The situation when, after purchasing a new refrigerator LG it turns out that it blocks the passage or the door cannot open to its full amplitude due to kitchen furniture, occurs quite often. Many owners immediately begin to look for options for returning equipment to the store or are planning a complex kitchen remodel, not realizing that the problem can be solved much more simply. Most modern models of the Korean brand are initially designed with the ability to change the side of the door opening.
The process of re-hanging the doors is not technically difficult, but it requires care, a basic set of tools and adherence to a strict sequence of actions. Incorrect installation of hinges or ignoring adjustments can lead to a loose seal, which in the future will cause freezing of the chamber and increased energy consumption. In this article we will analyze in detail the work algorithm that is relevant for most models LG, including series DoorCooling+ and classic two-chamber units.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
Before proceeding with the dismantling of the fittings, it is necessary to free up the space around the refrigeration unit unit. You will need free access to the device from all sides, as well as a flat area where you can temporarily place the removed door panels without damaging them or the floor covering. Prepare a soft cloth or cardboard in advance to lay on the floor.
The basic set of tools you will need usually includes a Phillips screwdriver, wrenches (usually 8, 10 or 13 mm, depending on the model) and hex keys. Some modern models with electronics may require a flathead screwdriver to carefully remove the decorative caps. Make sure all tools are in good working order, as stripped bolt edges can turn a simple procedure into an hours-long problem.
A critical step is to completely empty the refrigerator of food. The door, even without taking into account the weight of the door itself, creates a significant load on the hinges, and taking into account the weight of cans and bags, the risk of dropping the structure or damaging the shelves increases many times over. It is also strongly recommended to disconnect the device from the mains by removing the plug from the socket to eliminate any risks associated with electricity, although the main work will be carried out on mechanical components.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to check for spare holes on the door body. In some budget or specific models LG the holes for the hinges may be closed with plastic plugs that need to be carefully removed, or they may not be there at all, which makes rehanging impossible without drilling.
Design features of the hinges and dismantling the upper part
Design of the hinges refrigerators LG may differ depending on the year of manufacture and series of the device. In classic models, the top hinge is fixed with two or three bolts, covered with a decorative plastic cover. In more modern solutions, especially in models with a system Linear Cooling, the mechanism can be hidden under a more complex casing that requires preliminary disconnection of the wires.
Always start work from the top loop. Carefully pry up the decorative trim with a flathead screwdriver or knife, being careful not to scratch the plastic. Underneath you will see mounting bolts. Before unscrewing them completely, ask a helper to hold the door so that it does not move and fall on your feet at the most inopportune moment. If you are working alone, you can use masking tape to temporarily fix the position of the door.
Particular attention should be paid to models with a door display or system InstaView. In these cases, there is often a wiring harness running through the top loop that connects the control panel to the refrigerator's main electronics unit. You can’t just “pull” the loop here. It is necessary to carefully disconnect the connectors, having previously photographed their location, so as not to mix up the contacts during assembly. After disconnecting the wires, the hinge is removed and the door is dismantled.
⚠️ Attention: When working with electronics, do not pull on the wires. The connectors may have special latches that need to be pressed with your fingers or a thin tool. Brute force will lead to broken contacts and costly repair of the control board.
Removing the bottom door and central hinge
After removing the top door (in two-chamber models) or the main door (in single-chamber models), we move on to the bottom part. If you have a refrigerator with a bottom freezer, then now you have a freezer compartment in front of you. The principle of operation is similar: remove the decorative elements, unscrew the bolts of the central hinge. At this moment, the freezer door is released and can be removed.
The central hinge in refrigerators LG often has a complex shape, covering the end of the body. When removing it, it is important to remember the orientation of the pins and bushings. Sometimes there are shims underneath the hinge to ensure the correct height and gap between the doors. Don't lose these small parts, as they will be needed when installing on the new side.
On some models, the lower door support (bottom pin) is simply inserted into a hole in the frame and held in place by the weight of the door and friction. In others, it can be screwed on. If you plan to change the opening side, this pin must be moved to a symmetrical hole on the opposite side of the case. Make sure that it sits tightly and vertically, otherwise the door will be warped.
