Changing the opening side of the refrigerator compartment is a standard procedure that is often required when moving or remodeling a kitchen. Equipment owners Haier can perform this task themselves if they follow the instructions and are careful. Re-hanging the doors allows you to optimize space and make the use of the unit more convenient for right-handers or left-handers.
The process does not require complex specialized equipment, however, physical strength and the help of a second person will be useful, since the door leaves are quite heavy. Accurately follow the sequence of actions guarantees that the hinges will fall into place without distortion, and the seal will fit snugly to the body. Before starting work, be sure to clear the space around the refrigerator.
It is important to understand that the design of the hinges may vary slightly depending on the specific model of your device. Some series Haier equipped with a hidden mechanism or additional latches that require a special approach. Carefully inspect the end parts of the doors before picking up the tools.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To do the job of hanging doors well, you will need a basic set of home craftsman. The main tool will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with Phillips and flat slots. You may also need wrenches if the fasteners are made in the form of hex bolts.
Be sure to prepare a soft substrate, such as a blanket or thick towel, on which you will lay the removed doors. This will protect them from scratches and chips, and also preserve the floor covering. Don't forget about a container for folding screws so as not to lose small parts during work.
- 🔧 Screwdriver or set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead)
- 🔩 Wrenches or sockets (size depends on the model)
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges edges
- 🧱 Stand or stool for fixing the door during dismantling
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, 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 activation of the compressor while manipulating the wiring.
Make sure that the area around the refrigerator is clear of foreign objects. You need to freely walk around the unit from all sides. If there are foods in the freezer, it is better to temporarily remove them or place them in the lower drawers to reduce the weight of the structure and prevent loads from falling when tilted.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Removing the top hinge and the top door
Let's begin procedure from the top of the refrigerator, since this is where the main supporting loop is located. First you need to remove the decorative plug, if it is present on the top cover of the case. Under it are usually hidden the mounting bolts that hold the upper hinge.
Use the appropriate attachment for unscrewing the screws. Do not remove them completely at once, loosen the fastening so that the hinge can be removed. In some models Haier the top hinge may have a wire for the No Frost system or door open indication. Be extremely careful when disconnecting the electrical connector.
After removing the fasteners, the upper hinge must be carefully moved to the side. Now you can remove the top door. It is best to do this together: one person holds the door, and the second finally removes the fasteners and removes the hinge. Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down.
If a handle is installed on the door, it is also better to remove it at this stage so that it does not interfere when rearranging the fittings. It is usually secured with screws from the inside or with hidden latches. Carefully unscrew them and set the handle aside.
Removing the middle hinge and bottom door
After the upper part is freed, we move on to the middle hinge, which connects the main chamber to the freezer. The principle of operation is similar: we find the fasteners, loosen them and remove the metal plate. Wiring leading to a light bulb or temperature sensor may also pass here.
The bottom door (freezer) is the easiest to remove, since it is often only held on by the bottom sleeve or pin after removing the middle hinge. Lift the door up to disengage the axle and set it aside in a safe place. Be careful not to damage sealing rubber when moving.
- 📸 Take a photo of the wire connection diagram before disconnecting
- 🔌 Carefully pull out the connectors, holding the plastic part, not the wires
- 🧊 Make sure that oil from the loops does not drip onto the floor or food
In models with the system No Frost an air channel often passes through the loops. Check to see if there are plastic bushings or flaps at the ends of the doors that need to be moved to the opposite side. These elements are critical for proper air circulation inside the cameras.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use excessive force when disconnecting the plastic wiring connectors. Plastic becomes brittle in the cold and can easily crack. If the connector does not fit, check whether you forgot to unclip the latch.
Now that all the doors have been removed, you have full access to the refrigerator body. Carefully inspect the holes on the opposite side. There should be plugs that will need to be rearranged in place of the old holes in order to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the unit.
Rearranging fittings and plugs
This is the most important stage that requires care. You need to remove all fasteners, hinges and plugs from one side of the body and doors, and move them to the other. Start with the refrigerator body: remove the plugs from the holes where the hinges will be installed, and close the vacated holes with them.
