Changing the direction of door opening is a standard procedure necessary when remodeling a kitchen or moving to a new apartment. The model Atlant 4008 022 refers to classic two-chamber refrigerators, the design of which allows you to change the door hinge without complex specialized equipment. The owner can perform this operation independently if he acts consistently and follows safety precautions.
Before starting work, it is necessary to clear the space around the unit and prepare a flat surface for storing dismantled parts. It is important to understand that rehanging the door requires attention to small parts, such as plugs, bushings and mounting bolts, the loss of which can lead to a leak in the chamber. The process does not take much time, but requires accuracy.
In this article we will analyze each stage of dismantling and installing elements on the new side. You will learn how to properly adjust the gaps and avoid common mistakes that can lead to skewed fabric or a loose seal. Following the instructions ensures that your refrigerator remains functional.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To perform the task of changing the opening side efficiently, you will need a minimum set of plumbing tools. The main element is a set of wrenches or sockets, since fasteners in refrigerators Atlant often have a metric thread. You will also need a flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers for working with plugs and plastic elements.
Be sure to prepare a container for folding the screws so that they do not get lost during the work. It is recommended to cover the floor with soft material or cardboard, as some parts, such as hinges, may have sharp edges or be heavy. This will prevent damage to the floor covering and the parts themselves.
Make sure that the refrigerator is disconnected from the power supply before starting any manipulations. Although electricity is not directly involved in the mechanical process, this is a basic safety rule when servicing household appliances.
- 🛠️ Set of wrenches (sizes 8, 10, 13 mm)
- 🔧 Screwdrivers (flat and Phillips)
- 🧤 Work gloves for hand protection
- 📦 Container for fasteners
- 🧹 Soft rag for wiping parts
Remember that using the wrong tool can lead to the edges of the bolts breaking off, which will significantly complicate assembly. If you don't have the right wrench on hand, it's better to find one than to try to unscrew the nut with pliers.
Removing the top panel and bracket
Work starts from the top of the refrigerator compartment. On the model Atlant 4008 022 the upper hinge is often hidden by a decorative cover or integrated into the design of the top panel. It is necessary to carefully remove the plastic plugs that cover the mounting bolts.
Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry out the plugs, but be careful not to scratch the plastic or enamel of the case. After removing the decorative elements, you will have access to the upper hinge mounting bolts. They need to be unscrewed, but not removed completely yet, if the door is not yet secured.
⚠️ Attention: The top door is heavy, so before completely unscrewing the top hinge bolts, ask an assistant to hold it or use a support to avoid falling and injury.
After loosening the fasteners, remove the top hinge. In some modifications, the bracket for the handle is also removed along with the hinge, if it is structurally connected to the hinge. Store all removed screws in a separate container.
Removing the door panels and the middle hinge
The next step is dismantling door panels. First, remove the top door of the refrigerator compartment. To do this, the upper hinge bolts are completely unscrewed, after which the door is carefully lifted and removed from the axis. Place it on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down.
Then you need to remove the middle hinge that holds the bottom door of the freezer. On the model Atlant 4008 022 this node can be quite massive. Unscrew the fastening bolts of the middle hinge and remove it from the body.
Now you can remove the lower door. Proceed in the same way: lift the blade by removing it from the lower pin or axle. It is important not to damage the rubber seal when laying the door on the floor. It is recommended to mark the doors so as not to confuse the upper and lower ones during reinstallation, although they may differ structurally.
☑️ Dismantling procedure
Rearranging the fittings and handles
After the doors are removed, it is necessary to rearrange the fittings on them. The handles that were installed on one side must be removed and secured on the opposite side. For this, holes that were previously closed with plugs are used.
The plugs on the old opening side are carefully removed and installed on the vacated holes on the new side. This is important for maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the refrigerator Atlant. If the refrigerator came with special plugs for handles, use them.
It is also necessary to rearrange the stops or pins, if they are provided for in the design. The model 4008 022 can use bushings that need to be moved into the corresponding holes on the opposite end of the door.
Pay attention to the mating parts of the locks or latches, if any. They can also be rearranged or turned over so that the locking mechanism works correctly after changing sides.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some cases, it may be necessary to use adapter bushings or change the position of the fasteners. Carefully study the instructions for your specific modification, since the factory holes usually provide for both mounting options.
Installing doors on a new side
Installation begins with installing the bottom door of the freezer. Install the bottom hinge (or pin) into the holes on the opposite side of the refrigerator body. Secure it with bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet, so that adjustment remains possible.
Place the lower door onto the installed axle. Then install the middle hinge by inserting it into the holes on the body and door. Now you can move to the top door. Install the top hinge into the new holes on the refrigerator body.
It is important to correctly position the doors relative to each other. The gaps between the doors and the body must be uniform. If you notice a skew, loosen the fasteners of the middle and lower hinges and align the blades.
| Element | Action | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom hinge | Installation in new holes | Do not tighten all the way right away |
| Middle hinge | Installation after the bottom door | Control the gap between the doors |
| Upper hinge | Fixing the top door | Check verticality |
| Plugs | Reposition to the old place | Close all holes |
After subsequent fixation, check the ease of movement of the doors. They should not touch the body or each other when opening and closing.
Adjusting gaps and tightness
The final and, perhaps, the most important stage is adjustment. Close the refrigerator doors tightly Atlant 4008 022 and visually assess the gaps around the perimeter. They should be the same above and below, as well as on the left and right.
If the door does not fit tightly, check the position of the hinges. Loosen the middle or bottom hinge mounting bolts and move the door slightly to the desired direction, then tighten the bolts again. Also make sure that the rubber seal around the entire perimeter fits tightly to the body.
⚠️ Attention: Over-tightening the bolts can lead to metal deformation or thread breakage. Tighten the fasteners with moderate force, using thread locker if necessary.
Check the operation of the door locks. When one of the doors is opened, the other must remain in place (if such a function is provided) or open correctly. Make sure that when closing the doors are magnetized with a characteristic sound.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging doors?
It is not necessary to defrost the refrigerator specifically for this procedure, unless you plan to carry out general cleaning or repairs at the same time. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to wait for it to melt so that water does not flow out when tilting or removing the doors.
Is it possible to lose the seal when re-hanging?
If installed correctly and there is no damage to the seal, the seal is not broken. The main thing is to install the doors evenly and make sure that the elastic is not bent anywhere and fits snugly to the body along the entire perimeter.
What to do if after installation the door opens by itself?
Most likely, the refrigerator is not level. Check the position of the unit using a level. The front part of the refrigerator should be slightly raised relative to the back (adjustable by the legs) so that the door closes under the influence of gravity.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
Plugs can be ordered at authorized service centers Atlant or pick up universal analogues in furniture fittings stores. As a last resort, the holes can be carefully sealed with a decorative sticker in the color of the case.
How long does the whole procedure take?
For an experienced user, the process takes about 30-40 minutes. If you are doing this for the first time, allow about an hour to act without haste and carefully study the design of the hinges of your model.