Rearranging furniture or changing the kitchen layout often dictate their own conditions: the refrigerator should be located exactly where it is most convenient, but its door should open in the other direction. Fortunately, most modern models, be it Bosch, Liebherr or Indesit, provide the ability to change the opening side. This is not just a whim of designers, but a well-thought-out engineering feature that allows you to adapt the equipment to any interior solutions.
The process of hanging the door may seem complicated only at first glance. In fact, with a basic set of tools and a little free time, any home craftsman can handle this task. The main thing is to act consistently, not to force events and strictly follow the order of operations so as not to damage expensive fittings or enamel coating.
Before taking up tools, you must carefully prepare the workplace. Clear space around the refrigerator so you can access it from all sides. Make sure the floor is level and clean and that you have everything you need within reach. Carelessness at the preparation stage often leads to scratches on the floor or loss of small but important fastener parts.
⚠️ Attention! Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is critical not only for your safety, but also to protect the electronics from possible power surges if the wires are accidentally damaged.
Some models require the removal of handles or decorative panels before removing the hinges. Carefully inspect your model: if the handle is hidden or integrated, the process may differ from the classic version with an external handle. In difficult cases, it is better to find the technical data sheet of the device in advance.
Necessary tools and preparation
To successfully complete the task, you will need a minimum set of tools that can be found in the drawer of any home craftsman. The main tool will be a screwdriver, but its type depends on the model of your unit. Phillips screwdrivers of size PH2 are most often used, but in some cases hex keys or socket heads may be needed.
Pay special attention to protecting surfaces. The refrigerator door is heavy, and if it slips out of your hands, the consequences will be disastrous. Therefore, having a second person for backup is not just a recommendation, but a necessity. Also prepare a soft cloth or cardboard to place the removed parts on the floor.
The list of necessary equipment includes:
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead)
- 🔧 An adjustable wrench or a set of open-end wrenches
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands
- 📦 Container for folding bolts and screws
- 🧶 Masking tape for fixing the door
It is important to understand that fasteners may differ from one manufacturer to another. In some places, standard screws are used, and in others, specific bolts with a countersunk head are used. If you have lost the original instructions, do not try to guess the size of the tool - this may lead to the edges of the bolts being licked off.
Analysis of the design and type of hinges
Before you start unscrewing the bolts, you need to understand what kind of structure you are dealing with. Refrigerator hinges are divided into several types: hidden, external and combined. The algorithm of your actions depends on this. In models with a top freezer, there are most often external hinges that are immediately visible.
Hidden hinges are usually located under a decorative cover in the upper part of the case. To get to them, you need to carefully remove this plug. In two-chamber models with a system No Frost the situation is complicated by the presence of intermediate hinges between the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
Types of door mechanism designs:
- 🔩 External hinges - attached to the top and bottom of the body, easily accessible
- 🔒 Hidden hinges - located under decorative panels, require careful opening
- ⚙️ Combined systems - a combination of upper hidden and lower visible elements
Models with a display on the door deserve special attention. In such cases, a control cablepasses through the loop, which cannot simply be thrown to the other side. Such refrigerators often require additional steps to reconnect the loop or even replace the loop itself with a mirror one.
⚠️ Attention! If your refrigerator has a display or control panel on the door, make sure the wires are long enough to move the door to the other side. In some models, the cable is too short, and its extension requires professional intervention.
Inspect the side walls of the case. They should have holes with plugs where the hinges will be moved. If there are no holes, or they are tightly closed without the possibility of removing the plugs, then, alas, re-hanging in your case is technically impossible.
Step-by-step instructions for dismantling
The process of removing the door should start from the top. First you need to remove the top cover of the refrigerator, if it is removable, or gain access to the top hinges. After this, the door needs to be fixed in the open position so that it does not fall on your feet at the most inopportune moment.
Use masking tape or ask an assistant to hold the door. Remove the screws securing the top hinge. In models with two chambers, first remove the door of the refrigerator compartment, then the freezer compartment. Act slowly and confidently, controlling the weight of the structure being removed.
Main stages of dismantling:
- Remove the decorative plugs on the opposite side where the door will be moved.
- Unscrew the fastenings of the top hinge and remove it.
- Carefully lift the door and remove it from the lower pin bushing.
- Repeat the procedure for the second door if you have a two-chamber model.
Take special care when working with the bottom of the door. There is often a bushing or pin there that can rust or become stuck. Do not use excessive force; if the element does not give in, it is better to treat it with penetrating lubricant and wait.
☑️ Checklist before removing the door
After removing the doors, it is necessary to dismantle the mating parts of the hinges from the body. Inspect the holes: sometimes they have plastic bushings that need to be moved to the new side. Do not lose these small but important elements.
