Changing the opening side of the refrigerator door is not just a whim, but often a necessary measure to optimize the kitchen space. Owners of equipment Ariston Hotpoint may encounter a situation where the standard arrangement of hinges interferes with convenient access to products or does not fit into the new kitchen layout. Fortunately, the design of most modern models allows you to perform this procedure yourself, without calling a specialist.
The process of rehanging requires care and accuracy, since the refrigerator door is a heavy element equipped with complex fittings. Incorrect actions may result in damage to the housing or loss of sealing. In this article, we will analyze in detail the stages of work, the necessary tools and nuances that will help you avoid common mistakes when working with refrigeration equipment.
Before starting dismantling, you need to prepare the workplace. Make sure there is enough room to maneuver around the refrigerator and that the floor is protected from possible scratches from falling parts. It is also worth emptying the door shelves of products to reduce the load on the mechanism during rearrangement.
Necessary tools and preparation for work
To successfully complete the task, you will need a basic set of tools, which is usually found in the arsenal of a home craftsman. The main focus should be on the quality of the tools, as fasteners may be over-tightened at the factory. Using the wrong bits or wrenches can cause the screw heads to break off, making the process much more difficult.
You will need the following tools:
- 🔧 Hex wrenches (usually 4mm or 5mm size) for removing hinge bolts.
- 🪛 Set of screwdrivers (Phillips and flat) for dismantling decorative plugs and handles.
- 🔨 A small hammer or wooden mallet for carefully knocking out the pins (if the design provides for their presence).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
⚠️ Attention: Before Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is critical for safety as you will be working in close proximity to electrical components and metal parts that can damage wiring if moved carelessly.
Pay special attention to surface preparation. Place thick cardboard, a blanket or soft cloth in front of the refrigerator. The door will have to be removed completely, and it is strictly forbidden to place it on a hard floor - this can deform sealing rubber or damage the internal plastic lining.
Dismantling the top door and removing the handles
The first step It always becomes difficult to work with the top door, since it is held on the top hinges, which are easiest to dismantle. Start by removing the decorative caps that hide the mounting bolts. In models Ariston Hotpoint they are often made of plastic and can be quite tight.
Use a thin flathead screwdriver or knife to carefully pry the plugs out. Be careful not to scratch the glossy surface of the door. After removing the plugs, you will see the mounting bolts holding the top hinge.
Next, you should remove the handle if the design of your model requires its rearrangement. In some series, the handles are symmetrical and do not require replacement, but in most cases it is necessary to move the opening mechanism to the opposite side.
The process of removing the handle is as follows:
- 🔩 Find the hidden fastening screws (often they are located under the decorative trims at the ends of the handle).
- 🔧 Unscrew fasteners using the appropriate size screwdriver.
- 👐 Carefully remove the handle, holding it with your other hand so that it does not fall.
Now you can move on to the main fasteners. Loosen, but do not completely remove the top hinge bolts yet. Have a helper hold the door so it doesn't fall as you remove the last bolt. After the hinge is completely removed, the door can be carefully removed from the lower axis and placed in a safe place.
Working with the lower door and freezer compartment
If you are the owner of a refrigerator with a lower freezer, the procedure is repeated in a similar way, but has its own characteristics. The bottom door is often heavier due to the design of the drawers and the stronger seal. It is important here to correctly calculate the forces when lifting.
First remove the upper hinge of the lower door (which is located in the middle of the refrigerator, between the two chambers). In some models Ariston Hotpoint the same loop can serve as a chamber separator. After removing the fasteners, the freezer door is freed.
Pay special attention to the wires. In modern models, cables for door open indicators or displays often pass through the hinges. Unlike older models, you cannot simply pull the door - you need to carefully disconnect the connectors.
What to do if the wires are too short?
If the length of the cable does not allow you to move the door freely, do not forcibly disconnect the connectors. Carefully thread the loops of wires through the technological holes in the hinge body to increase the radius of movement, or temporarily secure the wires with tape to the refrigerator body.
After removing all the doors, you are left with an empty refrigerator body. This is the ideal time for preventative cleaning. You can:
- 🧹 Vacuum the space around the seals and in the corners of the case.
- 🧼 Wipe the ends of the doors and the places where the hinges are attached to remove old grease and dust.
- 🔍 Inspect the rubber seals for cracks or creases.
