Changing the layout of the kitchen or buying a new set often dictates its own rules for arranging household appliances. Owners of domestic refrigerators Sviyaga often face the need to change the direction of door opening in order to provide convenient access to products. This process requires care, but can be done at home if you have a basic set of tools and an understanding of the design.
Before starting work, it is important to realize that rehanging doors is an operation that affects the load-bearing elements of the body and the hinge. Incorrect actions can lead to distortion of the sash, disruption of the seal or damage to the fasteners. In this article, we will analyze all the stages in detail so that you can cope with the task yourself.
It is worth noting that the design of refrigerators Sviyaga (manufactured by the Kazan Plant) has its own characteristics that distinguish them from their European or Chinese counterparts. Here, specific types of hinges and methods of attaching handles are used, which require a special approach. Below we will look at all the nuances of preparing and implementing this process.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any manipulations, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Remove the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of electric shock or accidental start of the compressor during work.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
The quality of the work directly depends on the preparation. You don't need complex industrial equipment, but you should have a certain set of tools at hand. The absence of the required key can lead to the breaking of the edges of the bolts, which will significantly complicate the process.
The main tool will be hex key (usually 4 mm or 5 mm in size), since most fasteners in refrigerators Sviyaga are made for it. You will also need a flathead and Phillips screwdriver to remove decorative caps and handles. Some models may require 8 or 10 mm wrenches.
- 🔧 Set of hex keys (use the selection method to find the appropriate size).
- 🪛 Screwdrivers with different stings (flat and cross).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧹 Soft rags for wiping the attachment points from dust.
Prepare a flat area next to the refrigerator. If possible, move the unit away from the wall so you can access it from all sides. Cover the floor with cardboard or thick fabric to avoid scratching the floor covering with fallen parts or tools.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the hinges may vary depending on the year of manufacture of the model. Parts may change by the manufacturer, so check with a visual inspection of your specific device, and not just general recommendations.
Removing the top panel and top hinge
The process starts from the top of the refrigerator. In models Sviyaga the top cover often plays not only a decorative, but also a constructive role, hiding the upper hinge fastenings. First you need to carefully remove this panel. It can be held on by latches or screws located at the back or front under the decorative strip.
After removing the cover, the top hinge will be revealed to your attention. If you have a two-compartment refrigerator, then it is this hinge that holds the top door. Before unscrewing the bolts, make sure that the door is securely fixed or someone is holding it so that it does not fall on your feet.
Use hex wrench to unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge to the refrigerator body. Be careful not to lose any washers or bushings that may be installed between the hinge and the body. Once unscrewed, remove the hinge and set it aside.
Now you can remove the top door. Carefully lift it up, moving the lower axle out of the bushing, and set it aside in a safe place. Pay attention to the condition sealing rubber: if it has creases or damage, when rehanging them you can try to smooth them out with a hairdryer, but it is better to immediately assess the need for replacement.
Removing door handles and preparing the sash
One of the specific features refrigerators Sviyaga is the design of the handles. In most models they are built-in or require dismantling to install on the other side. If your model has overhead handles, they need to be rearranged.
To dismantle the handle, you often need to remove the decorative plug, under which the fastening screw is hidden. Use a thin screwdriver or knife to pry the plastic, but be careful not to break the latches. The screw is unscrewed with a Phillips screwdriver, after which the handle is freely removed.
- 🔍 Inspect the back of the door: there should be factory holes for the handles.
- 🔩 If the holes are closed with plastic plugs, carefully remove them.
- 🔄 Install the handles in a new place using the same ones the screws that were originally there.
In some cases, installing handles on the new side requires the use of special bushingsthat come with the refrigerator (usually they are packaged separately in a passport folder or are in the freezer upon purchase).
What to do if the bushings for the handles are lost?
If the original bushings are lost, you can try using plastic dowels of a suitable diameter, cutting them flush with the surface, or order components from official dealers of the Kazan plant. It is better not to use metal bushings so as not to damage the plastic of the door.
Rearranging the bottom hinge and middle panel
After removing the top door (in two-chamber models), it is necessary to remove the middle partition or bar if it interferes with access to the bottom hinge. In refrigerators Sviyaga the design may include a common axis or separate fastenings for each chamber.
