═══ BLOCK LOCK 2: BODY OF THE ARTICLE ═══
The need to change the opening direction of the refrigerator doors often arises when moving to a new kitchen or after remodeling the premises. Owners of two-chamber models Stinol may encounter a situation where the standard right opening interferes with passage or access to the work area. Fortunately, the design of these units provides the possibility of reverse installation hinges, which allows you to move the sashes to the other side.
Performing this operation with your own hands requires accuracy, the availability of a basic set of tools and an understanding of the device hinge unit. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to damage to the decorative plugs or failure of the seal. In this article, we will analyze the process in detail so that you can safely change the door hinge.
Before starting work, it is important to make sure that your model actually supports this function. Most two-chamber refrigerators Stinol (including series 101, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108, 110, 116, 118, 120, 123, 124, 125, 128, 130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 164, 166, 167, 201, 202, 205, 206, 207, 220, 221, 223, 225, 228, 232, 234, 242, 256, 260, 261, 268, 325, 331, 332, 333, 335, 342, 345, 350, 355) have symmetrical mounting holes. However, there are budget modifications where the holes on the body may be covered with decorative foam or completely absent. Carefully inspect the end of the case from the side where you plan to hang the door.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Working with an electrical appliance under voltage is unacceptable, and removing the doors can lead to accidental activation of the compressor or damage to the wiring.
The rehanging process takes an average of 30 to 60 minutes if you act slowly. You don't need a specialized tool; a standard home craftsman's kit is enough. The main thing is to follow the sequence of dismantling and installation so as not to lose small fasteners.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
High-quality preparation of the workplace is the key to successful completion of the operation. You will need a free area next to the refrigerator where you can put the removed doors. Cover the floor with cardboard or soft cloth to avoid scratching the floor covering and the enamel of the unit itself. For work you will need the following tools:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead) or a screwdriver with the appropriate bits.
- 🔩 A wrench or socket of 8 mm and 10 mm (depending on the year of manufacture of the model).
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📏 Level (preferably) to check the horizontal installation after completion of work.
Pay special attention to the condition of the fasteners. In old refrigerators Stinol the bolts may be covered with rust or “stick”. Prepare a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) in advance if you see signs of oxidation. You may also need a knife or thin flat-head screwdriver to carefully remove the decorative plugs.
It is important to ensure good lighting of the work area. You will have to work with small parts and holes that may be difficult to see in the shadow of the case. If you are working alone, make sure you have the ability to securely lock the door you are removing while you unscrew the fasteners.
Analysis of the design and preparation of doors for dismantling
Before taking up the tools, carefully study the design of the hinges of your refrigerator Stinol. Double-compartment models typically use three mounting points: the top hinge of the freezer compartment, the middle hinge (divider) between the compartments, and the bottom support of the main door. Some models have hidden hinges or specific ones that require a special approach. pinsthat require a special approach.
First, remove all removable elements from the doors: shelves, drawers, containers. This will significantly lighten the design and reduce the risk of damage to the plastic due to careless movement. The doors of a two-chamber refrigerator Stinol are quite heavy, so it is better to work with an assistant, especially when removing the lower door.
Inspect the ends of the doors. On the side opposite the hinges, you will see holes covered with plastic plugs. This is where the hinges will be moved after dismantling. Carefully remove these plugs with a knife or thin screwdriver. Do not throw them away - they will be needed for installation on the other side to close the resulting voids.
If your refrigerator has decorative trims on the handles or a base panel, it is also better to remove them in advance. This will provide unimpeded access to the fastening elements and prevent accidental breaking of the plastic when turning the doors.
Removing the upper and middle hinges of the freezer
The process of removing doors always starts from the top. First you need to release the top freezer door. Find the top hinge and unscrew the mounting bolts. Depending on the model, there may be two or three. Use a wrench or screwdriver, being careful not to strip the threads.
After loosening the bolts, the upper door will remain hanging on the pin or simply be secured by the middle hinge. Gently lift the freezer door up to remove it from the bottom middle hinge pin. Now you can set it aside, having first removed the middle hinge from it, if it is structurally fixed to the door and not to the body.
⚠️ Attention: The middle hinge in some models Stinol is a common fastening element for both doors. Be careful when removing it so as not to drop the lower door, which may remain unfixed.
Next we move on to dismantling the middle hinge. Unscrew the bolts securing it to the refrigerator body. Remove the hinge and set it aside along with the fasteners. Now the upper part of the case is freed, and you can begin the hardest part of the job - removing the main door of the refrigerator compartment.
To remove the main door, you need to tilt the refrigerator back (being careful not to damage the rear condenser grille) or have an assistant hold the case. Unscrew the bolts securing the lower support sleeve or pin. After this, the door can be carefully removed by holding it by the bottom. Place the removed door on the prepared soft covering with the outer side down.
