The situation when, after purchasing or remodeling a kitchen, it turns out that the refrigerator door opens in the wrong direction is familiar to many owners of household appliances. This creates significant inconvenience, blocks access to the countertop or simply interferes with free passage. Fortunately, most models of refrigeration equipment, including brand products Atlant, structurally allow you to change the direction of opening.
The rehanging process does not require calling a specialist and can be done independently with a basic set of tools. It is only important to understand that the design of hinges and handle fastenings may differ between different series. Rearranging doors This is a procedure that requires care, since the weight of the leaf is large, and the risk of dropping it or damaging the enamel is quite high.
In this article we will analyze in detail the stages of dismantling and installing doors on refrigerators Atlant with one, two and three chambers. You will learn about the nuances of transferring magnets, adjusting gaps and the peculiarities of working with fittings of different generations of equipment.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network. This will eliminate the risk of a short circuit in case of accidental damage to the wiring and will allow you to safely work with metal elements.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task of hanging doors, you will need a minimum set of tools, which are usually found in every home. The main tool will be an open-end wrench (most often 10 mm) or a socket with a wrench. Some models may require a Phillips screwdriver to remove decorative caps or handles.
A critical element of preparation is organizing your space. Refrigerator doors Atlant are quite heavy, especially the bottom ones. You will need a stable support - a stool or table covered with soft material, so as not to scratch the facade when temporarily removing the canvas. Also prepare masking tape or strips of thick fabric to fix moving elements.
- 🛠️ A 10 mm open-end wrench or a set of keys.
- 🪛 Phillips and flathead screwdrivers.
- 🪑 A stable stool or stand.
- 🧶 Masking tape or soft rags.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands.
Make sure you have enough free space around the refrigerator. You will need to freely walk around the unit from all sides. If the floor is slippery, lay a rug under your feet to avoid falling at the most crucial moment.
☑️ Preparing to rehang
Design features of Atlant doors
Refrigerators Atlant have their own design features that must be taken into account before starting disassembly. In most modern models, the hinges are made of metal and are bolted directly to the cabinet body. However, in older models or series with plastic linings, the mechanism may differ.
Particular attention should be paid to the magnetic latches system. Unlike many other brands, where magnets are simply rearranged into ready-made holes, some models Atlant may require replacing the plugs or even using an additional magnet that comes with the instructions. Closing mechanism depends on the precise operation of these elements.
Where can I find the second set of magnets?
In new refrigerators, an additional magnet for hanging the door is often taped to the inside of the door itself or lies in a bag with documentation. Older models may not have it, and you will have to use the old one, moving it to a new slot.
Door handles can also be integrated or overhead. If you have a model with overhead handles, their removal is usually not required - they are simply rearranged to the other side. If the handles are built-in (hidden), then the question of how to rearrange the dooris solved only by changing the side of the hinges.
Dismantling the top door (single-chamber models)
The process starts from the top of the unit. First you need to remove the decorative plug from the hinge, if there is one. Usually it is pryed off with a flat screwdriver. Then the upper hinge fastening bolt is loosened, but not completely unscrewed.
At this stage you will need an assistant. One person should hold the door so that it does not fall, and the second should unscrew the fasteners. After removing the bolts, the top hinge is carefully removed. The door is lifted and removed from the lower support axis.
- 🔓 Remove the decorative trims from the hinges.
- 🔧 Loosen the bolts of the upper hinge.
- 🙋 Holding the door, completely unscrew the fasteners.
- 🚪 Remove the canvas from the lower axis.
After removing the door, you need to move the plugs into the holes, which will now become working. Holes that become free are closed with decorative plugs. Don't forget to move the lock latch rod (if there is one) to the opposite side.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the door hanging on one bolt. The threads may not support the weight of the door, causing the door to collapse, damaging the floor or your feet. Always hold the structure with your hands.
Hanging doors in two-chamber models
In refrigerators with two chambers (freezer and refrigerator), the procedure is complicated by the presence of a middle hinge, which often connects both doors. It is important to follow a strict sequence of actions here. First, the top door of the refrigeration chamber is always removed.