The lower hinge of the main door (or the only one if the refrigerator is single-chamber) is attached to the floor of the refrigerator. Unscrew the mounting bolts. Often more powerful fasteners are used here, since this hinge bears the main weight of the door with products. Force may be required if the thread is stuck.
Move the bottom loop to the opposite side. To do this:
- Find the corresponding holes on the lower frame of the case.
- Install the hinge, aligning the holes.
- Fix with the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet to be able to adjust.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the hinge on the new side, make sure that the pin (axis) on which the door will be placed is directed strictly vertically upward. A misalignment of the axis will result in the door not closing tightly or opening spontaneously.
If your model provides for rearranging the middle panel between the chambers, remove it by unscrewing the side fasteners and install it symmetrically on the other side. Do not forget to rearrange the door opening limiter, if it is structurally provided in your modification Sviyaga.
Installation of doors and final adjustment
The most important stage is placing the doors in new places. Start with the bottom door (or main door if the refrigerator is single-compartment). Place the bottom hole of the door hinge onto the installed refrigerator bottom hinge pin. The door should be level.
Then install the top part of the door and screw the top hinge to the refrigerator body. The bolt tightening sequence is critical here. First tighten all the bolts by hand, then tighten them evenly with a wrench. Perform the final tightening only after checking the operation of the mechanism.
| Stage | Action | Control parameter |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preparation | Disconnection from the network, dismantling panels | Safety, access to hinges |
| 2. Dismantling | Removing doors and handles | Safety of fasteners |
| 3. Transfer | Installing hinges on a new side | Verticality of axes |
| 4. Installation | Hanging doors | Tightness |
| 5. Adjustment | Setting the gaps | Tightness |
After installation, check the operation of the doors. They should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. When released from an opening angle of about 15-20 degrees, a serviceable door should tend to close on its own thanks to the magnetic seal and a slight tilt of the body (if it is structurally provided) or inertia.
Adjusting the tightness and eliminating distortions
If after rehanging you notice that the door does not fit tightly or there are gaps between the body and with a seal here, adjustment will be required. In refrigerators Sviyaga adjustment is most often carried out by loosening the fastening bolts of the hinges and moving the door in the desired direction.
Slightly loosen the bolts securing the upper and lower hinges (literally half a turn). Have an assistant press the door in position to ensure even sealing around the entire perimeter. In this position, tighten the bolts back.
- ❄️ Check the fit using a sheet of paper: clamp the sheet between the door and the body, it should be pulled out with noticeable force.
- 📏 Measure the gaps: they should be the same along the entire length of the joint.
- 🔨 If the door is skewed, try placing washers under one side of the hinge (rarely, but sometimes necessary).
Also check the operation of the light switch and sensors (if any). When closing the door, the mechanism should operate clearly. If the door is skewed, the light may not go out, which will lead to defrosting of food and overloading the compressor.
☑️ Final check
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
In the process of work, beginners often make mistakes that have to be corrected. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of fasteners. The bolts for the top and bottom hinges may have different lengths or threads. Using the wrong bolt can damage the threads in the refrigerator body.
Another mistake is overtightening the bolts. Excessive force may cause the lugs to deform or the plastic fasteners to crack. Tighten the bolts until they stop, but without fanatical force. If you use a torque wrench (which is unlikely at home, but still), follow the standards.
What to do if the door does not close completely after rehanging?
Most likely, the geometry of the hinges is broken. Loosen the fasteners and try to move the door up or down a little. Also check if anything inside the refrigerator is in the way (shelves, food) or if the seal in the upper corner has lifted.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the instructions are lost?
Yes, the design of refrigerators Sviyaga is quite unified. The principle of symmetry almost always works: if there are holes and bushings on one side, there should be them on the other. The main thing is to act logically and not to use force where the parts do not fit.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
It is desirable, but not necessarily completely. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to wait until it defrosts so that water does not flow out when the refrigerator is tilted during operation. In addition, an empty refrigerator is easier to move and tilt.
In conclusion, rehanging the door on the refrigerator Sviyaga is a completely solvable task for a home craftsman. The main thing is attention to detail, the right tools and accuracy. By following these recommendations, you can adapt the equipment to your kitchen without calling a specialist.