Often, when moving to a new apartment or after remodeling the kitchen, a situation arises when the standard arrangement of refrigeration equipment becomes inconvenient. The door may rest against the wall, interfere with passage, or block access to adjacent cabinets. The solution to the problem is reversing the refrigerator door on the opposite side, which allows you to optimize the space and make the operation of the equipment more comfortable.
Many users are afraid to undertake this procedure themselves, for fear of damaging the seal or breaking the tightness. However, in most modern models, be it Indesit, LG or Beko, the design provides for the possibility of reinstallation. Manufacturers lay special holes and complete the units with the necessary plugs so that you can adapt the equipment to your needs without calling a specialist.
Before starting work, it is important to understand that the process requires care and accuracy. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to skewing of the canvas or damage to the plastic fastening elements. In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages, the necessary tools and nuances that will help you successfully complete the task.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is critical for safety, since you will be working with metal tools in close proximity to electrical components and wiring leading to the backlight or display.
Required Tools and Workplace Preparation
Good preparation is key to successfully completing the task. You don't need a complex professional tool, but you should have a minimum set on hand to avoid scratches on the body and loss of small parts. The main requirement is cleanliness and order in the workplace.
For dismantling and subsequent installation, the following tools are most often used:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) - for unscrewing the screws of hinges and decorative panels.
- 🔩 A wrench or head of the required size (often 8, 10 or 13 mm) - for bolts securing the main hinges.
- 🧲 Magnetic cup or container - so as not to lose small screws that tend to scatter across the floor.
- 🧤 Work gloves - to protect hands from sharp metal edges and dirt.
Particular attention should be paid tools for removing plugs. In some models, for example, u Samsung or Haier, the holes for the hinges are closed with tight plastic plugs. They must be carefully removed without damaging the paintwork. Sometimes this requires a thin awl or knife, but you need to act extremely carefully.
Analysis of the design and search for technological holes
Before grabbing a screwdriver, you need to carefully study the design of your unit. Not all models are universal: in some budget versions or in refrigerators with a system No Frost of a complex configuration, the overhang may be limited or require replacement of the doors themselves.
First of all, inspect the ends of the upper and lower panels of the case. On one side you will see installed hinges, and on the other - a row of holes. These holes can be hidden under decorative plugs. Their presence confirms what door reverse is provided by the manufacturer. If there are no holes on the reverse side, then, alas, rearrangement is impossible without complex modification of the body.
Also check for the presence of a handle. If it is cast or asymmetrical, you may need to replace the part with a universal or symmetrical one. In models with an electronic display on the door, the situation becomes more complicated: you will have to move the control unit or extend the wires, which requires skills in working with electronics.
| Refrigerator type | Difficulty of re-hanging | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Single-chamber | Low | Minimum parts, simple hinge design. |
| Two-chamber (Top Freezer) | Medium | You need to hang two doors, a common middle hinge is possible. |
| Side-by-Side | High | Heavy doors, complex fastening system, often requires an assistant. |
| With a display on the door | High | Requires reconnection of cables and rearrangement of the control module. |
Removing the top door and hinges
The process begins from the top of the unit. This is the most critical stage, since the upper door is usually heavier and requires fixing when removed. If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, we begin work from the freezer compartment (if it is on top) or from the main chamber, depending on the design.
First, remove the decorative trim that hides the fastenings of the top hinge. It is usually held in place by latches or a single screw. After gaining access to the fasteners, hold the door with one hand (or ask an assistant) to unscrew the bolts. Do not release the door abruptly - it can have significant weight.
After removing the top hinge and door, move on to the middle part (if any). Here is often located middle hinge, which holds the lower door. It also needs to be dismantled. It is important not to lose the washers and bushings that can be installed between the hinge metal and the body - they regulate the gap and smooth movement.
☑️ Dismantling procedure
⚠️ Attention: Some models Bosch and Siemens use hinges with a spring mechanism. When they are removed, a sharp rebound may occur. Always control the force and hold the tool firmly to avoid injury.
Transferring fittings and handles to the new side
When the doors are removed, the stage of preparing them for installation on the new side begins. First of all, this concerns the handles. If they are removable, simply rearrange them using the holes on the opposite end. If the handle is solid and asymmetrical, you may need to find a suitable replacement or use adapters, if they are included.
Next we will deal with the holes in the body. There will be free holes on the side where the door was previously. They must be closed with plugs, which usually come with the refrigerator (located in a bag with documents) or were removed at the beginning of work from the opposite side. This is important for thermal insulation and aesthetics.
Do not forget about magnets or sensors that signal when the door is closed. They also need to be rearranged into the corresponding grooves on the new side. Often, to do this, it is enough to simply transfer the element into a symmetrical recess in the plastic case.
What to do if the plugs are lost?
If the factory plugs are lost, the holes can be carefully sealed with pieces of plastic in the color of the case or use special furniture stickers. The main thing is to close the access of air inside the thermal insulation to avoid condensation.
Installing doors and adjusting gaps
The final stage is installation. The steps are performed in reverse order. First, we install the bottom door, fixing it on the bottom hinge (which we previously moved to the new side). Then we install the middle hinge and install the top door.
The key point here is adjusting the gaps. The door should fit tightly and evenly around the entire perimeter of the body. If you notice a misalignment, do not rush to tighten the bolts all the way. Loosen the middle hinge fasteners, align the door and tighten again.
Check the operation of the seal. It should fit against the body without gaps. To check, you can use a sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body in different places. If the paper is pulled out with the same force along the entire perimeter, the adjustment is correct.
Features of models with electronics and the No Frost system
Owning modern models, such as LG or Samsung with displays, imposes additional restrictions. If the screen is located on the door, when re-hanging it, you will have to move the control module itself, or (more often) move the cables.
Wiring to a light bulb or sensor often runs inside the door. When removing the door, you need to carefully disconnect the connectors. Never pull the wires —snap the connector latches. After rehanging, the wires are laid in special channels on the new side.
In systems No Frost it is important not to damage the air ducts. When installing the middle loop, make sure that it does not squeeze the cold air supply channels between the chambers. Also check that the damper (if it is mechanical) is moved to the appropriate position for the new opening side.
Is it possible to rehang the door if it has a display?
Yes, it is possible, but it is more difficult. You will need to move the control unit to the new side (if the design allows) or extend the standard wires. In some models Indesit i Atlant the wires already have a reserve length hidden inside the case, and you just need to carefully move them.
What to do if after rehanging the door does not close tightly?
Rather In total, the geometry of the installation is violated. Check whether the refrigerator itself is level on the floor (use a building level and adjust the legs). Then loosen the hinges and try to reposition the door, monitoring the gap around the entire perimeter of the seal.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, the door may be heavier, and ice may fall into the mechanisms when dismantling. It is better to carry out the procedure after defrosting, when the chambers are dry.