Rearranging furniture or moving to a new apartment often dictates its layout conditions, making you think about how to hang the Indesit refrigerator door to the other side. This procedure allows you to adapt dimensional equipment to the characteristics of the kitchen space, providing more convenient access to shelves and products. The owner can do this work independently, without resorting to the paid services of service centers, if he has basic skills in working with the tool.
The process of changing the opening side of the sash requires care and adherence to a strict sequence of actions, since the design of hinges and fastenings may differ between models. Incorrect assembly can lead to misalignment, loss of seal tightness and even damage to the housing. Critical important prepare a flat surface and free up sufficient space around the unit before starting work.
In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of dismantling and installation, paying special attention to the nuances of the work with electronics and magnetic locks. You'll learn what tools you'll need, how to avoid losing small parts, and what to pay attention to when making final adjustments. Proper re-hanging will extend the life of the mechanism and preserve the aesthetic appearance of your kitchen.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply by removing the plug from the outlet to eliminate the risk of electric shock or short circuit.
Necessary tools and worker training places
Quality completion of a task directly depends on how well you prepared for the process. You will need not only physical strength, but also a certain set of tools, which it is advisable to collect in advance so as not to be distracted during the process. The absence of the required screwdriver or wrench can lead to thread breakage or damage to decorative plugs.
The main tool will be a set of screwdrivers, including both flat and Phillips versions of various sizes. You may also need an 8 or 10 mm wrench or socket, depending on your model. For some modifications with electronic control, you will need a thin flat-head screwdriver to disconnect the cables. Indesit. Some electronically controlled versions will require a thin flathead screwdriver to disconnect the cables.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for unscrewing the screws.
- 🔩 A wrench or socket head (usually 8-10 mm) for the loop bolts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges and dirt.
- 🧹 Clean rags for wiping surfaces and removing dust.
The work place should be spacious and well lit. It is recommended to cover the floor with cardboard or soft material to avoid scratching the floor covering and the door itself when temporarily placing it. If you have an assistant, this will greatly simplify the process, since refrigerator doors are quite heavy and bulky.
☑️ Preparing to rehang the door
Dismantling the upper door and upper hinge
The disassembly process always starts from the top of the unit. First you need to remove the decorative plug that hides the fasteners of the top hinge. It can be round or rectangular, sometimes to remove it you need to pry off the edge with a thin knife or flat-head screwdriver.
After removing the plug, you will see the mounting bolts. They need to be unscrewed, but not removed completely yet, if the design involves holding the door. In some models top hinge fixes the position of the door, so you need to hold it with a second hand or ask an assistant.
Carefully lift the door up to remove it from the lower pin or free it from the fastenings if the hinge is already completely unscrewed. Place the removed part face up on the prepared surface to avoid damaging the finish. Now you can completely unscrew the bolts and remove the top hinge itself from the refrigerator body.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the door leaning against the wall or body without secure fixation - it may fall and break the glass shelves or damage the seal.
If your model allows for reversing the handle, now is the time to do this. The handle can be screwed on the inside or have hidden fasteners. Remove the fasteners and move the handle to the opposite side, using the holes provided by the manufacturer.
What to do if the screws are rusty?
If the fasteners do not unscrew, treat them with a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40) and leave for 10-15 minutes. Sharp jerks can lead to licking of the edges of the screw head.
Removing and rearranging the lower door
After working with the upper part, attention switches to the lower section, especially when it comes to two-chamber models. Here the process is similar: the decorative elements are removed, the bolts of the middle hinge are unscrewed, which now becomes the top hinge for the bottom door.
Remove the bottom door, carefully holding it. Pay attention to the condition sealing rubber: if it is severely deformed, when re-hanging, the tightness may be broken, and then the seal will need to be replaced. Clean the ends of the door from dirt.
There are technological holes on the refrigerator body and on the door itself, closed with plastic plugs. Those holes that were used will become free after transferring the loops, and they need to be closed with plugs. Conversely, the plugs on the new side are opened for installation of fasteners.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Dismantling and transfer | Key 8-10 mm |
| Middle hinge | Changing the mounting side | Phillips screwdriver |
| Decorative plugs | Rearranging to new ones places | Thin tip |
| Door handles | Dismantling and installation | Set of screwdrivers |
Install the door in a new place by inserting the lower pin into the corresponding hole. Secure the middle hinge with the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet to allow for adjustment. This is an important stage that requires precision.
