Changing the opening side of the refrigerator door is a common need that arises when rearranging furniture or changing the layout of the kitchen. Often, the standard factory configuration prevents convenient access to products or prevents the door from opening to the desired angle due to walls or other equipment. Fortunately, the design of most modern models provides the ability re-mounting, which allows you to adapt the unit to new conditions.
Before you begin, you need to make sure that your model technically supports such an operation. Usually this can be done by looking at the instruction manual or examining the opposite side of the case: if there are hidden holes under the hinges and plugs, then alteration is possible. It is important to understand that the process requires care and accuracy, since careless actions can damage seals or break the tightness of the system.
In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of the work, from preparing tools to final adjustment gaps You will learn what nuances exist for different brands and how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to skewing or damage accessories. Proper re-hanging will extend the life of your refrigerator and make its use as comfortable as possible.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Quality performance of work directly depends on preparation. You will need a flat surface on which you can safely place the refrigerator, if the design requires it, or securely fix it in an upright position. Clear the space around the unit in advance so that you have free access from all sides and do not trip over the laid out tools.
To dismantle and install the hinges, you will need a basic DIY kit. In most cases, a standard Phillips screwdriverswrench (often 8 or 10 mm size is required) and pliers are sufficient. Some models, for example Bosch or Liebherr, can be equipped with a special hex key that comes complete with the appliance.
- 🔧 Phillips and flat screwdrivers of different sizes for removing plugs and screws.
- 🔩 Set of wrenches or open-end wrenches (8, 10, 13 mm).
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧹 Soft rags for wiping fastening points from dust.
Pay special attention to fasteners. It is better to immediately put all removed bolts and screws into a separate container so as not to lose them during work. Remember that the screws for the top and bottom hinges may differ in length, and mixing them up during assembly can lead to damage to the case.
Safety precautions and preliminary actions
Refrigerator This is a heavy household appliance, so the first step should be to completely unload it. Remove all products, shelves and drawers to reduce weight and prevent contents from falling when tilted. This will also make it easier to access the internal mechanisms and reduce the load on the door hinges when unscrewing them.
Be sure to disconnect the appliance from the power supply. Unplug and wait until the compressor stops completely. If your model has the system No Frostit is recommended to wait about 10-15 minutes after switching off to allow the refrigerant pressure to stabilize, although this is not a critical requirement for rehanging doors, unlike repairing pipes.
⚠️ Warning: Never attempt to remove a door by holding it only by the handle. The plastic elements of the handles are often not designed to support the weight of the entire door leaf and can break off, leaving you with a heavy metal door on your feet.
To fix the position of the door in the open state while unscrewing the hinges, it is convenient to use masking tape or ask an assistant to hold the structure. This will prevent sudden slamming and damage sealing rubber or the floor. If you work alone, you can support the door with a soft object, but control with your hands is more reliable.
Removing the upper and lower hinges
The removal process usually begins with the upper hinge. Remove the decorative plug, if any, and unscrew the mounting bolts. In some models, such as Indesit or Atlant, the top hinge can be combined with a decorative panel that needs to be carefully snapped off. After removing the fasteners, the door should remain hanging only on the lower pin or temporarily fixed middle hinge.
Next we move on to the lower part. It is important to remove the rotation axis correctly here. Often it fits tightly in the hole and requires careful loosening. Do not use excessive force to avoid stripping or deforming threads. metal pin. If the hinge is rusty, you can drop a little WD-40 grease and wait a few minutes.
For models with two doors (top freezer and bottom refrigerator), the procedure is complicated by the presence of a middle hinge. It must be dismantled last, after first removing the top door. This requires special care as the top door is left unsupported.
- 🛑 First remove the top decorative panel or cover.
- 🛑 Unscrew the top hinge bolts and remove it.
- 🛑 Remove the door (or hold it) and release the bottom pin.
☑️ Check before dismantling
After complete dismantling of all hinges and door removal, inspect the holes on the body. If they are covered with plastic plugs on the opposite side, they need to be removed and moved to the vacant places in order to maintain an aesthetic appearance. Metal bushings inside the holes may also require rearrangement using pliers.
