The need to change the direction of opening the refrigerator door often arises when remodeling the kitchen or buying new furniture. Equipment owners Samsung may encounter a situation where the standard arrangement of handles or hinges interferes with convenient access to products. Fortunately, the design of most modern models allows you to rehang the doors yourself without the involvement of a specialist.
The process requires accuracy and the presence of a basic set of tools, but is not a technically complex operation. Main task - correctly dismantle the hardware and install it on the opposite side, maintaining a tight fit of the seal. Errors at the removal or installation stage can lead to misalignment of the sash and a violation of the temperature regime.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for various models of refrigerators Samsung. You will learn about the nuances of working with systems No Frost, features of dismantling electronic modules and correct adjustment of gaps. Carefully following the instructions will allow you to change the opening side in 30-40 minutes.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before starting work, you must prepare all the tools so as not to be distracted in the process. You will need a Phillips screwdriver, a wrench (usually 8 or 10mm) and pliers. For some models with an electronic display, you may need a thin flathead screwdriver or plastic spatula to carefully remove the plugs.
Clean up some space in front of the refrigerator. You need to provide access to the device from all sides, since the door will have to be removed and set aside. Cover the floor soft material - cardboard, blanket or thick fabric, so as not to scratch the floor covering and the door itself during dismantling.
- 🛠️ Cross screwdriver (PH2) for housing screws.
- 🔧 8-10 mm wrench or socket for hinge bolts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges.
- 📦 Helper for holding a heavy door (preferably).
Be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is critical if your model is equipped with a door display or system Smart Dialas you will have to unplug the electrical connectors. Even if there are no electronics on the door, safety when working with metal structures is never superfluous.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, make sure that there are no heavy glass bottles or jars in the door shelves. The weight of the contents can significantly complicate dismantling and increase the risk of injury or damage to the fittings.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Design features of Samsung doors
Refrigerators Samsung have their own design features that are important to consider. In most models, the lower hinge is attached to a pin, which is inserted into the body, and the upper one is load-bearing and is fixed with bolts. In dual-chamber models with a system No Frost there is often an additional cable or tube running between the cameras, which requires caution.
Handles can be integrated or overhead. In the first case, the mechanism is hidden inside the canvas, in the second it is secured with screws. When rehanging overhead handles, they are simply rearranged to new holes, which are usually closed with decorative plugs on the opposite side. Integrated handles require a more complex procedure or cannot be rearranged at all without replacing the door itself.
Models with a display deserve special attention. The wiring in them passes through the top loop. When dismantling, you must very carefully snap off the plastic hinge cover to gain access to the connector. Cables Quite thin, and careless movement can damage the contacts, which will lead to inoperability of the control panel.
| Model type | Location wires | Complexity of work | Do you need an assistant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-chamber | Absent | Low | Desirable |
| Two-chamber (low) | Through the top loop | Medium | Required |
| Side-by-Side | Through both loops | High | Required (2 people) |
| With display | Through the top loop | High | Required |
If you have a model Side-by-Side or a four-door refrigerator, the procedure may differ in the presence of a central partition. In such cases, complete dismantling of the middle part of the body is often required, which is much more complicated and requires deep knowledge of the device of a specific series.
Is it possible to rearrange the door on a model with a display yourself?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires increased caution. The main difficulty is not to damage the cable when disconnecting. It is recommended to take a photo of the position of the wires before removal, so that they can be reconnected correctly after rehanging. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call a specialist.
Dismantling the upper part and removing the refrigerator door
We start the process from the upper door (refrigerator compartment). First, remove all decorative caps from the top panel and hinges. They can be round or rectangular, sometimes they need to be pryed off with a knife or screwdriver. The mounting bolts are hidden under them.
Unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge. If the door has a display, do not pull the hinge too harshly. Carefully lift the plastic cover, find the connector and disconnect it. Remember the order connect the wires or take a photo, since the color coding is not always obvious.
Now you need to remove the door itself. It is better to do this together: one person holds the door from the bottom and side, the second removes the axle from the bottom hinge or completely removes the middle partition (depending on the design). The door is heavy, and dropping it means damaging the floor or the unit itself.
- 🔌 Disconnect the wire connectors (if any).
- 🔩 Unscrew the upper hinge bolts with a wrench.
- 🚪 Remove the door from the lower support axis.
- 🧹 Remove the old hinge and plugs.
After removing the door, inspect the holes on the opposite side. There should be threaded holes covered with plastic plugs. Remove the plugs and insert them into the vacated holes on the side where the door stood previously. This will maintain an aesthetic appearance and protection from moisture.
⚠️ Attention: When unscrewing the top hinge bolts, hold the door with your second hand or ask an assistant. After unscrewing the last bolt, the door does not hold anything, and it may fall forward, damaging the floor or the master's feet.
