Many owners of modern Home appliance companies are faced with a situation where the standard refrigeration configuration no longer fits the layout of the updated kitchen or simply becomes inconvenient for daily use. Reversing the door of an Electrolux refrigerator is a standard procedure provided by the manufacturer, which allows you to change the opening side of the door to the opposite direction, providing ergonomic access to products. This operation does not require calling a specialist and can be performed independently if you have a basic set of tools and carefully study the design.
The main difficulty of the process lies in the correct sequence of dismantling the elements and maintaining the integrity of all fastening units, since hinge group Electrolux refrigerators have their own design features. Incorrect actions can lead to misalignment of the sash, failure of the seal, or even damage to the housing. In this article, we will analyze in detail each stage of the work, paying special attention to the nuances characteristic of this brand’s equipment.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before starting any manipulations with equipment, it is necessary to ensure a safe and comfortable workspace. You will need a clear area in front of the refrigerator that is at least one and a half meters wide to be able to set aside the removed parts and move freely around the device. The lighting must be sufficient, since many fasteners are in darkened niches or have a black color that blends with the contours of the body.
As for the tools, Electrolux models most often require a minimum set, which can be found in the arsenal of any home craftsman. The main tool will be hex key (usually 4 or 5 mm in size), which comes with the refrigerator, or its equivalent from a set of bits. You will also need a flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, and some models may require an 8 or 10mm socket.
- 🔧 Hex keys (metric sizes 4 mm, 5 mm)
- 🔨 Screwdrivers (phillips PH2 and flat SL)
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges
- 🧼 Clean rags for wiping parts
It is important to understand that the design of the refrigerator involves the presence of heavy elements, so having an assistant will greatly simplify the process. Although theoretically you can do it alone, the risk of dropping the door or damaging the shelf during dismantling when working without safety nets increases significantly.
Removing the top panel and decorative elements
The process begins with releasing the upper part of the refrigerator compartment. On most Electrolux models, the top panel (cover) is secured with screws, access to which can be hidden by decorative plugs. Carefully pry up the plastic plugs with a flathead screwdriver or knife, being careful not to damage them, as they will be needed for final assembly on the opposite side.
After unscrewing the mounting screws, the top cover must be moved forward and removed. At this point, be extremely careful: inside the covers there are often electrical wiress leading to the lighting lamp or control display. Sudden movements can lead to broken wiring or damage to contacts.
⚠️ Attention: Before disconnecting any electrical connectors, be sure to turn off the power to the refrigerator by removing the plug from the outlet. Even low-voltage voltage can be dangerous if short-circuited, and accidental damage to the control board will lead to costly repairs.
Display mounting features
If on your model the display is located on the door, the wires may go through the top hinge. In such cases, special care is required when disconnecting the connectors - they often have plastic clips that need to be pressed with your finger rather than pulled by the wires.
After disconnecting the connectors, put the cover in a safe place. Your access to the top hinge is now completely open. Check for additional plastic covers on the hinge itself, which may also interfere with access to the bolts. It is recommended to put all removed small parts, such as screws and plugs, in a separate container so as not to lose them during operation.
Removing the refrigerator door
The next step is to dismantle the refrigerator door itself. The top hinge holds the door in a vertical position, and it bears the main load. Use a suitable wrench (most often it 5 mm hexagon or a socket head) to unscrew the bolts securing the hinge to the refrigerator body.
After the fasteners are loosened, do not rush to remove the hinge completely. First, you need to carefully lift the door to disengage it from the lower support, if the design requires this, or simply remove it along with the hinge if it is attached directly to the door. For models with magnetic locks or a complex closing system, it may be necessary to first unlock the mechanism.
- 🚪 Unscrew the upper hinge bolts
- 👐 Carefully lift the door to remove it from the lower support
- 🔌 Disconnect the wires (if the door has display)
- 📦 Place the door in a safe horizontal position
Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface (for example, a blanket or cardboard) with the outer side facing down to avoid scratching the front panel. If installed on the door seal, make sure that it is not pinched or deformed during storage. Now you have access to the lower part of the structure and the ability to rearrange the elements.