Features of rehanging for different brands
The design of the hinges and the location of fasteners may differ significantly from different manufacturers. For example, in refrigerators LG and Samsung a system of hidden hinges is often used, where the fasteners are located inside the body, which requires deeper penetration with the tool. At the same time, classic models Beko or Stinol have external hinges that are immediately visible. In models with a system
In models with the system Door-in-Door or built-in displays on the door, the situation is more complicated. This may require additional steps to disconnect the wire loops. Before removing the door, be sure to disconnect the connectors going to the light bulb or display, having first photographed their position.
| Brand | Hinge type | Nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Indesit | External | Often require replacing the pins on the opposite side |
| Samsung | Hidden/External | The presence of electronics in the door requires disconnecting the loops |
| Liebherr | Complex system | Requires a special key from kit |
| Atlant | External | Standard fasteners, easy to rehang |
If you have a model with a water display on the door, make sure that the water supply tubes are long enough for transfer. In some cases, it may be necessary to lengthen the hoses, which is best entrusted to a service center specialist so as not to break the tightness of the water supply system.
What to do if the holes do not match?
If you find that there are no threaded holes on the new side, then your model does not provide for overhanging. Attempting to drill new holes in the housing is strictly prohibited, as this may damage the insulation or heating circuit, which will lead to failure of the refrigerator.
Assembling and installing doors on a new side
Installation is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. First, the hinges are installed on the new side, then the door is hung. It is important not to tighten the bolts “all the way” right away. First, tighten all the screws so that the door is in place, and only then proceed with the final fixation.
When hanging the bottom door, make sure that the axle fits correctly into the groove. If a middle bracket is used, make sure it does not interfere with the body when opening. The gap between the door and the body must be uniform over the entire height.
⚠️ Attention: When tightening the bolts, watch the force. Over-tightening can lead to deformation of the metal bracket or breakage of the threads in the body, which is made of relatively thin metal.
After installing the main doors, check the operation of the magnetic latches and the tightness of the seal. If the door begins to close too tightly or, conversely, does not fit completely, the height of the hinges will need to be adjusted. To do this, it is often enough to slightly loosen the fasteners and place a washer or, conversely, remove it.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
The final stage is checking the quality of the installation. The door should open smoothly, without jerking, and close tightly with a slight push. If you notice a distortion, check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself using a building level. Often the problem is not in the hinges, but in the fact that the legs of the unit are unevenly unscrewed.
To check the tightness of the seal, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door around the perimeter: it should be pulled out with noticeable force. If the paper falls out freely, it means that in this place seal does not fit, and the cold will go away.
- 📏 Check the uniformity of the gap around the entire perimeter of the door.
- 📏 Make sure that the door does not touch the adjacent one furniture when opened 90 degrees.
- 📏 Check the operation of the latch and the tightness of the closure.
If after adjustment the door is still skewed, the body itself or the hinges may have become deformed. In this case, components may need to be replaced. It is also worth checking whether the wire loops inside the door are twisted, if they are present there.
Frequent errors and their consequences
One of the most common errors is the loss of fasteners. As mentioned earlier, screws may vary, and attempting to drive a long bolt into a short hole will result in a hole through the wall or damage to the inner chamber. Always sort the fasteners as you disassemble.
Another mistake is ignoring the plugs. If you do not rearrange the decorative elements, moisture and dust will get into the holes, which will eventually lead to corrosion of the metal. In addition, it simply looks ugly in the interior of the kitchen.
⚠️ Attention: When working with doors equipped with electronics, do not pull the wires sharply. The thin wires of the cables are easy to break, and their restoration will require soldering and deep knowledge of electronics.
Do not forget that after rehanging the refrigerator needs time to stabilize. Don't load it with products right away. Let the unit remain on for about 2-3 hours so that the refrigerant is distributed evenly, especially if you tilted the body strongly during operation.
Is it possible to flip the door if there is a display on it?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires additional steps. You will have to disconnect the cables going to the control panel and carefully move them to the new side. This often requires removing the top cover of the refrigerator. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact a specialist, since damage to the contacts can damage the entire control module.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before re-hanging it?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to defrost the unit in advance. Ice can crumble when bending and get into the machinery or onto the floor, creating a slippery surface. In addition, an empty refrigerator is easier to maneuver.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close completely?
Most likely, the problem is the incorrect height adjustment of the refrigerator legs or skewed hinges. Try unscrewing the front adjustment screws to raise the front of the unit - this will help the door close with gravity. Also check if there is anything inside that is in the way (for example, an incorrectly installed shelf).
Will the warranty still apply after re-hanging the doors yourself?
In most cases, if you do not damage the housing, break the threads or break the seals on the compressor, the warranty remains valid. However, some service centers may refuse free repairs if they see traces of self-tampering with the door structure. It is recommended to save all removed parts in case you call for service.