Modern kitchens often dictate their own ergonomic rules, and the standard configuration of household appliances may no longer suit the owner after rearrangement. Refrigerators Electrolux are famous for their reliability and thoughtful design, but even they have a standard door arrangement, which usually opens on the right. If you bought a new apartment or started renovations, a door that opens in the wrong direction can become a serious obstacle to convenient movement around the room. Fortunately, the design of most models of the Swedish brand allows for the possibility of changing the opening side, which allows you to adapt the unit to specific planning conditions.
The process of hanging a door requires care and a minimum set of tools, but is not a very complex engineering task. You don't need to be a professional to do this job yourself if you are careful and consistent. The main thing is to understand that inside the mechanism there are fragile elements, such as a magnetic seal and plastic clips, which can be easily damaged if handled carelessly. A correctly performed procedure will not only change the direction of opening, but will also extend the life of the hinges, ensuring a tight fit of the door to the body.
Before starting any work, it is necessary to clear the space around the refrigerator in order to have access to it from all sides. Make sure the floor is covered with soft material if you plan to place the equipment on its side, although most often the work can be done by simply moving the unit. In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of dismantling and installation, paying special attention to the nuances specific to the equipment Electrolux. Compliance with the technology will allow you to avoid distortions and problems with the tightness of the chamber in the future.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To successfully complete the task of changing the side of the door opening, you will need a basic kit for a home craftsman. You shouldn’t start working at random; it’s better to prepare everything you need in advance so as not to be distracted by looking for a screwdriver at the most crucial moment. The main tool will be a hex key, the size of which usually corresponds to the hinge mounting screws, often 4 mm or 5 mm. You may also need a flathead screwdriver to remove decorative plugs and plastic fittings.
In addition to the main tool, prepare a container for storing small parts such as screws, washers and bushings. The loss of even one small element can cause the door to not fit into place or become warped. It is recommended to use a magnetic tray or just a small box where you will put the fasteners in the order of dismantling. This will help not to confuse anything during reassembly.
An important stage of preparation is the release of the door shelves. Remove all containers, bottles and heavy objects to reduce weight and prevent contents from accidentally falling. If the door has complex mechanisms or electronics built into it, make sure you know how to safely disconnect them, although on most models Electrolux the wiring runs through the top hinge and requires careful disconnection.
Removing the Top Hinge and Removing the Door
The first step in the remodeling process is working on the top designs. This is where the main mounting point and, in many models, the electrical wiring for the lighting or display is most often located. Start by carefully removing the decorative top hinge cover, which may be held in place by clips or simply fit snugly into the grooves. Use a flat-head screwdriver, prying the element from different sides, but try not to use excessive force so as not to break the plastic.
After removing the plug, you will have access to the mounting screws. Their number may vary depending on the refrigerator model, but usually there are two or three. Using the prepared hex key, remove the screws and set them aside in the prepared container. At this stage, it is important to hold the door with a second hand or ask an assistant, since after removing the fasteners it will lose its fixation and may fall.
⚠️ Attention: If your model is equipped with a display or indicators on the door, you must disconnect the electrical connector before completely removing the hinge. Be careful not to pull the wires sharply, so as not to damage the contacts.
When the screws are removed and the wires (if any) are disconnected, you can remove the door. Lift it strictly vertically upward, disengaging it from the lower bushing. Place the removed part face up on a prepared soft surface to avoid scratching the coating or damaging the magnetic tape. Now you have access to the bottom and the ability to rearrange the fittings.
Rearranging the lower support sleeve and fittings
The lower part of the refrigerator door Electrolux rests on a special sleeve or pin, which is mounted in the body or in the lower hinge. To change the opening side, this element must be moved to the opposite side. At the end of the door, on the side that was free, you will find a technological hole closed with a plastic plug. Carefully remove the plug and install it in the vacated hole on the working side.
Next you need to rearrange the support sleeve itself. In some models it is simply removed with your fingers or pliers, in others it requires unscrewing. Move the bushing to the opposite end of the door, making sure it fits snugly and evenly. If the design involves using the mating part of the hinge on the body of the refrigerator, a similar procedure must be carried out with the lower mount on the unit itself.
Don't forget to check the condition of the rubber seals. While the door is removed, there is an excellent opportunity to inspect the magnetic tape around its entire perimeter for dirt or damage. If necessary, wipe it with a damp cloth and mild detergent to ensure a perfect seal after installation. The cleanliness of the seal is the key to proper operation of the refrigerator compartment and the absence of ice.
Installing the door on the new side
After preparing all the elements, you can begin installation doors to a new location. Lift the door and carefully slide it onto the bottom support sleeve, which is now located on the side you need. Make sure the door is level and there is nothing preventing it from swinging freely. At this stage, you can already assess whether the previous manipulations with the fittings were performed correctly.
