Many owners of household appliances are faced with a situation where, after rearranging furniture or renovating the apartment, standard opening of the refrigerator becomes inconvenient. If the handle rests against the wall or the passage is too narrow, there is an urgent need to change the door hinge. Fortunately, engineers Indesit have provided this option for most models, allowing you to perform the procedure yourself without calling a technician.
The rehanging process requires accuracy, a basic set of tools and an understanding of the design of the hinge mechanism. Important act consistently so as not to damage the fragile plastic or break the tightness of the seal. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you safely rearrange the door.
Before starting work, you need to clear the space around the unit. You will need access to the equipment from all sides, as you will have to work with both the upper and lower parts of the body. Make sure that the floor under the refrigerator is level and clean to avoid heavy items falling during dismantling.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
You do not need complex industrial equipment to successfully complete the task. A standard DIY kit, which most men have, is sufficient. However, the quality of the tools plays a role: rusty or deformed keys can tear off the edges of the bolts, which will complicate the process.
You will need the following tools:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead) - for removing plugs and working with screws.
- 🔩 Wrenches (usually 8 mm and 10 mm) or a socket head with a knob.
- 🧤 Work gloves - to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📏 Level or ruler - to check the horizontal installation after completion of work.
Particular attention should be paid to surface preparation. Cover the floor in front of the refrigerator with thick cardboard, old carpet, or several layers of newspaper. This will protect the flooring from scratches if the heavy door accidentally slips out of your hands. Also prepare a container for storing fasteners so that not a single bolt gets lost.
Before disassembling, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Remove all shelves, drawers and products to make the structure as light as possible. Empty doors weigh significantly less, and the risk of dropping them or damaging the hinge mechanism is minimized.
Removing the top door and dismantling the top hinge
You should always start work from the top of the unit. This is where the main load-bearing hinge is located, which holds the weight of the door. If the refrigerator model is two-chamber, first remove the door of the freezer compartment (if it is on top) or the main refrigerator compartment, depending on the design.
Carefully inspect the upper end of the door. There you will find a decorative cover that hides the mounting bolts. Carefully pry it off with a flathead screwdriver or knife. Be careful not to break the plastic. Under the plug you will see two or three bolts securing the hinge.
Using a wrench or socket, loosen the bolts, but do not remove them completely yet. This is necessary to fix the position of the hinge relative to the body before removal. After this, ask an assistant to hold the door while you completely unscrew the fasteners. Remove the top hinge and set it aside.
⚠️ Warning: Do not leave the door hanging only from magnets or the bottom pin without a safety net. A sharp slam may cause damage to the seal or injury to your fingers.
Now that the top lock is removed, carefully lift the door to disengage it from the bottom hinge. Place the removed part on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down so as not to scratch the front panel.
What to do if the bolts are rusty?
If the fasteners do not give in, treat them with a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40) and leave for 10-15 minutes. Do not apply excessive force at once to avoid stripping the thread. You can lightly tap the bolt with a wrench to destroy the oxides.
Removing the bottom hinge and rearranging the handle
After removing the top door (or if you are working with a single-chamber model), we move on to the bottom part. There is a support loop located here, which is often aligned with the axis of rotation. In some models Indesit the lower hinge can be secured with hidden bolts from the bottom of the body.
The procedure for dismantling the lower support:
- 🔍 Find the key hole at the bottom end of the door or the bottom of the body.
- 🔧 Insert the key and unscrew the bolt securing the lower hinge.
- 🚪 Remove the hinge along with the axle, if it is not structurally separated.
- 🧹 Clean the free space from dust and old lubricant.
Now you need to move the door handle to the opposite side. On most models Indesit handles are attached to self-tapping screws from the inside of the door leaf. Open the door (if it is still in place) or turn over the removed door. Find the technological holes closed with plastic plugs on the front side.
Unscrew the mounting screws holding the handle. Transfer it to the prepared holes on the other side. If the holes in the new location are closed with plugs, remove them. Tighten the screws, ensuring that the handle fits snugly against the surface of the door. Make sure that it does not wobble.
Transferring the lower support pin to the other side
One of the most critical steps is moving the axis of rotation (pin) of the lower support. In the factory configuration, the pin is installed on one side, and on the other side there is a blind hole or plastic plug in the end of the door. We need to move the pin to the opposite side.
To do this, find the second hole at the bottom end of the door, which is now closed with a plastic plug. Carefully remove it. Then unscrew the pin from the current hole (usually it is screwed into a metal sleeve inside the door) and screw it into the prepared hole on the other side.
Sometimes the pin can fit very tightly. In this case, you can use pliers, but be sure to wrap the metal part of the pin with a cloth to avoid damaging the threads or coating. Screw the pin until it stops, but without excessive force, so as not to push through the metal of the end.
