Changing the kitchen layout or rearranging furniture often dictates new conditions for the location of household appliances. Refrigerator owners Ariston often face the need to change the direction of door opening in order to provide ergonomic access to products. Fortunately, the design of most models of this Italian brand allows you to do hanging the door on your own, without calling a specialist.
The process requires care and adherence to the sequence of actions, since the hinges and locking mechanism have their own design features. Improper dismantling can lead to damage to the decorative panels or loss of sealing. Before starting work, it is important to prepare the workplace and make sure you have the necessary tools.
In this article we will analyze in detail the steps of moving the door on models Ariston with a lower and upper freezer. You will learn what nuances should be taken into account when working with magnetic latches and how to correctly adjust the position of the sash after installation. Compliance with technology will allow you to update the appearance of the kitchen and increase the ease of use of the unit.
Preparation for work and necessary tools
The first step will be to organize a safe space around the refrigerator. You will need free access to the unit from all sides, so it is best to move the equipment away from the wall at a distance of at least a meter. Be sure unplug the refrigerator from the power supply, unplugging the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of electric shock or short circuit if the wiring is accidentally damaged.
To perform the work you will need a minimum set of tools, which is usually in the arsenal of a home craftsman. The main tool will be a screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different bits (phillips and flat). You may also need wrenches, pliers and possibly hexagons if the model is Ariston equipped with specific fasteners.
- 🔧 A screwdriver with a set of bits or a set of screwdrivers of different sizes.
- 🔑 Wrenches (sizes 8, 10, 13 are often required mm).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧹 Soft fabric and a container for folding small fasteners.
It is important to prepare in advance the surface on which the removed door will be placed. Cover the floor with thick cardboard, carpet or several layers of soft fabric. This will prevent scratches on the enamel coating and protect the floor from damage if a heavy sash accidentally slips. Do not neglect this stage, since restoration of chips is a complex process.
Removing the top door of the refrigerator
You should always start the rehanging process from the top of the unit. Depending on the model Ariston, the top door can be the main chamber or the freezer compartment. The first step is to remove the decorative plugs that hide the fastening elements of the upper hinges. They are usually located at the top of the door end or on the body itself above the door.
Carefully pry off the plastic plugs with a flat-head screwdriver or knife. Under them you will find bolts securing the hinge. Use the appropriate wrench or bit to remove the fastener. If the bolts are rusty or stuck, do not use excessive force with a jerk - it is better to pre-treat them with penetrating lubricant and wait a few minutes.
After loosening the upper fastenings, the door must be held so that it does not fall. In models with a magnetic latch, the help of a second person may be required at this stage, as the sash becomes unstable. Move the door to the side and carefully remove it from the bottom pin, if the design provides for this type of fastening, or completely remove the middle hinges.
⚠️ Attention: Refrigerator doors Ariston can be quite heavy due to the internal filling and the thickness of the insulation. Do not try to hold the falling door with one hand - this may lead to injury or damage to the finger between the door and the body.
Carefully place the removed door on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down. Be careful not to squeeze or damage the rubber sealthat runs around the entire perimeter. Any deformation of the seal will lead to loss of tightness and increased energy consumption.
☑️ Ready for dismantling
Removing the bottom door and freezer compartment
If your refrigerator Ariston has a bottom freezer location, the process of removing it is similar to dismantling the top door, but has its own characteristics. Often the lower hinge is hidden under a decorative base or strip at the bottom of the unit. You must remove this bar to gain access to the mounting bolts.
Unscrew the bottom hinge bolts and carefully lift the freezer door. In some models, there may be backlight or control wires running inside that need to be carefully disconnected. Remember or photograph the location of the connectors so that when assembling on the other side you do not mix up the contacts.
- 📸 Take a photograph of the wire connection diagram before disconnecting.
- 🔌 Carefully disconnect the connectors without pulling the wires themselves.
- 🧊 Check the condition of the insulation wires for cracks.
After removing all the doors, you will be left with an empty refrigerator body. This is the ideal time to carry out preventive cleaning of internal surfaces and check the condition of seals. While access is open, you can wash the shelves and drawers, removing dirt that has accumulated in hard-to-reach places.
Now you need to remove the hinges from the side where you plan to hang the doors. Usually it is enough to unscrew a few screws. The freed holes on the old side are closed with plastic plugs that come with the refrigerator or are in the technical documentation.
