Rearranging kitchen furniture often confronts owners of household appliances with the need to change the opening side of the refrigerator. Modern LG models are designed with this capability in mind, allowing owners to adapt the device to a new room layout. The process of changing the side of the hitch may seem complicated, but if you have basic tools and a clear algorithm of actions, this task can be solved even for a person without experience in repairing equipment.
However, it is worth considering that the design of different series LG may differ significantly. In some models it is enough to simply rearrange the hinges, in others it is necessary to dismantle the control panel or resolder the door switch contacts. Incorrect actions can lead to damage to the façade or loss of sealing. Therefore, before starting work, you need to carefully study the features of your specific model.
In this article we will analyze in detail the entire process, from preparing tools to final adjustment of the gaps. You will learn how to safely dismantle the fittings, where to move the plugs and what to pay special attention to so that the refrigerator works correctly after rearrangement.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
The first step is complete preparation. You will need a free space in front of the refrigerator that is at least one and a half meters wide. This will provide convenient access to the ends and allow you to safely place the door on the floor, having previously covered it with soft material, such as a blanket or thick cardboard.
For work, you will need a standard home craftsman's kit. The main tool will be a wrench or ratchet with heads of the appropriate size, since the hinge bolts are often tightened with great force. You also cannot do without a flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers, which may be needed to remove decorative elements.
Be sure to prepare a container for folding the fasteners. Small screws and nuts tend to get lost at the most inopportune moment, and searching for original fasteners for refrigerator hinges can take a lot of time. It is recommended to use a magnetic tray or several small jars.
☑️ Tools for hanging the door
Design features LG models and complexity assessment
Before you grab the tools, you need to understand what kind of design you are dealing with. LG refrigerators are divided into several types based on the difficulty of re-hanging. The simplest option is the classic two-chamber model, where the handle is mechanical and the hinges are hidden under decorative plugs. In such cases, the process takes a minimum of time.
A more complex case is models with a system No Frost and an electronic control panel located on the door. Here, a simple rearrangement of the loops is impossible without moving the control board or extending the wires. Often, such models come with a special extension cable that must be used.
Models with a display on the door
If on your LG model the display is built into the door and not located above the cameras, then an independent excess may require resoldering the cables. In such cases, it is better to contact an authorized service, as there is a risk of damaging the thin contacts.
It is also important to check the presence of all the necessary holes on the opposite side of the case. Manufacturing plants usually provide symmetrical perforation, but in budget series the holes can only be on one side, which makes rehanging impossible without drilling the metal.
Dismantling the upper part and removing the door
We begin the immediate analysis. The first step is to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is a critical safety requirement, especially if the model is equipped with door-mounted electronics. After this, we remove all the shelves and drawers from the door to lighten the structure and avoid broken glass.
Next we move on to the top hinge. Remove the decorative cover, which is usually held in place by latches or a single screw. Underneath you will see mounting bolts. Before unscrewing them, ask an assistant to hold the door, since after removing the upper fastening it will remain hanging only on the lower hinge, which can lead to misalignment.
Carefully unscrew the bolts of the upper fastening. If your model has a magnetic seal that sticks a lot, pull the door back slightly. Remove the top hinge and set it aside. The door can now be carefully removed from the bottom pin and placed on the prepared surface.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to remove the door alone if it is heavy or has glass inserts. A sudden jerk can cause a back injury or damage to the floor covering.
After removing the door, inspect the bottom hinge. In some LG models, it also requires dismantling or moving the mating part to the other side. If the bottom hinge is not removable, make sure that the pin does not interfere with installing the door on the new side.
Transferring hardware elements and plugs
Now you need to prepare the door for installation on the new side. Find the holes at the end of the door where the hinges were previously attached. They have plastic plugs installed. They need to be carefully removed and moved to the opposite side, where the holes will now be visible.
We carry out a similar operation with the handle. If the handle is hidden (mortise), it may require reinstalling the mounting screws on the other side. For overhead handles, just unscrew the fasteners, move the handle to a new location and tighten the screws into pre-prepared factory holes.
| Element | Action when overweight | Nuance for LG models |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Move to the opposite side | Pin may need to be replaced |
| Bottom hinge | Dismantle and rearrange | Often has an asymmetrical shape |
| Plugs | Remove and close the old holes with them | Sometimes they require replacement with new ones from the kit |
| Door stop | Move to a new hole | Located on the bottom end doors |
Pay special attention to the door stop (latch), which is located in the lower part. It prevents the door from opening in the opposite direction. It must be unscrewed from the old hole and screwed into a symmetrical hole on the other side. A hex wrench is often used for this.
Installing the door on the new side
After all the elements are prepared, we proceed to assembly. Install the bottom hinge to the new location on the refrigerator body. Make sure it fits snugly and the bolts are tightened all the way. Now you can put the door in place.
Lift the door and put it on the lower hinge pin. Make sure that the holes on the end of the door exactly match the holes in the top hinge. This may require some skill and the help of a second person to hold the structure.
Install the top hinge and tighten the bolts. Don't tighten them all the way right away. First, make sure that the door is level and not distorted. Then tighten all bolts evenly with a wrench. Check that the door opens and closes freely and that there are no jams.
If the model is equipped with a magnetic lock or opening sensor, check their operation. When the door is closed, a characteristic click should be heard, and the light inside the chamber should go out. If the light continues to light, the sensor may not match the magnet on the case.
Adjusting the gaps and checking the tightness
The final stage is adjustment. Even with careful installation, small distortions may occur. On many LG models, the height of the refrigerator legs is adjustable. By twisting the front supports, you can tilt the body backwards, which will ensure automatic closing of the door.
Check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. Gaps should not exceed 2 millimeters. To check, you can use a sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body in different places. If the paper is pulled out with force along the entire perimeter, then the tightness is in order.
⚠️ Attention: If after rehanging the door does not fit tightly, do not try to forcefully bend the hinge metal. It is better to loosen the fastenings and reset the door position; you may need to place a washer.
Plug in the refrigerator and let it run for several hours. Check to see if condensation has appeared at the joints and if the seal is freezing. A correctly installed door is the key to energy efficiency and long service life of the compressor.
What to do if the door squeaks?
If a squeak appears after installation, lubricate the hinges with a small amount of silicone grease. Do not use oil or grease, as they may damage the plastic sleeves.
Do you need to change the opening side of the freezer separately?
In most LG two-compartment refrigerators, the freezer and refrigerator doors are hung independently of each other. However, if you have a Side-by-Side model, the design may be different, and rearrangement may not be possible without completely disassembling the case.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
Plugs can be ordered at the LG service center or you can pick up universal analogues in furniture fittings stores. You can temporarily seal the holes with decorative tape in the color of the body to prevent dust from getting inside.
Is it possible to flip the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen?
For built-in appliances, the procedure is more complicated, since dismantling the facades of the kitchen unit is required. Before starting work, make sure that you have access to the side walls of the niche and the ability to remove the door from its hinges without damaging the furniture.
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
Independently re-hanging the door, if it is done without damaging the components and using standard holes, usually does not void the warranty. However, if the hinges are broken or the glass is broken during the process, the service center has the right to refuse free repairs.