Many owners of household appliances are faced with a situation when the kitchen layout changes or initially the refrigerator Indesit was installed with the inconvenient side towards the aisle. The possibility re-hang the doors is provided for by the design of most modern models, but this process requires care and adherence to the sequence of actions. Inaccurate work can lead to damage facade panel or disruption of the seal.
Before starting work, you need to make sure that your unit really allows for such manipulation. Usually the opportunity reverse is inherent in the design of the hinges and the presence of spare holes on the body. If you plan to do the work yourself, you will need a basic set of tools and some free space around the equipment. Ignoring the preparatory stage often leads to the process being delayed or ending in damage to the plastic.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for various models Indesit, paying special attention to the nuances of fastening handles and adjusting the position of the blade. Correctly performed re-hanging will not only improve the ergonomics of the kitchen space, but will also extend the service life of the sealing rubber, ensuring a tight fit of the sash.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To successfully complete the task of changing the opening side of the sash, you will need to prepare special tools. The main tool will be hex wrench or a set of heads, since most fasteners in the Indesit have a corresponding head. It is also a good idea to have a flathead and Phillips screwdriver on hand, as well as a soft rag to protect the surface.
Organizing free space is critical. You need to move the refrigerator away from the wall at least 1-1.5 meters in order to have access to the back and sides on all sides. It is advisable to cover the floor with cardboard or a soft covering so that an accidentally fallen loop or tool does not damage the floor covering.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the power supply and remove all food. It is better to remove heavy glass shelves in advance to reduce the overall weight and the risk of a fight.
Here is a list of what should be on hand before the start:
- 🔧 A set of hexagons (keys) of different sizes
- 🪛 Flat and Phillips screwdrivers sting
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from sharp edges
- 🧼 Soft cloth for wiping mechanisms
Make sure you have an assistant. The doors of refrigerators Indesit, especially two-chamber models, are quite heavy, and holding them with one hand while unscrewing boltsis almost impossible without the risk of dropping the structure.
Analysis of the design and search for hidden plugs
The design of refrigerator doors Indesit assumes the presence of decorative elements that hide the attachment points. The first step will be a careful inspection of the end parts and installation sites handles. Often the holes for fasteners on the reverse side are closed with plastic plugs that must be carefully removed.
Use a thin knife blade or an awl to pry out the round or rectangular inserts on the body. Be careful not to scratch paintwork or the texture of the plastic. In some models, the plugs can be quite tight, so you need to use excessive force wisely, loosening them from side to side.
Where to look for the plugs on different models?
On older Indesit models, the plugs are often located directly on the handles, which must first be removed. On new series, the attachment points can be hidden under decorative overlays at the ends of the doors, which are removed after dismantling the main hinges.
After removing all the decorative elements, you will have access to threaded holes. Check their presence on the opposite side of the case. If there are holes and they coincide with the holes on the doors, then the model is technically ready for reverse. The absence of holes on one side indicates that overhanging in this particular case is not structurally provided for.
Dismantling the top part and removing the top door
The disassembly process always starts from the top of the refrigerator. This is because the top door is usually smaller and lighter, allowing it to be safely removed to gain access to the bottom of the unit. First you need to loosen or completely unscrew top hingethat holds the door.
Ask an assistant to fix the door in a vertical position while you work with the fasteners. Once the top hinge bolts are removed, carefully remove the hinge and set it aside. Now the door is held only by the magnetic seal and its own weight, so hold it firmly.
☑️ Procedure for dismantling the top door
Having removed the top door, put it in a safe place, leaning it against the wall with its soft side. Now your attention should turn to the freezer lid (if it is located on top) or the top panel of the main body. Often this is where the fasteners for rearranging handles and installing intermediate elements are hidden.
In models with a system No Frost electrical wires can pass under the top cover. If you see connectors, they must be carefully disconnected, having first remembered or photographed the connection diagram. Do not pull the wires sharply, so as not to damage contacts.
Working with the bottom door and rearranging hinges
The bottom door of the refrigerator Indesit is the heaviest and largest, so its dismantling should be approached with special care responsibility. First you need to dismantle the intermediate loop that connects the upper and lower chambers. After its removal, the lower door is freed from the upper fastening.
Next, the lower support hinge should be removed. At this moment the door is completely freed from the body. Carefully remove it and set it aside. Now you need to move hinges to the opposite side. The bolts that you unscrewed on one side are screwed into the corresponding holes on the other, ensuring reliable fixation.
