Changing the layout in the kitchen or simply the desire to make the interior more ergological often require rearranging the furniture, and in this context, the question of how to rehang the door on an Ariston refrigerator becomes extremely relevant for many owners of household appliances. Moving the door leaf to the opposite side can significantly save usable space, especially in small apartments, where every centimeter of space counts. Modern models of refrigerators Ariston, including popular series, were initially designed taking into account the possibility of such modernization, which makes the process accessible even to those who are not professional repairmen.
In this article we will analyze in detail the entire technological process, based on the technical design features of refrigeration units of this brand, and will provide visual guidelines that will replace you with a full-fledged video guide. You will learn exactly what tools you will need for the job, how to properly dismantle the fittings without damaging the enamel, and what to do if your model has a complex control system installed. Proper preparation and following the sequence of actions is the key to a successful rearrangement, which will take you no more than 30-40 minutes of time.
Before starting any manipulations with the refrigerator body, you need to make sure that you have a full set of necessary tools and understand the principle of operation of the locking mechanism. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to skew of the door leaf, disruption of the seal, or even damage defrost systemsif it is integrated into the hinges.
It is worth noting that re-hanging the door is not just a mechanical action, but a process that requires attention to detail, such as the position of the magnetic valve and the integrity of the rubber seal. If your refrigerator has an electronic control panel on the door, the procedure is complicated by the need to disconnect the loops, which requires special care. In most cases, manufacturers provide special plugs and holes on the opposite side, which greatly simplifies the task and allows you to do the work yourself.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To perform high-quality work on hanging the door, you will need a standard home craftsman's kit, which is found in the arsenal of most men, but there are also specific tools that you cannot do without. First of all, we are talking about wrenches or sockets of the appropriate size, since the hinge bolts are often tightened with great force to ensure the reliability of the structure. You will also need flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, and in some cases, hexagons if the manufacturer used hidden-head screws to fasten decorative elements.
Particular attention should be paid to preparing the workspace around the refrigerator, since you will need easy access from all sides of the unit. It is recommended to move the refrigerator at least one meter away from the wall in order to be able to easily walk around it and not damage the floor covering or the appliance itself. If the floor is slippery, it is better to place a piece of cardboard or thick fabric under the legs of the refrigerator so that it does not move during operation.
Below is a list of tools that you are guaranteed to need during the work process, and their purpose:
- 🛠️ Wrench (usually 8, 10 or 13 mm) - for unscrewing the main bolts securing the upper and lower hinges.
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) - necessary for removing decorative plugs, handles and plastic covers.
- 📏 Level - critical for checking the horizontal installation of the housing after rearrangement, so that the door closes by itself.
- 🧤 Gloves —will protect your hands from sharp metal edges and dirt, and also prevent tools from slipping.
It will not be superfluous to prepare soft rags or small pieces of foam rubber that can be placed under the dismantled door when you remove it from its hinges. This will prevent scratches from appearing on the front surface and protect the floor from possible impacts from metal fittings. If you have an assistant, be sure to involve him, since doing this work together is much safer and faster, especially when working with two-chamber models.
Dismantling the top hinge and removing the door
The rehanging process begins with dismantling the top hinge, since it is this that holds the bulk of the door leaf and ensures its vertical position. Before you start unscrewing the bolts, you need to remove the decorative plug, which is usually located on top of the door and hides the fasteners. In models Ariston this plug can be made in the form of a plastic cover or simply sealed with a sticker, which needs to be carefully pryed off with a knife or flat screwdriver.
After removing the plug, you will see fastening bolts that need to be loosened, but not completely unscrewed yet, so that the door does not fall on your feet. Ask an assistant to hold the door, or use improvised means to fix it, after which you can completely unscrew the bolts and remove the top hinge. It is important not to lose washers and gaskets, if any, in the design, as they ensure the correct position of the door relative to the body.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the top hinge, make sure that the door is securely fixed, as it can unexpectedly slide off the bottom axis and damage the floor or your feet. The weight of the door can reach 10-15 kg, which is quite noticeable if it falls.
The next step is to carefully lift the door and remove it from the lower support sleeve, after which the door must be put in a safe place, having previously covered the floor with a soft cloth. Now that the door has been removed, you can begin moving the hardware to the other side, starting with moving the handle and caps. In the free space of the upper hinge you will see holes that in the future will become the location for installing the handle, so they need to be closed with the appropriate plugs, which often come complete with the refrigerator or are already installed on the other side.
