Modern kitchens often require flexibility in layout, and the standard arrangement of refrigerator doors may not fit into the new interior. Equipment owners Bosch often face the need to change the opening side to ensure ergonomic access to products. Fortunately, the design of most models of the German brand provides for the possibility of such reinstallation by the user himself, without calling a specialist.
The rearrangement process requires care and adherence to the sequence of actions, since the hinge mechanism is quite satisfactory. Improper assembly can lead to door misalignment, loose sealing, or even damage to the body. In this article we will analyze in detail how to rearrange the doors on a Bosch refrigeratorwhat tools will be required and what nuances you should pay special attention to before starting work.
Before proceeding with dismantling, you need to make sure that the refrigerator is completely disconnected from the power supply and empty of food. This is not only a safety measure, but also a way to lighten the design, since a complete unit may be too heavy to operate safely alone. It is also important to prepare a flat surface near the installation site, where the removed parts can be temporarily placed.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
The success of the door rehanging operation directly depends on the quality of preparation. You don't need complex industrial equipment, but the set should be complete. The main tool will be a set of screwdrivers, including both flat and Phillips slots of different sizes. Some models may require wrenches or socket heads, usually 8 or 10 mm in size.
In addition to the main tool, it is recommended to prepare a container for small parts. Bolts, washers and plugs tend to get lost at the most inopportune moment, especially if there is a shag carpet on the floor. It would also be a good idea to have a soft rag or cardboard on hand to cover the floor in front of the refrigerator and not scratch the floor covering or the equipment itself when installing the removed elements.
Pay attention to the model of your device. For built-in refrigerators Bosch the process may differ from free-standing models due to the presence of a furniture facade. If you have built-in appliances, make sure that the doors of the furniture set also allow you to change the opening side, since the hinges of the facade often depend on the design of the cabinet.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Dismantling the top part and removing the top door
You should always start work from top to bottom. The first step is to remove the top panel of the refrigerator, if your model has one. It is often secured with latches or screws hidden under decorative plugs. Carefully pry up the plugs with a flat-head screwdriver and unscrew the fasteners.
After freeing the upper space, we move on to the hinges of the upper door. Here Attaching the upper hinge usually consists of two or three bolts. Before completely unscrewing them, ask an assistant to hold the door or use special stops so that it does not fall on your feet.
After removing the upper hinge, carefully tilt the door and remove it from the lower axis. Now you can dismantle the handle if the design of the model requires its relocation to the other side. Often, the handles are attached with screws on the inside of the door, access to which can be accessed after removing the decorative trims.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the refrigerator door leaning against the wall without secure fixation - it can slip and break the glass shelves inside or damage the floor covering.
After removing the door, inspect the sealing rubber. This is the ideal time to check her condition. If the elastic has creases or damage, you can try to straighten them with a hairdryer, but replacement will be required if the seal is broken. Also check the condition of the hinge itself: there should be no signs of corrosion or metal wear.
Working with the bottom door and freezer
The next step is working with the bottom of the unit, where the freezer is usually located. The principle of operation is similar, but there are some peculiarities. It is necessary to remove the middle hinge that connects the upper and lower doors. Before doing this, be sure to remove the bottom door itself, having first unscrewed the fasteners of the bottom hinge.
When working with the freezer, it is important not to damage the refrigerant pipelines, which sometimes run inside the case near the places where the hinges are attached. Although in modern models Bosch the risk is minimal, excessive force when unscrewing jammed bolts can lead to trouble. If the bolt does not fit, it is better to drop a penetrating lubricant on it and wait a few minutes.
The NoFrost system deserves special attention. In some models, an electrical cable may pass through the loop to power sensors or a fan. Electrical connector you need to carefully disconnect it, remembering its position. Do not pull the wires sharply so as not to damage the contacts.
What to do if the hinge bolt is rusty?
If the fastener is rusty and will not unscrew, do not use excessive force, which may strip the threads. Treat the bolt with WD-40 or a similar liquid and leave for 15-20 minutes. You can slightly warm up the junction with a hair dryer, but be careful with the plastic elements of the case.
After dismantling all the doors and hinges, you will be left with an empty refrigerator case. Carefully wipe the hinge attachment points from dust and old grease. This will ensure the cleanliness of the assembly and prevent dirt from getting into the new threaded connections.
Rearranging the fittings and preparing for reassembly
Now that all the elements have been dismantled, you need to move the fittings to the opposite side. The refrigerator Bosch often comes with additional plugs for holes that will become visible after rearrangement. Find the bag with spare parts, which is usually attached to the inner wall of the chamber or is in the documentation.
