Changing the side of the door opening is one of the most popular procedures when remodeling a kitchen or purchasing new household appliances. If you have just purchased Candy refrigerator and found that it is inconvenient, do not rush to call a specialist. Re-hanging the door is a process that can be done independently if you have a basic set of tools and attention to detail.
Manufacturers of household appliances, including the Italian brand Candyoften design their models taking into account the possibility of changing the hinge. This allows you to adapt the device to any kitchen set configuration. However, the procedure has its own nuances, depending on the specific series and design hinge group. Incorrect dismantling can lead to damage to the decor or loss of tightness.
In this article we will analyze all stages of the work: from preparing the workplace to the final adjustment of the gaps. You'll learn what tools you'll need, how to safely remove heavy fronts, and where to find hidden fastenersthings that beginners often overlook. Properly performed work will extend the service life of the seal and ensure proper fit of the sash.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before starting any manipulations with the equipment, it is necessary to ensure safe working conditions. Refrigerator — The unit is heavy and will require space to work with its doors. Move the device at least 1 meter away from the wall to ensure easy access from all sides. Be sure to disconnect the device from the power supply by unplugging the plug from the socket.
To complete the task, you will need a minimum kit for a home handyman. The basis is a Phillips screwdriver, but depending on the model Candy you may need socket wrenches or hexagons. Often the fasteners are hidden under decorative plugs, so prepare a thin awl or knife to carefully remove them.
Here is a list of what should be on hand before starting:
- 🔧 Phillips screwdriver (sizes PH1 and PH2)
- 🔩 Set of horns keys or sockets (usually 8, 10 mm)
- 🛠 Hex key (often 4 mm or 5 mm)
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges
- 📦 Capacity for folding screws so as not to lose them
It is important to prepare a flat surface next to the refrigerator where you can temporarily place the removed parts. Cover the floor with soft material - cardboard or a blanket, so as not to scratch the floor covering and the equipment itself during operation.
⚠️ Attention: Never start unscrewing the hinges if the door is not locked. The weight of the door with shelves can reach 20-30 kg, and a fall on the foot or the floor will lead to injury or broken glass.
☑️ Ready for work
Design features of Candy refrigerator doors
The model range Candy includes both classic two-chamber refrigerators and more complex multi-door systems. In most cases weighing possible for the main refrigerator compartment and freezer compartment if they are located above each other. The design of the hinges usually provides symmetrical holes at the opposite end of the body.
There are two main types of fastening handles and hinges. In older models, the handles may be integrated into the body or secured with through bolts. In modern series Candy hidden installation is often used, where the fasteners are covered with decorative strips. Understanding your model type is critical to choosing a dismantling strategy.
Pay attention to the control system. If there is an electronic display or panel on the door controls, the process becomes more complicated. You will need to carefully disconnect the wire cables so as not to damage the delicate contacts. In such cases, it is strongly recommended to photograph the connection of each connector before disconnecting it.
Warranty Myth
There is a common misconception that re-hanging the door yourself will automatically void the warranty. This is not entirely true. If you do not break the hinges, strip the threads or damage the housing during dismantling, the manufacturer does not have the right to refuse service. However, traces of rough tampering (scratches from a screwdriver, broken plastic) will be grounds for refusal of free repair.
Below is a table that helps determine the type of construction of your model by external signs:
| Feature | Classical design | Modern (Hidden) | Models with display |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinge fastening | Visible bolts on top/bottom | Hidden under plugs | Hidden, complex geometry |
| Handle | Screwed on the outside | Integrated or hidden | Often absent (push-to-open) |
| Electrics | No or simple sensor | Opening sensor | Display and button cables |
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
The process always starts with the top hinge, since it is what holds the main weight of the door is suspended. First you need to remove the decorative plug, if present. It can be located directly at the end of the loop or be part of a plastic casing. Carefully pry it off with a flat-head screwdriver, being careful not to damage the plastic.
After gaining access to the fasteners, loosen the top hinge bolts, but do not unscrew them completely right away. If the model Candy provides for a locking pin, it must be knocked out with light blows of a hammer through a drift. Then finally unscrew the screws and remove the metal hinge plate.
Now the most crucial moment is removing the door itself. Hold the top end with one hand, and with the other (or with the help of an assistant) lift the door up to release the bottom hinge from the pin. The weight of the structure can be significant, so proceed with caution.
