Changing the kitchen layout or simply wanting to make the interior more ergonomic often dictates new requirements for the arrangement of household appliances. Owners of refrigerators Indesit are faced with the need to change the opening direction of the door so that it does not block the passage or opens more conveniently in the work area. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand provides for this possibility, allowing you to rehang the canvas without the involvement of expensive craftsmen. The process requires care, but can be done at home with a basic set of tools.
Before starting work, it is critical to understand that you will be working with a heavy mechanism that is under pressure (in the refrigerant circulation system) and has complex electrical connections. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to damage to the seal, deformation fastening elements or even a violation of the tightness of the circuit. In this article, we will analyze in detail the stages of re-hanging, paying special attention to the nuances of different models Indesit and possible difficulties that you may encounter in the process.
The success of the operation directly depends on the preparation of the workplace and understanding the structure of your unit. You should not rush to dismantle until you are sure that the refrigerator is stable and all the necessary tools are at hand. Re-hanging the doors This is not just rearranging the bolts, it is a comprehensive procedure for adjusting gaps and checking tightness.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
Quality preparation is half the success of any repair operation. To work with the refrigerator Indesit you will need to free up space around the unit. It is necessary to ensure access to the equipment from all sides, since you will have to work around it when working with hinges and fittings. Remove carpets that may slip, and place soft cloth or cardboard on the floor to prevent damage to the flooring from falling parts or tools.
A basic set of tools should include wrenches (usually 10mm and 8mm sizes), Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, and hex sockets. Some models may require special star keys Torx. It is also strongly recommended to have an assistant on hand, since the doors of refrigerators, especially two-chamber models, have significant weight and can slide off if handled carelessly. Tools it is better to arrange them in the order in which they are used.
Before starting physical operations, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the power supply. This is a basic safety rule that cannot be ignored. While the unit cools and defrosts (if it has ice), you can prepare a storage area for the removed parts. Use a magnetic tray or several small containers to avoid losing screws of different sizes, as they may differ in length and thread for different units.
It is also important to check the contents of your refrigerator. In some cases, the manufacturer Indesit supplies the equipment with plugs already installed on the back side, and in others, the re-hanging kit (bolts, bushings) can be located in a niche for vegetables or attached with tape to the inner surface of the door. Carefully inspect all the shelves and drawers.
Removing the top panel and preparing to remove the door
The remodeling process begins from the top of the refrigerator. On most models Indesit you must first remove the top case cover. It can be attached with latches or screws located at the back or front under the decorative strip. Carefully unscrew the fasteners, being careful not to damage the plastic elements, and remove the panel, gaining access to the top hinge.
Next, you should free access to the hinge itself. If you have a model with a freezer on top, then the top door is removed first. Before unscrewing the hinge bolts, you must lock the door in the open position or have an assistant hold it so that it does not fall on your feet. Unscrew the screws holding the top hinge and carefully remove it. Now the door can be lifted and removed from the lower support sleeve.
When removing the door, pay attention to the condition sealing rubber. If it has creases or cracks, this is the ideal time to replace it, since after rehanging the fit geometry may change. Also check the rotation axis for play or rust. If necessary, lubricate the rubbing parts with a special lubricant that is resistant to low temperatures.
⚠️ Attention: In models with the system No Frost power wires for the fan or sensors often pass through the upper loop. Do not jerk the door sharply! Carefully disconnect the connectors, having previously photographed their position, so as not to mix up the contacts during assembly.
Removing and rehanging the bottom door of the refrigerator
After working with the upper part (or if you have a single-chamber refrigerator), we move on to the main panel. Removing the lower door requires special attention to the center crossbar, if your model has one. In some refrigerators Indesit, the central bar is load-bearing and requires complete dismantling before removing the bottom door, while in other models it is removable and attached independently.
Unscrew the bolts holding the door to the bottom axis. Lift the blade up, removing it from the sleeve. As with the overhead door, proceed with caution. Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface with the outside facing down to avoid scratching the front panel. Now you need to dismantle the handle, if it is not integrated into the profile, and move it to the other side, using the holes provided by the manufacturer.
The key point is to move the mating part of the lock (if it is mechanical) or the magnetic lock. On the opposite side of the housing there are usually closed technological openings. You will need to remove the plugs and install the retainer in the new location. Make sure that the latching mechanism operates smoothly and does not require excessive force to open.
☑️ Removal checklist
Working with fittings and counter holes
The most labor-intensive part of the process is preparing the case to install the hinges on the other side. On the front panel of the refrigerator, threaded holes will be visible on one side, and smooth holes covered with decorative plugs on the other. Your task is to carefully remove the plugs from the new side and install them in the old places to hide the holes.
You can use a thin awl or knife to remove the plugs. Pry up the edge and pull out the plastic part. If they are very tight, you can use a hairdryer to warm them up a bit (on the lowest setting), but be careful not to distort the plastic or paint. After installing the plugs in the old places, make sure that they sit flush and do not protrude.
Now you need to rearrange the hinge itself. Depending on the model Indesit, the hinges can be symmetrical (universal) or sideways. If the hinges are universal, you just need to turn them over or rearrange the pins. If the design is asymmetrical, you may have to use complete parts from the re-hanging kit that came with the refrigerator. Threaded connections should fit freely, without distortion.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Removal and rearrangement | Wrench 10 mm | Careful with wires |
| Lower support | Rearranging the bushing | Hexagon | Check the height |
| Door handle | Transfer to the other side | Screwdriver | Maintain symmetry |
| Plugs | Replacing sides | Awl/Knife | Do not damage the enamel |
Installation of doors and initial adjustment of gaps
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order, but taking into account the new position of the doors. The bottom door is installed first (if the top door was removed first, the sequence may vary depending on the design, but it is more logical to assemble from the bottom up). Slide the door onto the lower support sleeve. Make sure it is firmly in place.
Then install the center jumper (if there is one) and secure it. The next stage is the installation of the upper door. Align the holes in the top hinge with the holes on the body and insert the bolts. Tighten the bolts immediately "all the way" is not recommended. First, tighten them by hand so that the door fits into place, and only then proceed with the final fixation.
At this stage, adjustment is critical. The door should open freely, not touch the body and fit tightly around the entire perimeter. If you notice misalignment, loosen the hinge bolts and move the door slightly up, down, left or right. Achieve the ideal position when the gap between the door and the body is the same over the entire height.
What to do if the door does not close tightly?
If after rehanging the door does not fit tightly, check whether the products on the shelves are in the way. It is also possible that when rearranging the hinge, you did not fully tighten the adjusting bolts, or the seal became wrinkled. Try heating the seal with a hairdryer and straightening it, and then close the door tightly for several hours.