The need to change the opening side of the refrigerator door arises quite often, especially when moving to a new kitchen or after redevelopment of the premises. Brand models Ariston were initially designed taking into account the possibility of such transformation, but the process requires care and strict adherence to the sequence of actions. If you ignore technological nuances, you can damage sealing rubber bands or disrupt the geometry of the canopies, which will lead to a loose fit of the sash.
Before starting work, it is important to prepare the workplace and free up space around the unit. You will need a set of tools that every home usually has, as well as free hands to help you remove heavy elements. The process itself takes from 30 to 60 minutes, if you do not rush and perform all manipulations carefully, without using excessive physical force where it is not necessary.
The main goal of this operation is to change the direction of opening of the sash from left to right or vice versa, while maintaining tightness. cooling chambers. In this article we will analyze in detail the stages of dismantling, moving fittings and final adjustment so that you can do the job professionally. Remember that correct implementation of the instructions guarantees the long service life of your refrigerator and maintaining its energy efficiency.
Preparation of tools and workplace
The success of the operation directly depends on the quality of preparation. Before proceeding with disassembly, it is necessary to ensure that the refrigerator is in a stable position. It is best to move the equipment away from the wall at a distance sufficient for easy access from all sides, including the back, where the lower mounts are often located.
You will need a basic set of tools to work. In most cases, it is enough to have a Phillips screwdriver, a wrench (often an 8 or 10 mm size) and pliers on hand. Some models Ariston may have specific screws, so it would be a good idea to prepare hexagons.
- 🔧 Phillips and flathead screwdrivers for unscrewing decorative plugs and screws.
- 🔩 A wrench or socket of the appropriate size for removing the main bolts loops.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges and dirt.
- 📦 Container for folding small parts so that they do not get lost in the process.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This will protect you from electric shock and prevent accidental starting of the compressor while manipulating wiring or sensors.
Empty the door shelves of products and remove all removable elements that may interfere or fall out when the housing is tilted. If your model allows you to remove the handles without dismantling the entire door, this will make the process much easier. It is also worth covering the floor in front of the refrigerator with soft material or cardboard so as not to scratch the floor covering with fallen parts or tools.
Removing the top hinge and handle
The rehanging process always starts from the top of the structure. First you need to remove the decorative plug that hides the fasteners of the top hinge. Usually it is pryed off with a flat screwdriver or a knife, but you need to act carefully so as not to damage the plastic.
After removing the plug, access to the bolts securing the hinge opens. They need to be unscrewed, but do not rush to remove the loop itself right away. On many models Ariston the top hinge also holds the handle bracket or is part of the latch mechanism. If the handle is integrated into the door body, you may need to remove it first by unscrewing the screws from the inside of the end.
Nuances of fastening the handles
In some models, the handle is attached not only from the outside, but also has internal spacers. If the screws are not visible, check for hidden plugs under the rubber pads or at the bottom of the handle.
When the top hinge fasteners are loosened, have a helper hold the door to prevent it from falling. Carefully lift the door, removing it from the bottom axis, and place it in a safe place, having previously covered the surface with a soft cloth. Now the top hinge is completely free and ready for transfer.
Flipping the door and removing the fittings
After the door is removed, it is necessary to rearrange the fittings to the opposite side. At the end of the door you will see holes closed with decorative plugs. These plugs must be removed and moved to the vacant places on the other side in order to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the product.
Pay special attention bottom hinge pin. It can be pressed into the body of the door or screwed into it. If the pin is screwed in, it must be unscrewed with a wrench and screwed into a symmetrical hole on the opposite side. If the pin is part of the lower loop, then you just need to rearrange it together with the loop.
☑️ Procedure for handling the fittings
Some models require rearranging the lock latch mechanism. To do this, unscrew the screw that secures the tongue, and it is moved to the other side of the end. Do not lose a spring or a small ball if the design is collapsible. Any screws that are no longer used on the old side should be screwed into new holes or securely hidden.
Moving the Bottom Hinge and Axle
The bottom hinge is the support element that carries the main load. On refrigerators Ariston it is often closed with a plastic base or decorative panel at the bottom of the case. Remove this panel to gain access to the fasteners.
Unscrew the bolts securing the bottom hinge on one side. Remove it and move it to the symmetrical side of the case. It is important to check the condition of the threads and, if necessary, clean the holes from dust or factory grease that may have hardened.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative panel | Remove/Rearrange | Flat screwdriver |
| Bottom hinge | Remove/Move | Wrench |
| Support pin | Unscrew/Screw in | Open-end wrench |
| Fixing bolts | Rearrange | Phillips screwdriver |
Make sure that when moving the bottom hinge you do not confuse the top and bottom of the part itself if it is asymmetrical. Correct orientation ensures the door fits perfectly into the groove during installation. If there are any holes left on the old side, close them with the plugs from the kit or those that were removed earlier.
Installing the door on the new side
Now that all the preparatory work has been completed, you can begin installation. Place the bottom hinge in its new location and lightly tighten the bolts without fully tightening them. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door during the hanging process.
Place the door with the bottom hole on the axis of the bottom hinge. Keep it strictly vertical. Then align the upper holes of the door with the holes of the upper hinge, which must first be installed on the body from the new side.
Insert the bolts into the upper hinge and start tightening them. At this stage, it is important not to overtighten the fasteners immediately. First, ensure that the door is level relative to the body, and then make the final tightening of all connections. Check that the gaps around the perimeter are the same.
Adjustment and checking tightness
After installation, you need to make sure that the door closes tightly and evenly around the entire perimeter. If you notice misalignment or a loose fit in one of the corners, adjustment will be required. On some models Ariston the height of the legs of the refrigerator is adjustable, which also affects the tilt of the body and the tightness of the closure.
Checking the tightness can be done in a simple way: clamp a sheet of paper between the door and the body in different places around the perimeter. If the paper is pulled out with force, it means seal it fits well. If the sheet falls or is removed too easily, tightening the hinges or replacing the seal is required in this area.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the door still does not fit tightly, check the condition of the magnetic tape inside the seal. Over time, it may become demagnetized or deformed, which will require replacing the rubber, and not just adjusting the hinges.
Also make sure that when the door is closed, the light in the chamber goes out (if there is a lamp) and the characteristic click of the switch is heard. Be sure to reinstall any decorative caps and panels that were removed at the beginning of the process. Now you can plug in the refrigerator and check its operation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to rearrange the door on an Ariston refrigerator yourself, or do you need a specialist?
In most cases, relocating the door is a simple procedure that does not require special skills. If you have a basic set of tools and the ability to call a helper to support a heavy door, you can do it yourself. A technician will be needed only if the fasteners break or if the hinge design is rusty and does not lend itself.
What to do if the holes on the new side do not match?
On modern models Ariston the holes are symmetrical. If they do not match, check whether you have correctly identified the top and bottom of the door, and whether you have mixed up the left and right sides when dismantling. In rare cases, it may be necessary to reinstall the internal plastic bushings.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before moving the door?
It is not necessary to defrost the unit specifically for this operation if there is not a large amount of ice in the chamber. However, it is better to remove the products in order to lighten the weight of the door and avoid their damage during work, which can take up to an hour.
Why did the door begin to close tighter after the rearrangement?
This is normal for a new seal or after a long period of inactivity. The magnetic tape needs time to straighten out and take the desired shape. Usually, after 2-3 days of use, the tightness of the seal is normalized. If the door does not slam at all, check the adjustment of the legs of the refrigerator.