How to rearrange the refrigerator doors from right to left: complete instructions

Changing the layout of the kitchen often requires rearranging household appliances, and here a problem arises: the refrigerator opened in one direction, and now must swing open in the other. Many owners immediately rush to look for a specialist, although in 90% of cases reversing doors this is a procedure that can be performed independently. This does not require complex engineering knowledge, just a basic set of tools and attention to design details.

The process of changing the opening side (reversing doors) is incorporated into the design of most modern models by manufacturers. However, haste can lead to damage to the plastic or failure of the seal. It is important to understandthat each model has its own design features, so before starting work you need to study the structure of your particular unit.

In this article we will analyze a universal algorithm of actions that is suitable for most brands, but we will pay special attention to the nuances which are often silent in official manuals. You will learn how to properly prepare the workplace, what tools you will need and how to avoid common mistakes that lead to skewed fabric.

Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools

Before proceeding with dismantling, you need to free up the space around the refrigerator. You will need access to the unit from all sides, as sometimes you have to tilt the body or walk around it to install stops. Remove mats that can slide and ensure good lighting of the work area.

The basic set of tools is usually minimal, but its equipment depends on the type of fastener. In most cases, it will be enough:

• 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead) for screws of different calibers.
• 🔩 Wrenches or sockets (often a size of 8 mm or 10 mm is required).
• 🧤 Gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges metal.
• 🧊 Tray or container for folding small parts and magnets.

Special attention should be paid to the presence of a second person. Refrigerator door weighs from 5 to 15 kilograms, and holding it with one hand while simultaneously unscrewing the bolts is extremely inconvenient and dangerous. An assistant is needed not so much for physical strength as for fixing the canvas in a vertical position while rearranging the hinges.

⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator is equipped with a system No Frost or has an electronic display on the door, be sure to disconnect the appliance from the power supply before starting work. This will eliminate the risk of a short circuit in case of accidental damage to the wiring running inside the canvas.

Analysis of the design and removal of the top panel

The first stage is a visual inspection and removal of decorative elements. On many models, the top hinge is closed with a plastic plug or decorative cover. It must be carefully pryed off with a flat screwdriver, without using excessive force, so as not to break the latches. The fastening bolts of the upper hinge are hidden under it.

Before unscrewing the bolts, the upper door must be held. If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, you should always start from the top chamber. After unscrewing the bolts, the top hinge is removed, and the door is set aside in a safe place, having previously removed the shelves from it to reduce weight. It is critically important to remember or photograph the order of washers and gaskets - installing them in the wrong sequence will lead to a loose fit.

Then the procedure is repeated for the bottom door, if you need to re-hang that too. Users often forget that there are also holes for hinges on the bottom of the case, closed with plastic plugs. These plugs must be removed and moved to the vacated holes on the opposite side in order to maintain an aesthetic appearance.

Removing handles and rearranging fittings

The most difficult point that often raises questions is the handles. In some models they are symmetrical and do not require intervention, in others they have a strictly defined mounting side. If the handle is asymmetrical, it must be removed. This most often requires access to the fasteners from inside the door or removal of the decorative trim.

The process of turning the handle over depends on its type:

• 🖐 Mortise handles: require removal of the inner door panel, unscrewing the screws and installation in a mirror position.
• 🏁 Overlay handles: often simply changed in some places with plugs or turned over according to the instructions.
• 🚪 Hidden handles: may require replacement of decorative profiles at the ends of the door.

If on your model the handles are located vertically in the center, then most likely you are lucky and do not need to do anything. However, if the design involves a lateral location, you will have to work hard. In some cases, to remove the handle, it is necessary to remove the door itself from the hinges in order to gain access to the mounting screws on the back side.

⚠️ Attention: When removing the handles, do not use impact tools. The plastic from which many of the fittings are made becomes brittle in the cold, but even at room temperature it easily cracks from pinpoint metal pressure.

Working with holes and plugs

After removing the doors and handles, it’s time to work with the body. On the front panel of the refrigerator you will see a number of holes: some of them are occupied by bolts, some are closed with plugs. Your task is to move the plugs to the vacant places and prepare the holes for the new installation of the hinges.

In some models, the holes on the opposite side may be closed with factory plugs, which need to be squeezed out from the inside. This should be done carefully, using a thin screwdriver or awl. If the holes were initially blind (without threads), then the refrigerator often comes with special bushings or screws that need to be screwed into the prepared places.

Don't forget about the lower part of the case. There is also a pin or hinge for the bottom door. It must be moved to the opposite side. Often this requires turning the axle itself over or rearranging the mounting plate. Make sure that all threaded connections are tightened, but not overly tight, so as not to strip the threads in soft metal or plastic.

Features of models with a display and wiring

If your refrigerator is equipped with a control module on the door or a display, the task is complicated by the presence of electrical wires. You can't just re-hang the door - you need to reconnect the connectors. In modern models, the wires are often long enough to transfer them to the other side, but sometimes you need to carefully disassemble the top of the door.

Procedure for models with electronics:

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Remove the top decorative panel to gain access to the wiring harness.
3. Carefully disconnect the connectors (chips), fixing their position.
4. Pull the wires through the technological holes in a new direction.
5. Connect the connectors, observing the color markings or connector keys.

The most important thing here is not to confuse the polarity or damage the thin ones wires during assembly Wiring harness should lie freely, without tension, so that when opening the door the contacts do not become disconnected. If the wires are too short, you may need to replace the harness itself with an extended one, which is already a task for the service center.

⚠️ Attention: The design of the connectors and the length of the harnesses may vary depending on the year of manufacture and the specific series. If the wires are clearly tense after rearrangement, do not close the panel - contact an authorized dealer to replace the harness.

Assembly, adjustment and leak testing

The final stage is installing the doors in new places. You need to hang the panels in the reverse order: first the lower door (if both were removed), then the upper one. Insert the lower hinge pin into the corresponding hole, then put on the upper hinge and secure with bolts. Do not tighten the bolts all the way right away - just tighten them first.

Now the moment is adjustment. The door should fit tightly around the entire perimeter of the body. If you notice misalignment, loosen the top hinge mounting bolts and slightly raise or lower the edge of the door to achieve the ideal position. After this, tighten the bolts. Check the operation of the magnetic lock and closer (if any).

Checking the tightness is carried out in a simple way: close the door by holding a sheet of paper in different places. If the sheet is pulled out with force, everything is fine. If it falls out or comes out too easily, it means it is not sealing in this place. Also make sure that when closing the door does not hit the body or handles of the drawers. seal does not fit. Also make sure that when closing the door does not hit the frame or drawer handles.

Plug in the refrigerator and let it work. After 15-20 minutes, check the temperature inside the chambers. If everything is done correctly, the unit will return to operating mode without loss of cold.

Common mistakes and expert advice

Even experienced professionals sometimes make mistakes that can be costly. One of the most common is loss of fasteners. Small screws and washers easily roll under the refrigerator or get lost in the carpet. Use a magnetic tray or tape the removed parts to a cardboard with signatures.

Another mistake is ignoring the floor level. If the refrigerator is crooked, no amount of re-hanging the doors will help achieve a tight seal. Before starting work, be sure to level the unit by adjusting the front legs. The door should open on its own if it is released halfway (thanks to a slight tilt back).

Do not forget that some models of refrigerators are not intended to be hung at all. This is usually indicated in the instructions. If you see that the holes on the opposite side are missing or not threaded, and the corresponding parts are not included in the kit, your model may have a one-sided design.