On the doors, you need to rearrange the mating parts of the hinges and handles. If the design of the handle allows, simply transfer it to the other side using the provided holes. In some cases, it may be necessary replacement of pins or opposite bushings, which come with the refrigerator.
| Element | Action when reweighing | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Transfer to the opposite side | Contains the axis of rotation |
| Middle loop | Rotate or replace the axis | Often has a pin for the bottom door |
| Bottom support | Repositioning the bushing | Adjusts height and tilt |
| Plugs | Replacement in places | Hide the mounting holes |
| Door handles | Dismantling and installation on the other side | Check the screws for completeness |
Pay attention to the plastic bushings at the ends of the doors. They ensure correct positioning of the door relative to the body. If you forget to rearrange them or install them the wrong way, the door may not close or will be warped.
What to do if the plug is lost?
If you have lost a decorative plug, do not leave the hole open - moisture and dust will get there. Temporarily seal it with a piece of electrical tape that matches the color of the body or pick up a similar plastic plug from a hardware store.
Assembling and installing doors on new hinges
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. First we install the bottom door on the bottom support or pin. Make sure it sits straight and tight. Then we mount the middle hinge, fixing it with screws, but do not tighten them all the way yet to be able to adjust.
Next we hang the upper door. This is the most crucial moment, requiring the help of a second person. Align the holes in the top door with the hinge, insert the axle and secure the structure. Only after this can you finally tighten all the fastening bolts.
- 🔒 First tighten all the screws, then tighten them crosswise
- 📏 Check the gaps between the door and the body - they should be uniform
- 🚪 Make sure that the door opens freely and does not touch housing
After mechanical assembly, it is necessary to restore the electrical connections. Connect the wire connectors to the appropriate sockets on the hinges or in the housing. A characteristic click when inserting the connector will confirm correct installation. Lay the wires so that they are not pinched when the door moves.
Adjusting the position of the doors and checking the tightness
After installing the doors, be sure to check their position. Doors must close tightly around the entire perimeter. If you notice misalignment, use the adjustment screws on the bottom support pad or on the hinges, if the design allows it. By twisting them, you can raise or lower the corner of the door.
Checking the tightness is a critical step. Take a piece of paper or a banknote and press it between the door and the body in different places around the perimeter. If the paper comes out too easily or, conversely, breaks, it means the pressure is uneven. In the first case, the door does not fit, in the second, it is pinched.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the door still does not fit tightly, check whether the plastic bushings are installed correctly at the ends of the doors. Often the reason for poor closing lies precisely in a displaced or inverted bushing.
Let the refrigerator stand turned off for about 30-60 minutes after active manipulations so that the refrigerant calms down (although when hanging the doors, the tubes are not pinched, rest will not harm the equipment). Then turn on the device and check the operation of the door opening sensors - if there are any, the light should come on when opening and go out when closing.
Common mistakes when rehanging
One of the common mistakes is the loss of small pins or bushings. They may fall out unnoticed during dismantling. Always work over a light-colored cloth spread so that any fallen element is immediately visible. The loss of even one small part can make it impossible to install the door correctly.
Another mistake is mixing up the sides of the hinges. The upper and lower loops may be asymmetrical. Carefully examine the shape of the metal plates before installation. If you try to install the hinge on the wrong side, the holes simply won’t line up, or the door will open in the wrong direction.
Also, users often forget about the air dampers in the systems No Frost. If the channels for air circulation are not aligned when hanging the door, the cold will not enter the chamber effectively, which will lead to overload of the compressor and spoilage of food.
Is it possible to hang the door yourself if the refrigerator is two-chamber?
Yes, two-chamber refrigerators Haier structurally provide for reweighing. However, due to the large weight and dimensions, performing this procedure alone is extremely difficult and risky. Be sure to call an assistant who will hold the heavy door leaves while removing and installing the hinges.
What to do if there is excess wire left after rehanging?
In some models, the length of the wires can only be designed for one side. If the wire turns out to be too short for the new side, under no circumstances should it be extended by twisting. In this case, you will need to replace the wiring harness with a longer one, original for your model, or install the door without connecting additional functions (for example, without an indication).
Do you need to call a technician to rehang the doors?
Calling a technician is not necessary if you have basic skills in working with tools and are physically able to support the weight of the door. The procedure is standard and described in the instructions. However, if you are not confident in your abilities or are afraid of damaging expensive glass or coating, it is better to entrust the work to the professionals of the service center.
Will the temperature settings be lost after re-hanging?
No, mechanically re-hanging the doors does not affect the electronics and temperature settings in any way. The controller memory is retained. The only thing that may require attention is the door opening sensor, which needs to be connected correctly for the sound signal to work correctly.