Redesigning the kitchen space often requires changing the configuration of household appliances. When the standard location of the refrigerator prevents the door from opening or disrupts the ergonomics of the work area, the only solution is to rehang the facade. Many owners of household appliances are afraid to perform this procedure on their own, relying on paid services from service centers.
However, having a basic set of tools and understanding operating principle of the hinge mechanismyou can cope with the task in 30–40 minutes. Modern models of refrigeration units, whether massive Side-by-Side or compact single-chamber devices, are initially designed taking into account the possibility of changing the opening side. This is provided for by the engineering design of the body and fittings.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of dismantling and installing door panels using the example of various types of refrigerators. You will learn what tools you will need, how to properly prepare the equipment and what to pay special attention to in order not to damage the seal or cooling system.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Before starting any manipulations with the refrigerator body, it is necessary to ensure the safety of the process and prepare the appropriate equipment. You should not start the work “by eye”, as the lack of the necessary screwdriver can delay the process for several hours. The basic rule is that the equipment must be completely de-energized.
Unplug the power cord from the outlet and free up space around the unit. You will need access from all sides, especially if the refrigerator is in a niche. Remove all products, shelves and drawers from the chambers to reduce the weight of the structure and prevent broken glass or falling heavy objects when tilting the case.
To perform the work you will need the following set of tools:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead of various sizes) for removing decorative plugs and fasteners.
- 🔩 Wrench or ratchet head (most often sizes 8, 10 mm) for hinge bolts.
- 🧲 Magnetic container or small box to avoid losing small screws and washers.
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from sharp edges metal.
⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator is equipped with an electronically controlled system No Frost before starting work, be sure to wait for the compressor to stop completely (at least 10-15 minutes after turning off) to avoid a voltage surge in the control board when connecting it again.
Determine in advance which side it will be on. the door opens after reinstallation. Inspect the opposite side of the case: there should be those provided by the manufacturer mounting holes, closed with plastic plugs. If there are no holes, your model may not support rehanging, and further actions may lead to property damage.
Dismantling the top part and removing the main door
The rehanging process always begins with the top hinge, since it bears the main load and fixes the door in a vertical position. Most models have a decorative cover on top that hides the fasteners. Carefully pry it up with a flat-head screwdriver or remove it by unscrewing the fixing screw.
After removing the cover, access to the upper hinge bolts will open. Do not unscrew them completely at once. Loosen the fastening, but leave the loop held on by one turn of thread. This is necessary so that the door does not fall on your feet at the most inopportune moment. It is best to perform this operation with an assistant who will hold the front of the refrigerator.
Next, proceed according to the following algorithm:
- 🚪 Completely unscrew the bolts of the upper hinge and remove it along with the axle.
- 👐 Carefully lift the door, removing it from the bottom pin, and set it in a safe place (it is better to place it on a soft surface).
- 🔩 Remove the middle hinge (if you have a two-chamber refrigerator) that holds the freezer door.
- 🧊 Remove the freezer door in the same way way.
☑️ Checklist before dismantling
When removing the hinges, pay attention to their design. In some models Indesit or Atlant hinges may have specific protrusions or pins that are easy to lose. Immediately place all dismantled elements in a prepared container. It is important not to confuse the left and right fasteners if they are visually different.
Flipping the door and moving the fittings
The most critical stage is preparing the removed doors for installation on the new side. The main task is to rearrange the handles and rotary mechanisms. If the handle is integrated into the body or hidden, this step can be skipped, but in classic models it must be moved.
To remove the handle, you usually need to remove decorative plugs from the inside of the door or unscrew the screws that are accessible when the door is open. After removing the handle from one side, the holes are closed with the plugs that came with the kit (or were originally on the opposite side). Then the handle is mounted in new places provided by the facade design.
Pay special attention to the pins and bushings. Often there are mating parts of the hinges on the door. They must be unscrewed on one side and screwed into pre-prepared holes on the other side. The threads in these places are usually already cut by the manufacturer. Do not use excessive force to avoid stripping the threads in soft metal or plastic.
What to do if the holes do not line up?
In some budget models, the hinge holes may be closed with factory-made plugs made of foam or glue. In this case, they must be carefully removed. If there are physically no holes, re-hanging is impossible without drilling, which is not recommended, as it will violate the thermal insulation and warranty.
Check the condition of the magnetic seal. With prolonged use it could become deformed. Now, while the door is removed, is an excellent time to wash the seal with warm water and soapy water and check its fit around the perimeter. This will ensure proper operation thermostat after assembly.