Rearrangement of fittings and hinges
The most critical stage is the physical rearrangement of fastening elements. On the opposite side of the body and doors you will see symmetrical holes closed with plastic plugs. Your task is to remove the plugs from the “new” side and use them to close the holes on the “old” side, where there will now be no hinges.
To rearrange the hinges, you will need a correspondence table, since different models Ariston Hotpoint can use different types of fasteners. Below is an indicative diagram for standard models:
| Element | Action | Where to move |
|---|---|---|
| Top loop | Remove from the left side | Install on the right side (using mirror holes) |
| Middle hinge | Remove and turn over (if asymmetrical) | Secure on the opposite side of the case |
| Bottom support | Unscrew the adjusting leg | Screw it into the hole on the other side (often requires removing the plastic cap cover) |
| Decorative plugs | Remove from the new holes for the hinges | Insert into the vacated holes on the old side |
If you try to install the left hinge on the right side without replacing or flipping, the door simply will not fit into place. Sometimes the refrigerator comes with special spare hinges or instructions for reversing them.
⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse the length of the bolts when installing the hinges in a new location. Using a screw that is too long can cause it to rest against the internal circuit or damage the insulation, which is critical for compressor operation and the cooling system.
☑️ Ready for installation loops
Installing the doors in a new location
After all the fittings have been moved, the assembly process begins. You should always start with the bottom door (freezer) if you have a No Frost model or with a bottom chamber. Install the bottom hinge (or support sleeve) into the prepared hole.
Place the door onto the lower axis, holding it vertically. This requires good coordination or assistance from a second person. Align the holes in the top of the door with the holes in the middle hinge and secure with bolts. Do not tighten them “all the way” right away - just tighten them first so that there is still the possibility of micro-adjustments.
Then move on to the upper door. The principle is the same: put it on the middle loop, align it, and fix the top loop. At this stage, it is important to follow the sequence so as not to disturb the opening geometry.
If your model is equipped with electronics in the door (display, "Eco" button, indicators), now is the time to connect the cables. Make sure the connectors click into place. The wires should lie in special grooves so that when opening the door they do not stretch or fray.
Adjusting the gaps and checking the tightness
The final stage is adjustment. Even with perfect installation, slight distortions may remain. The refrigerator door Ariston Hotpoint should close tightly, but without excessive force. If the door closes on its own with a slight push when opened 45 degrees, this is an ideal sign of serviceability.
The legs of the refrigerator are used to adjust the height. By rotating the front supports, you can raise or lower the corners of the body. Also, on the hinges themselves there are often eccentrics or the possibility of loosening the fasteners to move the door left and right.
Checking the tightness is carried out using a simple method:
- 📄 Take a sheet of paper or a banknote.
- 🚪 Clamp the sheet with the door perimeter.
- ✋ Pull the sheet. If it is pulled out with noticeable effort, the seal is good. If the sheet falls out or slides freely, the hinge needs to be adjusted in this place.
⚠️ Attention: If, after adjustment, you find that the door is skewed and touches the body, do not try to “push” it in by force. Loosen all hinge fastenings again, level the door and only then fix it. Ignoring the misalignment will lead to rapid wear sealing rubber and loss of cold.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need to wait after re-hanging before turning it on?
Yes, it is recommended to wait 2-4 hours before turning on the refrigerator. This is necessary if you tilted the unit too much during operation or if oil has moved inside the refrigerant system. Let the equipment stand upright so that all liquids return to the compressor.
Is it possible to hang the door alone, without an assistant?
Technically this is possible, but it is highly not recommended. Refrigerator doors are heavy and bulky. The risk of dropping the door, damaging the floor, the cabinet, or getting injured is very high. It’s better to ask someone to protect you during removal and installation.
What to do if there are no holes for hinges on the new side?
In 99% of cases, there are holes, but they are closed with decorative plugs in the color of the case. Carefully inspect the end of the door and the side of the refrigerator. If there really are no holes (which happens in very old or specific models), then re-hanging is impossible without drilling, which will void your warranty.
Why, after re-hanging, does the door not reach the end?
Most likely, you incorrectly moved the opening limiter or the plug at the end of the door. Also, the reason may be that the new hinge that needs to be developed is too tight, or the incorrect level of tilt of the refrigerator itself (it should be slightly tilted back).