Changing the opening side of the refrigerator compartment is a procedure that often becomes necessary when remodeling a kitchen or purchasing a new set. Equipment owners Gorenje face this issue regularly, as the brand offers a wide range of models with a universal hinge design. Many users look for video instructions to visually assess the complexity of the process before picking up the tools. In practice, rehanging the door takes from 20 to 40 minutes, if you act carefully and consistently.
The main difficulty lies not so much in unscrewing the bolts, but in the correct order of dismantling the elements and maintaining the integrity of the seal. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to sash distortion or damage to the plastic plugs. In this material, we will analyze the technical nuances characteristic of different series of refrigerators Gorenjeand provide a clear algorithm of actions that will replace your search for scattered videos on the Internet.
It is worth noting that the design of the hinges may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture and the specific model of the unit. However, the basic principle remains the same: the top loop is released first, and the bottom loop is released last. Before starting work, be sure to clear the space in front of the refrigerator and prepare a flat surface on which you can place the removed door.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task, you will need a minimum set of tools, which is usually in the arsenal of any home craftsman. The main tool will be a wrench or a set of sockets, since the fastening bolts are often tightened with force. You also cannot do without a Phillips screwdriver for removing handles and plastic plugs. Some models may require a flathead screwdriver to carefully remove decorative elements.
Preparing the space is a critical step. You need to remove all items within a meter radius of the refrigerator so that you have easy access from all sides. The door will have to be removed completely, so make sure you have room to lay it flat without scratching the bezel. A soft blanket or cardboard spread on the floor is ideal.
- 🔧 A set of wrenches or a ratchet with heads (most often 8, 10 mm)
- 🪛 Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers for screws and plugs
- 🧤 Work gloves for protecting your hands from sharp metal edges
- 🧼 Clean rags for wiping the hinges from old grease
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This will prevent the compressor from accidentally turning on or damaging the wiring if the door has sensors or displays.
Do not use impact tools or excessive force if the bolt will not come off. It is better to treat the connection with penetrating lubricant and wait a few minutes. The use of unsuitable tools can tear off the edges of the bolts, which will turn a simple procedure into a serious problem with drilling out fasteners.
Design features of Gorenje doors
Refrigerators Gorenje are famous for their reliable fittings, but the design of the hinges has its own characteristics. Most modern models use a system where the top hinge is fixed with three bolts, and the bottom has an adjusting screw. It is important to understand that the handle can be built into the door profile or attached separately, which affects the initial stage of dismantling.
Particular attention should be paid to models with a system NoFrost or a display on the door. In such cases, a wiring harness may pass through the top loop. It cannot simply be pulled or pinched; the connector must be carefully disconnected. If your model does not have electronics on the door, the process is simplified since there are no wires.
The decorative plugs on the hinges are made of plastic and can be fragile, especially if the refrigerator is many years old. When removing them, proceed carefully, prying with a flat object. a lost plug will be difficult to find, and leaving the hole open is unaesthetic and harmful to thermal insulation.
What to do if the bolt is rusty?
If the upper hinge bolt does not give in, do not use force. Treat it with WD-40 and leave for 15-20 minutes. You can also lightly tap the head of the bolt (not the thread!) to destroy the layer of rust inside the thread.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the door
The process of removing the door begins from the top of the unit. First you need to remove the top decorative panel or plug to gain access to the mounting bolts. In models with an upper freezer compartment, the freezer door is first removed if the design involves sequential dismantling, but most often in two-chamber refrigerators Gorenje the main refrigerator compartment is removed.
After freeing access to the top hinge, loosen the bolts, but do not unscrew them completely yet. This is necessary so that the door does not fall on your feet. Have an assistant hold the sash while you finally unscrew the fasteners. Then the door is carefully lifted and removed from the lower pin.
☑️ Checklist before removing the door
The lower hinge is dismantled after the door has already been removed and set aside. This simplifies access to fasteners and avoids unnecessary manipulations with a heavy structure. Clean the mounting location from dust and old grease before installing it on the new side.
| Work stage | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preparation | Removing shelves and turning off power | Hands |
| 2. Upper hinge | Removing the plug and loosening the bolts | Screwdriver, key |
| 3. Dismantling | Removing the door from the lower pin | Assistant |
| 4. Bottom hinge | Unscrewing the bottom fastening | Key/head |
If the door has a handle that needs to be rearranged, look for hidden mounting holes. They are often closed with small plastic plugs or under a decorative trim. Unscrew the handle and put it in a safe place so as not to lose the screws.