Installation of hinges and installation on the new side
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling, but on the opposite side of the housing. First, the lower support loop is installed. Insert the pin into it, put on the freezer door (or the main door, if the refrigerator is single-chamber). Align the position so that the gaps are uniform.
Then the middle hinge is mounted (for two-chamber models). It is important to align the axes correctly here. Do not tighten the bolts “all the way” right away. First, tighten all the screws, make sure that the doors are level and nothing interferes with their movement. Only after the final check can you perform the final tightening with a wrench.
The table below will help you navigate the typical fastener sizes for different brands, although it is always better to check the equipment specifically for your model:
| Refrigerator brand | Top hinge type | Fasten size (typical) | Installation features |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG, Samsung | Hidden, on pins | M8, M10 | Requires precise fit into the groove |
| Indesit, Ariston | Open, invoice | M6, M8 | Hexagons are often needed |
| Atlant, Biryusa | Reinforced, external | M8, M10 | Massive bolts, you need strength |
| Bosch, Siemens | Complicated, with a closer | Special. screws | The mechanism needs to be adjusted |
After installing all the hinges and doors, check that the refrigerator itself is installed vertically. If the floor is uneven, use adjustable feet on the bottom of the cabinet. The door should close on its own when opened by 30–40 degrees due to a slight tilt of the body back.
Setting and checking tightness
The final stage is quality control of the work performed. Visually inspect the gaps between the door and the body. They should be the same width along their entire length. If you notice a distortion, loosen the fastenings of the middle or lower loop and slightly adjust the position of the blade.
Checking the tightness is a critical point. Close the door tightly and try to pull a sheet of paper out from under it. If the paper comes out too easily or, conversely, breaks, it means the fit is broken. In the first case, the refrigerator will lose cold, in the second, the sealing rubber will wear out sealing rubber.
It is also worth paying attention to the operation of the light switch and sensors. When the door is opened, the light should come on instantly, and the compressor (if it has been started) should not respond with a sharp hum. If your model has a display on the door, make sure that the connection cable (if it was moved) is securely fixed and not frayed.
⚠️ Attention: After rearranging the door and turning on the refrigerator for the first time, do not load it with food immediately. Let the unit run idle for 2-3 hours to get into mode and check whether it holds the temperature with the new opening configuration.
Typical errors and troubleshooting
Even after carefully studying the instructions, beginners often make mistakes. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of screws of different lengths. Screwing a long screw into a short hole can lead to a breakdown of the internal wall the refrigerator and the release of refrigerant, which is fatal for equipment.
Another problem is the incorrect assembly sequence. If you try to install the top hinge without securing the bottom, the structure will collapse. Always go from bottom to top when installing and from top to bottom when dismantling. Also, do not forget about the plugs: if you leave the holes open, moisture and dust will get in there.
What to do if the door sags after installation?
- 🔍 Check the tightness of all hinge bolts again.
- ⚖️ Make sure that the refrigerator is positioned strictly vertically level.
- 🦶 Adjust the front support legs, lifting the front part of the unit.
If you are faced with the fact that the door does not fully adhere to the body in the area of the handle; you may have installed the opening limiter incorrectly (if provided by the model). This plastic stop is often rearranged along with the hinges and limits the opening angle so that the handle does not hit the wall or furniture.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to rearrange the door if the refrigerator is built-in?
Yes, it is possible, but the process is more complicated. In built-in models, the front door of the furniture set is attached to the refrigerator door through special guides. You will also need to rehang the furniture door, observing all the gaps so that when opening the facade does not touch the neighboring cabinets.
What to do if you have lost the instructions for the refrigerator?
Don’t despair. Find the exact model of your device (the sticker is usually inside the camera or on the back). Enter the query “model + loop diagram” or “model + manual” into the search engine. Manufacturers' websites often have PDF versions of instructions with a section “Reversing the door.”
Do I need to call a technician if I have a Side-by-Side refrigerator?
For models Side-by-Side reversing it yourself is highly undesirable without experience. These refrigerators are very heavy, and their doors are often equipped with complex electronics, displays, and ice making systems. The risk of damaging the cables or dropping a heavy door is very high.
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
According to consumer protection legislation, if you did not break anything during the process of re-hanging yourself (which can be proven by the absence of mechanical damage and signs of inept intervention), the warranty on the main components remains intact. However, if you break the thread or break the glass, this will be considered a warranty case.