤 Work gloves - to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
• 🧽 Soft rags - for wiping parts and protecting the floor from scratches.

Pay special attention to the stability of the unit. Since the refrigerator will have to be tilted during operation, it must be placed on a flat, non-slip surface. If the floor is slippery, place mats or thick cardboard under the legs anti-vibration mats or thick cardboard.

Design features of Indesit doors

Equipment Indesit is available in various modifications, and the door fastening design may vary depending on the series. Most modern models use a system of hidden or partially hidden hingeshinges, which are attached directly to the body and door leaf.

It is important to understand that you can rehang not only the main door of the refrigeration chamber, but also the freezer chamber, if we are talking about two-door models. However, in some budget series, the bottom door may not have pre-installed holes for hinges on the other side, which makes the procedure impossible without complex modifications.

⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to check the technical data sheet of your model. In the "Installation" or "Installation" section there should be a diagram indicating the possibility of reverse doors. If the diagram shows holes on only one side, you cannot change the opening side.

It is also worth considering the weight of the door. The door of the refrigerator compartment is usually heavier due to the shelves and system installed inside No Frost (if there is one), so it is better to work with an assistant, especially at the removal stage.

Removing the top part and handle

You should always start work from the top of the unit. The first step is to remove the decorative panel or plug that hides the fasteners. In models Indesit it is often secured with latches or small screws.

Carefully pry off the plastic cover with a flat screwdriver, having first wrapped the tip with electrical tape so as not to leave scratches on the glossy surface. After removing the plug, you will have access to the upper hinges loops.

Then the algorithm is as follows:

• 🔓 Unscrew the screws securing the upper hinge using a wrench.
• 🚪 Remove the door from the lower support stud (if there is one) or simply free it from the top fastening.
• 🔩 Dismantle the hinge itself and put it aside, keeping all the screws.

Now you need to remove the handle. In most cases, it is attached with screws from the inside of the door or closed with decorative stops. Unscrew the fasteners and remove handleto install it on the opposite side.

Re-hanging the main door of the refrigerator compartment

The most important stage is rearranging the main door leaf. It is important here not to confuse the sequence of actions, since the door is heavy and can displace center of gravity the refrigerator.

Remove the door from the lower pin and place it on a prepared soft surface (for example, on a spread blanket or cardboard). This will prevent the appearance of dents on the body and scratches on enamel.

Now let's move the fittings:

1. Find hole plugs on the opposite end of the door and body.
2. Unscrew the existing ones cap screws and move them into the vacated holes on the other side.
3. Install hinge in a new place, but do not tighten the screws all the way yet to be able to adjust.

After installing the awnings on the body, install the door in place. Align the holes in the door with the holes in the hinge and secure the structure. Make sure that the door is level and that it fits snugly around the entire perimeter. 30 degrees seal fits tightly around the entire perimeter.

Working with the bottom freezer door chamber

If your refrigerator Indesit has a bottom freezer compartment, the procedure must be repeated for it. The principle is similar, but there are some nuances with hinges and the intermediate partition.

First remove the freezer door by unscrewing the bottom hinge. Often it is hidden under a decorative base or panel. Carefully dismantle the panel to gain access to fasteners.

Then rearrange the handle and install the door on the new side using the holes provided by the factory. Pay special attention to the pin connecting the upper and lower doors (if the design provides for their connection when opening).

After installation, check whether the door touches the frame or adjacent furniture. If necessary, adjust adjustment heights of the legs of the refrigerator to even out the misalignment.

Adjusting and checking tightness

After all the doors are installed in new places, you need to make sure that the work was done correctly. A loose fit seal will lead to loss of cold and increased load on the compressor.

Carry out a visual inspection: the door should close tightly, without distortions. If you notice a gap, try loosening the hinge screws a little, pressing the door more tightly to the body and tightening the fasteners again clamps.

To check the tightness, use a simple test with a sheet of paper:

• 📄 Take a regular sheet of A4 paper.
• 🚪 Clamp it with the refrigerator door around the perimeter.
• 🧐 Pull the sheet: it should be removed with noticeable effort.

If the sheet is pulled out too easily or, conversely, the door does not close completely, additional position is required loops Also check that the door does not slam or bounce when opening. setup loop positions. Also check that the door does not slam or bounce when opening.

⚠️ Attention: Do not plug in the refrigerator immediately after rearranging the doors if you tilted the body too much. If the angle of inclination exceeded 40 degrees, the compressor requires a sludge (at least 2-4 hours) to return oil to the crankcase.

Common mistakes and useful recommendations

In the process of self-repair, beginners often make mistakes that can lead to equipment failure. One of the most common is the loss plugs or mixing up of screws of different lengths.

Try to lay out the parts in the order in which you removed them. Use a magnetic tray or labeled containers. This will save time during reassembly and prevent a situation where fasteners the size does not fit.

Another mistake is excessive force when screwing the screws into the plastic case. This can lead to cracks in the casing door, which cannot be repaired unnoticed.

If you doubt your abilities or find that the holes on your model do not match the description, it is better to contact service center. A professional technician will do the job quickly and guarantee the result.