Rearranging furniture in the kitchen or moving to a new apartment often requires changes in the configuration of household appliances. Owners of refrigerators of the Belarusian brand Atlant are faced with the need to change the side of the door opening in order to provide convenient access to products. Independent rehanging doors allows you to save money on calling a specialist and adapt the unit to the layout of the room.
This process is not overly complicated, but it requires accuracy, attentiveness and adherence to a certain sequence of actions. Incorrect installation can lead to a loose fit of the seal, a violation of the seal of the chamber and, as a result, increased energy consumption. Therefore, it is important to carefully study the design of the hinges exactly your model before starting work.
In this instruction we will analyze the nuances of dismantling and installing door leaves on two-chamber models. You will learn what tools are needed, how to properly adjust the gaps and what to pay special attention to when working with hinged mechanism. Carefully follow the algorithm to avoid damage to the enamel or loss of functionality of the unit.
Necessary tools and preparation for work
Before starting disassembly, you need to prepare the workplace and tools. You will need free space in front of the refrigerator so that you can walk around it without obstruction. It is recommended to cover the floor with soft rags or cardboard so that accidentally dropped parts or tools do not damage the floor covering.
The basic set of tools usually includes open-end or socket wrenches, as well as screwdrivers. The specific type of fastener depends on the year of manufacture and series of your Atlanta. In most cases, standard hardware is used, but it is better to have a complete set on hand.
- 🔧 A set of wrenches (sizes 8, 10 mm) for unscrewing the hinge bolts.
- 🪛 Screwdrivers (phillips and flat-head) for removing handles and plugs.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧼 Clean rags for wiping the fastening points.
It is important to understand that some models may have specific features. fastening elements. If you find non-standard bolts, do not use excessive force to avoid stripping the threads. In such cases, it is better to clarify the specifications in the technical data sheet of the product.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This will protect you from electric shock and prevent accidental starting of the compressor while manipulating the wiring if it is affected by the structure.
It is also worth freeing the door shelves from heavy products and bottles. This will reduce the overall weight of the structure, which is especially important when dismantling the bottom door, which you often have to hold alone. It is easier to work with empty chambers, when nothing interferes with the view and access to hinges.
Removing the upper door and handle
You should always start the process from the upper chamber. This is due to design logic: the upper door rests on the lower one, and they need to be removed sequentially. First, you need to dismantle the handle if the design of the model requires its separate installation, and not integration into the body.
On many modern models Atlant the handles are fastened with screws from the inside or hidden under decorative plugs. Carefully pry up the plug with a flathead screwdriver to gain access to the fastener. Unscrew the screws and remove the handle, putting it in a safe place.
Next we move on to the top hinge. It can be closed with a plastic decorative cover. Remove the cover and unscrew the bolts securing the hinge to the refrigerator body. In this case, the upper door must be held securely with a second hand or asked for an assistant, since after removing the last bolt it may fall.
The removed door is best placed on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down. Be careful not to scratch the enamel or glass, if present. Now you can begin preparing the door for installation on the other side.
- 🚪 Remove the decorative plugs from the hinge holes at the end of the door.
- 🔩 Move the hinge rod (if it is removable) or bushing to the opposite side.
- 🛑 Make sure that all holes on the new side are free of factory plugs.
Some models may require relocation thrust pin. It limits the door opening angle. Find it at the end of the door leaf, carefully unscrew or knock it out (depending on the design) and install it in a symmetrical hole on the other side.
Removing and rearranging the lower door
After the upper part is dismantled and prepared, move on to the lower camera. There is more work here, since it is often located on the lower door middle hingewhich also serves as a support for the upper compartment. However, if you have already removed the top door, the middle hinge is freed.
Unscrew the middle hinge. Carefully inspect the mechanism: sometimes there are shims under the hinge. They must be saved and rearranged in the same order on the new side so that the installation height of the door remains the same. Loss of washers can cause misalignment.
Remove the lower door from the supporting lower hinge. To do this, lift it up to remove the axle from the bushing. Place the door on the floor. Now you need to remove the lower support hinge itself from the refrigerator body and move it to the opposite side, or rearrange only the fastening elements, if the design allows it.
When rearranging the bottom door, pay attention to magnetic lock or the latch, if provided by the model. It also needs to be moved to the other side. Often, this is simply done by turning the part over or moving the screw into an adjacent threaded hole.
☑️ Checklist before assembly
It is important to check the condition of the seal rubber. While the door is removed, there is an excellent opportunity to wash and degrease the surface where the seal is glued if it needs to be replaced in the future. But for now, just make sure that it is intact.
