Changing the kitchen layout or simply wanting to optimize the space often lead to the need to change the direction of opening the door of the refrigeration unit. For owners of Russian-made equipment, in particular brand Pozis, this problem is solved quite simply if you have a minimum set of tools at hand and a clear understanding of the design of fastening units. Re-hanging the door is a standard procedure provided by the plant engineers, which is confirmed by the presence of mounting holes on the opposite side of the case.
However, despite its apparent simplicity, the process requires care and adherence to a sequence of actions so as not to damage facade panels or break the tightness of the seal. Improper installation may result in a loose seal, causing ice build-up and increased energy consumption. In this article, we will analyze in detail how to flip the door on a Pozis refrigerator, taking into account the features of various models and possible installation nuances.
Before taking active steps, it is necessary to clear the space around the unit and prepare the work area. Make sure you have a stable surface to place the removed items and adequate lighting. Remember that refrigerator doors Pozis can be heavy, so it is better to carry out the work with an assistant to avoid injury or falling glass shelves.
Necessary tools and preparation
The success of the operation directly depends on the quality of preparation of the workplace and the availability of suitable tools. You don't need complex professional equipment; a standard home craftsman's kit is enough. The main tool will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different tips (phillips and flat), since fasteners may differ depending on the year of manufacture of the model.
It will also not be amiss to prepare a building level to check the horizontalness of the installation after completion of the work, and a soft rag for wiping parts. If your refrigerator is equipped with a system No Frost or has an electronic display on the door, you may need to carefully disconnect the cables, so be prepared to handle the wires carefully.
☑️ Preparing to rehang
It is important to determine in advance the type of handles on your model. On some modern models Pozis handles can be integrated or hidden, which requires a specific approach to their dismantling. In classic models, the handles are attached with screws, access to which is often hidden by decorative plugs.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This is critical for safety, especially if you have to touch internal wiring elements or sensors.
Removing the top hinge and door
The process begins from the top of the unit, since it is the top hinge that holds the main weight load of the door leaf. First you need to remove the decorative plug, if present, which hides the mounting bolts. On models with a top control panel, it may be necessary to partially remove the cover to gain access to the screws.
Use end head or the appropriate size wrench to remove the top hinge bolts. Do not remove them completely at once; loosen first one, then the other, so that the structure does not shift abruptly. After loosening the fasteners, carefully remove the top hinge along with the axle.
The next step is to directly remove the door. Since it is only secured to the bottom hinge (which is still intact) and held by the top hinge, you need to lift the door up to free the bottom hinge. It is better to perform this action together: one person holds the door, the second controls the removal process.
- 🔧 Loosen the bolts of the upper hinge, but do not unscrew them completely at once.
- 🚪 Lift the door up to remove it from the lower support axis.
- 🛑 Set the door aside a safe place, having first removed all the loads from it.
- 💡 Check the condition of the sealing rubber for damage during removal.
After removing the door, inspect the lower hinge. In some cases, it may need to be adjusted or replaced if severe wear is noticed. If your model has a middle hinge installed (for the freezer in two-chamber models), it will also need to be rearranged, but this will be discussed below.
Rearranging the lower hinge and axis
The lower hinge is the foundation on which the entire door structure rests, so its correct installation is critical to avoid distortions. On the refrigerator body Pozis on the opposite side there are already technological holes covered with plastic plugs. You need to remove these plugs and move them to the free space.
Remove the lower hinge from the current side by unscrewing the fastening bolts. Be careful: there may be a washer or bushing under the hinge that cannot be lost. Transfer the loop to the opposite side and secure it using the standard holes. Tighten the bolts tightly, but without excessive force, so as not to strip the threads in the metal case.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some rare cases, when installing non-original doors or after a strong impact, the geometry of the case may be disrupted. If the holes don't line up, check to see if you have the sides or hinge model mixed up. In the factory, the holes are always symmetrical.
The central element here is support axis, which is inserted into the lower loop. Make sure it is installed vertically and securely in place. It is on this axis that the door will be placed, so the slightest distortion will lead to the fact that the refrigerator will not close hermetically.
| Fixing element | Location (Standard) | Location (After overweight) | Fixture type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top hinge | Right side | Left side | M6/M8 bolts |
| Bottom hinge | Right side | Left side | M6/M8 bolts + washers |
| Support axis | In the lower hinge | In the bottom loop | Inserted into the body |
| Plugs | On the active side | On the new active side | Plastic |
After installing the lower hinge, check its stability. She shouldn't wobble. If the structure is wobbly, loosen the bolts, straighten the hinge and tighten them again, perhaps using thread locker for security.