Moving fittings and handles
The most important stage is rearranging the handle and fittings. If the handle is overhead, the process is usually simple: unscrew the screws on the back of the door (often hidden under decorative caps) and screw the handle into a new place. However, in modern models, handles can be integrated into the door profile.
To move the handle, you will need to remove the decorative trims. Be careful: the plastic of old refrigerators can be fragile. Carefully pry off the plug with a flat-head screwdriver, after heating it with a hairdryer if the material is too hard. This will help avoid chipping.
Table of actions corresponding to different types of handles:
| Handle type | Fastener location | Dismantling features |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice | From the inside of the door | Access to the end of the door is required |
| Mortised | On the side, under the decorative strip | You need to remove the side strip |
| Hidden (profile) | Integrated into the case | Often does not require rearrangement |
| Push-to-open | Inside, near the mechanism | Requires adjustment of magnets |
If your model has a system closer or magnetic lock, make sure that they will function correctly when rearranged. Sometimes it is necessary to reinstall the lock strike plate on the new side of the jamb.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In 99% of cases, refrigerator doors have universal holes for both sides. If you do not see holes on the desired side, carefully inspect the end of the door - they may be closed with factory plugs that need to be squeezed out from the inside.
Don't forget to rearrange the opening limiters, if any. These are small plastic or rubber stops that prevent the door from swinging too wide and hitting the wall or furniture. Moving them will take a couple of seconds, but will save the interior from damage.
Installing the door on the new side
Installing the door on the new side is done in the reverse order of dismantling. First install the bottom hinge (or bushing) in its new location. Make sure it fits snug and level. If the refrigerator came with special adapters or bushings for hanging, use them.
With two people, carefully place the door on the bottom pin. Make sure that the axis hits the exact center of the hole. After this, you can begin installing the top hinge. Do not tighten the bolts all the way straight away. First, attach them, visually align the door, and only then finally fix the fasteners.
Key points during installation:
- 📐 Level alignment - the door should hang strictly vertically
- 🔩 Tightening sequence - from bottom to top for uniform load distribution
- 🚪 Checking the gaps - the distance around the perimeter should be the same
If you are working with a two-chamber refrigerator, install the bottom door (freezer) first, then the top one. The intermediate hinge is installed after hanging the bottom door. It is important not to confuse the top and bottom of the door, although this is structurally difficult to do due to the shape of the seal.
After installing all the hinges, check the operation of the door. It should open and close smoothly, without squeaks or jams. The seal must fit evenly around the entire perimeter of the housing. If you notice a misalignment, loosen the fastenings and adjust the position.
Adjustment and checking for leaks
The final stage is checking for tightness and final adjustment. Even a perfectly executed job may require (fine tuning). It often happens that after rehanging the door begins to protrude a little or, conversely, goes too deep into the body.
To adjust the height, use the front adjustable supports of the refrigerator. By tightening them, you can achieve a strictly horizontal position of the entire unit, which will automatically align the doors. Use a building level for control.
How to check the tightness of the seal:
- Press a sheet of paper between the door and the body in different places.
- Try to pull the sheet out. It should be removed with noticeable effort.
- If the paper flies out freely, the seal does not fit tightly in this place.
If you find a loose fit, try heating the deformed area of the seal with a hairdryer and pressing it tightly. It is better to replace the old, petrified rubber seal with a new one, since it will no longer be able to provide proper thermal insulation thermal insulation.
⚠️ Attention! After installing and turning on the refrigerator, let it run for a couple of hours without loading food. This will allow the system to enter mode and check whether the seal of the chamber has been broken after all manipulations.
Do not forget that technical documentation can be updated. If you are faced with a non-standard hinge design or a unique mechanism, always check the current diagrams on the manufacturer’s official website, as models may have hidden assembly nuances.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I turn the door over myself, or must I call a technician?
In most cases, you can do this yourself if you have basic skills with tools. However, if you have a model with a display on the door or a complex hinge system, it is better to turn to professionals so as not to damage the electronics.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close tightly?
Most likely, the angle of the refrigerator is broken. Try unscrewing the front adjustable feet to raise the front of the unit. This will create a natural slope back, and the door will slam shut under its own weight.
Are any special lubricants needed for hinges after installation?
Usually hinges do not require lubrication, since they work on bushings. However, if you hear squeaking, you can add a drop of silicone oil. You cannot use edible oils or grease - they can stain food or oxidize.
Will the warranty on the refrigerator remain valid after re-hanging the door?
If you have not damaged the body, broken the hinges or stripped the threads, the warranty remains valid. However, if in the process you damage the display wiring or break the glass, the service center may refuse free repairs.
Is it possible to turn the door on a built-in refrigerator?
With built-in appliances, everything is more complicated. Often it is necessary to rehang not only the refrigerator door, but also the furniture façade. This is a labor-intensive process that requires precise fitting. Without experience working with furniture, it is better not to take risks.