Changing the location of the refrigerator door is not just a whim, but often a vital necessity when remodeling a kitchen or purchasing a new model Candy. When the standard right-hand handle interferes with the opening of cabinets or passages, the only solution is to change the side of the hinge. This procedure requires care, but is quite within the capabilities of a home craftsman with a basic set of tools.
It is worth understanding that the design of refrigeration units Candy, be they classic models or series with technology Zero Degree, implies the possibility of modification. However, not all parts can be easily rearranged. Some elements require careful handling so as not to damage decorative overlays or plastic fasteners. In this article, we will analyze the process in detail so that you can complete the work without calling a wizard.
Before you begin active actions, you need to prepare your workspace. Remove all food, shelves and drawers to allow access to interior walls and mechanisms. This will not only make the work easier, but will also protect the contents from accidental falling or damage when the equipment body is tilted.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
Quality preparation is half the success. You do not need complex industrial equipment, but the set of hand tools should be complete. The main element will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different tips, since the screws can be of different calibers. A hex key, which often comes with equipment, is also useful.
Be sure to take care of protecting the floor covering. The refrigerator body is heavy, and moving it can leave scratches on laminate or linoleum flooring. Place thick cardboard, an old blanket or special rugs under the unit. This will also help prevent the equipment from slipping during operation.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for different types of screws.
- 🔧 Hex keys (usually 4 mm or 5 mm) for hinges.
- 📏 Construction level for checking the horizon after installation.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧼 Soft rags to clean the mounting points from dust.
It is important to disconnect the device from the power supply before starting any manipulations. Although we do not touch electrical components directly, safety comes first. In addition, if the door has a backlight or display, turning off the power will prevent a short circuit when disconnecting the cables.
Design features of doors of different Candy models
Refrigerators Candy are produced in various modifications, and the approach to them may differ. In classic models with one camera, the process is simplified as much as possible. Here, standard hinges are usually used, which can be moved to the opposite side without dismantling the entire door structure.
The situation becomes more complicated if you have a model Side-by-Side or a unit with a system No Frost of a complex configuration. In such cases, it may be necessary to move not only the hinges, but also the plugs, as well as changing the position of the handle. Some modern models are equipped with touch screens, the cables of which require special care when disconnecting.
⚠️ Attention: If on your model the handle is integrated into the body or is part of a complex opening mechanism, make sure that the kit includes symmetrical holes or spare parts for the other side. In rare cases, rearrangement is impossible without purchasing additional components.
Particular attention should be paid to models with a bottom freezer. Here the upper door often has more weight and requires more secure fastening. The lower chamber may have its own fixation nuances that must be taken into account when dismantling. Study the instructions for your specific model Candyto identify unique features.
How to determine the type of hinges?
Carefully inspect the place where the door is attached to the body. If you see screws covered with decorative caps that can be removed, the hinges are most likely repositionable. If the door is supported by hidden mechanisms without visible access, you may need a special tool.
Removing the top door: step-by-step algorithm
We start the process from the top of the refrigerator, since it is this part that experiences the greatest load. First you need to remove the decorative plug from the top hinge. Usually it is pryed off with a thin screwdriver or knife, but you need to act carefully so as not to scratch the plastic.
After removing the plug, access to the mounting bolts will open. Use a suitable wrench (usually a hex wrench) to remove them. At this stage, an assistant is definitely needed: one person holds the door, the second unscrews the screws. The door is heavy and falling can cause injury or damage to the floor.
The next critical point is disconnecting the electrical connections. If the door has indicators or a backlight, disconnect the connectors. They can be latched, so you can't pull them with force. Gently press the latch and pull the block. Remember or take a photo of which wire was connected where.
After disconnecting the wires, remove the door from the bottom hinge and place it in a safe place. Now you can work on the topmost loop. Remove the screws securing it to the refrigerator body. Keep all the screws in one container so that they do not get lost.
Working with the lower chamber and freezer
If your refrigerator Candy has a lower freezer, the algorithm of actions is similar, but there are some nuances. The bottom door is usually lighter, but access may be limited by the plinth or trim panel. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the front panel to get to the bottom hinge fasteners.
When removing the freezer door, also pay attention to the presence of a seal. It should stay in place, but if it interferes with access to the screws, you can carefully bend it away. The main thing is not to damage the magnetic tape inside the seal, as this will break the seal of the chamber.
In some models, the central partition between the chambers may interfere with rearrangement. Check whether intermediate elements need to be removed. However, in most cases, simply moving the hinges to the new locations provided by the manufacturer is sufficient.
- ❄️ Remove all drawers and shelves from the freezer for easier access.
- 🔩 Check for threaded holes on the opposite side of the cabinet.
