The situation when a refrigerator Atlant no longer fits into the updated kitchen interior or interferes with opening adjacent cabinets is familiar to many owners. Often the solution lies in a banal change in the side of the door opening, which allows you to ergonomically fit the equipment into the space. Manufacturers of household appliances, including the Belarusian brand, provide this possibility in the design of most models equipped with classic handles.
The rehanging process does not require calling a specialist and special technical knowledge if you act carefully and follow the sequence of operations. Rearranging the door is a procedure available to any home craftsman, but it does require attention to fastening details and correct adjustment of gaps. Incorrect installation can lead to a loose seal and, as a result, increased energy consumption.
In this article we will look in detail at how to change the opening side on models with protruding or built-in handles. You will learn what tools you will need, how not to damage the enamel of the case, and what to do if the door does not close completely after installation. The main thing is to take your time and prepare the workplace in advance.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before starting work, you need to make sure that you have the entire set of tools. To work with refrigerator mounts Atlant most often you need open-end wrenches (usually 10 mm), a Phillips screwdriver and, possibly, hexagons. Some models may have hidden bolts, to access which you will need a thin flat tip or a special key included in the kit.
⚠️ 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 the housing.
Free up space around the refrigerator. You need to provide free access to the equipment from all sides, since the door will have to be removed and set aside. Prepare a soft surface (blanket, rug or thick cardboard) where you can place the removed door so as not to scratch it or damage the floor.
Also, do not forget to completely clear the door of food and shelves. This will not only lighten the design, making it less bulky, but will also prevent cans and bottles from falling at the most inopportune moment. Empty door weighs significantly less, which reduces the risk of back injury or damage to the flooring.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Anatomy of fastenings: upper and lower hinges
The design of refrigerators Atlant suggests the presence of two main door attachment points: upper and lower. The upper hinge is usually fixed with bolts hidden under a decorative cover, and the lower one is responsible for the rotation axis and often has an adjustment mechanism. Understanding the structure of these units is critical for successful rearrangement.
In models with a handle, the mechanism may differ from models with a recessed profile. Here the handle is a separate element, and when rehanging it, it also often needs to be moved to the opposite side or replaced with plugs. Fastening elements can be positioned symmetrically, but sometimes the holes for the hinges on the opposite side are closed with plastic plugs.
The bottom hinge is the most loaded node. It bears the main weight of the door when closed. When removing, it is important to hold the refrigerator body so that it does not tip. In some modifications, the lower axis is inserted into a bushing, which will need to be moved to the other side.
Features of Atlant hinges
In most Atlant models, the upper hinges are universal and have holes for fastening on both sides. However, on very old models (manufactured before 2010), the design may differ, and you will need to search for alternative mounting points or modify the case, which is not recommended to do yourself.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the door
We begin the process by dismantling the upper part. Remove the decorative cover of the top hinge (if there is one) by prying it off with a thin screwdriver or knife. Unscrew the mounting bolts, but do not remove them completely yet so that the hinge does not fall. Then finally unscrew the bolts and remove the top hinge.
Now you need to remove the door itself. Lift it up to release the lower axis and carefully set it aside in the prepared place. Be careful: even an empty door has significant weight. If there is a handle installed on the door that needs to be moved, unscrew it now, while access to the fastenings is not limited in any way.
Next we move on to the lower hinge. Unscrew its fastenings from the refrigerator body. Carefully inspect the bottom of the door - there may be a bushing or pin left that needs to be removed. It is better to immediately put all removed parts (bolts, washers, bushings) into a separate container so as not to lose them during the work process.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force if the bolt does not unscrew. Treat it with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and wait 10-15 minutes. A sharp jerk can strip the thread or break the bolt head.
After removing all the elements, check the condition of the rubber seal. If there are creases or dirt on it, this is an excellent time to clean or replace it. Integrity of the seal directly affects the tightness of the chamber.
Rehanging the handle and preparing the holes
The most crucial moment for models with a handle is its rearrangement. Depending on the design, the handle can be mounted on self-tapping screws on the inside of the door or have through bolts. Carefully unscrew the fasteners and remove the handle. There will be holes in the vacated space that need to be closed.
