Rearranging furniture in the kitchen or changing the layout often requires changing the opening direction refrigerator doors. Equipment owners Candy face this issue regularly, since the design of their units allows them to perform this procedure independently. The process does not require complex engineering knowledge, but requires accuracy and adherence to a certain procedure.
Improper dismantling can lead to damage to the decorative panels or failure of the seal. Before starting work, it is important to prepare your workspace and make sure you have the necessary tools. In this article we will look in detail at how to safely hang doors so that they close tightly and without distortion.
The main difficulty is that different models Candy may have their own design features for attaching handles and hinges. Some models are flush-mounted, others have visible bolts. Understanding the structure of your specific unit will help you avoid unnecessary mistakes and save time.
Preparation of tools and workplace
Before you begin active actions, you need to clear access to the refrigerator from all sides. You will need to have enough room to walk around the frame as the doors will have to be removed and moved to the other side. Make sure the floor is level and clean to prevent the unit from slipping or tools falling.
To complete the work, you will need a basic DIY kit. The most commonly used wrenches or heads of the appropriate size, as well as Phillips and flathead screwdrivers. In some cases, you may need a hexagon, which sometimes comes with the equipment.
- 🔧 A set of wrenches or a ratchet with heads (usually 8, 10, 13 mm)
- 🪛 Screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for removal plugs and handles
- 📏 Level or plumb line for checking the horizon
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges
It is important to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply in advance. This is not only a safety requirement, but also a way to avoid false signals from temperature sensors when the chambers are opened for a long time. Let the device stand turned off for at least 10-15 minutes before disassembling.
Removing the top hinge and door
Process reweighing always starts from the top of the structure. First you need to remove the decorative plug that hides the top hinge mounting bolts. It is usually made of plastic and can be glued or simply inserted into a groove. Carefully pry it off with a flat screwdriver, being careful not to scratch the surface of the case.
After removing the plug, you will have access to mounting bolts. Their number can vary from two to three depending on the model Candy. Use a suitable wrench to unscrew them counterclockwise. Do not use excessive force if the bolt is rusty - it is better to treat it with penetrating lubricant and wait a few minutes.
When the bolts of the upper hinge are unscrewed, the hinge can be removed. However, do not rush to remove it too far: it will be needed for installation on the other side. Now you need to hold the door with one hand and carefully lift it, removing it from the bottom pin. It is better to carry out this operation with an assistant, as the door with shelves can be heavy and awkward to hold.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the door, watch the wires if there are indicators or a display on it. A sharp jerk can damage the cable or contacts.
☑️ Removing the upper part
Removing the bottom door and central hinge
If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, after removing the top door you need to remove the bottom one. The principle of operation is similar, but there are some nuances. In some models Candy there is a central bar or common axis between the chambers, which will also need to be rearranged.
First remove the bottom door by unscrewing the central hinge fasteners (if there is one) or simply lifting the door from the bottom support. Then proceed to dismantle the central partition or hinge itself. Here are often located adjusting pins, which are responsible for the tight fit of the doors to each other.
Carefully inspect the removed parts. There may be residues of old grease or dirt on them, which are best removed before reassembly. Wipe metal surfaces with a dry cloth. If you notice damage to the seal or deformation of the metal, the elements may need to be replaced.
For models with the system No Frost it is important not to damage the air ducts that may run near the hinges. Although they are rarely touched when re-hanging, careless movement with a wrench can pierce thin plastic.
Rearranging the elements to the opposite side
Now that all the elements have been dismantled, the stage of transferring the fasteners begins. On the opposite side of the refrigerator body Candy there should be technological holes closed with plastic plugs. You need to remove these plugs and install them in place of the vacated holes on the working side.
Install the lower support loop (or pin) into the corresponding hole on the new side. Tighten it with a wrench, but not all the way yet, so that you can make adjustments. If the design involves the use of a pin-axis, make sure that it is inserted evenly and vertically.
Next, the central part is installed (for two-chamber models). It is important to correctly align the holes and secure the bar with bolts. Here it is critical to use levelto check the horizontal installation. Misalignment at this stage will lead to the doors opening on their own or not closing completely.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Transfer to new side | Wrench/Screwdriver | Watch the orientation |
| Bottom support | Installation in new socket | Key | Do not tighten completely immediately |
| Plugs | Replacement | Flat screwdriver | Can be tight |
| Handles | Dismantling and rearrangement | Hexagon | Requires door disassembly |
After installing all stationary elements, you can begin hanging the doors. The lower door is installed first, then the upper one. The order is important, since the upper door often rests on the lower one or is adjusted relative to it.
Adjusting the position of doors and handles
The most critical stage is the final adjustment. Even with ideal hinge installation, the door may hang crookedly due to uneven floors or the geometry of the cabinet. Refrigerators Candy often provide the ability to adjust the height of the legs or use adjusting bolts in the hinges.
Check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. To do this, you can use a sheet of paper: clamp it with the door and try to pull it out. It should come out with noticeable force. If the paper flies out freely, you may need to tighten the hinges or adjust the height of the refrigerator legs.
⚠️ Attention: If the kitchen floor has a slope, use the adjusting screws on the front legs of the refrigerator to level the cabinet before final tightening of the hinges.
Pay special attention to the handles. In some models they are asymmetrical or require rearrangement of internal fasteners. If the handle appears upside down after installation or does not line up with the holes, it may need to be removed from the door, flipped over, and reattached. To do this, you often need to remove the door itself from its hinges or gain access to the fasteners through special holes.
What to do if the door does not close completely?
Often the reason lies in the incorrect tilt angle of the refrigerator back. The body must be tilted back slightly to allow the door to close under gravity. Adjust the front legs by unscrewing them to lift the front of the unit.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
In the process, beginners often make mistakes that lead to repeated disassembly. One of the most common is the loss of fasteners. Bolts from different hinges may differ in length and thread, so mixing up their installation locations can lead to damage to the threads in the body or the inability to tighten the fastener completely.
Another problem is damage to the seal. If you remove or install the door carelessly, you can jam the rubber band, which will break the seal. This will subsequently lead to ice freezing and increased load on the compressor. Always visually check the position of the seal in a circle.
- 🚫 Do not use an impact tool (hammer) to knock out plugs or seat hinges
- 🚫 Do not ignore the "Top" and "Bottom" markings on the hinges, if present.
- 🚫 Do not leave the refrigerator without doors for a long time to avoid deformation of the case
If after installation you hear a squeak, the metal parts of the hinge may be rubbing. A drop of silicone grease will solve the problem. However, do not use oils, which can damage the plastic or rubber seal.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if you plan to keep the doors open or tilt the unit for a long time, it is better to turn it off in advance to avoid water leaking from the drainage system or ice melting inside the chambers.
Is it possible to hang the door on a Candy refrigerator with a display?
Yes, you can, but it requires more caution. You must carefully disconnect the display cable cable before removing the door. When installing on a new side, make sure that the wire is not twisted and is of sufficient length to connect to the new socket (usually it is symmetrical).
Why does the door not magnetize after rehanging?
This may be due to incorrect adjustment of the gap or damage to the seal during installation. Also check to see if the food on the shelves is preventing it from closing tightly. If the problem persists, try warming the seal with a hairdryer (without overheating!) to restore elasticity.
Will the warranty still be valid after re-hanging it yourself?
According to the rules of most manufacturers, including Candy, re-hanging doors refers to work that the user can perform independently without losing the warranty, if the components were not damaged in the process unit. However, if you break the hinge or body, the warranty case may be void.