Changing the installation location of kitchen furniture often poses the difficult task of changing the equipment configuration for owners of household appliances. If you bought a refrigerator Stinol, but the door opens in the wrong direction, do not rush to get upset or look for free space in another part of the kitchen. The design of most models of this brand initially provides the possibility of rehanging the door leaf on the opposite side, which greatly simplifies space planning.
This process does not require complex specialized tools and deep knowledge of the unit's design, however, it requires care and adherence to the sequence of actions. Incorrect installation of hinges or ignoring small details can lead to leakage and, as a consequence, increased energy consumption. In this article we will analyze in detail how to correctly perform this procedure, what to pay special attention to and what nuances are typical for different series of Stinol equipment. sash misalignment, violation of tightness and, as a result, increased energy consumption. In this article we will analyze in detail how to correctly perform this procedure, what to pay special attention to and what nuances are characteristic of different series of Stinol equipment.
Before starting the active phase of work, it is necessary to prepare the workplace and free access to the unit from all sides. Make sure you have all the necessary tools on hand and that the refrigerator itself is unplugged and completely defrosted. It is critical to remove all water from the drainage system before tilting or moving the equipment to avoid short-circuiting the compressor. Let's look at the preparatory stage in more detail.
Required tools and worker training places
Quality preparation is half the success of any repair operation. To hang a door, you will need a minimum set of tools that are found in the arsenal of most home craftsmen. The main tool will be open-end or socket wrench the appropriate size, often 8, 10 or 12 mm, depending on the year of manufacture of the model. You may also need a Phillips screwdriver and a hex key if your model uses countersunk screws.
Particular attention should be paid to organizing the space around the refrigerator. You need to ensure easy access not only from the front, but also from the sides, as well as from the back, as access to the bottom of the case is sometimes required. Cover the floor with cardboard or thick cloth to avoid scratching the floor covering and damaging the legs of the unit when moving. Do not forget that an empty refrigerator is much lighter than a full one, but still has an impressive weight.
It is also important to prepare a container for folding fasteners. Small bolts, plugs and washers tend to get lost at the most inopportune moment. It is recommended to use a magnetic tray or several containers labeled with a marker so as not to confuse the fasteners of the upper and lower hinges. If you have an assistant, this will significantly simplify the process, since removing a heavy door alone is inconvenient and risky.
☑️ Preparing to rehang the door
Dismantling the top hinge and removing the door
You should always start work by dismantling the top hinges, since it is this that bears the main load of holding the door in a vertical position. In models Stinol the upper hinge is often hidden under a decorative plastic plug or cover, which must be carefully pryed off with a flat screwdriver. Do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the plastic clips, as the plastic becomes brittle over time.
After removing the plug, access to the mounting bolts will open. They must be unscrewed, but not removed completely if you are working without an assistant, so that the door does not fall. If you are alone, it is better to unscrew the bolts completely, but hold the door with your other hand or support it from below. In some modifications, the power cord for the lamp or display passes through the top loop if it is located on the door.
⚠️ Attention: If an electrical cable passes through the loop, do not pull it sharply under any circumstances! Carefully disconnect the connector, having first noted or photographed the position of the contacts.
When the fasteners are loosened, the door can be removed. This must be done strictly vertically upward so as not to damage the lower hinge pin. Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface with the outside side down to avoid scratching the enamel or decorative panel. Now you can start working with the lower part of the structure.
What to do if the bolts are rusty?
If the mounting bolts cannot be unscrewed due to corrosion, do not use brute force - you can strip the threads. Treat the joints with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 10-15 minutes. After this, try to carefully move the bolts out of place by lightly tapping the key.
Working with the lower support and rearranging the fittings
The lower part of the door is held on a pin, which is screwed into the refrigerator body or into the lower hinge. Depending on the design of your model, this pin may be part of the bottom hinge or a separate element. If the pin is part of the hinge, it must be unscrewed from the body and moved to the opposite side, into a pre-provided threaded hole. Stinol, this pin can be part of the bottom hinge or a separate element. If the pin is part of a hinge, it must be unscrewed from the body and moved to the opposite side, into a pre-provided threaded hole.