Now we move on to installing the top hinge. Align the hinge holes with the matching holes on the refrigerator body. Insert the mounting screws, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This is an important point: the initial fixation must be free in order to be able to adjust the position of the door. If you immediately tighten the screws, you can get a misalignment, which will lead to a loose fit or difficulty opening.
If the model provides for electrical connections, connect the wire connectors, observing the color markings or the shape of the contacts. Place the wires in the channels intended for them so that they do not fall into the movement zone of the mechanisms and are not pinched when closing. After that, install the top hinge in place and finally fix it with screws using a hex key.
☑️ Checking the door installation
Adjusting the position and eliminating distortions
After installing the door on the new side, it is extremely important to carry out a thorough adjustment. Even with careful work, minimal deviations may occur that will affect the tightness. Check how the door fits against the body around its entire perimeter. The gaps should be the same at the top and bottom, and the magnetic tape should be in close contact with the metal of the case.
For adjustment, special screws in the hinges are often used to change the tilt of the door back and forth or left and right. If the door is skewed, loosen the top hinge slightly and, adjusting the position, tighten it again. In some models Electrolux the height of the legs of the refrigerator also affects the angle of inclination and self-closing of the door, so it may be necessary to tighten the support screws at the bottom of the case.
Pay attention to the operation of the closers, if they are provided for in the design. The door should close itself, starting from a certain opening angle. If this does not happen, the refrigerator may not be level or the hinge may be installed askew. Use a building level to check the horizontal installation of the unit itself.
Comparison of hinge types in different Electrolux models
The design of the hinges may vary significantly depending on the series and year of manufacture of the refrigerator. Understanding the type of fittings you have will help you avoid mistakes during dismantling. Below is a table that helps identify the main types of fasteners.
| Model type | Hinge feature | Required tool | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (No Frost) | Hidden mounting, 2-3 screws | Hex 4-5 mm | Medium |
| Budget series | Open hinge accessible from outside | Phillips screwdriver | Low |
| Side-by-Side | Complex system, often 4 loops | Set of keys, expert help | High |
| Built-in models | Specific furniture slides | Hexagon, screwdriver | High |
Model owners Side-by-Side or Wide two-door refrigerators should be especially careful. The weight of the doors in such units is much higher, and the risk of dropping the door or damaging the floor during installation increases. In such cases, it is strongly recommended that two people carry out the work.
For built-in models, the procedure may be complicated by the presence of furniture facades. Before starting work, make sure that you can remove the front panel or rearrange it together with the refrigerator door, since the fastening mechanism is different.
Typical mistakes and ways to eliminate them
Even following the instructions, beginners can make a number of common mistakes. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of screws of different lengths. The design of the hinges may use fasteners with different threads or rod lengths, and installing a long screw in a short hole can lead to the piercing of the housing or destruction of the plastic.
Another mistake is ignoring the check that the floor is level. If the refrigerator is tilted, the door may open on its own or, conversely, not close completely, creating the illusion that the hinge is faulty. Always begin diagnosing problems by checking the installation level of the unit.
⚠️ Attention: Never use force to slam the door if it does not fit into the groove. This may cause the housing to deform or the fasteners to break out. It is better to check the adjustment again.
If, after rehanging, you notice that the door has become worse at the bottom, it is possible that the lower bushing was not installed completely or skewed. Disassemble the lower assembly and make sure that all the elements fit tightly and evenly.
What to do if there is an extra screw left?
If after assembly you are left with a screw that has nowhere to put, do not panic. Compare it to screws on hinges. If it is different in length or thread, it may have been a shipping lock that needed to be discarded, or a spare part. If it is identical to others, it means that somewhere the fasteners are not tightened, which is dangerous for operation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Full defrosting is not a prerequisite if you work quickly and carefully. However, if you plan to place the refrigerator on its side for convenience or are afraid of condensation leaking out of the drainage channels, it is better to first defrost the unit and wipe it dry.
Is it possible to re-hang the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
According to the rules of many service centers, independent intervention in the structure, including re-hanging the doors, may cause a refusal of warranty service if any damage associated with this process was found. It is recommended to clarify this point in the documentation or call an authorized center Electrolux.
Why does the door not magnetize after rehanging?
This may be due to incorrect adjustment of the tilt of the body or a skewed hinge. Also check to see if there is a foreign object between the seal and the housing. If the magnetic tape is damaged, it will need to be replaced.
How long does the rehanging procedure take?
For an experienced technician, this process takes about 15-20 minutes. For a beginner doing this for the first time and carefully reading the instructions, the work can take from 40 minutes to an hour.