Many owners of modern household appliances are faced with the need to change the direction in which the refrigerator door opens in order to adapt it to the new kitchen layout. In brand models Haier the design of the hinges and fastenings allows you to perform this procedure yourself, without resorting to the services of paid specialists. This is especially true when purchasing units from the series CuBe or classic two-chamber models, where the standard factory installation may be inconvenient.
The remounting process requires accuracy, a basic set of tools and an understanding of the device. loop group. If you do not follow the sequence of actions or ignore the peculiarities of fixing the hinges, you can damage the decorative plugs or disrupt the tightness of the seal. In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for various types of structures.
It is worth noting that before starting work it is necessary to empty the internal space of the chamber from products and remove all removable shelves. This will reduce the overall weight of the structure and minimize the risk of accidentally falling a heavy element during manipulations with fasteners.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To perform the task of changing the opening side efficiently, you will need a minimum set of home tools. The main element will be hex wrenchsince most fastenings in technology Haier are made specifically for this type of profile. It is also a good idea to have a flat-head screwdriver on hand for removing decorative elements.
It is important to ensure sufficient free space around the refrigerator cabinet. You will need access to all sides of the unit, including the top and bottom. The floor must be level to avoid distortion of the body during the process of removing heavy door panels.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network. This is critical for safety, as when dismantling doors, there may be accidental damage to wiring or controls.
It is recommended to prepare a soft substrate in advance, such as a thick blanket or cardboard, on which the removed door can be laid. This will protect the surface from scratches and chips.
☑️ Preparation for re-hanging
Removing the top hinge and freezer door
Work always starts from the top of the refrigerator, since the structure is held in place by the top hinges. The first step is to remove the decorative plug hiding the mounting bolts. Depending on the model Haier, it can be removed by prying it with a screwdriver or moving it to the side.
Once you have access to the fastener, use hex wrench an appropriate size (usually 5 mm) to loosen the top hinge bolts. Do not unscrew them completely at once - just loosen the tension so that the hinge can move.
Then carefully lift the freezer door up to release the bottom bushing pin, and set it aside. If the door has a handle with an integrated mechanism, make sure that the wires (if any) are not strained.
Now you can completely unscrew the bolts and remove the top hinge. Keep all screws in a separate container so as not to lose them among small fasteners.
Removing the main door of the refrigerator compartment
After dismantling the upper door, access to the central hinge, which holds the main door leaf, opens. The procedure is similar to the previous one: remove the decorative trim and loosen fastening bolts. Pay attention to the presence of locking pins or additional clamps.
Remove the middle hinge and carefully move the main door to the side. At this stage, it is important to avoid sudden movements so as not to damage the magnetic seal or glass shelves inside, if they have not been removed earlier.
If your model Haier has a system No Frost with a cold air supply channel through the door, be extremely careful. Such structures may accommodate additional elements that require careful handling.
⚠️ Attention: Do not allow moisture to enter the pin holes and hinge mechanisms. Water can cause corrosion of the metal or freeze, which will lead to jamming of the mechanism in the future.
Rearranging handles and strikers
The key step is to move the handle and striker to the opposite side. To do this, you need to remove the handle from the current side of the door. Usually it is attached with screws from the inside of the panel or from the bottom/top.
In the free space, plugs are installed that came with the refrigerator or were already installed by the manufacturer on the opposite side. If there are no plugs, the holes can be closed with decorative stickers, although models Haier most often have standard plugs.
Then the handle is mounted in a new place. It is important to use the same holes that were previously closed with plugs. Make sure that the handle fits tightly and does not wobble.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door handle | Dismantling and transfer | Phillips screwdriver | Do not overtighten the screws |
| Keeper | Installation on a new side | Hexagon | Align holes |
| Plugs | Closing old holes | Hands | Select by color |
| Stoppers | Rearrangement in hinges | Pliers | Remember the original position |
| Door handle | Dismantling and transfer | Cross screwdriver | Do not overtighten the screws |
| Keeper | Installation on a new side | Hex key | Align holes |
| Plugs | Closing old holes | Hands | Select by color |
| Stoppers | Rearrangement in loops | Pliers | Remember the starting position |
Some models require rearranging the internal stops inside the loops themselves. To do this, you may need to remove the pin and move it into a symmetrical hole on the other side of the part.
What to do if the holes for the handles do not match?
In some budget models of refrigerators, holes for the handle can be drilled only on one side. In this case, moving the handle yourself is impossible without drilling new holes, which will void the warranty. Check the technical data sheet of your model Haier in advance.
Installation of hinges on the new side of the case
Now we proceed to installing fasteners on the opposite side of the refrigerator case. Locate the corresponding holes that were previously covered with plastic plugs. Carefully remove them by prying them off with a flat screwdriver.
Install the top and middle hinges in new places using the standard holes. Insert the mounting bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This is necessary for subsequent adjustment of the door position.
Pay special attention to the lower support sleeve. It must be installed strictly vertically so that the door axis fits into it freely, without distortion. If the bushing is asymmetrical, make sure it is installed the correct way.
Check that all hinges are installed at the same level relative to each other. Visually assess the symmetry of their location.
Installation of doors and final adjustment
The assembly process begins with the lower (main) door. Place the lower door bushing onto the lower body hinge support pin. Then carefully lift the door and align the holes in the top bushing with the holes in the previously installed middle hinge.
After installing the main door, move on to the top (freezer) compartment. The steps are similar: put it on the pin, lift it, and fix it with the top loop. Now you can finally tighten all mounting bolts.
At this stage the final adjustment is made. If the door warps or does not fit tightly to the body, it is necessary to loosen the bolts of the middle or lower hinge and move the door slightly in the desired direction. The gap between the door and the body must be uniform around the entire perimeter.
⚠️ Attention: If after installation the door opens by itself or, conversely, is too tight, check the angle of the entire refrigerator. Adjusting the front supports (legs) helps solve the problem of gravity.
Make sure that when closing the door, the magnetic seal fits snugly to the body along its entire contour. There should be no gaps through which the cold escapes.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
When rehanging on their own, users often encounter a number of typical problems. One of the most common is incorrect installation of the locking pin in the hinge, which leads to the door opening not 90 degrees, but further, or jamming.
Another mistake is overtightening the bolts, due to which the metal of the hinge is deformed, and the axle begins to creak or jam. Use moderate force when tightening.
- 😐 The door does not close completely - check whether the contents of the refrigerator are in the way or whether the shelves are installed correctly.
- 😐 If a squeak appears - lubricate the rubbing parts of the hinges with food-grade silicone oil or a special lubricant.
- 😐 The tightness is broken - check whether the door is installed evenly and whether the seal is turned inward.
If you notice that after re-hanging the refrigerator began to work louder or problems with cooling appeared, make sure that during installation the cables were not pinched or the cooling system tubes were damaged (although with careful operation this is excluded).
Is it possible to reverse the door on a Haier refrigerator with a display on the door?
Yes, it is possible, but it requires more caution. You must carefully disconnect the display cable before removing the door. Typically the connector is located at the top of the case. It is important to remember the disconnection procedure and not damage the thin contacts.
Do I need to call a technician if I am afraid I won’t be able to handle it?
If you do not have experience working with tools or the refrigerator model has a complex hinge system (for example, hidden hinges in some premium series), it is better to contact an authorized service center. This will preserve the warranty.
Will the warranty remain valid after self-remounting?
According to the law, the consumer has the right to self-service if it does not lead to a breakdown. However, if during the remounting process you break the threads or damage the housing, warranty repairs may be denied. Proceed with caution.