The nuances of working with electronics and magnetic locks
Modern models Indesit are often equipped with electronic controls, displays on the door or a system Smart Door. If your door has a screen or indicators, there is a cable running inside the case that must be disconnected before removing the door.
Connectors can be of different types: some snap on, others have locking tabs. Proceed carefully and do not jerk the wires sharply. When reinstalling, make sure that the cable is not pinched and is of sufficient length to open the door 180 degrees.
The magnetic locks that hold the door in the closed position deserve special attention. When reversing the door, you need to move the magnet to the opposite side. To do this, remove the plastic cover from the end, remove the magnet and install it in a symmetrical hole on the other side.
In some cases, it is necessary to re-flash or set the operating mode through the menu so that the refrigerator “understands” that the door is now it opens differently, although in most models Indesit this is done mechanically. Check the operation of the door opening sensor, which signals with a sound if the door is open for a long time.
⚠️ Attention: When working with electronic components, avoid static electricity and do not allow moisture to contact the contacts of the cables.
Assembling the structure and installing hinges
Assembly is carried out in in the reverse order of dismantling, but taking into account the new opening side. Install all hinges in new places using the holes provided for this purpose. Screw in the bolts, but as mentioned earlier, do not fully tighten them at this stage.
Make sure that all plastic plugs are in place: open holes should be closed and working holes should be free for fastening. This is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also protects the inside of the case from dust and moisture.
Check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself. If the floor is uneven, use adjustable feet on the bottom of the unit. Correct level installation is the key to ensuring that the door will close on its own and not warp over time.
- 📐 Check the installation level of the refrigerator using a building level.
- 🔩 Tighten all hinge bolts after final positioning.
- 🚪 Make sure the door moves freely without jamming.
- 🧲 Check the tightness of the magnetic seal around the entire perimeter.
Now you can finally tighten all the fasteners. Make sure that the hinges are not loose, but also not overtightened to the point where the metal begins to deform. The mechanism should operate smoothly.
Adjustment and leak testing
The last and most important stage is checking the quality of the work performed. The door should close tightly, without gaps. If you notice that the seal does not fit in some place, you may need to adjust the height of the hinges or the position of the refrigerator itself.
Do a test with a sheet of paper: clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places and try to pull it out. If the sheet is removed too easily or, on the contrary, breaks, it means that the pressure is uneven. In the first case, the door is skewed, in the second it is overtightened.
Let the refrigerator stand off for a couple of hours if it was tilted or transported heavily during operation. This is necessary to stabilize the compressor oil. After turning on, listen to the operation of the unit - there should be no extraneous sounds.
What to do if the door does not close tightly after rehanging?
Check whether anything is interfering with the seal (crumbs, bag). Make sure the refrigerator is standing straight or tilted slightly backwards. If the problem is in the hinges, try loosening the fasteners and re-aligning the door, then tighten it.
Is it possible to rehang a door if it has a display?
Yes, you can, but it requires more caution. It is necessary to carefully disconnect the cable, move it to the other side (if the length and design allows) or switch it to the appropriate connector, if such a possibility is provided in a particular model.
Do you need to call a specialist to rehang the door?
In most cases, no, if you confidently hold the tools. However, if you have a Side-by-Side model or a refrigerator with a No Frost system of complex design, where disassembly of a large number of panels is required, the help of a specialist may be justified.
How long does the seal last after re-hanging?
The service life of the seal depends on its quality and operating conditions, and not on the fact of re-hanging. However, if during installation you stretch the rubber too much or damage it, the seal may break prematurely. A careful attitude guarantees long service.
Does re-hanging affect the warranty?
Re-hanging the door yourself, as a rule, is not a warranty case if the refrigerator components were not damaged in the process. However, if you break the hinge or scratch the body, warranty repairs for these damages may be denied.