Rearranging fasteners and handles
The most critical stage is transferring all fasteners to the opposite side. On the free side of the housing (where the plugs were previously) there are threaded holes. In the holes where the hinges previously stood, you now need to screw in plugs or install special stoppers, if they are included in the kit.
Pay attention to the hinge pins. Refrigerators Stinol often use metal pins that are inserted into the body. You need to rearrange them into symmetrical holes on the other side. If the pins are pressed in or threaded, carefully remove them and screw them into the new holes. Make sure they fit tightly and do not wobble.
- 🔄 Move the top hinge to the opposite upper end of the case.
- 🔄 Move the middle hinge to the corresponding hole in the center.
- 🔄 Install the lower support sleeve or pin into the lower hole with the new one sides.
- 🔄 Do not forget to rearrange the opening stops, if they are provided for in the design (usually located in the lower part).
The door handle requires special attention. In most models Stinol the handles are symmetrical and do not require replacement, but their fastening can be hidden. If the handle is attached with screws from the inside of the door (through technological holes), you will have to remove the decorative trim or plug, loosen the fastening and move the handle to the other side, or simply turn the door itself over during installation, if the design allows.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some rare cases, the holes on the case may be covered with factory foam. If you can only see the marked spots, carefully drill them with a 3-4 mm diameter metal drill to a depth of no more than 5-7 mm to cut a thread or install a pin. Proceed with extreme caution!
Check that all rearranged elements are securely fastened. Do not tighten the bolts all the way yet, so that you can make small adjustments when hanging the doors. Make sure that there are no distortions between the hinge and the body.
Installing the doors on the new side and adjusting
Now you can begin installing the doors in the reverse order. Start with the main (bottom) refrigerator door. Install it onto the lower pin or bushing. Holding the door, align the holes in the middle hinge with the holes on the end of the door and the refrigerator body.
Insert the middle hinge bolts and tighten them by hand. Then install the top freezer door onto the middle hinge pin. Align the holes in the top hinge and tighten the fasteners. Only after both doors are installed and secured with all the bolts can you begin final tightening.
Tighten the bolts sequentially: first the lower ones, then the middle ones, then the upper ones. Use moderate force to avoid stripping the threads in the metal housing. After tightening, check that the doors are installed vertically. They should fit tightly to the body along the entire perimeter.
| Element | Action | Tool | Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Tightening of bolts | Wrench 8-10 mm | No backlash |
| Middle hinge | Fixing both doors | Key 8-10 mm | Door parallelism |
| Lower support | Installing the bushing | Screwdriver/Key | Door vertical |
| Stops | Repositioning | Flat screwdriver | Stroke limitation |
If you notice that the door does not fit tightly or skewed, use adjusting bolts (if your model has them) or place washers under the hinge. In refrigerators Stinol the tilt is often adjusted by rotating the support legs of the refrigerator itself or by tightening the hinge pins.
☑️ Checking the quality of installation
Final check and adjustment of tightness
After installing the doors, be sure to check the tightness closing. Take a piece of paper or a banknote and clamp it around the perimeter of the door with a seal. The paper should be pulled out with noticeable force. If the paper moves freely in some place, it means that the fit is broken there.
To eliminate leaks, you can try to warm up the deformed area of the seal with a hairdryer (not too hot air) and press the door tightly until the rubber cools. Also make sure that the refrigerator is strictly horizontal. Use a building level to check.
⚠️ Attention: Do not plug in the refrigerator immediately after installation if you have tilted or laid it down heavily. The compressor needs time (about 2-4 hours) to return the oil to the crankcase, otherwise it may fail.
Plug in the unit only after you are sure that the assembly is correct. During the first hours of operation, listen to the sounds: the doors should not creak, and the claps when closing should be dull, which indicates good tightness.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to rehang the doors if there are no holes on the case on the required side?
If there are no threaded holes at the end of the case (only smooth steel or foam is visible), then your refrigerator model Stinol does not allow reversing the doors. An attempt to drill new holes may compromise the integrity of the thermal insulation and lead to corrosion of the body.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close completely?
Most likely, the opening limiters in the lower part are incorrectly installed or the middle hinge is skewed. Check if there is anything obstructing the seal and make sure the refrigerator is level. It may be necessary to loosen the middle hinge bolts and re-align the door.
Is it necessary to change the sealing rubber when re-hanging?
No, the standard seal Stinol is symmetrical and does not require replacement. However, if the rubber has been severely deformed over the years of use, it may be necessary to replace it or restore its shape using a hair dryer after rehanging.
Where to put the old plugs from the hinges?
The old plugs that you removed from the working side now need to be installed in the holes on the opposite side (where the hinges are now located), if the design allows, or put into storage. Usually they simply change places: we take out the plugs from the new holes and put them in the old vacated sockets.