Installing the doors on the new side
Assembly is done in the reverse order. The bottom door is installed first. Insert the bottom hinge into the corresponding hole on the body and slide the door onto the axle. Make sure it fits snug and straight. Secure the middle hinge, not forgetting the adjusting washers that you removed earlier.
Then the top door is installed. Align the holes in the end of the door with the holes in the middle hinge. Insert the mounting bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow for final position adjustment. Secure the top hinge to the refrigerator body.
Install the door handles. If the refrigerator came with special plugs for the holes that are now free (on the old opening side), close the holes with them. This will give an aesthetic appearance and protect the insides from dust.
At this stage, the structure is assembled, but requires mandatory adjustment. Incorrectly set gaps will lead to the door closing poorly or, conversely, opening spontaneously. Tightness is a key factor in proper operation.
⚠️ Attention: Do not tighten the hinge bolts “tightly” the first time. First, attach them, level the door, and only then finally fix them. Otherwise, you can damage the threads or deform the metal.
Check the operation of the magnetic latches. The door should open with moderate force and close tightly, with a characteristic bang. If the door bounces, it means the magnets are not aligned with the striker and the position needs to be adjusted.
Adjusting the position of doors and gaps
Adjustment is the most delicate stage of work. You need to achieve the ideal vertical position of the doors and uniform gaps around the entire perimeter. To do this, adjusting bolts on the hinges or special screws are used.
If the door is skewed (one corner protrudes more than the other), this can be corrected by loosening the middle hinge fasteners and slightly shifting the door leaf. You need to move very smoothly, checking the result after each millimeter of shift.
To check the tightness of the fit, use a sheet of paper. Close it with a door around the perimeter. It should be pulled out with equal force along its entire length. If in some place the paper falls out or is removed too easily, it means that seal does not fit there.
| Problem | Possible cause | Method elimination |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not close completely | Distortion of the body or hinges | Loosen the fasteners and align the position |
| Gap between the door and the body | Deformation of the seal or misalignment | Adjust the elastic or adjust the hinges |
| The door opens itself | Tilting the refrigerator back | Unscrew the front legs to tilt back |
| Difficult to open door | The magnet is pressed too hard | Check the cleanliness of the seal and the evenness of the installation |
It is also important to adjust the legs of the refrigerator. For proper closing, the unit must be tilted slightly backwards. The front support legs usually unscrew slightly higher than the rear ones. This ensures gravity flow of the door when opening less than 90 degrees.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
Even with careful adherence Beginners may make mistakes. One of the most common is the loss of small parts. The washers, bushings, and plugs are very small and easily get lost in the carpet pile or fall behind the refrigerator. Be careful.
Another mistake is mixing up the left and right sides when rearranging symmetrical but not identical parts. Carefully study the design before unscrewing. Take a photo of the original position of the hinges - this is the best reference during assembly.
Sometimes users forget to rearrange the opening limiter rod. As a result, the door swings wider than it should, which can damage the hinges or cause the handle to come off over time. Check for the presence of a stopper on the new side.
What to do if extra holes are drilled?
If old holes from handles or hinges are visible on the body, they can be closed with special plugs included in the kit, or carefully painted over with selected enamel, having previously degreased the surface.
If After installation, you hear a creaking noise, perhaps the metal parts of the hinges are rubbing. A drop of machine oil or silicone grease will solve the problem. Do not use vegetable oil, it thickens and sticks over time.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before re-hanging the doors?
Yes, this is highly advisable. Complete defrosting and washing of the chambers will make the unit lighter, which will simplify manipulation of the doors. In addition, after washing, wet seals will become more elastic and fit into place better.
Is it possible to rehang the doors on an Atlant refrigerator with the No Frost system?
Yes, on most models Atlant with the No Frost system, rehanging is possible. However, you need to be careful with the wires going to the display or door buttons, if any. They may need to be carefully disconnected and switched to other connectors.
What to do if the holes on the new side do not match?
At the factory, holes for reversing are already provided. If you don't find any holes, check to see if they are covered with decorative plugs. You cannot drill new holes in the case - this will break the thermal insulation and void the warranty.
How long can you not turn on the refrigerator after rearranging it?
If you just changed the opening side and did not tilt the unit much (more than 40 degrees), you can turn it on immediately. If the refrigerator was transported lying down or tilted strongly, let the oil in the compressor drain for 2-4 hours.
When finished, wipe the surfaces with a clean cloth. Plug in the refrigerator and leave it running without load for 2-3 hours until it reaches the required temperature. After this, you can load products. Correctly carried out rehanging will extend the service life of your Atlanta and make its use comfortable.