The need to change the direction of opening the refrigerator door often arises when moving or remodeling kitchen space. Equipment owners Don may encounter a situation where the standard configuration interferes with comfortable access to products or disrupts the ergonomics of the room. Fortunately, the design of most models allows you to perform this operation yourself, without resorting to the services of expensive service centers.
The rehanging process requires care and adherence to the sequence of actions, since careless handling of fasteners can damage the housing or break the seal. Re-hanging doors is a procedure that takes from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the experience of the technician and the model of the unit. Before starting work, it is necessary to clear the work space and prepare the appropriate tools to avoid loss of small parts.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for refrigerators of the brand Don, taking into account the features of their design and fastening. You will learn how to properly dismantle old hinges, move the fittings to the opposite side and make final adjustments. Properly performed work will ensure a long service life of the seals and maintain the energy efficiency of the device.
Preparation of tools and workplace
The quality of the work directly depends on the preparation. To hang refrigerator doors Don you will need a set of simple tools that are usually found in the household. The main tool will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different bits (phillips and flathead). You may also need a wrench if the hinges are secured with hex bolts.
In addition to the main tool, prepare a container for storing screws and screws so that they do not get lost. It is very important to ensure good lighting of the working area, since some fasteners may be in hard-to-reach places or hidden by decorative plugs. Protective gloves will help to avoid cuts on sharp metal edges during dismantling.
☑️ Tools for work
Before starting active operations, it is recommended to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply and defrost it if ice has accumulated inside. This will not only protect you from electric shock, but will also make the unit lighter, which is important when manipulating the door. Remove all shelves and drawers so that they do not fall when the case is tilted.
Design features of Don refrigerators
Refrigerators Don, like many other models in the budget and mid-range segment, have a classic two-door or single-door design. Hinges in these devices are usually located on one side and can be reinstalled on the opposite side. It is important to understand that in some models the upper and lower hinges may differ in design, so they should not be confused when rearranged.
One of the key features is the presence sealing rubber, which may require special attention when repositioned. Unlike some premium brands, where the door can simply be removed and turned over, in technology Don it is often necessary to move the mating parts of the hinges and change the location of the handles if they are asymmetrical. In models with an upper freezer, it is often necessary to rearrange only the upper door, while the lower one remains on place, or vice versa, depending on the layout.
Nuances of asymmetrical handles
If your Don refrigerator model has door handles that are not symmetrical (hook-shaped on one side), you will need to purchase a set of handles for the opposite side or use universal plugs, if the design allows. In some cases, old handles can be turned over if the mounting design allows for this.
It is also worth considering the weight of the door. The freezer compartment is usually heavier than the main compartment due to thicker insulation and the presence of an evaporator. Therefore, when working with the upper door, you may need an assistant to hold it in an upright position while unscrewing the hinges.
Dismantling the door and removing old fittings
The process should begin by dismantling the upper part of the structure. First, remove the decorative cap from the top hinge, if present. Carefully remove the mounting bolts holding the top hinge. It is extremely important to have someone hold the door at this stage, since once the top fastener is removed, it will only be held in place by the bottom hinge or magnets.
After removing the top hinge, carefully lift the door and remove it from the bottom pin. Place the door on a soft surface (such as a blanket or cardboard) to avoid scratching the front panel. Now you can start removing the bottom hinge. Unscrew the bolts and remove the hinge from the refrigerator body.
- 🔧 Remove the decorative plugs from the holes for the hinges.
- 🔧 Unscrew the bolts of the upper hinge and remove it.
- 🔧 Remove the door from the lower pin and place it on soft surface.
- 🔧 Remove the lower hinge from the body.
Carefully inspect the removed parts. If there is dirt or old grease on the hinges, they need to be cleaned. Sometimes the refrigerator comes with special plugs for the holes that appear on the front side after moving the door. Find them in the documentation or box. Don There are special plugs for the holes that are formed on the front side after moving the door. Find them in the documentation or box.
If your refrigerator model requires rearranging the handle, now is the time to do this. Typically the handle is attached to two or four screws on the inside of the door. Unscrew them and install the handle in a new place, using the existing holes or drilling new ones, if provided for by the design.
