The need to change the direction of door opening often arises when remodeling a kitchen or purchasing new household appliances. Owners of Belarusian equipment Atlant often face the question of how to correctly perform this procedure so as not to damage the seals and fastening mechanisms. The process requires care, but it can be done at home if you have a basic set of tools.
Rehanging doors is not just rearranging the fittings, but technical operationaffecting the balancing and tightness of the device. Incorrect actions can lead to misalignment, causing the cold to escape and the compressor to work with increased load. In this article we will analyze all the nuances that are specific to the two-chamber models of this brand.
It is worth noting that the design of the hinges may differ between series. Somewhere hidden installation is used, and somewhere external brackets are used. Before you begin, carefully inspect the ends of the body and the doors themselves for the presence of plugs and spare holes. This will allow you to avoid unnecessary mistakes during the dismantling process.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
To successfully complete the task, you will need a standard home handyman kit. The main tool will be a set of wrenches or heads, since the bolts are often tightened quite tightly. You also cannot do without a Phillips screwdriver and, possibly, hexagons, if your model is equipped with specific fasteners.
It is extremely important to free up space around the refrigerator. You need to provide free access to the device from all sides, since the doors will have to be removed completely. Remove all products, shelves and drawers to lighten the structure and prevent breakage of glass or plastic during awkward movement.
- 🛠️ Wrenches (sizes 8, 10, 12 mm) or a set of ratchet sockets.
- 🔧 Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers for removing decorative panels.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧹 Plastic spatula or knife for carefully removing the plugs.
Be sure to disconnect the appliance from the power supply before starting work. Although we do not directly touch electrical circuits, accidental damage to wiring when a heavy door is tilted can be dangerous. In addition, the equipment must stand steadily so that the inertia when removing the hinges does not overturn the entire body.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Design features of hinges in different models
Two-chamber refrigerators Atlant may have different hinge configurations. In classic models, the top door is attached to the top panel of the body, and the bottom door rests on the middle partition. However, in series with the No Frost system or an increased volume of the freezer compartment, the scheme may differ.
Pay attention to hinge joints. They should be lubricated and have no play. If you notice that the old hinges are worn out or rusty, when rehanging it is better to replace them with new ones, ordering original spare parts by catalog number. Using worn parts in a new location will cause rapid sagging.
⚠️ Attention: Some models with an electronic display may have wires running through the door. Make sure that the cable is long enough to move to the other side, or prepare to carefully disconnect the connectors.
It is important to study the instructions specifically for your model, since the location of the bolt holes on the opposite end may be covered with decorative plugs. Manufacturers often leave these places “deaf”, and they will need to be carefully drilled or picked out, which requires special care.
Nuances of hidden hinges
In models with hidden hinges, the mechanism is located inside the case on top. To access them, you often need to remove the top decorative cover, which can be held on by latches. Act carefully so as not to break the plastic clips.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling door panels
We start the process from the top leaf. First of all, remove the decorative panel that hides the fasteners of the top hinge. Usually it is held on by two screws or simply snaps into place. After removing the cover, you will have access to the bolts securing the hinge.
Do not unscrew all the bolts at once. Loosen them, but leave them holding the structure, then have a helper hold the heavy door. Abruptly removing the load can cause the sash to fall on your foot or damage the floor covering. Carefully unscrew the fasteners and remove the upper hinge along with the door.
Next we move on to the lower chamber. Remove the middle hinge that holds the bottom door and connects the two compartments. It is important here not to lose bushings and washers if they are provided for in the design. After removing the middle part, you can dismantle the lower door by disconnecting it from the lower support sleeve.
- 🚪 Remove the top decorative plug and loosen the bolts of the top hinge.
- 🤝 Remove the top door and put it in a safe place (preferably on a soft surface).
- 🔩 Dismantle the middle hinge and remove the lower door.
- 🧹 Remove the lower support sleeve and remove all loose parts.
After complete dismantling, inspect the ends of the body. There should be threaded holes on the side where you plan to hang the doors. If they are covered with plastic plugs, remove them. If there are no holes (in very old or specific models), drilling will be required, which is a complex procedure that requires professional skills.