☑️ Checklist before rearranging the hinges
Compatibility table and types of fasteners
Different series of refrigerators use different types of fasteners. Below is a table that will help you navigate the mounting features for popular models LG. Please note that even within the same series there may be nuances, so a visual inspection of your device is a priority.
| Series / Model | Top hinge type | Presence of electronics in the door | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG GA-B409 | Hidden, 3 bolts | No | 8 mm key, Phillips screwdriver |
| LG GC-B489 | Open, 2 bolts | Yes (display) | Key 10 mm, flat screwdriver |
| LG DoorCooling+ | Complex mechanism | Yes (panel) | Set of hexagons |
| LG InstaView | Reinforced, with wiring | Yes (glass + light) | 13 mm wrench, pliers |
As can be seen from the table, the presence of electronics significantly complicates the process. If your model has wires going through the loop, after rehanging them, their length may be insufficient or, conversely, excessive. In such cases, the wires are neatly laid in the provided channels inside the door or body.
If you find that the bolts on your model have a non-standard thread or head (for example, Torx), do not try to unscrew them with an inappropriate screwdriver, so as not to strip the slots. It is better to purchase or find the appropriate bit than to risk the integrity of the fasteners.
Installing doors on a new side
The assembly process is reversed, but with a feature: now we use holes that were previously closed with plugs. First of all, install the lower pin or screw the lower support to a new place. Then we put the lower door (freezer) on the pin and fix its central hinge with bolts from the opposite side.
When installing the upper door with a display LG, the wire connectors are connected first. This must be done before the loop is finally pressed against the body, otherwise access to the contacts will be limited. Make sure that the wires are not pinched by the metal of the loop and do not touch moving parts.
After securing the upper loop with bolts, do not immediately tighten them “all the way.” Leave a little play so that you can make final adjustments to the door position. It will be possible to completely tighten the fasteners only after checking the geometry and gaps.
What to do if the holes do not match?
If you have moved the door and the holes do not match or the door is hanging crookedly, check whether you have mixed up the left and right hinges. They may look similar, but have different angles or mounting hole locations. Also make sure to turn the hinge itself over, if the design implies this.
Adjusting gaps and tightness
After installing doors on a new side, a situation often arises when the door does not fit tightly or, conversely, opens too tightly. To solve this problem, the hinge design LG provides an adjustment system. It is usually implemented using eccentric bolts or adjusting screws on the central and lower hinge.
To adjust the gap between the doors (if you have a two-chamber refrigerator), use the central screw. By turning it clockwise, you can lower the door, and counterclockwise, you can raise it. This allows you to achieve perfect alignment of the ends of the doors when closed.
The tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter is checked using a sheet of paper. Squeeze the sheet with the door and try to pull it out. In normal condition, the paper should be pulled out with noticeable force. If the sheet falls out on its own or is removed too easily, you need to tighten the adjusting screws on the hinges to change the tilt of the door leaf.
⚠️ Attention: Make the adjustment in small steps (half a turn of the screw), checking the result after each action. Excessive force when tightening the adjusting bolts can lead to deformation of the hinge metal or breakage of the thread.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
One of the most common mistakes is losing or mixing up the plugs for the holes. When you move a door, there are open hinge holes on the old side. They must be closed with decorative plugs, which are usually included in the kit or are already installed on the new side. Without them, warm air and dust will enter the chamber.
Another problem is twisting of the wires. If after assembly the display does not light up or lights up dimly, the connector may not have been inserted completely or the wire may have been pinched. We will have to partially disassemble the structure again. Also, users often forget to remove the shipping tape from the seal on the new side, which prevents it from closing tightly.
In rare cases, especially on older models, the holes on the case may be worn out (stretched). In this case, the door will “walk”. The solution may be to install additional washers under the hinge or replace the fasteners with slightly longer ones (if the design allows), but this requires caution.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to move the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
Yes, re-hanging the door yourself, as a rule, does not void the warranty, since this is a standard procedure provided for manufacturer. However, if you strip threads, break display glass, or damage wires in the process, this damage will not be covered under warranty. Proceed carefully.
What to do if the door does not have holes for hinges on the other side?
Unfortunately, this means that the model of your refrigerator LG does not allow for hanging the door. It is impossible to drill new holes in the factory - this will disrupt the thermal insulation and structure of the metal. In this case, you will have to rearrange the furniture or change the installation location of the refrigerator.
Do you need to wait after rehanging before turning on the refrigerator?
There is no special waiting time after mechanically rearranging the doors. You can turn on the refrigerator immediately after assembly. However, if during work the refrigerator was tilted strongly (more than 40 degrees), it is recommended to let it stand upright for 15-30 minutes before starting the compressor, so that the oil flows into the crankcase.
Why does the door slam after re-hanging?
Door slamming is most often caused by the vacuum effect. When you close the door, the air inside is compressed, and when it cools (or simply when sealed), a vacuum is created that sucks the door. This is fine. If the clap is too loud, check the cleanliness of the drainage hole in the chamber - if it is clogged, there is nowhere for the air to escape.