The situation when the refrigerator Indesit no longer fits into the updated interior or simply gets in the way when opening adjacent cabinets, familiar to many owners. Often the solution lies in a banal rearrangement of the door leaf to the other side, which allows you to change the direction of opening. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand provides for this possibility, although the process itself requires care and precision.
Before taking active steps, you must clearly understand that hanging the door this is not just twisting the hinges, but a complex procedure that affects the sealing system and even electronics in models with a display. Errors at the planning stage can lead to a loose fit of the flap, which can lead to rapid spoilage of food and breakdown of the compressor. Therefore, it is important to prepare theoretically so that the physical work goes smoothly.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for various modifications of refrigerators Indesit, paying special attention to the nuances of dismantling the fittings. You will learn what tools are needed, how not to damage the decorative plugs, and what to do if the door does not hold the magnet after installation. Careful study of the material will allow you to do the job efficiently, without resorting to the services of paid specialists.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
The success of the operation directly depends on the quality of preparation. You don't need a complex industrial tool, but the set should be complete so as not to be interrupted in the middle of the process looking for the right screwdriver. The main requirement is that all tools must be in good working order, and their working parts must not have damage that could scratch the enamel of the case.
For work you will definitely need the following items:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for removing screws of different calibers.
- 🔩 A wrench or head 8 or 10 mm (depending on the hinge model).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges and grease.
- 🧹 A piece of soft fabric to protect the coating when installing parts on the floor.
Particular attention should be paid to lighting. Since the bottom hinges are often hidden in the shadow of a plinth or trim panel, having an additional light source, such as a headlamp or a bright lamp, will make the task much easier. It is also recommended to clear space in front of the refrigerator with a radius of at least one meter in order to be able to put aside the removed parts and the door itself.
☑️ Preparation for work
It is important to note that for some models Indesit with a system No Frost you may need a plastic spatula or an old plastic card to carefully remove decorative panels without damaging the latches. It is better not to use metal tools here, since the risk of leaving a scratch on glossy plastic is too great.
Dismantling the top part and preparing the door
The first stage is always working with the top part of the structure. This is where the main load-bearing hinge is attached, which holds the weight of the entire sash. You need to start by carefully removing the decorative cover, if any. In modern models Indesit it is often fixed with hidden latches or one screw closed with a plug.
After gaining access to the fasteners, do not rush to immediately unscrew the bolts. First you need to loosen them, but not remove them completely, so that the door does not fall on your feet. At the same time, you should check for the presence of wires going to the display or light bulb on the door. If there are wires, they must be carefully disconnected, having first photographed the position of the connectors.
⚠️ Attention: When disconnecting electrical connectors, do not pull on the wires themselves. Grab only the plastic body of the connector, otherwise there is a high risk of breaking thin wires, the restoration of which will require soldering.
When the upper hinge is freed from the fasteners, you can completely remove the door. To do this, it is better to call an assistant, since even an empty refrigerator door Indesit has considerable weight and awkward geometry. The removed sash should be immediately placed on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down so as not to scratch the facade.
Now you need to work on the handle. In most cases, the handles on refrigerators Indesit are symmetrical or have a universal fastening. If the handle is asymmetrical, it must be moved to the opposite side, using the holes that were previously closed with plugs. The plugs on the new side are removed, and new ones are installed in the vacant space.
Nuances with handles
On some older Indesit models, handles may be non-removable or require disassembly of the handle element itself. If you see that the handle is solid and does not have holes for rearranging, you may need to order a special re-hanging kit from the service center.
Working with the lower hinges and base
The lower part of the refrigerator is often hidden by a decorative base or ventilation grille. To get to the bottom hinge, this element must be dismantled. It is usually held in place by clips or a couple of screws. You need to act carefully, as the plastic becomes brittle over time and can crack if handled carelessly.
After removing the protection, access to the bottom bracket opens. Here it is important to remember or record in a photo the position of the adjusting screws, if any. In some models Indesit the lower hinge is part of the support frame, which will need to be moved to the opposite side of the case.
The process of moving the lower support is as follows:
- 📐 Unscrew the bolts securing the current support.
- 🔄 We remove the pin or axis on which the door rotated.
- 🔨 Carefully knock out or unscrew the plugs on the opposite side.
- ⚙️ We install the support in a new place using the same fasteners.
The situation when threaded holes can be particularly difficult on the new side they are closed with factory plastic plugs. They need to be removed with a thin awl or knife, being careful not to damage the threads inside. If the plugs are very tight, you can warm them up slightly with a hairdryer, but be careful not to melt the surrounding plastic.
Rearranging hinges and fittings
The most crucial moment is the physical transfer of hinges to the other side of the refrigerator body Indesit. It is important here not to confuse the left and right sides, and also to correctly orient the loops themselves. Some of them have a specific shape and can only be installed in one position.
