Changing the layout of the kitchen or rearranging furniture often dictates new requirements for the location of household appliances. Owners of refrigerators LG are faced with the need to change the opening direction of the door so that access to food remains convenient and the passage is not cluttered. Fortunately, the design of most models of the South Korean brand provides the possibility door re-hanging without the involvement of specialists.
This process requires care, accuracy and a minimum set of tools. Improper execution of the procedure can lead to damage accessories or failure of the seal. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you cope with the task yourself and avoid common mistakes.
Before starting work, it is important to clear the space around the unit and prepare a flat surface for temporary placement of the removed elements. There is no need to rush: each model may have its own design features, so a visual inspection of the fasteners before unscrewing the bolts will not be superfluous.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
The success of the operation directly depends on proper preparation. You don't need complex power tools; a basic DIY kit is enough. The main thing is that all the elements are at hand so as not to interrupt the process of finding the right key.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for removing decorative plugs and screws.
- 🔧 8 mm wrench or socket (most often used in models LG).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧹 Soft cloth or cardboard to lay on the floor when removing the door.
Be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from electrical networks before starting any work. This is a basic safety rule that cannot be ignored. even if you are only changing mechanical elements.
⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator is equipped with a system No Frost with a display on the door, make sure that the cables are long enough to transfer the control panel to the other side, or that the cables do not require re-soldering at all.
Empty the refrigerator compartments of food and remove all shelves and drawers. This will significantly reduce the weight of the structure and make it easier to manipulate the door leaf. Lightweight doors are easier to hold, which reduces the risk of dropping them on the floor or damaging your fingers.
Removing the top door of the refrigerator compartment
The process begins from the top of the unit. a plug located on the upper end of the door on the side of the current hinge. It is usually held on by latches or glued, so you need to act carefully.
Use a flat-head screwdriver to carefully pry up the plastic trim. It hides the fastening bolt top hinge. Unscrew it with the appropriate key, but do not remove it completely yet if the design requires the presence of it. stoppers.
After loosening the bolts, the top hinge can be removed. Now you will need an assistant, as you need to hold the door so that it does not fall. Carefully lift the door up, removing it from the lower pins, and place it in a safe place on the prepared fabric.
☑️ Preparing to remove the door
Some models LG have hidden hinges that are accessible through special holes. In such cases, you may need to remove the top cover of the case completely. Check instructions for your specific model if standard access to the bolts is not possible.
Removing the bottom door of the freezer
After the upper part is freed, we move on to the bottom door. The algorithm of actions is similar, but there are some nuances related to the weight and dimensions of the freezer. Remove the decorative trim from the bottom hinge located at the bottom. floor.
Unscrew the fastening bolts of the lower hinge. It is important here to fix the door so that it does not tilt to the side when loosening the last screw. Remove the hinge and carefully set the door to the side, being careful with the sealing rubber.
If the control cable is laid between the doors. (for models with a display), it must be disconnected. The connectors are usually located in the upper part of the lower door or in the middle jumper. Do not pull the wires sharply, use the connector clamps.
⚠️ Attention: Electrical cables may be short or bent at an acute angle, this can lead to broken contacts and electronics failure.
Now you have freed the central frame of the refrigerator. Check the condition of the seals and, if necessary, wipe them with a soft cloth. This is a good time for prevention while access to the ends is open.
Rearranging the hinges and fittings
The most important step is moving the fastening elements to the opposite side. housings and install them on another, using the holes provided by the manufacturer holes.
There may also be plugs on the opposite side of the door. They need to be removed and installed in place of the former hinges in order to maintain an aesthetic appearance. Often, special stoppers or plastic plugs are included with the refrigerator to hide unused holes.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Move to the other side | 8 mm key |
| Bottom hinge | Rearrange and align | Screwdriver |
| Stoppers | Swap | Flat screwdriver |
| Handles | Remove and rehang (if removable) | Hexagon |
Pay attention to stops doors In some models LG necessary. rearrange the plastic stop inside the hinge mechanism so that the door opens in the correct direction and is fixed in the extreme positions.