After dismantling the top door, access to the middle hinge opens. It is attached to the body of the refrigerator and holds the bottom door of the freezer. When it is removed, the lower door is also released. Often the middle hinge has a complex design with plastic bushings that are easy to lose.
When installing doors on a new side, it is important to align the holes correctly. In models Atlant there is often a situation where the holes for the hinges on the opposite side of the case can be closed with factory plugs. They must be carefully removed and rearranged into the vacant places.
| Work stage | Action | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Top door | Removal from the top hinge | Requires assistant support |
| 2. Middle hinge | Removing fasteners | Do not lose bushings and washers |
| 3. Lower door | Removal from the lower axis | Careful with the seal |
| 4. Rearrangement | Installation to a new side | Follow the assembly order |
If you change the opening side, check the condition of the sealing rubber. During long-term use, it could become deformed. In Atlant models after 2015, the seals are often symmetrical, but in older series they may need to be heated with a hairdryer to restore their shape.
The nuances of working with three-chamber refrigerators
Three-chamber models Atlant (with a separate freshness zone or zero chamber) require an even more careful approach. Here an additional hinge and another door leaf are added. The principle remains the same: dismantling occurs from top to bottom, and installation occurs from bottom to top.
Pay special attention to the middle chamber. Sometimes her door is not attached to a common axis, but has hinges. In this case, the withdrawal order may vary. Always refer to the instructions for a specific model, since the design may vary from series to series.
When assembling, make sure that all doors are level and not skewed. A misalignment will result in the magnets not holding the door, and the cold will escape. This directly affects energy consumption the service life of the compressor.
Transferring handles and magnetic latches
After the doors are hung, it is necessary to rearrange the handles. In most models Atlant the handles are attached to two screws on the inside of the door. You will need to remove the plugs, unscrew the screws and move the handle to the other side, screwing the screws into the provided holes.
With magnetic latches the situation is more interesting. They are responsible for the tight fit of the door when closed. If you simply flip the door over, the magnet will be out of place. The refrigerator often comes with a second magnet or instructions for rearranging.
- 🧲 Find the installation location of the magnet on the new side.
- 🔨 Carefully knock out the old magnet (if it cannot be removed by hand).
- 📥 Install the magnet in the new socket.
- ✅ Check the door pressing force.
Sometimes magnets are installed in plastic cups. They need to be carefully squeezed out from the inside. Be careful not to damage the door plastic. If the magnet is lost, the door will not close completely, which will lead to the formation of ice.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use super-strong neodymium magnets to replace standard ones. They can disrupt the operation of the refrigerator electronics or damage the seal if compressed too much.
Adjustment and final check
After installing all the elements in new places, adjustment must be carried out. Doors should close tightly, but without excessive force. The gaps between the door and the body should be the same along the entire length.
If the door is skewed, try loosening the hinge mounting bolts, aligning the position of the door leaf and tightening them again. Some models Atlant provide for adjusting the height of the support legs of the refrigerator itself, which also affects the angle of inclination and self-closing of the doors.
Check the light operation. When the door is opened, the light should come on, and when closed, it should go out. If the light continues to light, check the sensor button - perhaps when the door was moved, it stopped pressing properly due to a change in geometry.
Plug in the refrigerator and leave it empty for 2-3 hours. This will allow the unit to return to operating mode and cool down. Listen carefully: is there any extraneous noise from the vibration of an incorrectly installed door.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to drain the freon before hanging the doors?
No, you do not need to drain the refrigerant. The procedure for re-hanging the doors concerns only the mechanical elements of the body and does not affect the cooling circuit. The main thing is to disconnect the device from the power supply.
What to do if the holes on the new side do not match?
In refrigerators Atlant the holes for the hinges are symmetrical. If they do not match, check to see if you have mixed up the left and right sides, or if you are using a hinge from a different model. In rare cases, drilling is required, but this is a last resort.
Is it possible to hang the door alone?
Technically possible, but highly not recommended. The doors are heavy and have sharp edges. The risk of dropping the door and breaking glass or damaging the floor is very high. It’s better to call an assistant.
Why, after rearranging, the door is not held by a magnet?
Most likely, you did not move the magnetic latch to the new side or did it incorrectly. Also check if anything is preventing it from closing tightly (for example, food on the shelves or the door itself is skewed).