The decorative plugs on one side of the door must be removed and installed in the vacated holes on the other side. This is done by simply pressing until you hear a characteristic click. If the plugs are lost, the holes can be temporarily sealed with decorative tape in the color of the body, although this is less aesthetically pleasing.
Door handles also require relocation. Remove them from one side and screw them on the other using the corresponding holes. Make sure the screws are tightened evenly to prevent the handle from wobbling. In some models, the handles are symmetrical, in others they have a strictly defined orientation, so pay attention to the direction of the bend.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Transfer to the other side | Key 8-10 mm | Check tightness |
| Plug decor | Replacing sides | Without tool | Until it clicks |
| Door handle | Dismantling and installation | Phillips screwdriver | Do not overtighten |
| Bottom support | Height adjustment | Adjustable wrench | Align level |
Assembling the structure in a new order
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling, but using new fastening points. First, the lower door is installed on the lower hinge, which should now be secured to the opposite side of the body. It is important to get the axle into the hinge hole correctly, for which the door needs to be slightly lifted.
Then the middle hinge is installed (if your model has one) and the top door is put on. When installing the top door, pay special attention to getting the bottom hinge into the grooves. Only after the door has sat in place can you finally tighten the bolts of the upper hinge.
After installing the doors, you need to check their horizontalness. The refrigerator must be strictly level. If distortion is noticeable, adjust the height of the front legs of the refrigerator. This is critical for the doors to close properly.
Remember to connect the electrical connectors if your model is equipped with a door display or a NoFrost system with sensors on the hinges. Make sure that the wires are not pinched between moving parts or twisted when opening.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
The final stage is setup. After assembly, the doors may open tightly or, conversely, not close completely. This can be solved by adjusting the hinges. Loosen the mounting bolts a little, move the door to the desired position and tighten the bolts again. The gap between the door and the body must be uniform around the entire perimeter.
Check the operation of the magnetic seal. The door should fit tightly along its entire contour. To check, you can use a sheet of paper: hold it between the door and the body and try to pull it out. If the paper comes out with force along the entire perimeter, it means tightness it’s normal. If in any place the paper flies out freely, adjustment is required.
⚠️ Attention: If after hanging the door does not close tightly, the food may spoil, and the compressor will work continuously, trying to maintain the temperature. This will lead to increased energy consumption.
Also check the operation of stoppers and closers, if they are provided by the model. The mechanism should operate smoothly, without squeaks or jams. If you hear a grinding noise, perhaps one of the hinges is installed crookedly or there is debris in it.
Common mistakes and ways to eliminate them
When rearranging doors on their own, beginners often make common mistakes. One of the most common is the loss of fasteners. As mentioned earlier, using a magnetic tray or jar is a lifesaver. They also often forget to remove shipping locks if they were installed by the manufacturer for protection during delivery.
Another mistake is incorrect assembly sequence. If you try to install the upper door without first securing the lower hinge in its new place, the structure will be unstable. Always follow the logic: first the base (lower support), then the lower door, then the upper.
Sometimes users forget about electrics. In models with a display on the door, disconnecting the cable before removing the door is a sure way to break the contacts. Be careful and always check for wires in the loop area before applying force.
If after all the manipulations the door hangs crookedly and adjusting the screws does not help, the body itself or the hinges may be deformed. In this case, it is better to contact an authorized service center Boschas straightening the metal requires special equipment.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rearranging the doors?
Yes, this is highly recommended. Complete defrosting will make the structure lighter, eliminate water leakage when the case is tilted, and allow you to thoroughly wash the internal surfaces while access to them is open.
Is it possible to rearrange the door on a refrigerator with a display on the facade?
Yes, it is possible, but it is more difficult. You will need to carefully disconnect the display power cables that pass through the loop. It is important not to damage the thin wires and to place them correctly during assembly so that they do not fray.
What to do if the holes for the hinges do not match after rearrangement?
In original refrigerators Bosch the holes are symmetrical. If they do not match, you may be using the wrong holes (there may be several pairs of them) or the model does not allow for overhang (which is extremely rare). Check the instructions for the specific model.
How long can you not turn on the refrigerator after rearranging it?
If you did not tilt the refrigerator more than 40 degrees, you can turn it on immediately. If it was lying on its side, you need to let it stand upright for at least 2-4 hours (or better yet, a day) so that the compressor oil flows back into the crankcase.
Are any special lubricants needed for the hinges?
Usually the hinges do not require additional lubrication, since they are equipped with factory lubricant. If the hinge squeaks, you can add one drop of silicone oil, but do not use WD-40 as a permanent lubricant, as it dries out over time.