Changing the kitchen layout or interior features often dictate new requirements for the location of household appliances. Refrigerator owners Gorenje often face the need to change the opening direction of the door in order to provide convenient access to the shelves and economical use of space. Fortunately, the design of most models of the Slovenian brand provides for the possibility of reversing the door, which allows you to adapt the unit to any operating conditions without loss of functionality.
The reinstallation process requires care and adherence to a certain algorithm of actions. Improper dismantling can lead to damage to the plastic plugs or a leak, so it is important to prepare the necessary tools in advance and free up the workplace. In this article, we will analyze in detail how to rearrange the door of a Gorenje refrigerator, taking into account the features of various modifications and fastening systems.
Before starting work, it is strongly recommended to empty the door shelves of food and bottles. This will not only lighten the structure, reducing the load on the hinges at the time of dismantling, but will also prevent damage to the contents in case of unforeseen situations. Also make sure that you have access to the back and side walls of the refrigerator from all sides.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
Quality preparation is the key to successful completion of the repair. To work with refrigerator fasteners Gorenje you will need a basic set of tools that can be found in the arsenal of any home craftsman. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm in size), which often comes complete with the refrigerator itself.
Depending on the specific model and year of manufacture, additional accessories may be needed. Some series are equipped with specific screws or decorative trims that require careful handling. Stock up on the following tools in advance:
- 🔧 Hex keys (a set or specific size for hinge screws)
- 🪛 Flat blade screwdriver (for carefully removing decorative plugs)
- 🧤 Work gloves (to protect your hands from sharp edges and dirt)
- 🧹 Rags or soft cloth (for wiping fastening points)
It is important to ensure good lighting of the work area. You will have to work with small parts in the lower part of the refrigerator, where it is often dark. If the floor is slippery, place a rug or cardboard under your feet to ensure a stable position while bending.
☑️ Preparing to rehang the door
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
The first stage of work involves removing the top cover of the refrigerator (if it is structurally provided for in your model) and dismantling the top canopy. In models Gorenje the top hinge is often hidden under a decorative strip or cover, which must be carefully pryed off with a flat-head screwdriver.
Once you have access to the fasteners, use a hex wrench to remove the bolts holding the top hinge. At this stage criticallythat the door is securely fixed or supported by an assistant, since after removing the top fastening it will only be supported by the lower hinge and may fall.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to remove the door alone unless you have experience. The weight of the glass shelves and the panel itself is large, and a fall can lead to injury or chipped enamel.
After unscrewing the top hinge, carefully lift the door, removing it from the bottom pin. Place the door in a safe place; it is best to place it on a soft surface (blanket or cardboard) with the outer side up so as not to scratch the front panel.
Dismantling nuances in NoFrost models
In Gorenje refrigerators with the NoFrost system, the fan or sensor power wire often passes through the top loop. Be extremely careful when disconnecting the contacts and do not yank the wire sharply to avoid damaging the insulation or connector.
Reversing the Lower Support Bushing
One of the most important and often overlooked parts is the lower support bushing. In the factory position it is installed under the right side of the door. To move the door to the left side, this sleeve must be moved to the opposite corner.
Remove the decorative plug from the lower left corner (where the door will be moved) and unscrew the adjusting support if it interferes with access. Then find the plastic bushing in the lower right corner, carefully remove it and install it in the prepared hole on the left side. The orientation of the bushing should be changed by 180 degrees relative to the original position to ensure the correct movement of the door.
Check the tightness of the bushing. It should fit snugly in the socket, without any play. If the bushing is loose, the seal of the door will be broken, which will lead to constant freezing of ice and increased energy consumption.
Installing the door on a new side
After preparing the lower support, you can begin installing the door. Lift the blade and slide its bottom hole onto the installed sleeve. Make sure the door is level and vertical. Now you need to secure the top hinge on the new side.
Attach the top hinge to the end of the door and the refrigerator body. Insert the bolts into the holes and start tightening them by hand so as not to strip the threads. Final tightening do it with a hex wrench only after you are sure that all the holes line up perfectly.