Installing the door on the new side
Now that the bottom support is ready, you can begin installing the door in the new location. Carefully lift the door and slide its bottom hole onto the installed axle. Make sure that the door sits tightly and evenly, without any play in the horizontal plane.
After installing the door leaf, you need to mount the top hinge on the new side. Insert the top hinge pin into the corresponding hole on the end of the door and align the hinge mounting holes with the holes on the refrigerator body. Tighten the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet - this will allow you to make the final position adjustment.
If your refrigerator is two-chamber, the procedure is repeated for each chamber separately, starting from the top (freezer), if the design allows, or from bottom to top, depending on the model. Pozis. It is important not to confuse the sequence so as not to upset the balance of the entire system.
Tighten all mounting bolts completely. Check that there is an equal gap between the body and the door around the entire perimeter. If the gap is uneven, it means that the door is installed skewed, and the procedure for installing the top hinge must be repeated more carefully.
Transferring handles and fittings
The final stage of the mechanical part is the rearrangement of the handles. On most models Pozis the handles are secured with screws on the inside of the door. You will need to remove the plugs (if any) on the new side of the handle installation and unscrew the screws on the current side.
The holes on the old side must be closed with the supplied plugs, which usually come with the refrigerator or are already installed on the opposite side. This will provide an aesthetic appearance and protect the insides of the door from moisture and dust.
- 🔩 Unscrew the handle mounting screws from the inside of the door.
- 👐 Remove the handle and move it to the new side using the prepared holes.
- 🕳️ Install decorative plugs into the vacated holes on both sides.
- ✨ Wipe the surface of the handle with a soft cloth to remove fingerprints.
In models with mortise handles, the process may be different: there you simply need to turn the handle element itself over or rearrange it into symmetrical grooves. Carefully inspect the structure to understand the type of fastening of your modification.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when tightening the handle screws into the plastic door body. This can lead to plastic cracks that cannot be repaired unnoticed.
Adjustment and checking for tightness
After all the elements are installed in place, it is necessary to make a final adjustment. The main task is to ensure a tight fit sealing rubber along the entire perimeter. To check, use a simple sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body in different places and try to pull it out.
If the paper is pulled out too easily, it means that there is a large gap in this place and the cold will escape. If the door closes with great force, the hinges may be too tight or the refrigerator is not level. Use a building level to check the position of the unit relative to the floor.
Adjusting the height of the refrigerator legs also plays an important role. The front legs usually twist out to create a slight backward slope. This ensures that the door closes automatically. If the slope is insufficient, the door will remain open.
Check the operation of the door open alarm (if provided by the model). Open the refrigerator for a couple of minutes - a beep should sound. If the signal does not work or, on the contrary, beeps when the door is closed, it is possible that the sensor wire was pinched or the contact was broken when repositioning.
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them
Even when following the instructions, beginners can make mistakes that affect the operation of the equipment. One of the most common is the loss or incorrect installation of washers and bushings under the bottom hinge. This leads to the door warping and starting to scrape against the body.
Another mistake is insufficient tightening of the upper hinge bolts. Over time, the weight of the food causes the door to sag, and the gap increases at the top. Regularly check the tightness of the fasteners in the first weeks after rehanging.
What to do if the door does not close tightly?
Check whether anything inside (food, shelves) is in the way, whether the seal is installed correctly and whether the refrigerator itself is level. Also make sure that the axis of the lower hinge is set strictly vertical.
Is it possible to hang the door if it has a display?
Yes, you can, but it requires more caution. It is necessary to carefully disconnect the control cable from the board, move it through the top or bottom (depending on the design) and reconnect it. It is recommended to take photographs of the connections.
Do you need to wait after re-weighing before turning it on?
No special waiting is required if you have not carried out work on the refrigerant system (which is not done if there is an over-weight). However, if the refrigerator has been lying or transported for a long time, let it stand upright for 2-3 hours before starting.
Why did the creaking appear after the rearrangement?
Most likely, the rubbing surfaces of the hinges are not lubricated or the door is installed incorrectly (skewed). Try lubricating the axles and checking the tightness of the bolts.
Does the overweight of the door affect the warranty?
Independent overweight of the door, provided for by the design, is usually not a basis for voiding the warranty if you have not damaged the parts in the process. However, if complex breakdowns occur, it is better to contact an authorized service.