Change kitchen layouts or simply the desire to make the space more ergonomic often require moving household appliances. Owners of refrigerators LG may be faced with the need to change the opening direction of the doors in order to provide convenient access to the shelves and not interfere with the passage. Fortunately, most modern models of the South Korean brand are designed with this possibility in mind, allowing re-hanging to be carried out relatively quickly.
However, this process requires care, the availability of suitable tools and a clear understanding of the design of the hinges. Incorrect installation can lead to a loose seal, misalignment of the sashes and even damage to the cooling system. In this article we will look in detail at how to rearrange refrigerator doors LG, taking into account the nuances of different series and types of designs.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before starting any manipulations with the body of the equipment, you need to make sure that you have all the equipment at hand the necessary arsenal of tools. To work with refrigerator fasteners LG most often you need a set of wrenches or sockets, as well as screwdrivers of various types. The lack of a suitable tool can lead to the edges of the bolts breaking off, which will significantly complicate the assembly process.
Free up space around the refrigerator. You need to provide free access to the unit from all sides, since you will have to walk around it several times during the work process. Remove all foreign objects, rugs and furniture that may interfere with movement or accidentally touch the equipment.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to try to unscrew the hinge mounting bolts without fixing the door itself. The doors of modern refrigerators are heavy, and if they fall, they can cause injury or damage to the floor and the unit itself.
Prepare a soft surface, such as a blanket or thick cardboard, to place the removed doors on. You will also need the help of a second person, since it is almost impossible to safely remove and rearrange heavy sashes alone. Determine in advance which way the door will open after reinstallation.
Design features of LG refrigerators
Refrigerators LG are divided into several main types according to design: classic two-chamber, models Side-by-Side and options with a bottom freezer. In classic two-chamber models, you can most often reverse both doors by changing the opening direction from left to right and vice versa. This is achieved by moving the hinges and handles to the opposite side of the body.
Models of type Side-by-Side have their own characteristics. Here, usually only one of the doors is hung (usually the right one, the freezer one), or the design allows you to change the opening side of both doors, but using a special re-hanging mechanism. It is important to understand that in some premium series with displays on the door or system Door-in-Door the procedure may be complicated by the presence of additional loops and cables.
- 🔧 Classic models: complete rearrangement of all hinges and plugs.
- ❄️ Side-by-Side: often required dismantling only one door or using adapters.
- 📱 Models with a display: it is necessary to disconnect the electrical connectors before removing the door.
- 🔩 Hidden hinges: may require the removal of decorative panels to access the fasteners.
Before starting work, it is strongly recommended to find the technical data sheet for your specific models. It indicates acceptable configurations door installations. If the instructions say that re-hanging is impossible, trying to do it yourself will lead to breakdown.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the door
The process begins with preparing the equipment. Disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical outlet by removing the plug from the outlet. This is critical, especially if the door has electronic controls or a display. Free the door shelves from food to reduce the weight of the structure and avoid breaking the glass shelves when tilted.
☑️ Preparation for dismantling
Remove the top decorative panel if it covers the top hinge. It is usually secured with latches or a single screw. Gently pry it off with a flathead screwdriver or plastic spatula. After this, open access to the top hinge bolts. Hold the door and unscrew the fastening bolts. Here you definitely need an assistant who will hold the door in a vertical position.
After removing the top hinge, carefully lift the door to remove it from the bottom guide or release the bottom hinge. If the model has a middle partition (in three-chamber models), it will also have to be dismantled or rearranged, following the instructions for the specific series. Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface with the outer side up.
⚠️ Attention: Do not allow water or moisture to get inside the door handles and into the areas where electrical connectors are located during dismantling. This may cause a short circuit the next time you turn it on.
Re-hanging the hinges and installing on the new side
Now you need to rearrange the fastening elements to the opposite side. The refrigerator body usually has technological holes on both sides, closed with plastic plugs. Remove the plugs from the side where you will be moving the door and install them on the vacated holes to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
Move the lower support hinge to the new side. This may require removing the refrigerator base panel. Install the hinge into the holes provided for this purpose and attach the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door when hanging.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some models, to change the opening side, you need to turn the hinge itself over or use special bushings included in the kit. Check the package contents of your LG model.
