The situation when the standard location of the refrigerator door no longer suits the owners arises quite often. This may be due to the redevelopment of the kitchen, the particular arrangement of furniture, or simply the desire to optimize the opening space. In such cases, the only correct solution is to hang the door on the opposite side.
Refrigerators Nord Frost are designed taking into account this possibility, but the process requires accuracy and adherence to a certain sequence of actions. Incorrect installation can lead to misalignment of the door, loss of tightness and, as a result, failure of the compressor due to increased load.
In this article we will look in detail at how to independently change the opening side of the door, what tools will be required and what to pay special attention to when working with hinges and seals.
Before starting work, it is important to make sure that you have sufficient space around the unit. You will need to completely remove the door, so free access from all sides is required.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
Any technical manipulation begins with competent preparation. To hang the refrigerator door Nord you do not need complex industrial equipment, but a basic set of home craftsman is required. The main requirement is cleanliness and order so that small fastener parts do not get lost.
Be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is not only a safety issue, but also a way to prevent accidental damage to the electronics when the case is moved during work.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead) - the main tool for removing fasteners.
- 🔩 8 or 10 mm wrench or socket - often required for lower studs.
- 🧤 Work gloves - will protect your hands from sharp metal edges and dirt.
- 📦 Capacity for bolts - to prevent the fasteners from rolling under the refrigerator.
It is recommended to clear the door shelves from food and heavy objects. This will reduce the weight of the structure during dismantling and minimize the risk of falling.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to remove all magnets, decorative stickers and foreign objects from the outer surface of the door so as not to damage them or the body coating when moving.
If your model has a display or control panel on the door, be extremely careful. In some cases, preliminary disconnection of the loops is required, although in most modern Nord Frost wires have sufficient length.
Dismantling the upper part and removing the sash
The process begins with the upper hinge, since it is this that holds the main weight of the door. First remove the decorative cap, if present. It is usually secured with latches or a small screw.
Using a screwdriver, remove the top hinge mounting bolts. Do not remove them completely at once - just loosen them first to check the stability of the structure. Once you are sure that everything is ready, completely unscrew the bolts and remove the metal hinge plate.
Now you can remove the door itself. It is better to do this together, as the weight of the sash with the seal and shelves can be significant. Carefully lift the door, removing it from the lower axis, and place it in a safe place.
☑️ Preparing to remove the door
It is important to avoid sudden jerks so as not to damage the sealing rubber or glass shelves inside if you did not have time to remove them. Careful attention to detail is the key to successful installation.
Working with the lower hinge and axle
After removing the door, attention turns to the lower part of the body. There is a support pin located here that needs to be moved to the opposite side. Refrigerators Nord often use universal holes closed with plastic plugs.
Unscrew the lower support pin. If it is rusty or stuck, you can use a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40), but be careful not to stain the floor.
On the opposite side where the new axle will be, you will see a threaded hole covered with a plastic plug. Carefully remove the plug and install it into the vacated hole on the working side. This will preserve the aesthetic appearance of the unit.
What to do if the pin does not unscrew?
If the lower pin is heavily rusted and does not give in, do not use excessive force so as not to strip the threads in the body. Try slightly warming the joint with a hair dryer (not a hair dryer, but a regular hair dryer) or generously lubricate it with penetrating liquid and leave for 15-20 minutes. In extreme cases, you can use pliers with a wide jaw, but proceed with caution.
Install the support pin in the new location. Do not tighten it all the way yet, leave a small gap for subsequent adjustment of the door height.
Repositioning handles and fittings
Many models Nord Frost are equipped with handles that also require relocation. They can be built-in or overhead. If the handle is symmetrical, it may be enough to simply turn it over.
In the case of asymmetrical or separate handles, it is necessary to remove them from their old place. To do this, unscrew the fastening screws on the inside of the door.
