Sometimes the standard location of the refrigerator door becomes an obstacle to an ergonomic kitchen. You may encounter a situation where the handle interferes with opening adjacent cabinets or it is simply more convenient for products to be accessed from left to right. Fortunately, most models Pozis are designed with this possibility in mind, allowing you to change the hitch without complex engineering manipulations.
Before starting work, it is important to understand that the design of different series may vary slightly. In some places you will need to remove the base panel, while in other models it is enough to dismantle only the top cover. Careful study The configuration of your unit will help avoid damage to fasteners in the process.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for rehanging the doors on Pozis refrigerators. We will look at the nuances of working with different types of hinges, the need to adjust gaps and precautions that will protect equipment from damage.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary toolsBefore you begin dismantling heavy elements, you need to free up space around the refrigerator. You will need access from all sides to safely move the removed parts without scratching the floor or cabinet walls. Make sure that the lighting in the work area is bright enough, as some mounting holes may be hidden in the shadows.
You will need a minimum DIY kit to complete the task. The main tool will be hex key or a set of screwdrivers, since it is with them that the hinges on the equipment of this brand are most often attached. It would also be a good idea to prepare a small container for the screws so that they do not get lost during the work.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) or a screwdriver with the appropriate bits
- 🔑 Hex keys (usually 4 mm or 5 mm)
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges
- 📦 Container for collecting fasteners
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network. This is critically important for safety, since if the housing is skewed, the wiring or compressor may be damaged.
Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the floor. If you are working on a slippery surface, make sure that the refrigerator is stable and will not move while removing the doors. If necessary, place anti-slip material under the legs or ask an assistant to hold the body.
Design features of Pozis hingesRefrigerators Pozis are distinguished by a reliable, but rather simple door fastening system. Most models use a top and bottom hinge that are screwed directly to the cabinet body. Some modern series may have hidden installation or additional decorative plugs that must be carefully removed before disassembly.
It is important to note that on some models with a system No Frost or electronic control, a wiring harness may pass through the top of the door. This adds a step of work that requires special care. You will have to not only rearrange the loops, but also carefully move the cables into the channels intended for this on the other side.
If your refrigerator is equipped with a magnetic seal of a complex shape, make sure that it will not be deformed when rehanging. Sometimes it is necessary to heat the seal with a hairdryer after installation so that it takes the correct shape and ensures a tight seal.
Dismantling the upper part and removing the doorThe process begins from the top of the unit. First of all, you need to remove the top cover of the refrigerator, if present. It is usually held on by two screws at the back or simply snapped onto plastic clips. Carefully slide the cover back and up to gain access to the top hinge.
Next, unscrew the top hinge mounting bolts. Do not remove them completely at once, if the door is heavy - it is better to hold it with one hand or call an assistant. After loosening the fasteners, the door can be lifted and removed from the bottom hinge. This is the most crucial moment, requiring physical strength and coordination.
☑️ Dismantling procedure
⚠️ Attention: The refrigerator door is quite heavy and has sharp edges. Do not allow it to drop suddenly or hit the floor, as this may break the glass (if there are shelves) or damage the frame itself.
After removing the door, inspect the bottom hinge. In some models Pozis it may be asymmetrical, and to rehang it you will need to turn it over or move it to the other side using the provided holes. If the hinge is symmetrical, this step can be skipped, but most often a relocation of the fasteners is required.
Re-hanging the lower hinge and baseThe lower part of the refrigerator is often hidden by a decorative base or grille. To get to the bottom hinge, this element must be dismantled. It can be secured with latches or screws. Be careful with the plastic clips; they break easily if handled carelessly.
After removing the protection, you will see the lower door support. It must be unscrewed and moved to the opposite side of the case. To do this, at the factory, threaded holes are already provided at the end of the refrigerator, closed with plastic plugs. Unscrew the plugs and screw a loop into them.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In rare cases, when replacing original parts with non-original ones, the holes may not match. In this case, professional modification of the case may be required, but for the standard rehanging procedure all the holes are already there.
