Changing the opening side of the refrigerator door is often a necessary procedure when remodeling a kitchen or moving to a new home. Owners of household appliances Posis often face a situation where the standard position of the handle interferes with convenient access to products. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand allows you to perform rehanging doors without calling a specialist.
The process requires care and a minimal set of tools, but is not highly technically complex. The main task is to carefully dismantle the hinges, maintaining their integrity, and correctly install the elements on the other side of the case. It is important to understand that even within the same brand there may be different types of fastenings.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions necessary for the safe reinstallation of the door leaf. You will learn about the nuances of dismantling handles and the features of adjusting gaps after completion of work. Proper completion of all steps will ensure that your refrigerator will serve for a long time and airtight.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Before starting any work on upgrading household appliances, it is necessary to ensure a safe environment. Clear space in front of the refrigerator so you can easily access it from all sides. This will prevent accidental hits of the tool against walls or furniture.
To complete the task, you will need a standard home craftsman's kit. It includes a Phillips and flathead screwdriver, as well as a wrench, usually 10mm in size. Some models may require a hex key, which is often included with the equipment.
☑️ Tools for work
It is critically important to disconnect the unit from the power supply in advance. This is not only a safety requirement, but also a way to prevent the compressor from accidentally turning on during manipulation. It is also recommended to completely empty the door shelves of food to reduce the weight of the structure.
⚠️ Attention: Do not attempt to work with the device connected to the network. The risk of electric shock if you accidentally damage the wiring in the hinge area is real, even if you do not climb inside the engine compartment.
Removing the top hinge and door
The process begins from the top of the refrigerator compartment. First you need to remove the decorative plug if it covers the mounting bolts. Usually it is pryed off with a flat screwdriver or simply removed by hand, depending on the model Position.
Next, the bolts securing the upper hinge are unscrewed. Here it is important to hold the door with your other hand or ask an assistant, since after removing the fastenings it may fall. The weight of the door is significant, and dropping it on your foot or floor means damaging the coating or mechanism.
- 🔧 Remove the top decorative panel or plug.
- 🔩 Unscrew the top hinge mounting bolts with a wrench.
- 🚪 Carefully lift the door and remove it from the lower axis.
- 🛑 Put the door in a safe place, placing a soft cloth.
After removing the canvas, inspect the condition sealing rubber. If there are creases or damage on it, now is the time to replace it, while access to the end of the door is completely open. Old rubber may not fit well after reinstallation if it is deformed.
Removing and reinstalling handles
One of the most common problems when rehanging is the handle. On many models Pozis the handles are symmetrical, but their fastening may differ. In some cases, the handle is simply moved to the opposite side, in others, the part itself needs to be replaced with a mirror one.
To dismantle the handle, you often need to remove the top cover of the refrigerator or gain access to the internal screws through special holes. Use a thin flathead screwdriver to avoid damaging the plastic. Proceed slowly as plastic latches can be fragile.
| Type of fastening | Screw location | Required tools |
|---|---|---|
| External | Inside door | Phillips screwdriver |
| Hidden | Under the top cover of the case | Hexagon or screwdriver |
| Overhead | Side at the end doors | 10 mm key |
If your model requires the handle to be moved, make sure that the holes on the new side match. In rare cases, older series of refrigerators may require drilling, but for modern technology Pozis this is not typical. All the necessary holes are already provided by the manufacturer and are closed with plugs.
Rearranging the lower canopy and pin
The lower part of the structure requires special attention, since this is where the main support mechanism is located. After removing the door, it is necessary to remove the bottom hinge. It is attached to the body of the refrigerator and often has a complex shape.
An important point is the rearrangement support pin (bushings). It should be moved to a symmetrical hole on the opposite side. Often the pin is simply removed with pliers or knocked out by light tapping. Do not lose this element, as without it the door will not fall into place.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the pin, make sure that it fits into the seat all the way and does not protrude above the surface of the hinge. This can lead to the door being skewed and the seal breaking.
After moving the pin, the lower hinge is installed in a new location. The bolts are not yet fully tightened so that doors can be made in the future. Full tightening is carried out only after hanging the blade and checking the gaps. position adjustment doors. Full tightening is carried out only after hanging the canvas and checking the gaps.
What to do if the pin is rusty?
If the support pin cannot be removed, do not use excessive force. Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 15-20 minutes. After the rust softens, the pin will come out easier.
Installing the door in a new place
When all the elements are prepared and transferred to the new side, the most crucial stage begins. Lift the refrigerator door and carefully slide it onto the bottom support pin. The door will weigh significantly, so it is better to perform this operation together.
Align the holes in the top of the door with the holes in the top hinge. Insert the mounting bolts, but as with the bottom canopy, do not completely tighten them. The door should have a slight play for alignment.
- 🚪 Place the door on the bottom pin.
- 🔩 Align the top hinge with the holes in the door.
- 🔧 Screw in the top hinge bolts by hand.
- 📏 Check the vertical installation with a level.
Now you need to check how the door fits to the body along the entire perimeter. The gaps should be uniform. If the door is skewed, loosen the fastenings and slightly move the door in the desired direction. Only after making sure that the position is correct can you finally tighten all the bolts with a wrench.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
The final stage is checking the quality of the work performed. Visually inspect the interface between the door and the body. It should be level, without sudden changes in height. The seal must touch the housing equally around the entire perimeter.
To check the tightness, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places and try to pull it out. The resistance should be the same along the entire length. If in some place the sheet is pulled out too easily, it means there is a leak there.
If you find a loose fit, try loosening the fasteners a little and tightening them again, controlling the force. Sometimes it is necessary to adjust the height of the legs of the refrigerator itself so that the body stands strictly horizontal.
⚠️ Attention: Technical characteristics and hinge design may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture and the specific series of the refrigerator. Always check the official documentation for your model if the standard diagram is not suitable.
After successful adjustment, turn on the refrigerator. Let it work for several hours without loading food to make sure that the operation is stable and that there are no extraneous sounds that could appear due to misalignment.
Why does the door not close tightly after rehanging?
Most often the reason is overtightened bolts of the upper hinge or incorrectly installed lower pin. Also check if a shelf or bottle on the door is preventing the door from closing tightly.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before hanging the door?
Yes, this is highly advisable. Firstly, an empty refrigerator is lighter, which will make work easier. Secondly, when tilting and moving, water may leak from the freezer, which will create a messy situation in the kitchen. It is better to carry out the procedure immediately after defrosting and washing.
Is it possible to turn the door on a single-compressor Pozis refrigerator?
Yes, most single-compressor models Pozis (for example, RD, RK, FK series) have symmetrical openings for reversing. However, if you have a very old Soviet-style model, it is worth checking for holes on the opposite side of the case.
What to do if the plug for the hole under the handle is lost?
Plugs can be ordered at service centers or selected universal analogues in furniture fittings stores. Temporarily, the hole can be sealed with a decorative sticker matched to the color of the body to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
Do you need to wait after installation before turning it on?
There is no specific waiting time if you have not tilted the refrigerator more than 45 degrees. If the angle of inclination was large, it is recommended to let the unit stand vertically for 2-4 hours before turning it on, so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.