Many owners of household appliances are faced with a situation when the standard arrangement of refrigerator doors Nord becomes inconvenient due to kitchen remodeling or interior design changes. It often happens that the door blocks the passage or access to other areas, and the only logical solution is to change the opening side. Fortunately, the design of most models Nord refrigerators provides for this possibility, allowing you to perform this procedure yourself without calling a specialist.
Reversing the door is not just a cosmetic procedure, but a full-fledged technical operation that requires care and adherence to the sequence of actions. Incorrect installation can lead to a loose seal, misalignment of the sash, or even damage to the fittings. In this article, we will analyze in detail the process of reinstalling doors for different types of refrigerators Nord, paying special attention to the nuances of dismantling and installing hinges.
Before you begin, you need to make sure that you have enough space to maneuver around the unit. It is also important to understand that the procedure may vary slightly depending on the specific series of your device. If you doubt your abilities or see that the design of the hinges looks non-standard, it is better to stop and re-read the instructions again.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
The success of the entire operation directly depends on the quality of preparation. You won't need complex professional tools, but a basic DIY kit is a must. First of all, clear the space in front of the refrigerator and on the side of it so that you have free access to all sides of the case. Remove the mat if it is slippery and make sure the floor is dry.
The basic set of tools should include:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead) for working with screws of different lengths.
- 🔩 8 or 10 mm wrench or socket (depending on the model of the Nord refrigerator).
- 🔪 A construction knife or spatula for carefully removing the plugs.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This is critically important, since if the case is skewed or the wiring is handled carelessly, a short circuit or electric shock may occur.
It is also recommended to invite an assistant. Refrigerator doors, especially models with two chambers, have significant weight, and holding them with one hand while unscrewing the hinges is extremely difficult and dangerous. An assistant will also help you correctly. position the unit during operation.
Design features of Nord refrigerators
Brand refrigerators Nord are divided into several main types according to location of the freezer: with a top freezer, with a bottom freezer and two-chamber models with the No Frost system. The design of their hinges may differ, which affects the algorithm of actions. In models with a top freezer, the door of the refrigerator compartment often rests on the bottom hinge, and in models with a bottom - on the contrary.
It is important to inspect the ends of the doors of your device. On the opposite side, where you plan to hang it. sash, there must be technological holes and bushings. If there are no holes, but only plastic plugs, then rearrangement is possible. If the end has a smooth surface without signs of factory preparation, then, alas, this model is not provided!
Particular attention should be paid to the type of handles. Nord refrigerators handles can be integrated into the body. or have a specific fastening that requires disassembling the door itself. Modern models most often use overhead handles, which are simply moved to a new location.
How to determine whether the door can be re-hung?
Look in the technical data sheet section "Technical characteristics" The parameter "Possibility of re-hanging" should be indicated there. doors." Also, the presence of holes on both sides of the end is a sure sign.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the top door
The process always starts with the top door, regardless of which chamber (freezer or refrigerator) is on top. First you need to remove the top decorative panel or cover, if it is present on your model. Nord. Usually it is held on by latches or one screw.
After removing the cover, you will see the top hinge. Do not rush to unscrew it completely. First, you need to fix the door in the closed position and carefully unscrew the screws securing the hinge to the body, leaving them slightly tightened or supporting the door so that it does not fall.
Next follow the algorithm:
- Completely unscrew the screws holding the top hinge.
- Remove the hinge and set it aside.
- Carefully lift the door up, removing it from the lower pin or axis.
- Remove the middle hinge (if there is one between the cameras) or free access to it.
☑️ Procedure for removing the top door
When removing the door, be careful with the wiring. If an indication light or display is installed on the door, the wires are suitable for them. You must carefully disconnect them, remembering or photographing the color marking of the connectors. By simply pulling the door, you risk breaking the contacts.
Installing the door from the opposite side. sides
Now that the door is removed, we proceed to installation on the new side. On the opposite end of the body and the door itself there should be holes closed with plastic plugs. Carefully remove them with a knife or screwdriver. It is important not to damage the threads inside the holes or crumble the plastic, since you will need these plugs in the future if you decide to return everything as it was.