Attach the bottom hinge securely, but do not overtighten the screws so as not to strip the threads in the metal case. Check that the hinge axis points straight up and is installed vertically. Any distortions at this stage will lead to the door opening with force or not fitting tightly.
Installing the door on a new sideNow that the bottom hinge is secured in a new place, you can install the door in its rightful place. Carefully slide the bottom hole of the door onto the hinge pin. Make sure the door is level and does not fall down. At this stage, you will again need help to keep the structure upright.
Install the top hinge on top. If the model involves laying wires, carefully lay the bundle into the channels, avoiding pinching the insulation. Tighten the top hinge mounting bolts. At this stage adjustment has not yet been carried out, the main thing is to fix the elements.
Check the operation of the magnetic lock (if there is one) and the tightness of the fit seal around the entire perimeter. The door should open freely, but when released in the opening position of about 45 degrees, it should close on its own or remain in place without slamming.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightnessAfter installing the door, final adjustment is often required. The gaps between the door and the body must be uniform over the entire height. If you notice that the door fits tighter on top than on the bottom, or vice versa, you need to tighten the adjusting bolts on the hinges.
To check the tightness, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Squeeze the sheet with the door and try to pull it out. It should be removed with noticeable force around the entire perimeter. If in some place the sheet falls out freely, it means that the contact of the seal is broken.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not close itself | Tilting the body back | Tighten the front legs to create a tilt back |
| Strong gap at the top | The upper hinge is not pressed enough | Loosen the fasteners and press the hinge harder against the body |
| Friction body | Distortion during installation | Adjust the height of the legs or the position of the hinges |
| Whistling when opening | ||
| Dry seal | Lubricate the seal with silicone lubricant |
After adjustment, let the refrigerator stand in the off state for at least 2-4 hours before turning it on. This is necessary so that the refrigerant and oils in the compressor take their places, especially if the unit is tilted during work.
Common mistakes when re-hangingOne of the most common mistakes is the loss of fasteners. Refrigerator hinge screws Pozis often have a specific thread or length, and replacing them with random ones from the set can damage the case. Always use only original fasteners or their exact equivalents.
Another mistake is ignoring wires. In models with a display on the door, users forget to reposition the harness, which leads to its tension and breakage of contacts upon first opening. Always check for free movement of wires after installation.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when driving screws into thin metal housing. This can lead to deformation of the seats, and then the door will never sit straight again.
Also, do not forget about the level. If the floor is uneven and the legs of the refrigerator are not adjusted, the door may open spontaneously or, conversely, not reach the magnet. Adjusting the height of the support legs is a mandatory final step.
Do you need to remove the handles before rehanging?
In most cases, it is not necessary to remove the handles, since the hinges are located above or below the level of the handles. However, if the design of your model involves fastening the handle, which interferes with access to the hinges, or if the handle is asymmetrical and needs to be rearranged, then dismantling is required. Typically, the handles are fastened with screws from the inside of the door or have hidden fasteners under decorative plugs.
What to do if there are excess fasteners left after rehanging?
This is a normal situation. Factory assembly uses screws for both sides. Those holes that remain free on the new side are usually closed with plastic plugs included in the kit, or those that were unscrewed from the opposite side. If there are no plugs, the holes can be carefully sealed with a decorative sticker in the color of the body.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen?
Reversing the door of a built-in refrigerator is extremely difficult and often impossible without dismantling the entire kitchen unit. This requires full access from all sides, especially from behind and from above. If you are planning a rearrangement, it is better to do this before installing the furniture or provide a cabinet design that allows you to pull out the unit.
How to understand that the door seal requires replacement?
If, after carefully adjusting the hinges and checking the floor level, the door still does not fit tightly, and the seal has visible cracks, creases or has lost elasticity (does not straighten out after pressed), it must be replaced. The old rubber profile will not provide a tight seal, which will lead to excessive energy consumption.