Changing the opening side of the refrigerator door is a standard procedure that is often required when moving, remodeling a kitchen, or simply to improve the ergonomics of the space. Equipment owners Stinol can perform this operation independently, without resorting to the services of paid technicians, since the design of the units initially provides for the possibility of such modification. It is only important to act consistently and not to apply excessive force to the plastic elements.
Before starting work, you need to clear the workspace and prepare a minimum set of tools. The whole process takes from 30 to 60 minutes, if you take your time and carefully monitor the position of the fasteners. Properly performed rehanging the door will ensure the tightness of the chamber and extend the service life of the seal.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
For successful dismantling and installation of hinged elements, you will need a basic set of home craftsman. The main tool will be an open-end wrench or 8 mm socket, since this is the size most often used in equipment fastening units Stinol. You will also need a flathead and Phillips screwdriver, and in some models, a hex wrench.
Particular attention should be paid to surface preparation. Cover the floor in front of the refrigerator with soft material, such as an old blanket or thick cardboard. This is necessary so that in case of accidental fall of parts or tools, it does not damage the floor covering and the unit body unit body.
☑️ Ready for work
It would not hurt to involve an assistant, especially if we are talking about two-chamber models with heavy doors. Although theoretically you can handle it alone, the risk of dropping the door or damaging hinges when working independently increases significantly.
The procedure for single-chamber Stinol models
Working with single-chamber refrigerators Stinol starts with dismantling the lower decorative panel and support legs. First you need to remove the plug on the opposite side where the door will be moved. Then the upper hinge is unscrewed, and the door is carefully removed from the lower pin.
After removing the door, the handle is rearranged. Depending on the model, the handle may be attached with screws or latches. It is important not to lose the decorative plugs that cover the mounting holes after rearrangement.
- 🔧 Remove the decorative plugs from the end of the door on the new opening side.
- 🔧 Unscrew the handle mounting screws and remove it from the seats.
- 🔧 Install the handle to the opposite side and secure with screws.
The final step is to install the door in a new location. The lower hinge is moved to a symmetrical position, the door is put in place, and the upper fastening is finally tightened. After this, you need to check the tightness of the fit seal along the entire perimeter.
Nuances of installing handles
In older Stinol models, handles may have a hidden lock. If the screws are unscrewed, but the handle cannot be removed, try carefully prying it off with a plastic card or a thin screwdriver, after heating it with a hairdryer to soften the plastic.
Rehanging doors in two-chamber refrigerators
Two-chamber models require a more complex approach, since here it is necessary to sequentially rehang both doors - first the lower one (freezer compartment), then upper (fridge compartment). The work begins with removing the top hinge of the main chamber, but the door is not completely removed yet, but only loosened.
Then the intermediate hinge connecting the two compartments is dismantled. This is a critical moment that requires care, since the weight of the structure is large. After separating the chambers, the bottom door is removed from the pin, and the hinge is transferred to the other side of the body.
When installing, it is important to correctly align the holes. In some modifications Stinol there may be asymmetrical holes, which requires careful study of the instructions or visual inspection of the seats.
⚠️ Attention: When rearranging the intermediate loop, make sure that the pin or bushing is not lost. Without this element, the door will not be held vertically, which will lead to distortion and loss of tightness.
Moving and adjusting door handles
The mechanism for fastening handles in refrigerators Stinol may differ depending on the year of manufacture and series. In most cases, screws are used that are accessible through special holes or after removing decorative trims. To unscrew, you may need a Phillips screwdriver or a hex key.
If there are visible holes on the old side, they must be closed with the plugs that come with the equipment, or those that were removed from the new side. This will provide an aesthetic appearance and prevent moisture from getting inside the door leaf.
- 🔨 Find the hidden screws securing the handle (often they are under the plugs).
- 🔨 Carefully unscrew the fasteners, trying not to break the threads in the plastic.
- 🔨 Install the handle on a new one place, aligning the guide pins.
After installation, check the reliability of the fixation. The handle should not wobble or play, as this puts stress on the mounting points and can lead to breakage of the plastic in the future.
Features of rearranging the magnetic valve
An important, but often overlooked element is the magnetic valve (or plug) at the end of the door. It is needed so that when the door is closed, the magnetic lock or simply the magnetic force of the seal does not interfere with opening from the correct side, and ensures tight contact with the opposite wall.
There are holes at the old valve installation locations that need to be closed. In new places, remove the plug and install the active element. In some models Stinol this element is a simple plastic piston, in others - a metal sleeve with a magnet.
| Element type | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic plug | Door end (old side) | Remove and close the hole |
| Magnetic piston | Door end (new side) | Install in prepared socket |
| Rubber bushing | Inside the seal groove | Move to a symmetrical position |
Incorrect installation of this element may result in the door not closing completely or, conversely, opening too tightly due to magnetic sticking.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
After completing the installation work, it is necessary to carry out a thorough adjustment. Doors should close tightly, without distortion. If you notice that the door does not fit along the entire plane, you may need to adjust the height of the legs of the refrigerator or tighten the hinges.
Checking the tightness can be done in a simple way: clamp a sheet of paper between the door and the body at different points of the perimeter. If the paper is removed with force along its entire length, it means seal it is working correctly.
If the door is skewed, loosen the fastenings of the top hinge, align the door and tighten the bolts again. In some cases, it is necessary to adjust the tilt of the refrigerator body itself using the front support legs.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the door open longer than necessary during work. Prolonged exposure to warm air can lead to defrosting of the evaporator and failure of the compressor upon subsequent startup.
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them
One of the common errors is the loss of fasteners. The bolts from the top and bottom hinges often have different lengths and threads. To avoid confusion, it is recommended to lay out the parts in the order in which they were removed, or use a magnetic tray.
Another mistake is overtightening the screws. Excessive force can lead to deformation of the metal hinge bushing or a crack in the door plastic. Screw the fasteners tightly, but without fanaticism, using moderate hand force.
- 🚫 Forgot to rearrange the decorative plugs (spoils the appearance).
- 🚫 Mixed up the bolts of the upper and lower hinges (can lead to skew).
- 🚫 Didn't check the horizontal installation (the door will open on its own).
If, after installation, the door begins to touch the body or shelves, check whether the stops are installed correctly and whether the support legs are unscrewed too much, which could cause the refrigerator to tilt in the wrong direction.
Is it possible to hang a door without an assistant?
Theoretically, it is possible if you have experience and physical strength, but the risk of dropping the door or damaging the floor is very high. Refrigerator doors Stinol are heavy and bulky. It is recommended to at least ask someone to secure the door during removal and installation on new hinges.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if you plan to clean the refrigerator or there is a risk of tilting the unit more than 40 degrees, it is better to turn it off and allow the oil to drain into the compressor. It is also worth freeing the door shelves to reduce weight.
What to do if the hinge bolts are rusty?
Use a penetrating lubricant (WD-40 or analogues). Apply liberally to threads, wait 15-20 minutes. If the bolt does not fit, try gently heating it with a hairdryer (not an open flame!) or using an impact screwdriver. Do not use excessive force to avoid tearing off the bolt head.
Why does the door not close on its own after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of the refrigerator is broken. For self-closing, the unit must be tilted slightly backwards. Adjust the height of the front support legs by twisting them to raise the front of the refrigerator 1-2 cm higher than the back.