The situation when the standard location of the refrigerator door no longer suits the owners arises quite often. This may be due to rearrangement of kitchen furniture, room layout features, or simply a desire to make the use of household appliances more ergonomic. For owners of Belarusian brand equipment Atlant this problem is solved relatively simply, since the design of most models initially provides for the possibility of changing the opening side.
However, despite the apparent simplicity of the process, rehanging the door requires care, the presence of a certain set of tools and strict adherence to the sequence of actions. Incorrect installation of hinges or failure to adjust the gaps may result in the door not fitting tightly to the housing, which will negatively affect the operation of the compressor and the safety of food. In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of work.
It is worth considering that the design of refrigerators and freezers may differ depending on the series and year of manufacture of the device. Models with the No Frost system and classic refrigerators with a weeping evaporator have different mounting patterns for handles and canopies. Therefore, before starting work, it is strongly recommended to find the technical data sheet of your device or download the assembly diagram from the manufacturer’s official website to make sure there are no unique design features.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before you begin to dismantle the structural elements, you need to prepare the workspace. You will need a free area next to the refrigerator where you can temporarily put the removed parts so as not to damage them or lose fasteners. It is better to cover the floor with soft cloth or cardboard, since metal hinges and decorative plugs can scratch the floor covering or break if dropped.
The basic set of tools that you will need is usually minimal and is found in every home. The key item is a set of screwdrivers: you will need a Phillips screwdriver for the main screws and a flat head screwdriver for removing decorative panels. A wrench or 10 mm socket may also be useful if the hinges are secured with bolts rather than self-tapping screws.
- 🔧 Phillips and flathead screwdrivers (preferably with magnetic tips)
- 🔑 Wrench or set of sockets (most often 8, 10 mm)
- 📏 Construction level for checking the horizontal installation
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges
The most important stage of preparation is turning off the power supply. Although the mechanical re-hanging process itself does not require electricity, during the work you will be manipulating elements that may affect the wiring of sensors or backlights. In addition, the refrigerator must be completely defrosted and washed so that water does not pour onto the floor when the angle of the case is changed.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to unplug the power cord from the outlet. Working with live electrical appliances is life-threatening, even if you do not touch the internal components directly.
Removing the top panel and top hinge
The process starts from the top of the refrigerator compartment. In most models Atlant the top cover of the housing is removable, which makes access to the top canopy easier. To remove it, you need to unscrew the mounting screws, which can be located in front or behind the cover, depending on the modification. Sometimes the screws are hidden under decorative plugs, which are carefully pryed off with a flat screwdriver.
After removing the cover, the top hinge will open in front of you. Please note that on some models, a temperature sensor wire or backlight wire may pass through the loop. If there are wires, they must be carefully disconnect, having previously memorized or photographed the connection diagram of the connectors. Do not pull the wires sharply so as not to damage the insulation or contacts.
Next, unscrew the screws holding the loop itself. It is important here that someone holds the refrigerator door, since after removing the top fastening it will remain supported only by the lower hinge and may fall. After unscrewing the screws, the hinge is removed, and the door is carefully set aside or completely removed from the bottom pin.
Pay special attention to the condition of the fastening holes. If you see signs of corrosion or stripped threads, you may need to replace the fasteners or use repair bushings. For models with the system No Frost also check the integrity of the air ducts that may pass in the upper part.
Removing the door and dismantling the handles
After releasing the upper fastening, it is the turn of the door itself. In two-chamber refrigerators Atlant the doors are usually independent, but have a common axis or a system of hooks. Remove the refrigerator door by lifting it up to disengage the lower hinge (if it is structurally connected) or simply freeing the grooves.
Now you need to remove the handles. This is one of the most critical moments, since the fastening of the handles is often hidden. In older models, the handles could be secured with screws at the front, closed with plugs. In modern series, the fastening is most often located on the inside of the door. To access the screws, you may need to remove the decorative trim or carefully bend the seal at the mounting location.
Use the following sequence of actions for safe removal:
- 🚪 Remove the door from the body and place it on a prepared soft surface with the outside side down.
- 🔩 Locate and unscrew the screws securing the handle from the inside of the leaf.
- 🧱 Carefully remove the handle, trying not to scratch the enamel or plastic of the door.
- 🕳️ Close the resulting holes with the standard plugs that came with the kit, or those that were on the opposite side.
By mixing them up when reinstalling, the door structure may be damaged or tight fixation may not be achieved. It is recommended to immediately sort the fasteners into groups: “top hinge”, “bottom hinge”, “handles”.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when removing the handles. The plastic, especially on older models, can be brittle. If the handle cannot be removed, check that all the screws are unscrewed and that there are no hidden latches.
