Changing the kitchen layout or a simple desire to update the interior often poses the question of changing the door opening side. For refrigerators of the brand Nord this procedure is standard and does not require calling a specialist if you have basic skills in handling the tool. Correctly performed re-hanging will not only improve the ergonomics of the space, but will also extend the service life of the seals, ensuring a tighter fit of the sash.
Before starting work, you need to make sure that your unit actually supports reverse, since in some budget or older models the hinges may be asymmetrical. Carefully inspect the side panel: if on the opposite side there are holes hidden or closed with plugs, as well as spare bushings, then rehanging the door possible. Ignoring this step may lead to damage to the case when trying to drill new holes.
The whole process takes from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on your efficiency and the number of chambers in the refrigerator. It is important to prepare a flat surface for temporary placement of the removed elements and take your time so as not to lose small fasteners. Below we will analyze each stage in detail so that you can safely and efficiently carry out changing the hinge folding.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This will prevent accidental starting of the compressor and will reduce the risk of electric shock when working with metal tools near wiring.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
The quality of the work directly depends on the preparation. You don’t need complex specialized equipment; a set of household tools that any craftsman can find is enough. The main requirement is to have a flat and clean space where you can carefully place the removed doors without scratching them or the floor.
To work with refrigerators Nord most often you need open-end wrenches or sockets of the appropriate size, as well as Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers. Some models may use hex bolts, so it is recommended to have a full set of hardware. Also prepare masking tape to secure the moving parts during dismantling.
- 🛠️ A set of wrenches (sizes 8, 10, 12 mm) or an adjustable wrench.
- 🪛 Screwdrivers: Phillips (PH2) and flat (SL4) for dismantling plastic plugs.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges and grease.
- 🧼 Clean rags and silicone grease for processing hinges after installation.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Special attention take fasteners. Often the bolts in the hinges of refrigerators become sour or covered with oxides. It is recommended to pre-treat the joints with a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40) if the equipment is several years old. This will greatly facilitate the unscrewing process and reduce the risk of stripping the thread.
Removing the top panel and top hinge
The process begins from the top of the unit. First of all, you need to remove the decorative cover that hides the fasteners of the top hinge. In models Nord it is usually held on by latches or one or two screws. Be careful not to break the plastic clips, which become brittle over time.
Removing the cover will give you access to the top hinge. It is important here to fix the door in the closed position, since after unscrewing the bolts it may fall. It is best to have an assistant hold the sash or use masking tape for temporary fixation. Unscrew the bolts securing the hinge to the refrigerator body, but do not remove the hinge itself from the door yet.
Next, you should remove the door handle if the design of the model requires its dismantling when rehanging. In most cases, the handles are symmetrical and will need to be moved to the opposite side. Use a flat head screwdriver to pry out the trim caps on the handle mounting screws. After this fastening bolts easily unscrew and the handle is removed.
What to do if the bolts do not unscrew?
If the thread is very soured and does not give in, do not use excessive force so as not to tear off the bolt head. Try heating the connection with a hairdryer (without overheating the plastic) or liberally apply a penetrating lubricant and wait 15-20 minutes. As a last resort, you can use an extractor for broken bolts.
Removing the door and rearranging the handles
Now that the top hinge is loosened and the handle has been removed, you can proceed to dismantling the door itself. Gently lift the sash up to disengage it from the bottom hinge. It is better to perform this action together, since refrigerator doors Nord are quite heavy and have a large windage.
Place the removed door on a previously prepared soft surface (cardboard, blanket) with the outer side up. Now start rearranging the handle. If the refrigerator came with spare plugs for the holes for the handle, install them in the old place. At the new place where the handle will be installed, the plugs must be removed.
When installing the handle in a new place, make sure that it fits tightly and without distortions. Adjusting the handle at this stage it is critical, since it will be inconvenient to redo this after installing the door in place. Check whether the bolt heads do not interfere with the tight closure of the door or other structural elements.
- 🚪 Remove the door from the lower support sleeve, holding it by the end.
- 🔧 Move the handle to the opposite side using the existing holes.
- 🕳️ Close the vacated holes with decorative plugs from the repair kit.
- 🧹 Wipe the fastening points from dust and old grease before assembly.
Working with the lower hinge and pin
The bottom hinge of the refrigerator Nord often has a design feature: it can be asymmetrical or have a removable pin. If the loop allows it, you can simply turn it over. Otherwise, it will be necessary to dismantle it and install it on the opposite side of the body using the holes provided by the manufacturer.
