Changing the opening side of the refrigerator door is not just a whim, but often a necessity dictated by the redevelopment of the kitchen or the ergonomic features of the workspace. Equipment owners Indesit often face the question of whether it is possible to change the linkage themselves without calling a technician. The answer is clear: in the vast majority of models of this brand, the design allows you to do turning the door with your own hands, if you act carefully and consistently.
The process requires care, since the hinges are under load, and the doors have significant weight. Before starting work, it is important to empty the refrigerator of food, disconnect it from the power supply and prepare a flat surface next to the unit. It is critically important before starting work to check the technical data sheet of your specific model, since in some budget series there may be holes for hinges only on one side.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions, the necessary tools and adjustment nuances that will ensure tight seal fit after reinstallation. Take your time, follow the steps, and your kitchen will become more convenient.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task, you will need a minimum set of tools, which every home craftsman usually has. The main tool will be open-end wrench or a 8 mm and 10 mm head, since these are the sizes most often used in fittings Indesit. Also, a flat-head screwdriver will be useful for removing decorative plugs and plastic elements.
Since refrigerator doors, especially the bottom ones, have considerable weight, it is recommended to enlist the help of a second person. This will prevent damage to the floor, the equipment itself, or injury to your back when removing the canvas. Prepare a soft mat on which you can place the removed items.
Be sure to clear space around the refrigerator. You need access to the unit from all sides in order to freely walk around it and place parts. Make sure the floor is dry and clean to prevent tools from slipping or getting lost.
- 🔧 Open-end wrenches or socket set (8 mm, 10 mm)
- 🪛 Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges edges
- 🧹 A rag for wiping the hinges from old grease
Removing the top door and top hinge
We start the process from the top of the refrigerator. The first step is to remove the top decorative panel, if your model has one Indesit. It is usually secured with latches or a small screw. Carefully pry it off with a flat-head screwdriver, being careful not to damage the plastic.
After removing the decor, you will have access to the top hinge. Do not unscrew the hinge completely at once! First loosen the mounting bolts, but leave them in the threads. Have a helper hold the door to prevent it from falling. Then unscrew the bolts completely and remove the top hinge.
⚠️ Attention: The refrigerator door is heavy and can move when the fasteners are loosened. Securely fix its position with your hands until the hinges are completely removed.
Having removed the upper hinge, carefully lift the upper door and remove it from the lower hinge (which in this case serves as the axis for the upper compartment, if the design is two-chamber and independent, or simply remove it from the pin). Set the door aside in a safe place, placing it on a soft surface with the outside side down to avoid scratching the front panel.
Removing the middle hinge and main door
The next stage is dismantling the main, lower door. The middle loop is located here, which is often combined with the axis of rotation of the upper chamber or is a separate unit. In models Indesit with a “crying” defrosting system, electrical wires may pass through this area.
If your model is equipped with a display or control buttons on the door, be sure to disconnect the connectors before completely removing the panel. The wires usually run inside the housing and exit around the middle loop. Carefully disconnect the chip without pulling the wires.
Unscrew the middle hinge mounting bolts. Remove it and set it aside. The lower door can now be removed from the lower support sleeve. Be careful: the lower door is often heavier than the upper one due to the heavier shelves and containers included (although when rearranging the shelves, it is better to remove them in advance).
- 🔌 Disconnect the electrical connectors (if any)
- 🔩 Unscrew the middle hinge bolts
- 🚪 Remove the door from the support sleeve
- 🧹 Clean the ends of the doors from dirt
Flipping the fittings and rearranging the hinges
Now you need to prepare the door itself for installation on the new side. At the end of the door, on the side where it will now open, there are holes for the hinges, closed with plastic plugs. On the other hand, where the hinges were originally, these holes are now empty.
You need to remove the plugs from the new working holes and install them in the vacant spaces. The refrigerator Indesit often comes with a set of spare plugs and mating bushings. If the set is lost, you can use those that were taken out by rearranging them.
Pay special attention door handle. In most modern models, the handle is asymmetrical or has a locking mechanism. If the handle is ambidextrous, check to see if the internal lock or latch mechanism needs to be reversed. To do this, you may need to remove the handle itself by unscrewing the screws on the inside of the door.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some older or specific models, there may be holes on only one side. In this case, an independent revolution is impossible without drilling new holes, which is not recommended, as it violates the thermal insulation and voids the warranty. Check for threads on both sides of the door end.
Install the hinge mates (bushings) on the new door end. Make sure they fit snugly and don't wobble. This will ensure correct positioning of the door relative to the body.
Assembling and installing doors on the new side
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. Start by installing the bottom support sleeve in its new location (on the opposite bottom corner of the refrigerator body). Make sure it is locked.
Install the bottom door onto the support sleeve. Holding it, mount the middle loop Do not tighten the bolts all the way immediately. Leave a little play to be able to adjust the position of the door. If there are wires, carefully place them in the channel and connect the connector.
Then install the top door on the middle hinge axis. Mount the top hinge. Now that the entire structure is assembled, you can begin the final tightening of the fasteners and adjustments.
☑️ Assembly checklist
Adjusting the door position and tightness
After installation, a situation often arises when the doors are skewed or do not fit tightly to the body. Use a level to make adjustments. Place it on the end of the open door or on the upper edge of the body.
Adjustment is carried out by loosening the hinge mounting bolts and moving the door in the desired direction, or using adjusting screws (if they are provided for by the design Indesit). The tilt of the refrigerator itself is also important: it should stand strictly horizontally, but with a slight slope back for automatic closing.
Check the tightness sealing rubber along the entire perimeter. If there is a gap left in some place, try heating this area with a hairdryer (carefully!) and pressing it, or placing a gasket under the hinge on the desired side.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not close itself | Improper tilt of the body | Unscrew the front legs, creating a tilt back |
| Gap in the upper part | Targeted upper hinge | Loosen the bolts and level the door |
| Difficult to open the door | Swollen seal or vacuum | Check the cleanliness of the seal, wait for pressure equalization |
| Creak when opening | Lack of grease on the hinges | Lubricate the hinges with lithium grease or silicone |
⚠️ Attention: The design of the legs and thermoregulation may vary in different series. If you see that the adjustment screws have reached the limit, do not use force - check the official diagram for your model.
Common mistakes and expert advice
One of the common mistakes is not cleaning old hinges before installing them in a new place. There could be old grease, dust or metal shavings left on them. Be sure to wipe all metal elements.
Also, users often forget about protective shipping tape the new side of the seal (if there was one) or the need to let the seal straighten if it was deformed when storing spare parts.
Do not forget that after rearranging the refrigerator should stand turned off for a couple of hours, especially if you are actively tilting