Changing the side of the refrigerator door opening is not just a whim, but often a vital necessity when remodeling a kitchen or buying new furniture. Owners are often faced with a situation where an open door blocks the passage or interferes with the drawers of the set. Fortunately, most modern models, be it Indesit, LG or Samsung, provide the possibility of reverse installation hinges and transfer of fittings.
The process requires accuracy and a basic set of tools, but is not complicated engineering task. The main difficulty is that the handle may not just be bolted, but be part of a complex opening system or have a hidden fastening mechanism. Incorrect actions can lead to damage to plastic plugs or scratches on the body.
Before proceeding with dismantling, it is important to understand the design of your unit. In some models, the handle is integrated into the door and requires complete disassembly of the inner panel, in others it is enough to unscrew two screws from the back side. It is critically important before starting work to make sure that your specific model supports rearrangement, since some budget versions may have holes for fittings with only one side. In this article we will look at all the nuances of the process.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Any operation to dismantle elements of household appliances begins with ensuring safety. The first step should always be disconnecting the appliance from the power supply. Remove the plug from the outlet to reduce the risk of short circuit or electric shock if the wire is accidentally touched. Free up space in front of the refrigerator by moving it away from the wall at a comfortable distance so that you can walk around the unit on all sides.
To perform the work, you will need a minimum set of tools. Usually a Phillips screwdriver, hexagon sockets (often included with the equipment) and, possibly, a flat spatula are enough to remove decorative trims. If the model is heavy, like a two-door Side-by-Side, it will not be superfluous to have the help of a second person to fix the door while unscrewing the hinges.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use sharp metal objects (knives, awls) to pry up the plastic plugs - this is guaranteed to leave marks on the glossy finish or scratch metal.
Prepare a container for fastening in advance. Small bolts and washers tend to get lost at the most inopportune moments, especially if you have animals or small children at home. Lay out the tools on the table or in a box so that they are always at hand and you don’t have to look for a hexagon in the middle of the process.
If the kitchen floor is slippery (tile, laminate), lay cardboard or thick fabric under your feet. This will not only prevent sliding, but also protect the floor covering from falling heavy metal parts if you accidentally drop the hinge or the door itself.
☑️ Preparing to move the handle
Removing the old door handle
Method for removing the handle directly depends on the type of fastening installed by the manufacturer. In most modern models, such as Bosch or Haier, fasteners are hidden under decorative plugs. These plugs can be located at the top, bottom, or end of the handle. Carefully pry them off with a flat screwdriver, pre-wrapped with a soft cloth, so as not to damage the plastic.
After removing the plugs, you will have access to the screws. They can be of different lengths, so memorize or take a photowhich bolt was unscrewed from where. In some cases, the screws may be too tight due to factory lubrication or vibration when the compressor is running. Do not use excessive force to avoid stripping the threads; it is better to use WD-40 if the screw does not budge.
- 🔧 Fastening type 1: Screws are accessible from the back side of the door (you need to remove the inner panel).
- 🔩 Fastening type 2: Bolts are hidden under decorative covers on the door itself handle.
- 🔨 Fastening type 3: The handle is held on by latches and requires careful release of the latches.
In models with a system No Frost there is often an option when the handle is part of a single unit with a defrosting mechanism or a door opening sensor. Special care is required here. A sharp tug can break the thin wires going to the control board. If you feel resistance, stop and check if the handle is electrically connected.
What to do if the screw is rusty?
If the fastener does not come off, apply penetrating lubricant to it and leave for 15-20 minutes. Do not try to tear it off by force, otherwise you may damage the seat in the door plastic.
Rearranging the hinges and hanging the door
The most labor-intensive stage is rearranging the hinges themselves. The refrigerator door is heavy, and holding it with one hand while unscrewing the bolts is almost impossible. It is recommended to lock the door in the open position or have an assistant hold it. First, the upper hinges are loosened, but not completely unscrewed, then the lower ones are removed, and only after that the door is removed from the upper pin.
On the opposite side of the body you will find plastic plugs hiding the factory holes. They must be removed and installed in the place where the hinges were previously in order to maintain an aesthetic appearance. The top hinge often has a complex design with an axis that needs to be moved to the other side. Pay attention to stops and the door travel limiters - they also need to be rearranged into the appropriate grooves.
When installing the door in a new location, it is important to correctly align the holes. Do not tighten the bolts “all the way” right away. First, attach all the fasteners, check that the installation is even, and only then tighten. Skewing the door even by a couple of millimeters will cause it to not fit tightly, and warm air will enter the chamber, causing the compressor to work harder.
⚠️ Attention: When rearranging the hinges, check the condition of the sealing rubber. If it is deformed, moving the door may not solve the problem of loose closure.
In two-chamber refrigerators, the process is repeated for each door separately. You should always start with the bottom door, then move to the top. This will ensure proper alignment of the entire unit. If you have a model Atlant or Stinol, pay attention to special bushings that may require replacement when changing the side of the hinge.