To mask old holes, use special plugs that often come with the refrigerator, or select plastic plugs that match the color and diameter. If there are no plugs, you can use furniture stickers to match the body, although this is a less aesthetic option.
Now let's move to the opposite side. Find the factory holes for the hinges there. They can be closed with plastic plugs. Remove them carefully. If there are no holes for the handle in the new location, but the door design requires this (there are internal threads or through channels), install the handle using the same fasteners.
| Element | Action during dismantling | Action during installation |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Remove the decorative trim, unscrew the bolts | Install on the new side, secure with bolts |
| Bottom hinge | Unscrew from the body, remove from the axle | Move the bushing, screw it to the new hole |
| Handle | Unscrew the fasteners, remove, close the holes | Install on new holes, secure |
| Door stop | Remove from the old socket | Insert into the new socket from the opposite side |
Installing the door on a new side
Install the bottom hinge to a new place on the refrigerator body. Insert the lower door bushing into it (if the structure is collapsible) or simply put the door on the axle if the hinge is already fixed. It is important to get into the hole accurately, so it is better to hold the door suspended or ask an assistant.
Align the door vertically and install the top hinge on the corresponding holes on the new side. Insert the bolts and start tightening them, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This is necessary in order to be able to adjust the position of the door.
Check the operation of the mechanism. The door should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. Make sure that the handle is now on the comfortable side and that nothing interferes with its grip. If the handle is crooked, loosen the fasteners and align it.
Adjusting gaps and tightness
After installing the door, you need to adjust its position. If the door is skewed, it will not fit tightly to the body, which will lead to the formation of ice and loss of cold. Adjustment is carried out by loosening the bolts of the upper hinge and moving the door in the desired direction.
Check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. To do this, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper: clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places. If the sheet is removed with force along the entire perimeter, the tightness is good. If in some place the sheet falls out freely, adjustment is required.
Also pay attention to the magnetic lock (if there is one) or mechanical lock. Sometimes, when re-hanging, it is necessary to move the counterpart of the lock to the opposite side of the case. To do this, you may need to remove the side panel or use the technological hole.
In some models Atlant the lower hinge has an adjusting screw to change the height of the door relative to the body. By rotating this screw, you can achieve perfect alignment of the top edge of the door.
⚠️ Attention: Do not over-tighten the hinge mounting bolts. Excessive force can deform the metal hinge body or damage the threads in the plastic door, which will make the structure shaky.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
One of the common mistakes is ignoring the rearrangement of the plastic door stop. This small element is located at the bottom, at the end of the door, and prevents it from opening more than 90-120 degrees. If it is not reset, the door will swing too wide, which can damage the hinges.
Another problem is lost or mixed up bolts. The upper and lower hinge fasteners may differ in thread length and diameter. Using the wrong bolt may cause it to rest against the inner wall of the door or, conversely, not to hold.
If the door opens by itself after installation, check the tilt of the refrigerator. The body should be slightly tilted back (the back legs are higher than the front legs). This ensures that the door closes automatically under the influence of gravity. Adjust the height of the front support legs.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen headset?
Technically this is possible, but extremely difficult. You will need to completely remove the refrigerator from the niche to allow access to the sides and the ability to place the door on the floor. Built-in models often have a limited margin in width, so after rehanging the door can touch neighboring modules.
What to do if the holes for the hinges on the new side do not match the old ones?
In original refrigerators Atlant the holes are always symmetrical. If they do not match, you may be trying to hang the door on a model where it is not provided by the manufacturer, or you are using the wrong side. Drilling new holes in the refrigerator door is strictly not recommended, as you can damage the internal circuit or the No Frost system.
Do you need to wait after installation before turning it on?
Yes, after any manipulations with transporting or tilting the refrigerator (and removing the door is often accompanied by tilting the body), it is recommended to let the equipment stand in an upright position for 2-4 hours before plugging in. This is necessary for the oil to drain into the compressor.
Where to put the old plugs from the holes where the handle now stands?
Usually the plugs from the “new” side (where the handle will now be) are moved to the “old” side (where the handle was). If a set of plugs is lost or missing, the holes can be closed with decorative stickers or furniture plugs of a suitable diameter.