Changing the opening side of the refrigerator compartment is a standard procedure necessary when remodeling a kitchen or purchasing new furniture when the standard position of the handle becomes inconvenient. Manufacturers of household appliances, including Haier, provide the possibility of reinstalling the doors on the opposite side, which allows you to adapt the unit to specific room conditions. This process requires care, but is not an extremely complex technical task for a home craftsman.
It is important to understand that before starting any manipulations, you need to make sure that there is free space around the device. Rehanging doors requires access to the ends of the case from all sides, so you need to move the refrigerator away from the wall in advance. Ignoring this stage can lead to damage to the floor covering or the unit itself during operation.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for models Haier, highlight key design features and point out common mistakes. Following the sequence of operations ensures that the seals will fit tightly and the hinges will not creak after installation. Readiness for work begins with proper preparation of tools and the workplace.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To successfully complete the task of rehanging door panels, you will need a minimum set of plumbing tools. The main element is a wrench or a set of sockets, the size of which depends on the model of your refrigerator, most often the sizes are 8 mm and 10 mm. It is also a good idea to have a flathead and Phillips screwdriver on hand, as some decorative plugs can be secured with latches or screws.
In addition to the main tool, it is recommended to prepare a container for small parts so as not to lose bolts and washers during disassembly. It is better to cover the floor where the work will be done with soft material, such as cardboard or an old blanket, so that an accidentally dropped part does not scratch the enamel of the case.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the power supply and remove all products, shelves and drawers to make the construction easier.
Make sure you have enough lighting in work area. If there is little natural light, use a portable lamp, as some fasteners may be in the shadow areas of the hinges.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Design features of doors of Haier models
Refrigerators Haier have their own design features that distinguish them from products of other brands. Most models use a system of lower and upper hinges, which are fixed with bolts closed with decorative plugs. Door hinges are made of durable metal, but require careful handling during dismantling so as not to strip the threads.
Particular attention should be paid to the sealing system. Rubber seals on doors Haier often have a magnetic insert around the entire perimeter, which ensures a tight fit. When re-hanging, it is important not to damage this seal, as replacing it may be difficult.
Some modern models with displays or “No Frost” systems may have additional cables or tubes running through the loops. Although this is rare in basic models, it is always worth checking for wires before completely removing the door. Haier This is rare, it is always worth checking for wires before completely removing the door.
Do you need to call a helper?
Haier refrigerator doors are quite heavy and bulky. You can remove them alone, but the risk of dropping or scratching the floor is high. It is better to work together: one person holds the door, the second unscrews the hinges.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the top part
The process starts from the top of the unit. The first step is to remove the top decorative panel or cover that hides the top hinge fasteners. It is usually removed with a light hand force or pryed up with a flat screwdriver if it has a lock.
After gaining access to the fasteners, use a wrench to unscrew the top hinge bolts. Here it is important to hold the door leaf with your second hand or ask an assistant to prevent it from falling after unscrewing the last screw. Top hinge It is removed together with the bolts and put aside.
Now you can carefully remove the top door. Lift it up, disengaging it from the lower loop, and set it aside in a safe place, having previously laid it with a soft cloth. If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, repeat the procedure for the freezer if the design requires sequential dismantling.
Removing the bottom door and central elements
The next step is working with the bottom door. The principle of operation is similar: remove the decorative trim, unscrew the bolts securing the lower hinge and carefully dismantle the canvas. Be careful, the bottom door is often heavier than the top door due to the design of the drawers inside.
After removing the doors, it is necessary to remove the center crossbar or middle hinge if it interferes with relocation. Remove all visible bolts holding this element to the refrigerator body. In some models Haier it may be necessary to remove the handle if it interferes with installation on the other side.
Inspect the free holes. On the opposite side of the housing there should be similar technological holes, closed with plastic plugs. These plugs need to be removed and moved to the vacant places on the working side in order to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
Installing the hinges and hanging the doors on the new side
Now we move on to installation on the opposite side. Take the hinges that were removed and install them in the prepared holes on the other side of the case. Secure them with bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet to be able to adjust the position.
Install the bottom door into place, falling into the grooves of the bottom hinge. Then mount the upper part and secure the upper hinge. Position adjustment doors - a critical stage: the doors must close tightly, without distortions and gaps.
After preliminary fixation of all elements, check the operation of the doors. If they open easily and close with a characteristic pop (or smoothly, depending on the model), you can finally tighten all the bolts with a wrench.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Top hinge | Dismantling and transfer | Key 8-10 mm |
| Bottom loop | Dismantling and transfer | Key 8-10 mm |
| Decor of the plug | Rearrangement to a new side | Screwdriver/Hands |
| Door handle | Dismantling (if required) | Cross screwdriver |
Adjustment and final tightness check
After installing the doors, you need to make sure they are working correctly. The refrigerator door Haier should open freely, but when released in a half-open state (about 30-40 degrees), it should close itself under the influence of magnets and the tilt of the case.
Check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. To do this, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper: hold the sheet with a door and try to pull it out. If the paper is pulled out with force along the entire perimeter, then the seal is normal. If the sheet comes out freely in some place, the height of the loops needs to be adjusted.
⚠️ Attention: If the door is warped, do not try to forcefully bend the metal. Use adjusting screws on the hinges or place washers to level the plane.
Plug in the refrigerator only after making sure that all doors are closed correctly and nothing prevents them from closing tightly. Let the unit operate for 15-20 minutes, then check the temperature inside the chambers.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
During the rehanging process, owners can face a number of typical difficulties. One of them is the situation when the door does not stay closed after installation and moves away. This often indicates an incorrect angle of inclination of the entire refrigerator or misalignment of the hinges during installation.
Another common problem is the appearance of a squeak when opening. This may mean that the rubbing surfaces of the hinges were not lubricated or that dust got into the mechanism during installation. Use a special lubricant for refrigerators or silicone oil to eliminate noise.
If you notice that after rehanging the refrigerator began to work longer or freeze worse, check whether the seal fits tightly. Loose closure leads to constant operation of the compressor and the formation of ice.
What to do if the bolts do not fit?
Haier refrigerators often come with a set of fasteners for re-hanging. If you have lost the original bolts, select similar ones in thread and length at a hardware store; it is important that they are not shorter than the original.
Do you need to call a specialist to rehang Haier doors?
Calling a specialist is not necessary if you have basic skills in working with the tool and are physically able to support the weight of the door. However, if you have a Side-by-Side model or a refrigerator with built-in electronics in the door, it is better to contact a specialist.
Can the seal be damaged when re-hanging?
Yes, if handled carelessly or using sharp tools to pry up parts, the rubber seal can be damaged. In this case, the tightness will be broken, and it will have to be changed.
How long does the rehanging procedure take?
For an experienced user, the process takes about 20-30 minutes. For the first time, taking into account studying the instructions and carefully following all the steps, you should allow about 45-60 minutes.
Will the warranty remain on the refrigerator after re-hanging it yourself?
According to the law, re-hanging the doors yourself is not a basis for canceling the warranty if the unit components were not damaged in the process. However, if you break the thread or break the glass, the warranty case will not be recognized.