⚠️ Attention: When rearranging the hinges, watch the direction of the thread. Do not overtighten the bolts to avoid stripping the threads in the aluminum housing or plastic bushings.
Pay special attention to the pins and bushings. Some Indesit models use special locating pins that need to be moved into the new holes. The loss of even one small element can result in the door not closing tightly or being warped.
After installing the hinges in a new place, check their stability. They should fit tightly, without play. If you notice gaps, you may need to place a washer or check whether the guides are seated correctly guides.
Features of reinstalling Indesit handles
Handles on refrigerators Indesit can be attached in different ways: on screwed, latched or integrated into the door profile. If your model has protruding handles, they will most likely need to be moved to the other side. To do this, you need to remove the handles from their current location by unscrewing the fixing screws from inside the door or removing the decorative trims.
The process of removing handles often raises the most questions. The inside of the door is usually covered with a plastic panel or has technological holes closed with plugs. Find these access points. By unscrewing the fasteners, you can remove the handle. On the opposite side there should be similar holes where the fittings are installed The table below will help you navigate the types of handle fastening for different series:.
The table below will help you navigate the types of handle fastening for different series:
| Handle type | Fastener location | Tool | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in (pocket) | Absent (monolith) | Not required | Low |
| Horizontal overlay | From the inside of the door | 4 mm hexagon | Medium |
| Vertical end | Side, under plug | Phillips screwdriver | High |
| Hidden fastener | Under the decorative strip | Flat screwdriver | High |
If there are no holes for handles on the new side, and the door design suggests this, you may need to use special adapters included in the kit, or drill new holes (only if you are confident in your abilities and know the location of internal communications). In most cases, factory holes are already provided.
Assembly, adjustment and leak testing
The final stage is to assemble the structure in the reverse order. Install the bottom door onto the bottom hinge, then install the middle hinge (if equipped) and the top door. Secure everything bolts, but do not tighten them all the way “tight” yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the doors.
Check the vertical installation. Doors should hang straight, without distortion. The gap between the doors (in two-chamber models) should be the same along the entire length. If you see misalignment, loosen the fasteners and move the door slightly, then tighten again. After alignment, finally tighten all fasteners.
Now you need Check the tightness of the seal. Take a piece of paper and press it against the door. It should be removed with noticeable force around the entire perimeter. If the paper flies out freely, it means that the door does not fit tightly and the height or angle of inclination needs to be adjusted.
⚠️ Attention: After rehanging the doors, let the refrigerator stand turned off for 2-3 hours before turning it on. This is necessary so that the refrigerant and oil in the compressor take their normal places after the equipment is tilted.
Plug in the unit and check the operation during the first hours. The doors should close tightly, and the magnetic seal should provide a tight seal. If you have completed all the steps in the instructions, your Indesit is ready for operation with the new configuration.
Remember that regularly checking the condition of the hinges and seals will help avoid problems with cooling in future. If you notice that the door begins to close worse after some time, you may need to re-adjust or replace worn parts. or replacing worn parts.
Is it possible to rehang the door if there are no holes on the body?
If there are no holes on the opposite side of the body factory threaded holes, it is impossible to rehang the door in the standard way. Drilling new holes in the refrigerator body is strictly not recommended, as this may damage the insulation or internal components. In this case, you will have to leave the configuration as is or contact a specialized service for advice on the availability of rare adapters.
What to do if the door does not fit tightly after rehanging?
A loose fit is most often caused by incorrect adjustment of the height of the hinges or contamination of the seal. Try loosening the top hinge and slightly raising or lowering the door. Also check if anything inside the refrigerator (for example, a protruding shelf) is preventing it from closing tightly.
Is it necessary to change the seal when re-hanging the doors?
Replacing the seal is not a necessary procedure when re-hanging if the old rubber profile is intact, elastic and has no cracks. However, if you notice that the old seal has become deformed (“remembered” the old opening side), you can warm it up with a hairdryer or replace it with a new one for perfect tightness.
How long does the rehanging procedure take?
For an experienced master, the process takes about 30-40 minutes. For a beginner performing this operation for the first time and acting carefully, it is worth setting aside 1 to 1.5 hours, including time for preparing tools, dismantling, rearranging elements and final adjustment.