- 🧹 Clean the ends of the doors and the places where the hinges are installed from ice and dirt.
- 🔌 Disconnect the wires if the freezer has an indication or control.
After dismantling the bottom door, remove the middle hinge (if there is one) or the bottom bracket. Move them to the opposite side using the pre-prepared holes. Tighten the screws, but do not tighten them all the way yet to be able to adjust.
Rearranging the fittings and plugs
The most time-consuming part is moving the fittings. You will need to remove the handles, trim and caps on one side and install them on the other. In place of the old fasteners, there will be holes that need to be closed with plastic plugs included in the kit or removed from the opposite side.
It often happens that the holes for the screws on the new side are closed with factory plugs. They need to be removed. If they are tight, use a thin awl, but be careful. Insert the plugs into the vacated holes on the side where there will no longer be loops. This will preserve the aesthetic appearance of the equipment.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Transfer to another side | Hexagon | Do not tighten completely immediately |
| Door handle | Dismantling and installation | Screwdriver/Key | Protect the threads from breaking |
| Plugs | Replacement | Tweezers/Knife | Do not lose small parts |
| Cables | Reconnection | Hands | Until the latch clicks |
Make sure that all mounting holes on the new side are free and the threads are not damaged. If you find rust or dirt, treat the fastening areas. This will ensure reliable fixation of the door and prevent distortions in the future.
What to do if there are not enough screws?
Candy refrigerators usually come with a spare set of fasteners, often secured with tape inside the chamber or in the documentation. If there are no screws, select threads of similar size and pitch at a hardware store.
Installing the door on a new side
Now we move on to assembly. Place the bottom hinge (or bracket) in its new location and secure it. Then carefully lift the bottom door and slide it onto the hinge pin. Have an assistant hold the door upright while you level the top.
Install the middle hinge (if a two-chamber model) and put the top door on. At this stage, it is important not to confuse the top and bottom of the door, although this is structurally difficult to do. Insert the hinge pins into the corresponding holes in the door panels.
Connect the electrical connectors. Make sure the wires are not pinched between metal surfaces or twisted. The wires should lie freely so that they are not pulled when opening the door. Secure the wires in standard clips or channels.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the door, watch the seal. It should not tuck or protrude beyond the edges. If the seal is deformed, the door will not close tightly, which will lead to loss of cold.
After installing all the doors in place, you can begin to finally fix the hinges. Insert the screws and start tightening them. Do not apply maximum force yet, first you need to align the position of the doors relative to each other and the body.
Adjusting the position and checking the tightness
The final stage is adjustment. Doors should close tightly and evenly around the entire perimeter. If you notice a misalignment, loosen the hinge screws and slightly move the door in the desired direction. Use building levelto check verticality.
Check the operation of the magnetic seal. Run your hand along the perimeter of the closed door - there should be no noticeable gaps or blows. You can use a piece of paper: hold it against the door and try to pull it out. If the paper is pulled out with force along the entire perimeter, the tightness is normal.
Plug in the refrigerator and listen to the door close. The clap should be loud, but not too loud. If the door closes by itself when opened 90 degrees, it may be necessary to adjust the tilt of the body using the front supports.
- 🚪 Check the ease of opening and closing both doors.
- 👀 Inspect the gaps between the door and the body - they should be the same.
- 🌡️ Let the refrigerator operate for 2-3 hours and check the temperature inside.
- 🔊 Make sure that the doors do not vibrate when the compressor is running.
If all parameters are normal, you can load the products. Remember that a full load is possible only after the refrigerator reaches operating temperature. In the first hours, it is better not to open the doors often.
Is it possible to re-hang the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
Technically this is possible, and in many cases this does not void the warranty, since the design provides for such an operation. However, if in the process you damage the hinges, break the threads or break the glass, the warranty case will not be recognized. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call an authorized technician.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not fit tightly?
Most likely, the problem is in adjusting the height of the refrigerator's support legs or in skewed hinges. Try unscrewing the front adjustment screws to raise the front. Also check if there is anything inside (shelf, packaging) preventing it from closing tightly.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Yes, this is a mandatory requirement. First, an empty refrigerator is easier to tilt and move. Secondly, when tilting (even minimally), oil from the compressor can enter the circuit if the unit has not settled. Defrosting and settling for 4-6 hours is a must.
Where should the old hinge holes go?
On the opposite side, where there are no more hinges, holes will remain. The refrigerator always comes with plastic plugs (pins). They need to be inserted into these holes to preserve the appearance and prevent moisture or dust from getting inside the case. Candy There are always plastic plugs (pins). They need to be inserted into these holes to maintain appearance and prevent moisture or dust from getting inside the case.