Many owners of household appliances are faced with a situation where the standard position of the handle and opening the door from right to left becomes inconvenient under new operating conditions. This could be due to a kitchen remodel, interior design change, or simply personal preference. Fortunately, the design of most modern models Indesit provides for the possibility of reversing the door on the opposite side.
This process requires attentiveness, basic skills in working with tools and strict adherence to the sequence of actions. Incorrect dismantling can lead to damage accessories, deformation of the canvas or failure of the seal. In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of work so that you can safely change the opening side of your unit.
It is worth noting right away that not all models can be modified. Some budget or specific series have a monolithic body design, eliminating rearrangement. Therefore, the first step should always be to check the technical documentation of your specific device.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
Before starting any manipulations with the refrigerator body, it is necessary to ensure safe working conditions. Area the area around the unit should be free so that you can easily walk around the device from all sides. It is advisable to cover the floor with a soft material, such as cardboard or thick fabric, so as not to scratch the floor covering and the equipment itself if parts accidentally fall.
The most important stage of preparation is complete disconnecting from the power supply. You should not rely only on the socket switch; it is better to unplug the cord from the socket. It is also necessary to completely empty the refrigerator of food, shelves and drawers. Empty shelves will significantly reduce the weight of the structure, which is critical when removing a heavy door.
☑️ Tools for rehanging
For work you will need a minimum set of tools. Usually a Phillips screwdriver and a hex key, which often comes with the equipment, are enough. If you have a model with No Frost, you may need a flat-head screwdriver to carefully remove the decorative plugs.
Analysis of the design and dismantling of the top panel
The design of refrigerators Indesit usually involves attaching the top hinge to the housing cover or directly to the top panel. The first step (often) is to remove the top cover, if it is removable. To do this, unscrew the mounting screws located on top or behind the unit.
In some models, the top hinge is hidden under a decorative plug. It must be carefully pryed off with a flat screwdriver. Proceed without fanaticism, plastic can be fragile, especially if the refrigerator is several years old. Plug removed by lightly turning or pulling.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the top panel, watch the wires going to the light bulb or display. A sharp jerk can break the contacts, which will require complex electronic repairs.
After removing the cover or plug, access to the upper bracket becomes available. Before unscrewing the bolts, make sure the door is securely locked in the closed position, or have an assistant hold it. The weight of a door with a seal can reach 10-15 kg, and its sudden fall is dangerous.
Removing the door and dismantling the hinges
The main stage of work is to unscrew the fasteners of the upper hinge. Use a hex wrench or screwdriver of the appropriate size. After unscrewing the bolts, the hinge can be removed. Now the door is supported only by the lower support (if the design allows) or requires immediate removal.
Carefully lift the door to remove it from the lower pin. It is best to carry out this operation together. One person holds the canvas, the second controls the process and helps direct the movement. Place the removed door on the prepared soft surface with the outer side down.
- 🔧 Unscrew all the fastening bolts of the upper hinge.
- 🚪 Remove the door from the lower support pin.
- 🛑 Place the door on the floor with the outer side down on the soft lining.
- 🔩 Remove the hinge parts from the door body itself.
Now you need to make room for future fastenings. On the opposite side of the body and door leaf there should already be technological holes closed with plugs. These plugs need to be moved to the vacant places to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some older Indesit models, the holes for the hinges on the other side may be closed with factory plastic plugs. They need to be removed. If there are physically no holes (a rare case for older series), then it will not be possible to rehang the door without drilling, which is not recommended.
Rearranging the fittings and handles
The most crucial moment is the transfer handles and the counter parts of the hinges. The handle is usually screwed onto the inside of the door or snapped into place. Carefully unscrew the fasteners and move the handle to the opposite side, using pre-prepared holes.
Matching parts of the hinges (pins or plates) are also transferred. It is important not to confuse the upper and lower parts, as they may differ in design. The lower hinge often has an axis on which the door is placed, and the upper one serves as a canopy.
In models with the system No Frost wires for an indicator or lamp can pass through the upper part of the door. They need to be carefully disconnected, moved through the top panel and connected again, observing the polarity. Typically, the connectors are protected against misconnection, but use caution.
⚠️ Warning: Do not pull the wires harshly. They may be short. If the length is not enough, you may need to partially disassemble the inner door trim, which makes the task much more difficult.
Make sure that all screws are tightened tightly. Using thread locker (for example, blue Loctite) will be an excellent prevention of loosening of fasteners in the future due to vibration of the compressor.
Installing the door on a new side
After preparing all elements, you can begin installation. Install the lower support pin into the new hole. Place the door on it, carefully controlling the vertical position. At this moment, the assistant should hold the door firmly.
Align the top of the door with the body. Attach the top hinge and tighten the mounting bolts. Do not screw them all the way in right away. First you need to achieve perfect alignment so that the door closes tightly and without distortions.
Check the operation of the door. It should open smoothly, and when released in a half-open state (about 30-40 degrees), it should be closed by itself with a magnetic seal. If the door “flies away” or, conversely, does not reach the end, adjustment is required.
Adjustment and leak testing
The final stage is adjusting the gaps. If the door is skewed, you can loosen the fasteners a little and add washers or adjust the height of the legs of the refrigerator itself. The correct position ensures an even fit seal along the entire perimeter.
To check the tightness, use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door in different places around the perimeter. It should come out with noticeable effort. If the paper falls out freely or breaks with a sharp jerk, it means that the seal is broken in this place.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not close completely | Distortion of hinges or interfering products | Adjust the height of the studs, check the shelves |
| Strong gap in the corner | Hinge bolts are not tightened tightly | Tighten the fasteners, check the seal |
| Creak when opening | Lack of lubrication in the hinges | Lubricate the rubbing parts |
| The door comes off itself | Tilt the refrigerator back | Unscrew the front legs to tilt it back |
After successful adjustment, let the refrigerator stand turned off for 2-3 hours if it was tilted or transported during operation. This is necessary to stabilize the refrigerant in the system, although when working carefully without falling on its side, this is not always critical.
Frequent errors and operating nuances
One of the common mistakes is ignoring the floor level. If the refrigerator is positioned crookedly, even a perfectly hung door will behave incorrectly. Always use a building level to check the horizontal level before starting work.
Users also often forget about sealing rubber. When removing the door, it could become deformed or come off. Before installation, check its condition. If it has lost elasticity, it is better to immediately replace it with a new one, otherwise energy consumption will increase.
Do not forget that changing the opening side may affect the warranty if you damage the seals or break the plastic elements during dismantling. Proceed with care and keep all original parts.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Yes, it is necessary. Ice in the evaporator may crumble when the door is tilted or removed and clog the drain holes. In addition, an empty refrigerator is easier and safer to move.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen set?
This is extremely difficult or impossible without dismantling the set itself. To rehang, access is required from all sides, especially from above and below. Built-in appliances are usually installed taking into account the opening side initially.
What to do if, after rehanging, the refrigerator starts to work louder?
Check whether the door touches the body or floor when vibrating. Also make sure that during installation you do not damage the condenser tubes at the back. If the noise comes from the compressor, the refrigerator may have been tilted too much, and the oil needs time to return to the crankcase.
Will the warranty still apply after re-hanging it yourself?
Formally, if you don’t break anything in the process, the warranty is still valid. However, if you damage the case, break the threads or break the glass, the service center may refuse free repairs. Be extremely careful.