The need to change the direction of opening the refrigerator door Atlant often occurs when moving to a new kitchen or after remodeling an existing space. The standard factory assembly assumes right-hand opening, which is convenient for most users, but does not always fit into the dimensions of a particular room. If the handle rests against a wall or furniture, and the access area to the products is limited, the only solution is to rehang the door leaf on the opposite side.
Performing this procedure requires accuracy, a basic set of tools and an understanding of the structure hinge group of your unit. Unlike simpler models, modern two-chamber refrigerators made in Belarus have a complex fastening system, including upper, middle and lower units. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to misalignment of the doors, damage to the seal, or even failure of the No Frost system if the wiring is touched.
In this article we will analyze in detail the reinstallation process for various series of equipment, paying special attention to the nuances of dismantling and subsequent adjustment. You will learn how to safely remove a heavy door leaf, where to move it opening limiter and how to properly adjust the gaps so that the door closes airtight. Compliance with the work technology ensures that your refrigerator will last for many years without loss of cooling performance.
Preparation for work and necessary tools
Before starting any manipulations with the refrigerator body, you must completely empty the internal space of food and remove all removable shelves. This will not only lighten the structure, preventing glass elements from falling out when tilted, but will also reduce the load on the hinges at the time of dismantling. Particular attention should be paid to the freezer: if there is ice there, it is better to defrost it first, since excess moisture can get on the electrical contacts.
To carry out the work, you will need a standard DIY kit, which can be found in almost any pantry. The main tool will be open-end wrench or a socket head with a diameter of 8 mm and 10 mm, since these are the sizes most often used by the manufacturer Atlant for fastening bolts. You also cannot do without a Phillips screwdriver, a flat screwdriver for prying up decorative plugs and, possibly, hexagons, if the model is equipped with hidden fasteners.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Even if you work only with mechanical components, there is a risk of damaging the backlight wires or sensors, which can lead to a short circuit.
Organize your workspace so that there is at least one meter of free space around the refrigerator on all sides. This will allow you to move around freely, set aside removed parts, and avoid losing small screws. It is recommended to immediately prepare a container for folding the fasteners, since bolts from different hinges may differ in length and diameter, and they can easily be confused during long-term work.
☑️ Preparing to rehang the door
Design features of hinges of different models
Refrigerators Atlant are produced in a large number of modifications, and the design of their door units can vary significantly. Older single-compartment models or classic two-compartment versions often use a simple system where the top hinge holds the refrigerator door and the bottom hinge holds the freezer door. However, in more modern series, especially with the system No Frost, intermediate hinges and complex closer mechanisms are added.
It is important to understand that some models are equipped with hidden hinges, which are covered with decorative plastic covers. They must be removed extremely carefully, using a plastic spatula or a flat-head screwdriver wrapped in a soft cloth, so as not to leave scratches on the glossy surface of the case. In other cases, the fasteners may be hidden under rubber plugs, which are easily removed with the tip of a knife or awl.
Below is a table that helps identify the type of fastening depending on the series of your refrigerator, which will simplify the search for the right bolts:
| Refrigerator series | Top type hinges | Bottom hinge type | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlant 40th series | Open, 2 bolts | Hidden in the body | Requires removal of the base |
| Atlant XM-44xx | Decorative casing | Adjustable | Requires a 10 mm key |
| Atlant No Frost | Complex, with an axis | Reinforced | There are backlight wires |
| Atlant 6th series | Hidden fasteners | Mounted in bottom | Requires the help of a second person |
If your model is not listed in the table, rely on visual inspection: the presence of plastic linings on top of the door almost always indicates hidden fasteners. In such cases, decorative strip is removed by unscrewing one or two screws located on the front or side of the hinged structure.
Nuances of No Frost hinges
In refrigerators with the No Frost system, a harness often passes through the top hinge wires powering the fan and sensors. When re-hanging the door, this harness must be carefully disconnected from the connector, remember its position and switch to a symmetrical socket on the other side, if the design provides for this. Ignoring this step will result in the defrosting system stopping working.
Dismantling the door leaf and removing fittings
The process of removing the door should begin with dismantling the top hinge, since it is this that holds the main weight of the door leaf. After unscrewing the upper fastening bolts, the door must be slightly lifted to disengage the lower axle from engagement with the bushing. Here it is highly desirable to have an assistant who will hold the heavy structure while you work with the key, otherwise there is a high risk of dropping the door to the floor or damaging the floor covering.
After removing the door of the refrigerator compartment, a similar procedure is carried out with the door of the freezer if the model is two-chamber. In some modifications, there is a middle loop between the chambers, which also needs to be removed. All removed metal elements, including pins, bushings and the hinges themselves, should be immediately wiped of dust and old grease to prepare them for installation on the new side.