Installing the handle on the new side
After the hinges are rearranged and the door is put in place, it is time for the final installation of the handle. If the new side already has holes, the process goes quickly. However, it often happens that the holes are closed with plastic plugs from the inside. In this case, you will have to remove the inner door lining, which requires care so as not to break the plastic clips.
Insert the handle into the prepared holes. If the model assumes fastening through the door body (through-the-door), make sure that the screws do not touch the internal circuit or elements of the cooling system. Tighten the bolts evenly, alternating sides, so that the handle is parallel to the floor without distortion. Visually assess the symmetry: the distance from the edge of the door to the handle on the left and right should be the same.
For models with built-in handles (a recess in the door profile), no action is required other than rearranging the hinges. But if you have an external overhead handle, check that it is securely attached. Try opening the door by holding different parts of the handle. It should not wobble or make creaking sounds.
- 👀 Visual inspection: check the gaps between the handle and the door leaf.
- 🖐 Tactile inspection: make sure there are no sharp edges or burrs.
- 🚪 Opening test: the door should open easily, without jamming in the new position.
If the refrigerator came with decorative stickers or plugs for the old side, install them now. This will hide traces of previous use and give the unit a finished look. For some brands, for example Electrolux, these elements are an important part of the design.
Adjusting and adjusting the gaps
After installing all the elements in new places, final adjustment is required. The door should close tightly, but without excessive force. If you notice that the door does not fit all the way around, the hinge height may need to be adjusted. Most modern models have adjusting screws that allow you to raise or lower the corner of the door.
Use a building level to check the vertical. Even if the door is visually level, a slight tilt can lead to spontaneous opening or, conversely, sticking. This is especially true for refrigerators that are not installed at floor level. In such cases, not only the hinges are adjusted, but also the support legs of the case itself.
Check the operation of the magnetic lock (if there is one) or latch. When moving the door, the mechanics may require lubrication. A drop of silicone grease on the rubbing parts of the hinges will ensure silent operation and extend the service life of the mechanism. Do not use oils that thicken and turn into a sticky mass over time.
| Type of malfunction | Possible cause | Remedy method |
|---|---|---|
| Door does not close completely | Distortion loops or an interfering object | Adjusting the height of the hinges, checking the products |
| Strong play of the handle | The screws are not tightened or the threads are broken | Tightening the fasteners, using a thread locker |
| The door opens by itself | Tilting the body forward or a weak magnet | Unscrew the front legs, check the seal |
| Creak when opening | Lack of lubrication in the hinges | Apply silicone grease to the hinge axes |
Typical mistakes and troubleshooting
In the process of self-repair, beginners often make mistakes that are then difficult to correct. The most common of these is loss of fasteners. As already mentioned, bolts from different units may differ in length. If you screw a long screw into a short hole, you can pierce the door wall or damage the internal channel, which will lead to depressurization of the circuit.
Another mistake is ignoring the stabilization time. After rearranging the doors and active work of opening and closing, the compressor can operate in enhanced mode. Let the refrigerator sit empty for at least 2-3 hours to allow the temperature to equalize before loading food. This is especially important for models with the system No Frost.
⚠️ Attention: Do not overload the door shelves immediately after rearranging. The plastic and fasteners should “settle” in the new place under load gradually.
If after all the manipulations you find that the handle is crooked, do not try to fix it by force. Remove it again and check for foreign objects between the handle and the body. Sometimes even small shavings or a piece of packaging can create a visible distortion.
In rare cases when the holes on the new side do not line up or are missing at all (a manufacturing defect or a specific model), do not drill new holes on your own. This will compromise the integrity of the thermal insulation layer. In such a situation, it is better to contact an authorized service center or consider replacing the entire door.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to rearrange the handle on a built-in refrigerator?
Yes, on most built-in models this is possible, but the process is more complicated. Often it is necessary to dismantle the facade of kitchen furniture attached to the refrigerator door. Before starting work, be sure to study the instructions for your model, since the facade fastening system of different brands (Bosch, Siemens, Liebherr) is different.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before moving it?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to turn off the unit in advance. When tilting and vibrating while removing the doors, the ice can chip and damage the plastic elements or crumble inside the mechanisms.
What to do if plugs for old holes are lost?
Plugs can be ordered at the manufacturer's service center or selected universal analogues in furniture fittings stores. As a last resort, if the color matches, you can use regular screw plugs, selecting the desired diameter. They can also be found on radio markets or on the Internet by searching for “plugs for refrigerators.”
Does rearranging the door affect the warranty?
Rearranging the door yourself, as a rule, does not void the warranty if you have not damaged technical components, have not broken the seals on the compressor and have not violated the integrity of the cooling system. contour. However, if a breakdown occurs after your actions, the service may refuse free repair, citing careless handling.
Why did the refrigerator become louder after the rearrangement?
This may be due to the fact that the refrigerator was heavily tilted or skewed during the work, and oil from the compressor got into the refrigerant circuit. Let the refrigerator stand turned off in an upright position for 4-6 hours before turning it back on, so that the oil flows back into the compressor crankcase.