Rearranging handles and fittings
One of the most important stages is moving the handles and mating parts of the locks. On models Ariston handles are often mounted in a hidden way or have symmetrical mounting holes on both sides. If there are holes left from the old handle on the visible side, they must be closed with decorative plugs, which are usually supplied with the refrigerator.
To rearrange the handle, you may need to remove the inner door panel or work through the technological holes. Use a long Phillips or hex screwdriver to remove the mounting screws. Be careful not to strip the threads in the plastic bushings.
What to do if the plugs are lost?
If the decorative plugs for the holes are lost, you can order them at the service center or pick up universal analogues at a furniture fittings store. As a last resort, you can use silicone sealant that matches the color of the refrigerator to mask the holes, but this is a less aesthetic option.
Pay attention to the door latching mechanism. If your model Ariston uses a magnetic lock, it also needs to be moved to the opposite side. To do this, remove the plastic casing from the end of the door, move the magnet into the corresponding symmetrical hole and secure it.
Don't forget to move the door opening limiter, if it is provided for in the design. This element prevents the door from swinging open at an angle of more than 90-110 degrees, protecting the hinges from overload. Its transfer requires care, as it often involves working with small parts.
Installing hinges and installing doors on the new side
After preparing the body and doors, we proceed to assembly. You should always start installation from the bottom door (freezer), if it is located at the bottom. Install the lower hinge in a new place, inserting it into the prepared holes in the body, and tighten the mounting bolts. Do not tighten them all the way at once - this will allow you to correct the position.
Insert the lower hinge pin into the corresponding hole on the door and put the door in place. Then install the middle partition (if it is removable) and secure it. After this, the upper door is hung. The process requires precise placement into the hinge holes, so it is better to perform this operation together.
| Installation stage | Action | Control parameter |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom hinge | Fixation on body | No backlash |
| Door installation | Putting on a pin | Uniform clearance around the perimeter |
| Top hinge | Attachment to the body | Tight fit without distortion |
| Adjustment | Tightening the bolts | Free opening |
When all doors are installed, check their work. They should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. When released, the doors should close tightly on their own, thanks to the magnets and a slight tilt of the body back. If the door slams or does not fit completely, you will need height adjustment refrigerator legs.
Adjusting gaps and eliminating distortions
Correct adjustment is the key to the longevity of the compressor and the preservation of products. If after rehanging you notice that the door does not fit tightly, first check the cleanliness of the seal. Dirt or crumbs may interfere with airtight closure.
To eliminate distortions, use the adjusting screws on the hinges (if provided by the model) or change the height of the refrigerator legs. By rotating the front supports clockwise, you raise the angle, counterclockwise, you lower it. Achieve a position where the upper edge of the door is 1-2 cm higher than the lower edge.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the door open for more than 10-15 minutes during adjustment. Warm air getting inside causes the compressor Ariston to work with increased load, trying to restore the temperature, which reduces its service life.
Check the gaps between the door and the body around the entire perimeter. They should be the same. If there is a larger gap at the top than at the bottom, it means the door is warped. In such cases, sometimes it is necessary to loosen the hinges, adjust the position of the door and tighten the bolts again.
After final adjustment, turn on the refrigerator. Let it work for 2-3 hours without loading food to make sure that the temperature mode operates correctly and that there are no extraneous noises that could appear due to the body being skewed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to rehang the door on an Ariston refrigerator with the No Frost system?
Yes, on most models Ariston with the No Frost system, rehanging is possible. However, such models often contain wires to control electronics or lighting, which require careful disconnection and reconnection. Be careful when working with electrical components.
What to do if the hinge holes on the new side are closed?
In some budget or older models, the holes may be closed with factory plugs that need to be squeezed out, or they may not be there at all. If there are no technological holes, drilling the housing yourself is not recommended, as you can damage the internal insulation circuit. In this case, it is better to contact a service center.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice or food in the compartment that could spill when tilting or removing shelves, it is better to empty the compartments. The main thing is to prevent water from getting on the electrical contacts when removing the doors.
Why, after rehanging, does the door not hold and open itself?
Most likely, the angle of the body is broken. The door is held closed by magnets and gravity. If the refrigerator is standing strictly vertically or tilted forward, the door will open on its own. Adjust the front legs by lifting the front part of the unit.
Where can I get new plugs for the holes if the old ones are lost?
Plugs can be found in furniture fittings stores, selected by color and diameter, or you can order original spare parts from the catalog Ariston. They can also be found in service centers for the repair of household appliances.