On the new opening side you will find hidden holes or plugs. Install the handles in the new location using the same fasteners. Make sure that the screws are tightened tightly, but not fanatically, so as not to push through the plastic.
| Type of fittings | Action | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in handle | Does not require transfer | Checking the integrity of the profile |
| Applied handle | Dismantling and installation | Coincidence of holes |
| Plugs | Rearrangement | Maintaining appearance |
| Hinges | Rearrangement | Changing sides |
If the refrigerator came with additional decorative elements for handles, now is the time to use them. This will give the updated look completeness.
Installing the door on the new side
Now comes the most important stage - hanging the door. Lift the sash and carefully slide it onto the bottom support pin. Make sure that the door is level and there are no distortions.
Ask an assistant to hold the door in a vertical position while you fix the top hinge. Align the holes on the body and on the door, insert the top hinge bolts.
Tighten the top hinge bolts, but do not tighten them “all the way” yet. Leave a small gap to be able to level the door.
Only after you have made sure that the door is level and nothing interferes with its movement, you can finally tighten all the bolts securing the upper and lower hinges.
Adjusting the gaps and checking the tightness
After installation, you need to check how much The door fits tightly to the body. A loose fit will lead to the formation of ice and constant operation of the compressor.
Visually inspect the seal around the entire perimeter. It should touch the body evenly. If a gap is visible in some place, try slightly heating the seal with a hairdryer and pressing it with your hand - the rubber will straighten and fall into place.
Check the operation of the magnetic lock. The door should slam shut with a characteristic sound and hold when opened slightly by 45 degrees. If the door opens on its own or, conversely, opens with difficulty, the height of the lower pin needs to be adjusted.
⚠️ Attention: If after rehanging the door does not close tightly, do not ignore it. Check whether the contents of the shelves or the seal itself are in the way (perhaps it was wrapped during installation).
For a final check of tightness, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places. If the sheet is pulled out too easily or, conversely, breaks, the position of the loops needs to be adjusted.
Common mistakes when rehanging
Even experienced professionals sometimes make mistakes, not to mention beginners. One of the most common is the loss or mix-up of fasteners. The bolts for the upper and lower hinges may differ in length.
Another mistake is overtightening the bolts. Excessive force can lead to deformation of the threads in the plastic door body or tearing off the bolt head, which will make further repairs impossible without replacing parts.
They also often forget to replace the plugs in place of the old holes. This does not affect the operation of the refrigerator, but spoils the appearance and allows dust and moisture to penetrate inside the housing structure.
Be attentive to details. If you feel that something is not going according to plan, stop and re-read the instructions. It is better to spend more time on preparation than to eliminate distortions later.
Final recommendations
Reversing the refrigerator door Nord Frost is a procedure that is quite accessible for independent implementation. The main thing here is consistency and accuracy. Properly performed work will extend the life of your refrigerator.
After completing all work, turn on the refrigerator. Let it work for 1-2 hours without loading food to make sure the temperature is stable and there is no extraneous noise.
If you did everything correctly, the refrigerator will delight you with convenient operation in its new location for many years. Do not forget to periodically check the condition of the seal and the cleanliness of the hinges.
Do you need to completely defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Full defrosting is not strictly necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the refrigerator, it may begin to melt during work, creating puddles on the floor. It is better to carry out the defrosting procedure in advance so that water does not get on the electrical contacts.
Is it possible to hang the door without removing it completely?
Theoretically, some craftsmen try to rotate the door by weight without completely removing it from the hinges, but this is extremely risky. There is a high probability of damaging the hinges, scratching the body, or dropping a heavy sash on your feet. Removing the door is the safest and most correct method.
What to do if one of the plugs is lost?
If you have lost a plastic plug, the hole can be temporarily closed with a piece of electrical tape in the color of the body or use a plug from another, less noticeable place (if the design allows). In hardware stores or from authorized dealers Nord you can order a set of plugs.
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
According to the law, self-service (which includes re-hanging the door as specified in the instructions) should not void the warranty if you do not equipment was damaged in the process. However, if you strip the threads or break the glass, it will be considered a warranty issue. Stay neat.