In models with a display or control panel on the door, at this stage you must carefully pass the cable loop through a hole in the housing. Proceed slowly to avoid pinching the wire or damaging the contacts. The wire should lie freely, without tension.
Adjusting gaps and tightness
After installing the door in a new location, adjustment is often required. The door may open by itself or, conversely, not close completely due to the tilt of the body. For correction, the front adjustment support is used.
By rotating the front leg of the refrigerator (or the adjusting screw under the decorative panel), achieve a position so that the body has a slight tilt back. In this position, under the influence of gravity, the door will slam shut on its own if it is opened less than 45 degrees.
Also check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. Gaps between the rubber and the body are unacceptable. If you notice a loose fit at the top or bottom, you can slightly loosen the hinge fasteners and adjust the position of the door, then tighten the bolts again.
| Parameter | Normal value | Symptom of malfunction |
|---|---|---|
| Gap seal | 0 mm (full fit) | Air whistling, ice |
| Opening angle (self-closing) | up to 45 degrees | Door falls or not closes |
| Wave skew | Absent | One side is higher than the other |
| Hinge movement | Smooth, silent | Creaking, jamming |
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the door still does not fit tightly, check the condition of the magnetic seal. Old or damaged rubber cannot be restored by adjusting the hinges and requires replacement.
In some cases, especially on older models, the metal may have micro-deformations. If adjusting with the legs does not help, try gently warming the problem area of the seal with a hairdryer (without overheating the plastic) or using the method of “pulling” the seal towards the body for a couple of minutes.
Features of models with a display and the NoFrost system
Owners of modern refrigerators Gorenje with electronics on the door need to be especially careful attentive. Rearranging the door in such models is complicated by the presence of wiring harnesses. When dismantling, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the network to avoid short circuits.
When moving the door, the wires must be transferred to the channels provided on the other side. Often this requires removing the back cover of the case or the top decorative panel to gain access to the internal cable channels. Mark the wires before disconnecting, if there are several of them, so as not to be confused during assembly.
In systems NoFrost it is important not to damage ducts that can pass through loops. Make sure that when installing the door again, the air duct openings match, otherwise the circulation of cold air will be disrupted and the refrigerator will stop freezing.
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them
Even following the instructions, beginners often make mistakes that affect the operation of the refrigerator. One of the most common is the insufficient tightening of the bolts top loop. Over time, under the weight of the door, the fastenings weaken, distortion and a characteristic knock appear when closing.
Another mistake is ignoring the level check. If the refrigerator is not level, the compressor experiences increased load, and the door may open spontaneously. Always use a building level to check that the top panel is horizontal.
Also, users often forget to replace the decorative caps on the free side. This not only spoils the appearance, but also opens the way for dust and moisture inside the hinge holes, which can lead to metal corrosion in the future.
⚠️ Attention: Technical characteristics and design of fastening units may vary depending on the year of manufacture and the specific series of the Gorenje refrigerator. Always check the official instructions (user manual) for your model before starting work.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before hanging the door?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you are working quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to defrost the unit in advance. This will lighten the door (ice adds weight) and prevent water from leaking out when the refrigerator is tilted during work.
Is it possible for one person to move the door independently?
Theoretically, it is possible if you have experience and physical strength. However, the doors of Gorenje refrigerators, especially double-chamber ones, are heavy and bulky. The risk of dropping the door, getting injured or damaging the floor is very high. We strongly recommend working with an assistant.
What to do if, after rearranging, the door does not close completely?
Check whether anything is interfering with the seal (products on shelves, packaging). Make sure the refrigerator is tilted backwards. If the problem persists, it is possible that the upper hinge was misaligned during installation - loosen the fasteners and align the door again.
Will the warranty still apply after re-hanging the door yourself?
According to the rules of most manufacturers, including Gorenje, re-hanging the door is not a complex repair and does not require calling a technician if you have not damaged the equipment in the process. However, if you break a loop or wire, the warranty claim for these components may be voided.