☑️ Preparing to remove the door
Pay attention to the condition of the rubber seals on the removed door: if they are dirty, it is better to immediately wipe them with warm soapy water so that after When installed in a new location, they ensured perfect tightness. Also check the integrity of the magnetic tape around the perimeter, since it is responsible for the tight fit of the door to the body and maintaining the cold inside the chamber. Any defects in the seal can negate all your efforts to rearrange, since the refrigerator will begin to work with increased load.
Rearranging the fittings and lower supports
After the upper part is dismantled, you need to move to the lower part of the door, where the support sleeve and, possibly, the elements of the lower hinge are located. In most refrigerator models Ariston the lower support is a plastic or metal sleeve that is inserted into the door body and rotates in a mating part on the refrigerator body. To rearrange, you need to unscrew this bushing from the current hole and rearrange it into a symmetrical hole on the opposite side of the door.
The process of moving the door handle also requires care, since the fastening screws may be hidden under decorative trims or plugs. Carefully remove the handle from one side using a suitable screwdriver and install it on the prepared holes on the other side, remembering to tighten the screws with sufficient force, but not fanaticism, so as not to strip the threads in the plastic. If the handle on your model is hidden or integrated, the procedure may differ, and then you need to follow the instructions for the specific type of fastening.
The table below will help you navigate the types of fastenings and the necessary actions for various elements of fittings:
| Fitting element | Fixing type | Required tool | Permutation features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Wrench bolts | Wrench, screwdriver | Requires door fixation during removal |
| Bottom bushing | Threaded connection | Hexagon or key | Needs to be lubricated before installation |
| Door handle | Screws under the plug | Phillips screwdriver | Plugs swap places |
| Magnetic valve | Latches or screws | Flat screwdriver | Rearranged strictly according to the diagram |
Do not forget to rearrange the magnetic valve (if your model has one), which serves to fix the door in the closed position. This small but important element is usually located in the upper corner of the door on the hinge side and must be moved to the opposite side to match the new position of the strike on the refrigerator body. If you ignore this step, the door may not stay closed or, conversely, open with difficulty.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some older or specific models, the holes for the hinges may be closed with factory plugs that need to be carefully drilled or knocked out. However, in modern Ariston refrigerators, all the necessary holes are already provided by the design, and you only need to move the plugs to the free places.
After rearranging all the mechanical elements, check whether the hinges rotate freely and do not touch the body. If you find burrs or irregularities in the metal, they can be carefully sanded down with fine sandpaper to ensure smooth movement of the door. Lubricating the rubbing parts with a special silicone grease will also not be superfluous, although in new refrigerators this is usually not necessary, since self-lubricating bushings are used.
Installing the door on the new side and adjusting
The final and most critical stage is installing the door leaf on the new side and final adjustment of the position. To do this, first install the lower support sleeve into the new hole on the refrigerator body and slide the door onto it, carefully holding it in an upright position. Make sure that the door sits evenly and the lower hinge fits into its seat without distortion, after which you can begin installing the upper hinge.
Screw the upper hinge to the refrigerator body using pre-prepared holes, and tighten the bolts, but not yet all the way, in order to be able to adjust the position of the door. Now take a building level and check the vertical installation of the door leaf, as well as its horizontality relative to the floor, since this determines whether the door will close on its own under the influence of gravity. If you notice a misalignment, loosen the fastening bolts and slightly move the hinge in the desired direction, then check again with a level.
⚠️ Attention: Complete the final tightening of the upper hinge bolts only after making sure that the door is perfectly level and opens and closes freely. Excessive tightening force can lead to deformation of the metal and impede the movement of the door.
Pay special attention to checking the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter: the door should fit evenly to the body, without gaps or cracks. To check, you can use a simple sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body at different points around the perimeter - it should be removed with the same force. If in some place the paper is removed too easily or, on the contrary, is tightly clamped, additional adjustment of the door position is required.
If your refrigerator has a system installed No Frost, make sure that when closing the door, the air dampers or other internal elements are not pinched. After installation, let the refrigerator stand turned off for at least 2-3 hours so that the refrigerant and oils in the compressor calm down after tilting and vibrations caused by work before plugging it in.
Nuances of working with models with a display and electronics
Owners of modern models Ariston with a display on the door or system Smart Control you need to be especially careful, since the rehanging procedure in this case is complicated by the presence of electrical connections. In such refrigerators, a cable of wires often passes through the top loop, connecting the control panel to the main electronics unit located in the unit body. Before removing the door, be sure to unplug the refrigerator to avoid short circuits or damage to electronic components.
