How to move the door of an LG refrigerator to the other side

Changing the kitchen layout or simply the desire to optimize the workspace often dictates new requirements for the location of household appliances. Owners of refrigeration units LG often face the need to change the direction of opening the door leaf in order to provide convenient access to products. Fortunately, the design of most modern models provides for this possibility, allowing reinstallation without calling a technician.

The rehanging process requires care, a basic set of tools and a clear understanding of the sequence of actions. Incorrect assembly can lead to sash misalignment, leakage or damage to the decorative elements of the body. In this article, we will analyze each stage in detail so that you can safely and efficiently change the opening side.

Before starting any manipulations, make sure that the unit is disconnected from the power supply. This is critical for safety as some models have electrical connections near the hinges or handles. Preparation of the workplace also plays an important role: free up space around the equipment for free movement.

One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the type of loops in your model. Refrigerators LG can use both classic mechanical hinges and hidden mechanisms that require a special approach. You can determine the type of fastening by carefully examining the upper part of the body, where the main supporting loop is usually located.

⚠️ Attention: Do not try to forcefully tear off the decorative plugs. The plastic on older models can be fragile, and careless movement will lead to the formation of chips that cannot be disguised.

If you are the owner of a model with a door display or system Door-in-Door, the procedure is complicated by the presence of additional cables. In such cases reweighing is possible only if the length of the cable connections allows them to be moved to the opposite side without tension. Otherwise, you will need to replace the wiring or abandon the idea of ​​​​rearranging.

Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace

Quality preparation determines the success of the entire operation. You don't need professional equipment, but the set should be complete. The main tool will be a wrench, the size of which depends on the model, but most often it is 8 mm or 10 mm.

To protect surfaces from scratches, prepare thick cardboard or a soft blanket, which you need to lay on the floor in front of the refrigerator. This is especially true if you have laminate or parquet flooring, which can easily be damaged by a dropped tool or the corner of a unit.

• 🔧 A wrench or set of sockets (often an 8 mm or 10 mm size is required).
• 🪛 Phillips and flathead screwdrivers for removing plugs and handles.
• 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
• 📦 Container for folding small fasteners.

It is important to ensure good lighting of the work area. Dim light can cause you to miss a small retaining screw or misjudge the position of the washers. Space Organization

Check that the refrigerator is installed horizontally before starting work. If the frame feet are not adjusted correctly, the door may not lock into place the first time. Use a building level to control the position of the unit relative to the floor.

Dismantling the top hinge and removing the door

The first step is always working with the upper part of the structure. This is where the main support hinge is located, holding the weight of the door leaf. Carefully remove the decorative cover, which may be secured with latches or screws.

Use a wrench to loosen the top hinge bolts. Do not unscrew them completely at once - it is enough to loosen the tension to be able to remove the fasteners. In some models LG the bolts may be hidden under plastic plugs that need to be pryed off with a flat screwdriver.

After removing the fasteners, the upper hinge is released. However, the door is still supported by the lower awning. To remove the door, you will need an assistant to hold the heavy door while you completely unscrew the top hinge bolts.

⚠️ Attention: The refrigerator door is heavy and has an offset center of gravity. A sudden breakdown can lead to leg injury or damage to the floor covering.

The removed door must be carefully placed in a safe place; it is best to place it on prepared cardboard with the outer side facing up. This will prevent scratches on the glossy surface. Now access to the internal mechanisms and the lower hinge is open.

☑️ Dismantling steps

Disconnect the refrigerator from the mainsRemove the upper decorative panelLoosen the bolts of the upper hingeRemove the door from the lower canopyRemove the lower hinge

Done: 0 / 5

Carefully inspect the removed hinge. Rubber seals or plastic bushings may remain on it. They should not be lost, as they ensure quiet operation and compensate for vibration when closing.

Working with the lower hinge and axis of rotation

The lower hinge is the counterpart part of the mechanism and often serves as the axis of rotation. In refrigerators LG it is usually fixed with bolts, access to which opens after removing the door. Unscrew the fasteners and remove the hinge from the seat.

Pay attention to the condition of the axle. If traces of rust or dirt are visible on it, be sure to wipe it with a rag and lubricate it with graphite lubricant. This will ensure smooth movement of the door in the future and extend the service life of the mechanism.

• 🔩 Remove the lower hinge from the body.
• 🧹 Clean the mounting hole from dust and debris.
• 🛢️ Lubricate the axle and bushings with a suitable lubricant.
• 🔄 Prepare a plug for the vacated hole on the old side.