⚠️ Attention: Avoid sudden movements when removing the door. There may be fragile plastic clips inside the handle or blade that can easily break when tugged. Act smoothly and control the weight of the structure.
Removal requires special attention. door handles. In most models Atlant they are attached to screws, access to which is gained after removing the decorative plugs. In other cases, the handle may be part of a solid structure that requires replacement with a symmetrical one or the rearrangement of plugs in the vacated holes. If the handles are non-removable, they must be completely dismantled in order to be installed on the opposite end.
Moving limiters and rearranging hinges
One of the key points is rearranging opening limiter. This small plastic or metal pin prevents the door from swinging too wide, protecting the hinges from breaking. On the factory side, it is usually installed in the top or middle hole of the door end. You need to unscrew it and screw it into a symmetrical hole on the opposite side, having first freed it from the transport plug.
Next we move on to rearranging the loops themselves. The top hinge is removed from one side of the body and screwed to the other using the threaded holes provided by the manufacturer. It is important to ensure that during installation you do not confuse the top and bottom of the loop itself if it has an asymmetrical shape. The bolts should be tightened tightly, but without fanaticism, so as not to strip the threads in the aluminum case.
The lower loop is usually hidden under the decorative panel of the refrigerator base. To access it, you need to remove the baseboard, which can be held on by latches or screws. After removing the panel, access to the bottom fastening of the freezer door opens. The principle of operation is the same: unscrew it, move it to the other side, and fix it. If the refrigerator came with special bushings or adapters for hanging, they must be installed according to the diagram.
Installing the door and adjusting the gaps
After all the hinges have been transferred to the new side, you can begin hanging the doors. First, install the freezer door (lower), then the refrigerator compartment (upper). The door is put on the axle with the lower sleeve, after which the upper hinge is aligned and screwed. At this stage, the bolts of the upper hinge do not need to be fully tightened, leaving a small gap for subsequent adjustment.
The most important step is adjusting the position of the doors. The doors must fit tightly to the body around the entire perimeter, without distortion. If you notice that the door is skewed when closed (one corner fits tighter than the other), you need to loosen the fastening bolts of the middle or lower hinge and move the door slightly in the desired direction. The adjustment is made by trial and error: loosen slightly, check, tighten.
Check the operation of the magnetic seal. There should be no gaps around the entire perimeter of the seal through which cold can escape. To check, you can use a sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body at different points. If the sheet is pulled out too easily or, conversely, with great difficulty, further (fine-tuning) of the position of the door relative to the body is required.
Final assembly and performance check
The final stage includes the installation of all the decorative elements that were removed at the beginning of the work. Replace the plastic caps on the ends of the doors, install the handles and secure them with screws. If your model has a plinth panel, make sure it rests on its guides and is securely in place. All holes cleared after moving the hinges must be closed with the supplied plugs to preserve the aesthetic appearance and protect the case from dust.
After complete assembly, turn on the refrigerator. Let it run for 15-20 minutes until (the compressor) reaches operating mode. At this time, listen to the operation of the unit: whether there are any new extraneous sounds, creaks or vibrations that were not there before. A squeak may indicate friction between the door and the body due to improper adjustment, and a hum may indicate that the refrigerator is not level.
Be sure to check the operation of the lighting system and, if applicable, the indication on the door. Make sure the light comes on when you open the door and goes off when you close it. If your model has a door open sensor that beeps, check its functionality. Only after making sure that all systems are in full working order can you load the products.
What to do if the door does not hold the magnet?
If after rehanging the door does not fit tightly, try heating the seal with a hairdryer at a low temperature to make it more elastic. Also check if there is anything preventing a tight seal (such as the edge of a shelf or packaging). In rare cases, it is necessary to replace the seal itself with a new one.
Is it possible to lose the warranty when reversing the door?
According to the law, independent repairs or modifications that do not result in breakdown are not grounds for denial of the warranty. However, if during the rehanging process you break a thread, break a loop or damage the wiring, the service center has the right to refuse free repair of these components. Be extremely careful.
Do you need to wait after turning on the refrigerator?
If the refrigerator was working before rehanging and was not completely defrosted, it is better to wait 2-3 hours before turning it on so that the compressor oil flows into the crankcase. If the unit was dry and warm, you can start it immediately after assembly.
Where to put the old holes from the hinges?
All holes that remained free after moving the fittings to the other side must be closed with plastic plugs. They usually come with a new refrigerator (often attached to the instructions or packaged in foam). If the plugs are lost, you can order them from a service center or make them yourself from thick rubber.
Why does the door slam when closing?
A loud bang when closing indicates that the air does not have time to escape from the chamber. This is normal for sealed refrigerators. To reduce the effect, close the door in two stages: first until the seal makes contact, pause for a second, then press until it clicks. Also check the cleanliness of the drainage hole.