☑️ Ready to remove the door
Rearranging the lower support and fittings
The most crucial moment is moving the lower support sleeve and the central pin to the opposite side. At the bottom of the refrigerator, under the door, there is a plastic or metal sleeve into which the door axis rests. It can be simply inserted into the hole or secured with a screw.
To remove the bushing, use pliers or carefully pry it off with a screwdriver. If it is secured with a screw, unscrew it and move the element into a symmetrical hole on the other side. Please note that in some Electrolux models there may be a plugplug in an unused hole, which also needs to be moved to the free space to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
Now let's take care of the fittings for the door itself. On it there is a counter part of the loop and often a handle (if it is not through). The handle must be removed by unscrewing hidden screws (usually they are located under decorative trims or on the inside of the door) and installed on the opposite edge. When tightening the screws, do not use excessive force to avoid stripping the threads in the plastic bushings.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the rearranged handle and hinges are installed symmetrically. Even a minimal distortion will result in the door not closing tightly or requiring significant force to open.
Installing the door on a new side
After preparing all the elements, you can begin assembly. Place the top hinge in its new location (on the opposite side of the case) and attach the mounting bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door when hanging.
Invite an assistant to jointly install the door in place. Align the door's bottom pivot with the previously installed support sleeve, then secure the top into the hinge. If the model is equipped with a system SoftClose (closer), make sure that the mechanism is properly engaged.
Tighten the upper hinge bolts. It is important to maintain a balance here: the fasteners must be securely fixed, but without overtightening, which can deform the metal. Check the vertical installation of the door visually or using a level, if you have one at hand.
Adjusting the position and checking the tightness
The final stage is adjustment. The door should open freely, without creaking or jamming, and when released in the half-open position (approximately 30-40 degrees), it should either remain in place or be smoothly brought to close (depending on the model). If the door warps, loosen the top bolts and slightly move the hinge in the desired direction.
Pay special attention to checking the tightness. The seal must fit evenly around the entire perimeter of the housing. You can check this in a simple way: hold a piece of paper between the door and the body at different points. If the paper is removed with force, the tightness is good; if it falls out freely, adjustment is required.
The table below shows the main parameters that need to be checked after installation:
| Check parameter | Normal condition | Action when deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Gap between the door and the body | Uniform around the perimeter | Loosen the hinges and level |
| Tightness of the seal | Paper clamps tightly | Warm the seal with a hair dryer or replace |
| Operation of the closer | Smooth closing | Check the installation of the hinge axis |
| Noise level when closing | Silent clap | Check for foreign objects |
Do not forget to return all decorative plugs and install the top cover of the refrigerator, connecting all electrical connectors. Make sure that the wires are not pinched anywhere and do not touch moving parts.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
If you do it yourself When rehanging doors, users often make typical mistakes that can ruin all efforts. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of screws of different lengths. Remember that using a longer screw in a short hole can lead to piercing the wall the refrigerator and the release of freon, which will make the equipment unrepairable.
Another problem is ignoring the condition of the seal. If you removed the door, the seal may have become deformed. In this case, it must be straightened by warming it up with warm (not hot!) air from a hairdryer, or replaced with a new one if cracks appear.
- ❌ Using an impact tool (screwdriver at high speeds) can break the threads in the aluminum case
- ❌ Forgetfulness when connecting the display wires will lead to non-functioning control
- ❌ An attempt to hang the door without an assistant often ends in scratches on the floor or body
If after all the manipulations the refrigerator begins to make more noise than usual, check whether the door touches the protrusions of the body or shelf when opening. Sometimes additional adjustment of the height of the legs of the refrigerator is required to correctly tilt the body back, which ensures spontaneous closing of the door.
What to do if the door does not close completely?
Check if anything inside is in the way (tall bottles, misaligned shelves). If there is order inside, inspect the seal - it may not fit correctly. Also check the angle of inclination of the refrigerator itself: it should be slightly tilted back.
Is it possible to hang the door if the refrigerator is built-in?
With built-in appliances, everything is more complicated. Often it is necessary to dismantle the facades of the kitchen unit and use special adapters. Without experience, it is better not to do such work yourself, as there is a high risk of damaging the furniture.
Do you need to wait after turning on the refrigerator?
Yes, after transportation and any work related to tilting or moving, the refrigerator needs to stand upright for at least 2-4 hours before turning on, so that the compressor oil flows into the crankcase.