Now you need to move the fastening elements to the opposite side. The refrigerator body has technological holes closed with plastic plugs. Carefully remove the plugs from the new side of the installation and install them in the old places.

Install the bottom hinge into the new seat on the opposite side. Secure it with the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door when hanging.

What to do if the holes do not match?

In some rare cases, for models of different years of manufacture, the holes may not match perfectly. This may indicate that your specific modification requires a special reversal kit or adapter. Check the technical documentation.

Check the reliability of the lower support. It will bear the main load when opening, so play is unacceptable here. Use a torque wrench or just act carefully so as not to strip the threads in the aluminum case.

Transferring the handle and fittings

The most time-consuming step is moving the handle. Depending on the model LG, the handle can be hidden (embedded in the end of the door) or overhead. Hidden handles are often fastened with screws from the inside of the door leaf.

To access the hidden handle fasteners, you may need to remove the inner door panel or simply unscrew the screws if they are accessible through technological holes. Be careful: the plastic inside the door is thin and breaks easily with excessive force.

If you have a model with an overhead handle, the process is easier. Unscrew the fastener from one side of the end and screw it on the other using the provided holes. Often this requires removing the side plugs.

Handle type	Fastener location	Tool	Complexity
Hidden (mortise)	Inside the end of the door	Phillips screwdriver	High
Label	Outside at the end	Hexagon	Low
Integrated	Behind the decorative strip	Flat screwdriver	Medium
Push-to-open	Absent (mechanism inside)	Not required	Minimum

After transferring the handle, check its reliability. It should not wobble or make squeaks. If you find that the screws are spinning, try using a thread lock or replacing them with slightly longer ones, if the design allows.

Don't forget to rearrange the decorative elements and plugs. They protect the mechanism from dust and moisture, which is especially important for the kitchen, where there is high humidity and the presence of grease fumes.

Installing the door on a new side

Now that the bottom hinge is installed and the handle has been moved, you can begin hanging the door. This step is best done together. Lift the door leaf and place its lower hole on the axis of the lower hinge.

Align the door vertically and place the upper part against the body. Make sure the holes on the top hinge line up with the holes on the end of the door. Insert the bolts and start tightening them by hand.

Tighten the top hinge bolts evenly, alternating them. First lightly grab one, then the other, and only after that do the final tightening with a wrench. This will avoid distortion.

⚠️ Attention: When installing the door, make sure that the wires (if any) are not pinched between the metal parts of the body. Damage to the insulation can lead to a short circuit.

Check the operation of the magnetic seal. The door must fit against the body around its entire perimeter without gaps. If you see gaps, you may need to adjust the height of the refrigerator legs or the position of the hinges.

For models with a display, you must carefully place the cable in the channel intended for it and connect the connector. Make sure the connector clicks into place. After this, install the decorative cover of the upper hinge.

Adjustment and leak testing

The final stage is checking the quality of the work performed. Open and close the door several times. The move should be smooth, without jerks or squeaks. The door should open under its own weight to a certain angle, and then be adjusted with a magnet.

Check the tightness with a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp a piece of paper around the perimeter of the door. If it is pulled out with force along its entire length, then the seal fits well. If in some places the paper falls out freely, adjustment is required.

• 📏 Check the gaps between the door and the body - they should be uniform.
• 🚪 Make sure that the door does not touch adjacent furniture when opening.
• 💡 Check the operation of the internal lighting (contacts should open).
• ❄️ After switching on, watch for the formation of condensation.

If the door is skewed, you can adjust the position using the adjusting bolts on the hinges (if they are provided in your model LG). Also, the misalignment may be affected by the incorrect height of the front legs of the refrigerator.

📊 What type of seal are you faced with?

Magnetic tape around the entire perimeter

Individual magnets in the corners

Complex profile with several contours

Another option

Plug in the refrigerator and let it run for several hours. Check to see if ice forms in places where there is a loose fit. This will help identify problems that were not noticeable during cold assembly.

What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close completely?

Most likely, the installation geometry is broken or the seal is twisted. Check if the refrigerator is level on the floor. Try slightly heating the seal with a hairdryer (without overheating!) to restore its elasticity. Also check if there is anything in the way on the shelves inside.

Is it possible to hang the door if there is a display on it?

Yes, but it is more difficult. It is necessary to extend the wires or have extra length in the standard wiring. In some models LG the cables already have the required length for relocation; in others, soldering or replacing the cable will be required.

Do you need to wait to turn on the refrigerator after rehanging?

If you did not tilt the refrigerator more than 45 degrees and did not disconnect the refrigerant tubes, you can turn it on immediately. If transportation was carried out in a lying position, let the oil drain for 2-4 hours.