Re-hanging the bottom door of the freezer
The bottom door (freezer) is removed in a similar way, but has its own nuances. First of all, it is necessary to dismantle the intermediate strip, if there is one, or remove the door along with it. In some models Samsung the lower sash is removed first to gain access to the fastenings of the upper one.
Unscrew the bolts securing the lower hinge. More powerful fasteners are often used here, since this loop bears the main load. Use the correct size wrench to avoid stripping the edges of the bolts. After removing the fasteners, the door is carefully removed from the supports.
If your model provides for rearranging the handle, find holes for it on the back side of the door. They can be closed with plugs. Rearrange the handle using the same screws, or use the set from the instructions if the old ones are not long enough. Seal tightness Handles are important for ergonomics and durability.
Don't forget about the shipping bolts or plugs. In the holes that are now on top (formerly bottom), you need to insert plastic plugs. This will prevent dust and moisture from getting inside the door structure.
| Stage | Action | Tool | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Removing the plugs | Knife/Screwdriver | Do not damage the enamel |
| 2 | Removing the hinge | Wrench 8-10 mm | Hold the door |
| 3 | Removal doors | Hands | Careful with the floor |
| 4 | Rearranging fittings | Screwdriver | Close old holes |
Installation of doors on the new side and assembly
Assembly is performed in the reverse order. The bottom door (freezer) is installed first. Insert the bottom hinge into the prepared hole on the new side and secure it with bolts. Do not tighten them all the way right away - leave a small gap for adjustment.
Then the upper door is hung. Align the holes on the top hinge with the holes on the refrigerator body. If the model has a display, carefully thread the wires through the hole in the loop and connect the connectors. Make sure that the wires are not pinched and lie freely.
Tighten the bolts of the upper hinge. Now you can finally tighten all the fasteners. Check that all the plugs are in place. Symmetry The arrangement of the elements is a sign of quality work done.
- 📍 Install the bottom hinge in a new place.
- 🚪 Hang the bottom door.
- 🔗 Connect the wires (if any).
- 🔩 Secure the top hinge and hang the top door.
After installing all the elements, check the operation of the doors. They should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. Make sure that when closing, the magnetic seal fits tightly to the body along the entire perimeter.
⚠️ Attention: Do not turn on the refrigerator immediately after rearranging the doors if you kept it in a horizontal position for a long time or tilted it strongly. Allow the oil in the compressor to drain back into the crankcase (1-2 hours) to avoid water hammer.
Adjusting the position of doors and eliminating distortions
After installation, a situation often arises when the doors hang unevenly or do not fit tightly. This can be solved by adjustment. In refrigerators Samsung the height of the door is adjusted using swivel legs at the bottom of the body or adjusting bolts on the hinges.
If the door is skewed vertically (one corner is lower than the other), use adjusting bolts on the hinges. Loosen the fasteners, level the door and tighten again. To level the height of the entire refrigerator, rotate the front support legs.
Check the gaps between the door and the body. They should be the same on top and bottom. If the door comes off at the top, the refrigerator body itself may be skewed - tighten the front legs to tilt the body slightly back. This will ensure automatic closing when opening less than 45 degrees.
If after adjustment there is still a gap in the seal, try warming the problem area with a hairdryer (not too hot air) and press the door tightly for a few minutes. The rubber will soften and take the desired shape.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
One of the most common mistakes is the loss of fasteners. Small bolts easily roll under the refrigerator or get lost in the carpet pile. Control each removed element. They also often forget to close old holes with plugs, which spoils the appearance.
The second mistake is overtightening the bolts. Excessive force can cause the threads in the aluminum hinge body or the refrigerator itself to break. Tighten the fasteners tightly, but without fanaticism. Use a ratchet wrench to control the force, if possible.
The third mistake is ignoring the wires. In a hurry, you may forget to connect the display connector or pinch the cable. This will cause the refrigerator to work, but the control panel will not respond. Always check the connections before final tightening the loops.
- ❌ They forget to unplug the refrigerator.
- ❌ They lose plugs for holes.
- ❌ They overtighten the bolts, breaking the threads.
- ❌ They forget to check the fit of the seal.
What to do if the door slams after moving it?
If the door slams when closing, it means the vacuum is broken or the seal is pressed too hard. Check that the seal is clean and that there are no foreign objects on the shelves that would interfere with closure. Also make sure that the refrigerator is level.
Is it possible to change the opening side on older Samsung models?
Very old models (manufactured before the 2000s) may not have technological holes for reversing. In such cases, the procedure is impossible without serious modification of the case, which is not recommended.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
There is no special need to defrost it, but if there is a lot of ice in the chamber, it is better to wait for it to melt. Ice will make the door heavier and may crumble during dismantling, creating a puddle on the floor.
How long does it take to rehang the doors?
For an experienced craftsman, the process takes 15-20 minutes. When working independently without experience, allow 40-60 minutes to calmly figure out the fasteners and adjustments.