Reversing the bottom hinge and installing the pins
The bottom of the refrigerator requires special attention, since this is where the compressor and water drainage system are often located. In some models Atlant the bottom hinge is part of the body or screwed to the base panel. You need to move the support pin (pin) to the opposite side.
To do this, unscrew the lower loop from the current side. On the opposite side of the case you will find a threaded hole covered with a plastic plug. The plug must be removed and the support pin must be screwed into the vacated hole. If the pin does not come with the refrigerator (it is already installed on one of the sides), you need to carefully unscrew it from its old position and rearrange it.
When installing the pin, make sure that it is screwed in all the way and sits strictly vertically. Any deviation from the vertical will cause the door to skew and the seal to malfunction. For models with drawers in the freezer, make sure that the new pin will not interfere with their movement.
☑️ Checking the lower support
If your refrigerator is equipped with a base panel (grid at the bottom), it may also need to be reweighed or rearranged. It is usually secured with latches or screws. When rearranging, make sure that the ventilation holes are not blocked and access to the compressor remains free.
Installing the door on the new side
After preparing all the holes and rearranging the pins, the assembly process begins. The freezer door (if it is at the bottom) or refrigerator door is installed first, depending on the design of your model. Place the bottom hole of the door onto the installed pin.
Then you need to install the top hinge on the new side. Insert the hinge into the housing grooves and tighten the mounting screws. Do not tighten them all the way straight away. Leave a small gap so that the door can be positioned. Pull the sensor wires (if any) through the provided channels in the loop and connect them to the connectors. final adjustment door position. Route the sensor wires (if any) through the provided channels in the loop and connect them to the connectors.
Install the top cover of the refrigerator body in place and secure it with screws. Check that all wires are tucked inside the housing and are not caught under moving parts of the door. The door should open and close freely, but do not check the tightness yet - this is done after adjustment.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Reposition to the other side | Phillips screwdriver | Follow the wires |
| Door handle | Dismantling and installation | Flat screwdriver | Do not mix up the screws |
| Bottom pin | Twisting into a thread | Open-end wrench | Tighten all the way |
| Plugs | Replacing places | Without tools | Close the old holes |
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some older models or during previous independent repairs, the holes may be drilled out or deformed. In this case, it may be necessary to use screws of a larger diameter (if the material allows) or install repair bushings. It is highly not recommended to drill new holes in the housing, as this will disrupt thermal insulation and aesthetics.
Adjusting gaps and tightness
The final and, perhaps, the most important stage is adjustment. Once all the top hinge screws are tightened, check the door using a spirit level. The door must be strictly vertical. If there is a tilt to the left or right, it is necessary to loosen the screws of the upper hinge and, by slightly raising or lowering the corresponding corner, achieve the ideal position.
The tightness of the seal is checked by a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet of paper with the door around the perimeter. It should come out with noticeable effort. If the paper falls out or comes out too easily, the door is not sealing tightly. In this case, you need to adjust the installation height of the door (often this is done by unscrewing/twisting the support pin or adjusting screws in the hinges).
Also check the operation closer (if there is one) of the magnetic lock. The door should close on its own when opened approximately 30-40 degrees. If the door “doesn’t slam” or, on the contrary, opens on its own, the refrigerator may not be level. In this case, adjust the height of the front support legs of the refrigerator.
⚠️ Attention: If after all the adjustments the gap between the door and the body remains uneven, check the condition of the rubber seal itself. It could have become deformed during storage or damaged during installation. In this case, it may need to be replaced or restored (for example, by heating it with a hairdryer).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to drain the oil from the compressor before re-hanging?
No, you do not need to drain the oil. Reversing the door is a purely mechanical operation that does not affect the refrigeration circuit or compressor. However, the refrigerator must be unplugged and defrosted before starting work.
Is it possible to hang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen set?
Theoretically it is possible, but this is extremely difficult. You will need to slide the refrigerator out of the alcove to allow access to the sides and allow the door to rest on the floor. In a tightly built-in state, it is almost impossible to perform this operation.
What to do if the plugs for the holes from the handles are lost?
The plugs can be ordered at the service center Atlant according to the model number of your refrigerator. Temporarily, the holes can be sealed with a decorative sticker in the color of the case, but it is better to find original parts to preserve the tightness and appearance.
Why did the door begin to open on its own after rehanging?
Most likely, the horizontal level of the refrigerator is broken. When installing the door on a new side, the center of gravity or the angle of inclination may have changed. Try adjusting the front leveling feet to create a slight rearward tilt. Then the door will close under the influence of gravity.
Is the process different for Atlant models with the No Frost system?
The basic principle is the same, but in No Frost models it is critical to correctly connect the sensor and fan wires passing through the hinges. Also be careful with plastic air ducts, which may be more fragile than a metal case.