When installing the top hinge, pay attention to its orientation. In some models LG the upper hinge is asymmetrical and must be rotated 180 degrees when rearranged. If this is not done, the door will not be able to open to the desired angle or will touch the body.
| Element | Action when rearranging | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Remove and install on the other side | Check the need for a 180° turn |
| Bottom hinge | Move to the opposite side | Often requires removing the base |
| Handle doors | Rearrange or turn over | Make sure the installation is symmetrical |
| Plugs | Swap | Close the holes on the non-working side |
Adjusting the position of doors and gaps
After the doors are installed on new hinges, careful adjustment must be made. The main goal is to ensure a tight fit of the seal around the entire perimeter and no distortions. If the door is skewed, it may not close completely, which will lead to ice freezing and increased energy consumption.
To adjust the height, use the adjusting screws on the bottom hinge (if provided in the model) or by tightening the support itself. By turning the screw clockwise, you raise the corner of the door, counterclockwise, you lower it. Achieve a position where the upper edges of both doors (in two-chamber models) are at the same level.
Check the operation of the magnetic lock and the tightness of the seal. Take a sheet of paper, clamp it with the door and try to pull it out. If the paper is pulled out with force along the entire perimeter, then the seal is normal. If in some places the paper falls out freely, additional adjustment of the door tilt is required.
If after installation you notice that the door opens by itself or, conversely, is too tight, check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself. Use a building level. If necessary, tighten the refrigerator's front leveling feet to tilt the refrigerator slightly backwards. This will ensure automatic closing of the door under the influence of gravity.
Nuances for models with a display and the No Frost system
In modern refrigerators LG with technology Total No Frost and electronic control, cables leading to the display and opening sensor are often located on the door or backlight. When rearranging such doors, it is extremely important not to damage these communications.
Before final removal of the top hinge, carefully disconnect the electrical connectors. They can be located at the top of the door or pass through the hollow hinge pin. Remember or take a photo of the order in which the wires are connected. When installing on a new side, make sure that the cables are not pinched and are of sufficient length for the door to move freely.
In some models, the cables are hidden inside decorative channels. When rearranging, you may need to remove the top cover of the refrigerator case to gain access to where the wires exit. Be careful, plastic cable clamps are fragile and easily break if handled carelessly.
⚠️ Attention: If you are not confident in your abilities when working with electrical components of the door, it is better to contact an authorized service center. Damage to the wiring can disable the electronic control module of the refrigerator.
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the instructions for a specific model. Hinge designs LG may differ even within the same year of manufacture. Trying to install a hinge “like everywhere else” can lead to the door opening in the wrong direction or touching the body.
Another mistake is insufficient tightening of the bolts or, conversely, excessive force. Insufficiently tightened bolts will lead to door play and a characteristic creaking noise when opening. Retightening can break the threads in the aluminum case or the hinge itself, which will require expensive repairs or replacement of parts.
- 🚫 Forgot to remove the shipping bolts (if they were installed again).
- 🚫 Mixed up the left and right hinges (they may be mirrored).
- 🚫 They didn’t check the level, which is why the door is skewed.
- 🚫 The seal was damaged during installation, which broke the tightness.
If after installation the door does not close tightly, check if anything inside the refrigerator is in the way (for example, an extended shelf or food packaging). Also make sure the seal is clean and flexible. If the rubber band has become deformed during storage, you can warm it up with a hairdryer or press it with a warm towel so that it straightens.
If you notice that the door began to sag some time after rearrangement, repeat the adjustment procedure. The hinges may not have been tightened sufficiently or the load on them may not be distributed evenly. Regularly checking the condition of the seal and the cleanliness of the hinges is the key to the long service of your refrigerator. LG.
Is it possible to rearrange the door on an LG Side-by-Side refrigerator yourself?
Yes, on most models LG Side-by-Side this is possible, but the process is more complicated than on conventional refrigerators. Often, only one door (usually the right one) needs to be repositioned, or a special reversal kit must be used. Read the instructions carefully, as the design of the hinges there may be hidden.
What to do if, after rearranging, the door is not held by a magnet?
Most likely, the gap between the body and the door is broken. Try loosening the adjusting screws on the bottom hinge a little to change the angle of the door. Also check that there is no dirt on the magnetic strip of the seal. If the problem persists, the seal may be damaged and requires replacement.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before moving the doors?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, it is recommended to clear the shelves of food to reduce the weight of the door. If there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to wait until it melts so that water does not flow out when the door is tilted during dismantling.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
Plugs for holes can be ordered at an authorized service center LG using your number models. Also suitable are universal furniture plugs of suitable diameter and color, which can be found in hardware stores.