Installing handles and moving fittings
The most time-consuming step is rearranging the handles. In most models Atlant handles are attached to screws, access to which is from the inside of the door or hidden under decorative trims. You need to unscrew the fasteners and remove the handles from one end.
On the opposite side you will find holes closed with plugs. Carefully remove these plugs and install them in place of the vacated holes on the working side. This is necessary to preserve the aesthetic appearance and protect the internal filling of the door from moisture and dust.
| Element | Action during dismantling | Action during installation | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top handle | Unscrew the screws from the inside | Secure into new holes | Make sure of symmetry |
| Bottom handle | Remove decorative caps | Install in a new location | Check the tightness |
| Plugs | Remove from new holes | Insert into old holes | Do not lose rubber seals |
| Hinges | Remove from the body | Screw on the other side | Follow the tightening order |
When installing handles in a new place, do not tighten the bolts immediately" stop". First tighten them, make sure that the handle is level and parallel to the edge of the door, and only then make the final tightening. A misaligned handle can create the illusion of an uneven door.
Installing the doors on the new side and adjusting
Now we assemble the structure in the reverse order. Install the lower support sleeve into the hole on the new side. Place the bottom door onto the bushing and secure it with the middle hinge. It is important at this stage not to tighten the bolts completely in order to be able to adjust the position.
Next, install the upper door. We insert it into the middle loop and cover it with the top loop, screwing it to the body. At this stage, the refrigerator should look assembled, but the doors may not close tightly or touch the body. This is normal and requires final adjustment.
The gaps are adjusted by loosening the hinge mounting bolts and slightly moving the door leaf. Achieve an even gap around the entire perimeter. The door should open freely, but when released from an angle of 45 degrees, it should close on its own under the action of the magnetic seal.
⚠️ Attention: Do not overtighten the hinge bolts. Excessive force can break the threads in the metal body of the refrigerator, which will require complex repairs using repair bushings.
Check the operation of the magnetic latches and the tightness of the seal. If there is a gap in some place where the light passes through, try unscrewing the adjusting screws a little (if your model has them) or placing washers under the hinge. In some cases, it is necessary to heat the seal with a hairdryer so that it expands and takes the desired shape.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the floor level. If the refrigerator is tilted backwards or to the side, the doors will open on their own or, conversely, will not close completely. Before starting work, be sure to level the equipment strictly by tightening the front legs.
Also, users often forget about stops to limit the opening angle. If your model has plastic stops at the ends, do not forget to rearrange them too. Without a stopper, the door can swing open too wide and damage the furniture or tear off the hinge.
- ❌ Forgot to rearrange the plugs: it looks unaesthetic, dust gets inside.
- ❌ Overtightened the bolts: metal deformation or thread breakage.
- ❌ Didn't check the level: the doors are skewed, the seal is broken.
- ❌ Lost washers: there is play and knocking when closing.
If after rehanging the door begins to close more difficult, check whether it is touching protruding shelves or products. Sometimes (small adjustment) of the height of the legs is required to change the angle of the entire body and compensate for the change in the center of gravity.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Do I need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Full defrosting is not possible a must if you work quickly. However, if you plan to keep the doors open for a long time or tilt the refrigerator, it is better to turn it off in advance so that water from the drainage system does not spill into the mechanisms.
Is it possible to rearrange the doors by yourself?
Technically possible, but highly not recommended. The doors of two-chamber refrigerators Atlant are heavy and oversized. The risk of dropping the glass or damaging the enamel of the case is very high. Always involve a second person for insurance.
What to do if there are no threaded holes on the new side?
In 99% of models Atlant the holes are provided by the factory and are closed with plugs. If they really are not there (a unique series), then you cannot drill the body - this will disrupt the thermal insulation and lead to corrosion. In this case, it will not be possible to rehang the doors in the normal way.
Why did a whistle or creaking appear after the relocation?
Most likely, the hinges were not aligned or the lubricant had dried out. Try loosening the fasteners a little, rocking the door and tightening it again. If this does not help, use silicone grease for the rubbing surfaces of the hinges.