- 🚪 Remove the decorative cover of the top hinge
- 🔓 Unscrew the mounting bolts with a wrench
- 🔨 Remove the locking pin (if any)
- 🆙 Lift the door and remove it from the lower support
⚠️ Attention: When removing the door, watch the magnetic valve (if there is one) and the seal. A sharp tug can cause the sealing rubber to come off or damage the internal channels.
Flipping the handles and lower fasteners
After the door has been removed and laid on a soft surface (inside up), you can start working with the handles. In most models Candy the handles are attached to one side, and there are plugged holes on the opposite side. You need to unscrew the fasteners of the handle, move it to the other side and screw it into the provided holes.
If there are plastic plugs at the place where the handle will be attached, they need to be carefully removed and moved to the free space to hide the holes. Sometimes the plugs come with the refrigerator in a package with documents - check the technical data sheet of the device.
Next, attention turns to the lower part. This is often where the axis of rotation or bottom hinge is located. It must be removed from its current location and moved to the opposite side of the case. To do this, unscrew the mounting bolts from the bottom of the refrigerator. Pay attention to the presence of adjusting washers - they must be kept and rearranged in the same order so that the door height remains the same.
In some cases it is necessary to turn over the pin axis itself. If the pin is asymmetrical, simply turn it over to the other side or replace it with a similar one from the re-hanging kit, which is sometimes supplied separately.
Installing the door on the new side
When all the elements are prepared, reassembly begins. Install the bottom hinge to the new location on the refrigerator body. Secure it with the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet - this will allow you to make final adjustments to the position. Insert the bottom pin into the door hole.
Now put the door in place. Align the top hole of the hinge with the mating part on the body. Have a helper hold the door closed while you install the top fastener. This is a critical point to maintain geometry.
Tighten the top hinge bolts. Check ease of movement. The door should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. If you feel resistance, the hinges may be skewed or the bolts are tightened too tightly, deforming the metal.
Adjusting the gaps and checking the tightness
The final stage is setup. After installing a door on a new side, it is often necessary to adjust the slope. If the door opens by itself or, conversely, does not close completely, you need to adjust the height of the refrigerator legs or the position of the hinges. Use a building level to check the vertical.
Pay special attention seal. Conduct a visual inspection around the entire perimeter. Gaps should be minimal and uniform. To check the tightness, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper: clamp the sheet with the door and try to pull it out. If the sheet is pulled out easily anywhere, the tightness is broken.
If the door is skewed, loosen the hinges and slightly move the sash in the desired direction, then tighten the bolts again. In models Candy with the No Frost system, it is important to make sure that when closing the door slams with a characteristic sound of air expelling, which indicates normal operation of the system.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the instructions for a specific model. Refrigerators Candy of different years of manufacture may have differences in the design of the hinges. An attempt to apply force where a special tool is needed leads to breakage of the plastic fastening elements.
Another problem is the loss of fasteners. Small screws tend to roll under the refrigerator or fall inside the mechanisms. Always use a magnetic stand or container with high sides. Also, do not forget about the electrics: a forgotten connected display cable can be pinched or torn when installing the door.
An incorrect sequence of actions can also lead to misalignment. For example, if you first tighten the top hinge and then try to get into the bottom one, you can create tension in the metal of the case, which will eventually lead to cracks.
- ❌ Trying to remove the door without fixing it (risk of falling)
- ❌ Using the wrong size screwdriver (licking the slots)
- ❌ Forgetfulness about connecting the sensor wires
- ❌ Tightening the bolts, leading to deformation of the case
What to do if the holes on the new side do not match?
In 99% of cases, the holes on the refrigerator body Candy are already provided by the factory. If you can't see them, they may be covered by factory plugs that need to be pressed out from the inside or outside. If there really are no holes (rare budget models), then re-hanging is impossible without drilling new metal, which is not recommended to do yourself.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before re-hanging?
Technically, no, if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, tilting and moving water may leak into the mechanisms or onto the floor. It is better to carry out the procedure after complete defrosting, when the unit is dry and light.
Is it possible to hang the door alone?
For narrow refrigerators (width up to 50 cm) - it is possible. For wide two-chamber models Candy it is strongly recommended to involve a second person. The door is heavy and large, holding it with one hand and at the same time turning the key is extremely difficult and dangerous.