Install the hinges in new places. The upper hinge is attached to the new end of the upper door, and the lower (or middle) one is attached to its new place. Do not tighten the screws too much yet, leave a small gap for adjustment. Insert the axis of the lower hinge into the refrigerator body.
Hang the door on the axis and align the holes for attaching the upper hinge. At this point, it is critical. It is important to have a second person who will support the weight of the sash. After aligning the holes, tighten the screws of the top hinge.
Tighten all fastenings are complete. Make sure that the hinge fits tightly and does not wobble. If you are working with a two-chamber refrigerator, repeat the procedure for the second door, following the sequence: first the upper one, then the lower one.
Rearranging handles and fittings
After installing the door panels, you need to move the handles to the new location. decorative plugs (usually they come with the refrigerator or remain from the previous installation location). Remove the handles from the old places by unscrewing the screws on the inside of the door.
Install the handles on the new holes. Nord refrigerators the holes for the handles may be hidden under stickers or plugs on the front side. Be careful when removing them. handles from the inside, using a suitable screwdriver.
⚠️ Attention: Do not overtighten the handle fastening screws! The plastic of the door may crack under excessive pressure. Tighten them all the way by hand, and then tighten them slightly with a wrench, but without fanaticism.
Check the operation of the closing mechanism. The door should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. If the handle is installed crookedly, the door may not be fully pressed against the body, which will lead to ice freezing.
Adjusting the position of the doors and checking the tightness
The final stage is adjusting the door. may hang unevenly. Most models Nord allow you to adjust the height of the door by rotating the lower support nut or washers under the hinge.
To check the tightness, use a simple test with a sheet of paper:
- 📄 Take a regular sheet of A4 paper.
- 🚪 Cover the refrigerator door around the perimeter with it.
- 👋 Try to pull the sheet out.
If the sheet is pulled out too easily or, conversely, breaks under strong tension, This means the pressure is uneven. In the first case, the door does not fit; in the second, it is pinched. Adjust the position of the loops, achieving uniform resistance along the entire perimeter of the seal.
| Problem | Possible reason | Solution |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| The door does not close all the way | Skewed hinges or shelf getting in the way | Loosen the hinge screws, align the door |
| The door opens by itself | Refrigerator Tilt Back | Tighten the front legs, creating a forward tilt |
| Very difficult to open | New seal or tightened hinges | Wait 2-3 days or loosen the fastening |
| Gap between door and body | Seal deformation | Warm up the seal with a hairdryer or replace |
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
When rearranging doors on their own, beginners often make mistakes that can lead to breakdown. One of the most common is lost or mixed up screws. The screws for the top and bottom hinges may have different lengths and thread pitches. If you screw a long screw into a short hole, you can break through the door wall or jam the mechanism.
Another mistake is ignoring the floor level. After rearranging the doors, be sure to check that the refrigerator is installed horizontally. If the floor is uneven, use adjustable feet. The door should close by itself when it deviates from the vertical by about 30-45 degrees.
Also, do not forget about the gap at the wall. When changing the opening direction, you may need to move the refrigerator further away from the wall so that the door opens 90 degrees and allows you to remove the shelves. Make sure that the new configuration fits into the dimensions of your kitchen.
What to do if after re-hanging there is a gap at the top?
If after installation you notice that the door hangs below the level of the body or a gap has formed between the doors of a two-chamber refrigerator, try placing washers under the bottom hinge. Also check that the axle is inserted correctly into the groove. Sometimes it helps to loosen the top screws, lift the door manually and tighten them again.
Is it possible to hang a door if it has a display on it?
Yes, you can, but it is more difficult. You will need to extend the wires or carefully resolder them if the stock cables are not long enough to transfer to the other side. In models Nord with a display, the wires often have a reserve length laid inside the door, which can be straightened.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before the procedure?
It is desirable. Although not strictly necessary for the mechanical part, defrosting will make the unit lighter, making it easier to move and tilt. In addition, in a defrosted state, it is easier to notice whether the tubes or insulation have been damaged during manipulation.
Where to put the old holes from the handles?
Included with the refrigerator Nord usually there are plastic plugs in the color of the body. If they are lost, you can use special furniture stickers or plugs, selecting them by diameter and color in a hardware store.