Installing hinges on the opposite side
After preparing the surface and removing the old fittings, it is necessary to transfer the fasteners to the opposite side of the case. At the end of the refrigerator Don there should be technological holes closed with plastic plugs. Remove these plugs and install them in the vacated holes on the side where the door opened previously.
Install the bottom hinge in a new place. Insert the pin into the appropriate hole and tighten the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door when hanging. Make sure that the hinge sits evenly and is not distorted, as this directly affects the tightness.
Now you can hang the door. Have a helper hold the door while you align the bottom hinge hole with the door pin. Once the door is in place, install the top hinge. Insert the bolts into the holes of the body and hinges, after which you can proceed with the final fixation.
Tighten the bolts consistently and evenly to avoid distortion of the hinge. Excessive force may strip the threads in the metal housing, so proceed carefully. Make sure that all fasteners are securely fixed.
Adjusting the door position and checking the tightness
After installing the door in a new place, you need to check the correctness of its position. The door should close tightly, without gaps, and not open spontaneously when the refrigerator is slightly tilted. If you notice a distortion, you will need to adjust the height of the refrigerator legs or tighten the hinges.
Checking the tightness is a critical step. Take a piece of paper or a banknote and press it between the door and the body around the entire perimeter. If the paper comes out too easily or, conversely, breaks when you try to remove it, it means the pressure is uneven. In the first case, the door does not fit tightly, in the second it is pinched.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not stick | Hinges skewed or seal contamination | Adjusting the height of the legs, washing the rubber band |
| Large gap at the top | The upper hinge is not pressed enough | Loosen and press the upper hinge harder |
| The door opens itself | Tilt the body back | Unscrew the front adjusting feet |
| A squeak is heard | Friction of metal on metal | Lubricate the hinges with graphite grease |
To adjust the tilt of the body, use the front adjustable feet. By unscrewing them, you lift the front of the refrigerator, forcing the door to close using gravity. This is standard practice for most models Don.
Frequent errors and precautions
When performing work, beginners often make mistakes that can lead to equipment breakdown. One of the most common is the loss of fasteners. The bolts from the top and bottom hinges may differ in length, and if they are mixed up, you can damage the frame or not achieve the desired fixation.
⚠️ Attention: Never leave the refrigerator door hanging on only one bottom hinge without support. This creates a critical load on the metal and can lead to deformation of the door or separation of the lower hinge.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the seal. When re-hanging, the elastic may stretch or become deformed. If you notice that after installation the door does not fit tightly, try warming the seal with a hair dryer (not too hot air) and straightening it into the desired shape.
Also, do not forget about the safety of electrical wiring. On some models, the wiring for the door or display indication may be routed through the loop. Before completely removing the door, make sure that you disconnect the connectors, if any, so as not to break the wires.
⚠️ Attention: If your Don refrigerator model has a door sensor that goes through the hinge, be sure to disconnect the connector before removing the door. An attempt to remove the door without disconnecting the wire is guaranteed to lead to broken contacts.
Do not use excessive force when tightening the bolts. The metal of the refrigerator body is quite thin, and it is very easy to break the threads. If the bolt does not fit, check whether you have aligned the holes correctly.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Do you need to call a specialist to rehang the door?
In most cases this is not required. The process is quite simple and requires only basic tools. However, if you are not confident in your abilities or the refrigerator model has a complex system for attaching the display to the door, it is better to turn to professionals.
Is it possible to rehang the door without defrosting the refrigerator?
Technically this is possible, but it is highly not recommended. When tilting and moving, oil from the compressor can get into the cooling circuit, and water from the defrost can end up on the floor. It is better to turn off the unit and let it stand for several hours.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
Plugs can be bought in specialized stores of accessories for refrigerators or ordered from a service center. As a last resort, the holes can be closed with decorative stickers or plugs of a suitable diameter from other equipment.
Why does the door not close tightly after rehanging?
Most likely, the problem is incorrect adjustment of the height of the legs of the refrigerator or deformation of the rubber seal. Check the horizontal installation and, if necessary, warm up the seal.