Nuances of rearranging the handles
In some models of LG refrigerators, the handles are part of the door leaf and are not removable. In other cases, they are attached to hidden ones. bolts inside the door or on top/bottom. If the handle cannot be removed obviously, do not use force - perhaps in your model, rearranging the doors does not require removing the handles, only the opening side of the door leaf is changed.
When installing the hinges in a new place, do not immediately tighten the bolts until they stop, so that you can later adjust the position of the doors relative to the body.
Installing the doors in the reverse order
Assemble in the reverse order of disassembly. First, install the bottom door of the freezer. Place the hinge on the body pin and tighten the bolts. Make sure the door is level and not warped.
Then install the top door. loops with mating parts on the case. If you have a model with a display, at this stage you need to carefully pass the control cable through the provided channels and connect the connectors.
- ✅ Check that the cables are not pinched between metal surfaces.
- ✅ Make sure that the wires do not protrude beyond the dimensions of the case.
- ✅ Install decorative plugs in the places of the former fastenings.
After installing both doors, you can finally tighten everything bolts. Do this evenly, making sure that the door does not warp. Uniform force ensures a tight seal around the entire perimeter.
Adjusting the position of the doors and checking the tightness
The final stage is adjustment. Even with careful assembly, the door may hang crookedly. Models LG often provide for adjusting the height of the front part of the refrigerator using twist-out support legs.
If the door does not close tightly or is skewed, try loosening the hinges a little, leveling the door and tightening them again. The gap between the door and the body should be the same along the entire length.
Checking the tightness is carried out in a simple way: hold a sheet of paper with the refrigerator door and try to pull it out. If the paper comes out easily, it means that the seal does not fit tightly, and additional adjustment loops or replacement of the seal is required.
⚠️ Attention: After rehanging the doors, let the refrigerator stand off for 2-3 hours before turning it on. This is necessary to stabilize the refrigerant if the unit was tilted strongly during work.
Plug in the appliance and listen to the operation of the compressor. Make sure that when the door is closed, the light comes on (if the indicator is mechanical) and the sound signal of the open door disappears.
Common problems and their solutions
Unforeseen difficulties may arise during the work process. For example, old bolts can become stuck or rust. In this case, treating with a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40) and waiting for 10-15 minutes will help.
If, after installation, the refrigerator door does not stay open and slams, the refrigerator may be tilted backwards. Adjustment of the front supports should ensure a slight tilt of the body back so that the door opens under its own weight.
If the door opening sensor does not close, check whether the magnet or mechanical rod is installed correctly. Sometimes, when moving the hinges, the mating part of the lock moves, and it needs to be moved.
Do not ignore creaks and extraneous sounds when opening. These may indicate that the hinges are too tight or are rubbing against the frame. Loosen the fasteners and add a little lubricant to the hinge mechanism, if the design allows it.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Do I need to call a technician to rehung LG doors?
In most cases, calling a technician is not required. The procedure is quite simple and takes about 30-60 minutes. However, if you are not confident in your abilities or are afraid of damaging the electronics of the model with a display, it is better to turn to professionals.
Is it possible to reverse the doors on a two-chamber LG No Frost refrigerator?
Yes, most two-chamber models LG No Frost provide for reversing. The main difference is the presence of power and control wires, which require careful handling when moving.
What to do if, after re-hanging, there is a gap at the top?
The presence of a gap indicates misalignment. Try unscrewing the front adjustable legs of the refrigerator to raise the front of the cabinet. This will change the angle of inclination and help the door fit more tightly to the body.
Will the warranty be lost after re-hanging it yourself?
According to the rules of most service centers, re-hanging the doors yourself is not a reason to void the warranty if the unit components were not damaged in the process. However, keep all the removed parts in case you call for service.