An important element is the lower support pin (bushing) on which the door rests. It must be unscrewed from the old hole and screwed into a new, symmetrical hole on the other side. In this case, it is often necessary to rearrange the plastic bushing-thrust, which reduces the friction of metal on metal.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the lower bushing is installed strictly vertically and all the way. A misalignment of the bushing will result in the door not closing tightly or, conversely, starting to open spontaneously.
If in your model the lower hinge is part of the frame or has a complex structure, refer to the diagram in the instructions. Sometimes it is necessary to completely replace the unit with a reversible one, which can be supplied separately. However, for most models Nord a simple rearrangement of fasteners is sufficient.
Installing the door and adjusting the hinges
After preparing the lower support, you can hang the door back. Carefully slide the bottom hole of the door onto the installed pin. Make sure the door is level. Now you need to install the top hinge in a new place. Insert the bolts into the holes and tighten them by hand without fully tightening them.
At this stage, final adjustmentoccurs. The door should close tightly, without distortions or gaps. If you notice that the door is skewed, slightly loosen the top hinge bolts and straighten the door. Only after achieving the ideal position can you finally tighten all the bolts with a wrench.
Check the operation of the magnetic lock and the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. A sheet of paper sandwiched between the door and the body must be removed with force. If the paper falls out freely or breaks with a sharp jerk, then additional adjustment of the height of the loops is required.
| Element | Action | Tool | Control parameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Reposition to the other side | Key 10 mm | Tight fit to the body |
| Lower bushing | Transfer to a symmetrical hole | Adjustable wrench | Installation vertically |
| Door handle | Dismantling and installation | Phillips screwdriver | No backlash |
| Sealant | Tightness check | Sheet of paper | Uniform pressing |
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
Even with instructions, users often make mistakes that can lead to equipment malfunction. The most common of these is the incorrect sequence of actions when the top hinge is released prematurely, which leads to the fall of a heavy door. Always control the weight of the sash.
Another mistake is the loss of decorative plugs. Small plastic parts easily roll under the refrigerator or get lost in a tool bag. It is recommended to immediately after removal glue them with masking tape near the work site. They also often forget to remove the transport wedges if they remain inside, which interferes with normal closing.
If after installation the refrigerator door Nord does not close completely or a gap is visible between the body and the seal, check the installation level of the refrigerator itself. Often the problem lies not in the hinges, but in the fact that the unit is standing on an uneven floor. Adjust the front support legs so that the body tilts slightly backward.
⚠️ Caution: Do not use excessive force when tightening the top hinge bolts. Aluminum alloys used in some models are sensitive to overtightening, which can lead to deformation of the seats.
Tightness check and final tests
The final stage is a comprehensive quality check of the work performed. Visually inspect the perimeter of the door: the gap between the seal and the body should be uniform along the entire length. Pay special attention to the corners, as this is where leaks most often occur.
Carry out a test with a sheet of paper around the entire perimeter. Squeeze the sheet with the door and try to pull it out. The resistance should be the same at every point. If the paper comes out easily at the bottom, but hard at the top (or vice versa), it means that the door is installed skewed and requires re-adjustment.
After a successful mechanical check, turn on the refrigerator. Let it run for 15-20 minutes and check if the seal does not heat up in places where it does not fit tightly (the heat goes out). Also listen to the operation of the compressor: if the door does not fit well, the unit will work longer and noisier.
Is it necessary to change the seal when rehanging the door?
Usually, replacing the seal is not required if the old one is in good condition, has no cracks and remains elastic. However, if you notice that after rehanging the door does not fit perfectly, the seal may have “remembered” the old shape. In this case, you can warm it up with a hairdryer or replace it with a new one to guarantee tightness.
Is it possible to rearrange the door if the refrigerator is built into the furniture?
This is possible, but requires removing the refrigerator from the niche. It is almost impossible to carry out the operation without removing the unit from the furniture box due to the lack of access to the side panels and the lack of space to maneuver the door. Be sure to remove the equipment before starting work.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
If the factory plugs are lost, the holes can be closed with special furniture plugs of a suitable color, which are sold in hardware stores. You can also use pieces of plastic or plugs from other devices, placing them on glue to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
Why does the door slam when closing after rehanging?
A loud bang may indicate too much pressure or the absence of a damper. Check whether the lower bushing is installed correctly. Sometimes it helps to adjust the height of the front legs of the refrigerator to change the angle of inclination and closing dynamics.