The situation when, after purchasing large household appliances, it turns out that the refrigerator door opens in the wrong direction is familiar to many. This is especially true for compact kitchens, where every centimeter of space is worth its weight in gold, and the trajectory of the door movement critically affects ease of use. If you have become the owner of brand appliances Atlant, you are in luck, since the design of these units allows you to change the hinge of the doors without the involvement of expensive craftsmen.
The process of rehanging doors in refrigerators Atlant is technically simple, but requires care and adherence to the sequence of actions. In this article we will look in detail at how to rearrange the doors, what tools you will need and what to pay special attention to so as not to damage the fittings or seal. Proper re-hanging will ensure the tightness of the chamber and extend the service life of the hinges.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before proceeding with dismantling, it is necessary to prepare the workplace and a set of tools. Make sure you have enough space around the refrigerator to walk around it from all sides. To work, you will need wrenches (usually sizes 8, 10 and 13), Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, as well as hexagons, which are often included with the equipment.
It is important to empty the refrigerator of food in advance and disconnect it from the power supply. This will not only protect you from electric shock, but will also make it easier to manipulate heavy doors, the weight of which will be significantly reduced after removing the contents of the shelves. It is also recommended to cover the floor in the work area with soft material so as not to scratch the floor covering or the unit itself.
Here is a complete list of what should be at hand:
- 🔧 A set of wrenches and sockets.
- 🪛 Screwdrivers of various types (phillips, flat).
- 📏 Hex keys (included in the kit).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands.
- 🧼 Clean rags for wiping parts.
Do not forget that some models may have specific fastenings, therefore tools it is better to prepare with a reserve. If you still have the original packaging, it is advisable to use its elements for temporary storage of small parts.
Removing the upper door of the refrigerator
You should always start work with the upper door, since it is attached to the body and the lower door, creating a single structure. The first step is to remove the decorative plug from the top hinge, if it is provided for by the design of your model Atlant. Usually it is simply pryed off with a flat screwdriver or removed with a light hand effort.
Next, you need to loosen the fastening bolts of the upper hinge. Do not unscrew them completely at once, just loosen the tension enough to be able to remove the loop. After this, carefully lift the top door and remove it from the bottom pin. It is better to perform this operation together so as not to drop the heavy sash and damage the seal seal.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the top door, be careful not to damage the capillary tube, which often runs inside the door leaf to the thermostat. Sudden movements or bends can lead to refrigerant leakage.
After removing the door, put it in a safe place, first removing the intermediate hinge from it, if it was fixed. Now you have access to the upper part of the case and the fastenings of the lower door.
Removing and preparing the lower freezer door
The next stage is working with the lower door of the freezer. In most models Atlant it is mounted on pins that are inserted into the holes of the lower intermediate loop. You need to unscrew the bolts holding this hinge and remove it along with the door.
Carefully lift the bottom door up to release the pins and set it aside. Now it is necessary to dismantle the lower support bar or pin on which the entire structure was supported. In some modifications, it may be necessary to remove the decorative base of the refrigerator to access the lower fastenings.
It is important to properly prepare the doors for installation on the new side. To do this, you need to rearrange handles and the hole plugs. Take the plugs that covered the holes on the front side and install them in the vacated holes on the back side. The handles, on the contrary, are moved to a new location using the appropriate fasteners.
Rearranging the handles and plugs on the doors
The process of rearranging the handles requires care, since the mounting holes may differ in diameter or thread. First, remove the handles from both doors by unscrewing the screws from the inside of the door leaf. In some models, the screws are hidden under decorative trims that need to be carefully pryed off.
After removing the handles, take care of the plugs. There will be through or blind holes on the front panel of the refrigerator, where the handles were previously attached. They must be closed with special plastic plugs included in the kit or already installed on the back side. This will provide an aesthetic appearance and protect the interior from dust.
