Many owners of refrigeration equipment are faced with a situation where the standard location of the door leaf becomes inconvenient. Most often this happens when rearranging furniture in the kitchen or changing the layout of the room. In such cases, the only reasonable solution is re-hanging doors on the opposite side, which allows you to optimize space and make the use of equipment more comfortable.
Brand refrigerators Indesit are designed taking into account the possibility of changing the opening side, but this process requires care and adherence to a certain sequence actions. Improper performance of the work can lead to distortion of the canvas, loss of tightness or damage to the fittings. That is why it is important to study the design of your model in advance and prepare the necessary tools.
In this article we will look in detail at how to correctly change the door opening side, what nuances exist for different series of equipment and how to avoid common mistakes. You will learn the specifics of removing handles and hinges, as well as how to adjust the magnetic seal after completion of the work. A competent approach will allow you to complete the task yourself, without resorting to the services of service centers.
Preparation of tools and workspace
Before starting any manipulations with the refrigerator body, you need to provide yourself with a comfortable workspace. You will need a clear area around the unit to allow access from all sides. You should not try to do the work in a tight corner, as this increases the risk of accidentally hitting the wall or dropping heavy structural elements.
To successfully complete the task, you will need a basic DIY kit. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 or 5 mm in size), since most fastening bolts in technology Indesit have exactly this type of head. Phillips and flathead screwdrivers may also be useful, and in some cases, a socket head with a wrench to loosen tightly tightened screws.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is critical for safety, since you will be working in close proximity to electrical components and wiring.
It is a good idea to prepare a soft cloth or cardboard that can be placed on the floor in front of the refrigerator. This will protect the floor covering from scratches if you have to lower the removed doors to the floor. In addition, prepare a container for folding small parts so that bolts and plugs do not get lost during work.
Removing the top panel and handle
The re-hanging process begins from the top of the refrigerator compartment. The first step is always to remove the top case cover, if your model has one. Usually it is fastened with two bolts at the front or held on by latches that need to be carefully pressed out.
Next you need to dismantle the door handle. In modern models Indesit the handles are often hidden or integrated, but if you have a classic protruding handle, it is secured with screws. These screws may be located under the trim caps or may be accessible immediately after removing the top trim piece.
- 🔧 Remove the mounting bolts holding the top hinge.
- 🚪 Gently lift the door to remove it from the bottom hinge pin.
- 🧱 Remove the decorative plugs from the holes where the hinges were previously attached.
- 🔩 Move the counter part of the lock (if any) to the opposite side.
After the door is removed, it is important to immediately close the resulting holes with plugs on the side where the hinges will no longer be. This will preserve the aesthetic appearance of the unit. On the freed side, where the hinge will be transferred, the plugs, on the contrary, are removed to open the mounting holes.
Features of reinstalling the bottom door
The bottom door of the freezer requires special attention, since it is usually heavier and has a more complex fastening system. In refrigerators Indesit with a system No Frost or static cooling, the mechanism may differ, but the general principle remains the same.
First, you need to dismantle the base grille at the bottom of the refrigerator if it interferes with access to the bottom hinge. Then the bolt securing the lower hinge is unscrewed. It is important to hold the door at this moment so that it does not fall. After removing the hinge, the door is set aside, and the hinge itself is transferred to the opposite side of the body.
| Model type Indesit | Attaching the lower hinge | Dismantling nuances |
|---|---|---|
| BIA series | Hidden bolt under the decor | Requires removal of the plastic cover |
| DS Series | Open bolt on top | Available immediately, no difficulties |
| Series EF | Combined | Requires a 10 mm key |
| Built-in models | Specific bracket | Facade removal required |
When reinstalling, make sure that the hinge axis fits tightly into the hole intended for it. If you hear a metallic clang or feel play, it means the door is not level. In such cases, it is better to remove the element and repeat the installation procedure again, controlling the position relative to the vertical.