When installing the top hinge to a new location, make sure that the pin fits into the mating hole at the end of the door freely, without distortion. If the door is skewed, a tight seal cannot be achieved. The lower hinge must be installed strictly horizontally, otherwise the door will open spontaneously or, conversely, require effort to close.
The table below shows the main types of fastenings found in refrigerators Indesit, and their features:
| Type of fastening | Features | Required tools | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard hinge | Fastening with bolts from top and bottom | Screwdriver, wrench on 8 | Low |
| Hidden hinge | Requires removal of decorative panels | Flat screwdriver, wrench | Medium |
| Hinge with a closer | Has a spring mechanism | Set of keys | High |
| Non-standard fasteners | Found in narrow spaces models | Special. keys | High |
Do not forget about the sealing rubber. When re-hanging the door, the seal profile may shift or become deformed. After installing the door, be sure to check the integrity of the magnetic tape around the entire perimeter. If a fold has formed at the corner, it can be straightened by heating it with a hairdryer at low temperature.
Door installation and final adjustment
When all the hinges have been transferred to the new side, it is time to put the door in place. This step is best done with two people: one person holds the door, the other guides the pins into the hinge holes. First, the lower pin is inserted, then the door is aligned and placed on the upper axis.
After hanging, do not rush to tighten the bolts “tightly”. First, make sure that the door is level, the gaps around the perimeter are the same, and the door itself is not skewed. Only after making sure that the position is correct can you tighten the fasteners of the upper hinge. The lower hinge often has adjusting screws for setting the height.
Adjusting the door height is necessary if:
- 📉 The door touches the lower plinth or floor when opening.
- 📈 The upper edge of the door does not coincide with the level of the refrigerator body.
- 🚪 There is a misalignment due to which the door does not close on its own.
- 🧲 The seal does not fit tightly in the lower or upper part.
To adjust, use the adjusting screws on the lower support. By rotating them, you can raise or lower the corner of the door. Do this in small steps, a quarter turn at a time, checking the result each time. After completing the adjustment, be sure to tighten the locknuts, if they are provided by the design, so that the settings do not go astray over time.
Checking tightness and problems
The final stage is checking the quality of the work performed. The easiest way to check for leaks is to use a piece of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places around the perimeter. If the paper is pulled out with force, then the compactor is working correctly. If the sheet falls out or is removed too easily, additional adjustment or replacement of the seal is required.
Often after rehanging, owners are faced with the fact that the refrigerator door Indesit begins to open on its own. This is a sign of incorrect body tilt. The refrigerator should be installed with a slight tilt back (the top part is slightly further from the wall than the bottom). This ensures gravity flow of oil into the compressor and proper closing of the doors under the influence of gravity.
⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations the door still does not fit tightly, the seal may have lost its elasticity or was damaged during installation. In this case, adjusting the hinges will not help - you will need to replace the rubber cuff.
It is also worth checking the operation of the light switch and, if there is one, the display. The door should open freely without touching neighboring objects, and close tightly with a characteristic sound. If you hear squeaking, the hinges can be lightly lubricated with silicone grease, but avoid using machine oil, which can drip onto food or damage the plastic.
What to do if the door squeaks?
Squeaking is often caused by metal-to-metal friction in the hinges. Remove the door again and apply a small amount of lithium or silicone grease to the hinge shafts. Do not use graphite grease, as it can stain the floor and clothes.
Do you need to unplug the refrigerator before moving the door?
Yes, this is a mandatory safety requirement. Although we do not touch the internal electrical circuits of the compressor, there is a risk of a short circuit when working with the door wiring (if any) or dropping a metal tool on live parts. In addition, a disconnected refrigerator is easier to move and tilt to adjust the legs.
Is it possible to hang the door if the refrigerator has a display?
Yes, you can, but this complicates the process. You will have to carefully disconnect the wire harness that runs from the chassis to the control panel on the door. It is important to remember the order in which the chips are disconnected and in no case bend the wires at an acute angle, since thin current-carrying wires pass inside them.
What to do if the holes for the loops on the new side are closed?
In the factory, these holes are often closed with plastic plugs in the color of the case. They need to be carefully pryed off with a thin screwdriver or knife and removed. If there are no plugs and the holes are sealed or filled (which is extremely rare in older models), drilling will be required, but for modern Indesit this is not typical.
Why did the door become worse after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of the refrigerator itself is broken. Make sure the front legs are turned out a little more than the back legs, creating a backward tilt. Also check that the door does not touch the floor or adjacent furniture. Sometimes the problem is solved by simply adjusting the height of the front part of the unit.
Will the warranty remain valid after re-hanging the door yourself?
According to the law, the consumer has the right to independently service the equipment if this does not lead to a breakdown. However, if when re-hanging you break the thread, break the loop or damage the wiring, the service center may refuse free repairs. Proceed carefully and save all the removed parts.