Install the handles on the opposite side of the doors using the prepared holes. Tighten the screws evenly to avoid misalignment, which could make opening difficult. Make sure that fasteners tighten to the end, but without excessive force, so as not to break the thread in the plastic door leaf.
What to do if the plugs are lost?
If the original plugs are lost, you can use universal furniture plugs suitable color and diameter, or order components from the Atlant service center.
Assembling and installing doors on a new side
Now that all the preparatory work has been completed, you can begin assembly. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. First, the bottom support bar or pin is installed on the new side (right or left, depending on your purpose). Make sure that it is securely fixed in the housing.
Then the bottom door of the freezer is hung. Insert the pins of the lower intermediate hinge into the holes in the door and lower it into place. After this, install the hinge itself on the refrigerator body and secure it with bolts. Check that the door sits level and turns easily on the pins.
Next, the top door is installed. Place it on the pins of the intermediate hinge, align the holes of the upper hinge and secure it to the body. At this stage, it is important not to completely tighten the bolts in order to be able to adjust the position of the doors.
☑️ Assembly checklist
Adjusting the door position and tightness
After installing the doors on the new side, they must be adjusted. Incorrect position of the valves can lead to a loose fit seal, which will cause loss of cold and increased energy consumption. Adjustment is carried out by loosening the fastening bolts of the hinges and moving the doors in the desired direction.
Check the tight fit around the entire perimeter. To do this, you can use a sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body at different points. If the paper is pulled out with force along the entire perimeter, then the seal is airtight. If in some places the paper slides freely, additional adjustment is required.
| Problem | Possible cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Door does not fit at the bottom | Bottom skew hinges | Loosen the bolts and lift the bottom |
| Gap in the upper part | Wrong angle of inclination | Adjusting the upper hinge bolts |
| The door opens itself | Tilt the body forward | Unscrew the front legs of the refrigerator |
| Difficult to close | The seal is too tight | Lubricate the seal or wait |
Also pay attention to the tilt of the refrigerator itself. For the doors to close properly under the influence of gravity, the body must be slightly tilted backwards. This is adjusted by unscrewing the front support legs.
⚠️ Attention: If the gap remains after adjustment, the door leaf itself may be deformed or the seal may be damaged. In this case, simple re-hanging will not help; parts will need to be replaced.
Common mistakes and useful tips
When re-hanging doors themselves, users often make mistakes that can lead to equipment breakdown. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of fasteners. It is recommended to lay out the bolts and pins in the order in which they were removed, or use a magnetic tray.
Another mistake is ignoring the instructions for a specific model. Refrigerators Atlant have many modifications, and the design of the hinges may differ. For example, some models require rearranging the door opening sensor, which is located inside the leaf.
- 🛠️ Do not use too long screws instead of standard bolts - you can break through the door wall.
- 🛠️ Do not use excessive force when tightening - plastic may crack.
- 🛠️ Check the integrity of the seal before final assembly.
If you doubt your abilities or notice difficulties in accessing the fasteners, it is better to contact a service center. However, for most models Atlant this procedure is quite within the capabilities of a home craftsman.
Is it necessary to drain freon before re-hanging the doors?
No, there is no need to drain the refrigerant. Re-hanging doors only affects mechanical structural elements (hinges, handles, plugs) and does not require intervention in the cooling system. The capillary tube inside the door has sufficient length for such manipulations.
Is it possible to rehang the doors if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen?
This is extremely difficult and often impossible without dismantling the refrigerator itself from the niche. Access to the side walls and bottom of the case requires free space on all sides. It is recommended to first pull the unit out of the niche.
What to do if a creaking noise appears after rehanging?
The creaking may occur due to metal-on-metal friction in the hinges. Lubricate the rubbing elements of the hinges with special oil or silicone grease. Also check whether the door touches the body or shelves when opening.
Are tools from other equipment suitable for disassembling Atlant?
In most cases, a standard home craftsman's kit (8-13 mm wrenches, Phillips screwdriver) is ideal. A specific tool is rarely required, only for some models with hidden fastening of handles.