On the bottom of the door itself there are also matching holes and, possibly, bushings. You need to move the support sleeve or pin to a different corner of the door. This often requires removing the decorative trim from the bottom of the door. Pay attention to the condition of the rubber seals in this area - they should not have creases or cracks.
After rearranging the support elements on the door and body, check whether the holes for attaching the lower hinge on the new side match. In some models, it is necessary to rearrange the lower loop itself or its elements. Make sure that all threaded connections are clean and free of contaminants that could interfere with proper fixation.
Installing the door on a new side and adjusting
Afterwards Once all the preparatory work on rearranging the fittings is completed, you can install the door in its new rightful place. Align the bottom hole of the door with the installed pin and carefully lower the structure. Make sure that the door fits tightly and evenly, without distortions. Now you need to fix the upper part.
Install the upper hinge in a new place, aligning it with the holes on the body and door. Insert and tighten the mounting bolts. It is important here not to overtighten the thread, but also to provide sufficient force for reliable fixation. If your model has Door closer or a stopper, make sure that it is also rearranged or adjusted accordingly.
The final step is to adjust the position of the door. It should close tightly, without gaps, but not too tightly. If you notice a misalignment, you can eliminate it by placing washers under the hinges or adjusting the height of the legs of the refrigerator itself. A correctly installed door should fit equally to the body around the entire perimeter.
Nuances for models with NoFrost and a display
Owners of modern models Stinol with a system NoFrost and an electronic display on the door you need to be especially careful. In such refrigerators, a wiring harness passes through the top loop, connecting the control board in the housing to the panel and lamp on the door. When rehanging, this harness must be carefully removed and reconnected.
Often the length of the wires is calculated with a reserve, but sometimes extension or re-soldering of the contacts is required if the design does not provide for automatic switching. In most cases, it is enough to simply transfer the connector to the appropriate socket, if there are several of them, or carefully lay the wire into a new channel.
Don't forget to check the operation of the system after assembly. Plug in the refrigerator and make sure that the lamp lights up and the display and indicators work. If the door does not close tightly due to the wire, you may need to loosen the hinge and adjust the cable routing.
| Model type | Hinge feature | Presence of wires | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-chamber | Standard | No (usually) | Low |
| Two-chamber | Reinforced | Yes (lamp) | Medium |
| NoFrost + Display | Complex | Yes (harness) | High |
| Side-by-Side | Specific | Many wires | Pro |
Checking tightness and eliminating gaps
After installing the door, it is critical to check the quality of fit sealing rubber along the entire perimeter. Even a small gap will lead to constant entry of warm air into the chamber, which will force the compressor to work without interruption. This will not only increase your electricity bills, but can also shorten the life of the motor.
There is a simple and effective way to test for leaks, known as the “paper test”. Take a regular piece of paper or a banknote, clamp it with the refrigerator door and try to pull it out. The sheet should be removed with noticeable force. If the paper falls out freely or comes out too easily, adjustment is required at this point.
If adjusting the hinges does not achieve a tight fit, the seal may have become deformed during storage or installation. In this case, you can try to warm the rubber with a hair dryer (not too hot air) and straighten it, or replace the seal with a new one if the defect is too large.
⚠️ Attention: If after rehanging the door begins to close with difficulty or, on the contrary, slams, check the level of inclination of the refrigerator itself. The body should be slightly tilted back for gravity flow of oil and proper closing.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Yes, this is a mandatory requirement. During operation, the refrigerator will tilt, and if there is ice or water in the drainage system or on the evaporator, it may leak into the technical compartments or onto the floor, which will lead to corrosion or a short circuit.
Is it possible to rehang the door without turning off the refrigerator?
It is strictly not recommended. While this is theoretically possible, the risk of damaging wiring, dropping a heavy door, or getting electrocuted is too great. In addition, working with a live electrical appliance violates basic safety rules.
What to do if you lose the plugs for holes?
If you have lost decorative plugs for old holes for hinges, you can order them at a service center or pick up analogues at a furniture fittings store. As a last resort, the holes can be sealed with a decorative sticker in the color of the body to prevent moisture and dust from entering.
Why does not the door stay open after rehanging?
A magnetic lock or mechanism in the lower hinge is usually responsible for holding the door open. When re-hanging, people often forget to move the counter part of the magnet or the latch itself to the new side. Check the instructions for your specific model Stinol to find this element.