Adjusting hinges and magnetic seal
After all the doors are installed in new places, the fine-tuning stage begins. The main task is to achieve a perfect fit magnetic seal (elastic bands) around the entire perimeter. If the door is skewed, condensation will accumulate in the chamber, and the compressor will work without interruption.
Adjustment is carried out by tightening the hinge mounting bolts. Do not clamp them “all the way” right away. First, tighten all the bolts, close the door and assess the gap. It should be uniform over the entire height. If the door fits tightly at the top, but there is a gap at the bottom, you need to slightly loosen the top fasteners and tighten the bottom ones, or vice versa.
How to check the tightness?
Take a sheet of paper, clamp it with the refrigerator door and try to pull it out. If the paper is pulled out with noticeable force around the entire perimeter, the seal is working properly. If the sheet falls out or slides freely, further adjustment of the hinges is required.
Pay attention to the condition of the seal itself. If after rehanging it is deformed or has creases, you can try to straighten it with a hairdryer, heating it with a warm (not hot!) stream of air. Cold plastic becomes rigid, but when heated it becomes elastic and takes the desired shape.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use a hair dryer or open fire to straighten the seal. High temperatures can melt the rubber or deform the plastic door body, which will lead to the need to replace the part.
Nuances for models with a display and electronics
Owners of modern refrigerators Indesit with a display on the door or system Smart you need to be especially careful. In such models, a cable of wires often passes through the top hinge, connecting the control panel to the main electronics unit.
When dismantling the top door, you cannot simply pull it up sharply. First you need to carefully disconnect the wiring connectors. They may have locking latches that need to be pressed out. After moving the door to the other side, the wires are carefully laid in the channels intended for them to prevent them from being pinched by the door when slamming.
- 🔌 Turn off the power to the refrigerator before working with the wiring.
- 📸 Take a photo of the location of the wires before turning it off.
- 🧵 Make sure that the cable is not stretched and has a small margin of length.
- 🔒 Check that the wires do not fall into the rotation zone of the loops.
If you are not confident in your abilities when working with electrical components, it is better not to take risks. Damage to the cable can disable the control module, the repair of which will cost much more than calling a technician to rehang the doors. In such cases, it is wiser to contact an authorized service.
☑️ Ready for rehanging
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them
Even with instructions, beginners often make mistakes that can complicate the operation of the equipment. One of the most common problems is misalignment of the door immediately after installation. This happens if the bolts were tightened without first aligning the canvas.
Another mistake is the loss of fasteners. The bolts on the left and right sides may differ in length or thread. If you mix them up, you can damage the threads in the body or not tighten the hinge completely, which will cause the door to wobble. Always sort the fasteners and store them in separate containers.
They also often forget to rearrange the opening limiter. This is a small plastic or metal stop that prevents the door from swinging too wide and hitting the wall or furniture. If you forget to move it, the door will open at a greater angle than intended, which can lead to damage to the hinges over time.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to rehang the doors on a built-in Indesit refrigerator?
Yes, you can, but the process is more complicated. You will also need to rehang the façade furniture panels. For this purpose, special adapter strips and fasteners are used, which come with the refrigerator. It is important to preserve the geometry of the facade so that it does not interfere with the opening of adjacent cabinets.
What to do if the bolts are rusty and cannot be unscrewed?
Do not use excessive force, so as not to break the thread. Treat the joints with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 15-20 minutes. After this, try to carefully remove the bolt. If it still does not work, it is better to contact a professional to avoid damage to the housing.
Do you need to wait after re-hinging before turning it on?
There is no special waiting time for the compressor to operate after mechanically re-hinging the doors. However, if you tilted or laid down the refrigerator strongly during work, it is recommended to let it stand upright for 2-3 hours before turning it on, so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.
Why does the door open by itself after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of the housing is broken. Refrigerator doors open on their own if the top hinge is lower than the bottom (or vice versa, depending on the design), creating a slope. Check the adjusting screws on the legs of the refrigerator and level it so that it has a slight slope back.