Installing the hinges and hanging them on the new side
Moving the bottom hinge to the opposite side is the key. Refrigerator cases Gorenje usually have threaded holes on both sides. Make sure you screw the pin into the correct hole to match the new opening side. Often the case is marked "L" (left) and "R" (right), indicating the purpose of the holes.
The top hinge is also transferred to the new side. Here it is important to correctly install the door opening limiter, if it is provided for in the design. This element prevents the door from hitting the side of the refrigerator when opened suddenly. Do not mix up the side of the stopper installation, otherwise the door will not open completely or, on the contrary, too wide.
When hanging the door, work with an assistant. One person holds the door, the other guides the bottom pin into the hinge hole. After hitting the groove, the door lowers and you can begin to fix the top hinge. Do not tighten the bolts “tightly” right away - first tighten everything by hand, level the door, and only then make the final tightening.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the door, make sure that the sealing rubber does not tuck. If the rubber band becomes wrinkled, the door will not close tightly, and the refrigerator will work with overload.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
After installing the door in place, you need to check the tightness and absence of distortions. The door should close with a characteristic bang, but without excessive force. If you notice that one side does not fit snugly, you will need to adjust the height of the bottom hinge. In most models Gorenje an adjusting screw is provided for this.
Checking the tightness can be done in a simple way: clamp a sheet of paper between the door and the body in different places around the perimeter. If the paper is pulled out with force along its entire length, the seal is in order. If in some place the paper falls out freely, then there is a gap that needs to be eliminated.
- 👀 Visually inspect the perimeter of the door for gaps when closed
- 📄 Use the "sheet test" method to check the seal pressure
- 🔧 If necessary, tighten the lower hinge adjusting screws
A common problem After re-hanging, the closure becomes loose due to the fact that the refrigerator is not level. Make sure the legs of the refrigerator are adjusted so that the body tilts slightly backwards. This ensures that the door closes self-closing when opened by less than 90 degrees.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
One of the most common mistakes is the loss of fasteners elements. Bolts from different hinges may have different lengths and threads. To avoid confusion, it is recommended to put the fasteners from each hinge into separate containers or label them. By mixing up long and short bolts, you can damage the body or fail to achieve the desired fixation.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the seal. When dismantling, the old rubber band can be accidentally damaged or stretched. If you notice cracks or deformation of the seal after rehanging, it is better to replace it. The new elastic band will provide proper thermal insulation and save energy.
⚠️ Attention: Never use vegetable oil to lubricate the hinges! It thickens over time, turns into a sticky mass and can damage the plastic and rubber elements of the mechanism.
If after all the manipulations the door does not close tightly, check whether the products on the shelves are in the way. Sometimes simply rearranging the cans or bags is enough to fix the problem. Also make sure that you do not confuse the top and bottom when installing the door itself (relevant for models with an asymmetric design).
Is it possible to re-hang the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
Formally, re-hanging the door yourself does not void the warranty on the compressor and main components if you have not damaged the housing, wiring or hinges in process. However, if you strip threads or break plastic, the service center may refuse to repair those specific items free of charge. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call a specialist.
What to do if after rehanging the door does not magnetize?
Most likely, the installation geometry is broken or the seal does not fit. Check the bottom hinge adjustment. It is also possible that the magnetic tape in the seal has become demagnetized over time or was damaged during installation. In rare cases, heating the seal with a hairdryer (carefully!) helps to restore elasticity.
Do you need to wait before turning it on after re-weighing it?
If you did not tilt the refrigerator strongly and did not touch the cooling system, there is no need to wait. However, if the refrigerator was standing on its side or tilted strongly during work, it is recommended to let it stand upright for 2-4 hours before turning it on, so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.
In conclusion, rehanging the refrigerator door Gorenje is a task that can be completely solved at home. The main thing is to take your time, maintain consistency and ensure the safety of all details. Properly performed work will extend the life of your equipment and make its use more convenient in the new kitchen conditions.