The process of disconnecting the loop requires care: locate the connector, usually located inside or near the loop, and carefully disconnect it without pulling on the wires. Some models have special latches on the connectors that need to be bent before removing the connector. After relocating the door, the cable will need to be connected to the corresponding connector on the other side, making sure that the wires are not pinched or strained.
Here are the basic steps that need to be taken when working with electronics:
- 🔌 Turning off the power —the first and mandatory step for safety.
- 📸 Photo fixation — take a photo of the wire connection diagram before disconnecting.
- 🔗 Careful disconnection —use a thin screwdriver to unlock the connector latches.
- 🔄 Checking integrity —make sure that the wires are not damaged during rearrangement.
If you are not confident in your abilities or are afraid of damaging expensive electronics, it is better to contact the service center specialists, as an error can lead to failure of the entire control panel. In some cases, to transfer the cable, it may be necessary to extend the wires or replace the harness itself if its length does not allow this to be done using standard methods.
Is it possible to extend the cable yourself?
Theoretically, it is possible by soldering the wires and carefully insulating the connections, but this will violate the warranty and may lead to interference with the operation of the electronics. It is better to use original extension cables if they are provided by the manufacturer for your model.
After connecting all the connectors and assembling the structure, turn on the refrigerator and check the operation of the display and control buttons. If the panel does not light up or does not work correctly, check the reliability of the cable connection and its correct connection according to the diagram. Sometimes it is necessary to reset the refrigerator settings to factory settings so that the system correctly determines the new position of the door (if such a function is provided).
Frequent errors and tips for troubleshooting
Even following the instructions, beginners often make mistakes that can lead to improper operation of the refrigerator or damage to its elements. One of the most common mistakes is insufficient tightening of the mounting bolts, which over time leads to loosening of the door and the appearance of play. The other extreme is excessive tightening force, which can deform the threads or break the plastic hinge body, especially if the wrong tool is used.
Another common problem is neglecting to check the levelness of the refrigerator itself: if the unit is standing on an uneven floor, the door may open spontaneously or, conversely, not close completely. Adjusting the legs of the refrigerator is a mandatory procedure after moving the door, which allows you to align the body strictly at level. Use adjustable supports, rotating them clockwise or counterclockwise to achieve a stable position.
⚠️ Attention: If, after moving the door, you notice that the refrigerator has begun to make extraneous sounds or is worse at keeping cold, immediately check the tightness of the seal and the absence of distortions. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to compressor failure.
Also, users often forget to replace the plugs on the vacated holes, which spoils the appearance of the product and allows dust and moisture to penetrate inside the structure. Make sure that all technological openings are closed with appropriate plugs, which should be included with the refrigerator or already installed on it. If the plugs are lost, they can be ordered from the service center or made independently from suitable material.
In conclusion, I would like to note that correct installation of the door is the key to the long and trouble-free service of your refrigerator. Ariston. Regularly check the condition of the hinges and seals, and, if necessary, carry out preventive lubrication and cleaning. If you encounter difficulties that you cannot solve on your own, do not hesitate to seek professional help so as not to aggravate the situation.
Do I need to call a technician to re-hang the door?
If you have basic skills in working with tools and the refrigerator model does not have complex electronics on the door, you can do it yourself. However, for models with displays or if you are afraid of damaging expensive parts, it is better to entrust this work to professionals.
What to do if the door does not close tightly after rearrangement?
Most likely, the problem is improper adjustment of the door position or misalignment of the refrigerator body. Check that the unit is installed horizontally and, if necessary, tighten the adjustable feet. Also make sure that the seal is clean and not damaged.
Is it possible to hang the door on a two-chamber Ariston refrigerator?
Yes, most two-chamber models Ariston allow you to hang both doors. The process is similar, but requires the sequential removal of first the upper and then the lower door, and rearrangement of all the corresponding fittings.
What tools will you definitely need for the job?
The minimum set includes: a wrench (usually 8 or 10 mm), Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, a building level and, possibly, hexagons. For models with electronics, you may also need wire cutters or tweezers to work with the connectors.
Will re-hanging the door violate the refrigerator warranty?
Re-hanging the door yourself, as a rule, is not a warranty case unless parts are damaged in the process. However, if you damage the electronics or strip threads, your warranty may be void. Keep all removed parts in case you call for service.