Check the reliability of the pin. It should protrude above the end surface to the same height as in the factory version. This will ensure that the lower support hinge fits correctly into the groove after installing the door in place.
Installing hinges and hanging the door
Now that all the elements are prepared and moved to new places, you can begin assembly. Start by installing the bottom support hinge onto the refrigerator body. Insert it into the slot intended for it on the opposite side and secure it with a bolt. Do not tighten the bolt all the way yet, leave a little play for adjustment.
Take the door and carefully slide it with the bottom hole onto the installed pin. Make sure the door is level and fits snugly against the frame underneath. Then have an assistant hold the top of the door in the closed position, aligning it with the body.
Reinstall the top hinge in place. Insert the mounting bolts and tighten them by hand. Now you can finally tighten all the fasteners. Tighten the bottom loop first, then the top. Make sure that the door fits snugly to the frame all the way around.
☑️ Assembly checklist
After installation, check the operation of the magnetic lock. The door should open with a certain force and close tightly on its own at a position of approximately 30 degrees from closing. If the door opens too easily or, conversely, sticks, adjustment will be required.
Adjusting the position of doors and eliminating distortions
Even with careful assembly, a situation may arise when the door is distorted or does not fit tightly to the body. This is easy to fix without having to redo the whole job. Adjustment is carried out by changing the position of the hinges relative to the body.
If the upper part of the door lags behind the body (it fits tightly at the bottom):
- Loosen the bolts of the upper hinge.
- Slightly raise or lower the hinge, achieving a tight fit.
- Tighten the bolts.
If the door is skewed diagonally, you may need to adjust the height of the legs of the refrigerator itself. By twisting the front support legs, you can change the tilt of the entire unit, which often helps the door close under its own weight.
Also check the rubber seal. After rehanging, it may not immediately fall into place. Warm it up with a hairdryer at low temperature or simply wipe it with hot water to make the rubber more elastic and straighten. This will restore the seal of the chamber.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not close completely | Hinges are skewed or interfering item | Loosen the fastenings and align the door |
| Strong skew in one direction | Uncompressed bolts or crooked floor | Adjusting the legs of the refrigerator |
| Creak when opening | Lack of lubrication in the hinges | Lubricate the hinges with technical petroleum jelly |
| The gap between the door and the body | Deformation of the seal | Warming and straightening the seal |
Common mistakes and precautions
When doing work with your own hands, it is easy to make mistakes that can lead to equipment breakdown. The most common of them is the loss of fasteners. Small bolts and washers easily roll under the refrigerator or get lost in the carpet pile. Always use a magnetic tray or jar to fold parts.
Another mistake is ignoring the instructions for a specific model. Although the principle is similar, in some models (for example, with a display on the door) there may be nuances with connecting the wires. If your door is equipped with a screen or buttons, you need to proceed with extreme caution. Indesit similar, in some models (for example, with a display on the door) there may be nuances with connecting the wires. If your door is equipped with a screen or buttons, you need to proceed with extreme caution.
⚠️ Attention: If there is a display on the door, you must carefully disconnect the cable cable before removing the door. Do not jerk the door sharply to avoid breaking the wiring. Remember or take a photo of the order in which the contacts are connected.
Do not use aggressive solvents to clean hinge parts. Chemicals can damage factory lubricant or paint on metal parts. It is best to use a dry rag or slightly damp cloth.
If you feel that the thread has broken or the bolt does not fit into the hole, do not use force. Check if you took the right bolt and if the thread direction is the same. Forced twisting can lead to a crack in the metal sleeve of the door, which will require expensive repairs.
Is it possible to change the opening side on older models?
On very old models of refrigerators (produced more than 15-20 years ago), the design of the hinges may not allow for overhanging. In such cases, there may be no holes for fasteners on the other side. Before starting work, be sure to check the passport data of your model.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before moving the door?
Yes, this is highly recommended. Defrosting will remove excess moisture that may leak out when the unit is tilted, and will also lighten the weight of the structure. In addition, you can thoroughly wash and dry the seals before installation.
Is it possible to turn a door if it has a display?
This is possible, but requires high qualifications. You will not only have to rearrange the mechanical hinges, but also reconnect the control cables, the length of which may be limited. In some cases, it is necessary to resolder the contacts or replace the cable with a longer one.
How long does the rehanging procedure take?
For an experienced technician, the process takes 20-30 minutes. For a beginner doing this for the first time and carefully reading the instructions, it is worth setting aside about 40-60 minutes, including time for preparing the tool and cleaning.
What to do if there is a gap after installation?
A small gap can be eliminated by adjusting the hinge screws. If the gap is significant, check that the bottom pin is installed correctly and that the door frame is not deformed. Sometimes placing a thin washer under the loop helps.