Modern kitchens are often designed taking into account ergonomics, and the location of household appliances may require adjustment. Daewoo refrigerator - this is a reliable unit, but its standard right-to-left opening configuration does not always fit into the layout of the room. If the handle rests against a wall or doorway, it becomes necessary to change the opening direction. This is a standard procedure that can be performed at home with a basic set of tools.
The process hanging the door on models Daewoo Electronics is structurally similar, but requires attention to fastening details. You do not have to call a technician, since the manufacturer has provided the possibility of self-service. The main thing is to follow the sequence of actions so as not to damage facade panels or the elements of the cooling system. In this article we will analyze each stage of work in detail.
Before starting work, it is important to free up the space around the unit. Gaps should be sufficient for the free movement of the master and installation of the removed parts. Make sure the floor is level and clean so that an accidentally dropped tool does not scratch the surface or get lost in the cracks. Preparing the workplace is half the success of any repair operation.
Necessary tools and preparation
To complete the task, you will need a minimum set of home craftsman. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm), which often comes with equipment, but it is better to prepare your own reliable analogue. You will also need a flathead and Phillips screwdriver to remove decorative plugs and screws.
Be sure to prepare a container for storing fasteners. Small bolts and washers tend to get lost at the most inopportune moment. It is recommended to use a magnetic tray or small containers labeled for the left and right sides.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work on dismantling the body elements, be sure to disconnect the Daewoo refrigerator from the power supply. This is critical for safety and to prevent short circuits if the wiring is accidentally damaged.
Some models may require the assistance of a second person, especially if we are talking about heavy double-leaf versions or units with a system No Frost. The weight of the door can be significant, and dropping it on the floor means getting a crack or chip.
- 🔧 Hex keys (set or keys 4, 5 mm)
- 🪛 Screwdrivers (flat and Phillips Ph2)
- 📦 Capacity for storing screws and washers
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges
- 🧹 Soft rags for wiping surfaces
Design features of Daewoo refrigerators
Model range Daewoo includes various series, from compact single-chamber models to large Side-by-Side ones. The design of the hinges in them may differ: there are hidden hinges located inside the body, and external ones, visible when the door is open. Understanding the type of your model will help you avoid mistakes during dismantling.
It is important to consider the availability of the system air circulation. In models with No Frost air ducts or a display control cable often pass through the door. When reversing the door in such models, it may be necessary to move the air duct plugs to the opposite side of the case. Ignoring this nuance will lead to disruption of the cooling system.
How to determine the type of hinges?
If, when the door is closed, you see metal fastening elements at the top and bottom, these are external hinges. If the surface is smooth and the mechanism is hidden under a decorative cover or inside the end, the hinges are hidden. Hidden hinges often require a special template or more precise alignment during installation.
It is also worth paying attention to the material of the shelves. If the door has heavy glass shelves with metal stops, their weight adds stress to the hinges. Before removing the door, it is better to remove the shelves to lighten the structure and reduce the risk of injury.
Dismantling the upper part and removing the door
We start the process with the top hinge, since it is this that holds the main weight of the sash. First remove the decorative cover, if present. It is usually secured with latches or a single screw. Carefully pry it off with a flat head screwdriver, being careful not to scratch the plastic.
Use a hex wrench to loosen the top hinge bolts. Do not unscrew them completely at once - leave a few turns so that the loop holds, but has some play. This will allow you to check whether the metal has “stick”.
Now you will need an assistant. One person should hold the door so that it does not fall while the second person finally unscrews the fasteners. After removing the bolts, the door is carefully lifted and removed from the bottom stud. Place it in a safe place, preferably horizontally on a soft surface.
- 🔩 Remove the decorative plug of the top hinge
- 🔧 Loosen, but do not completely unscrew the upper bolts
- 🤝 Hold the door during the final unscrewing
- 📉 Remove the door from the lower support pin
Working with the lower hinge and rearranging the elements
After the door is removed, attention turns to the lower part of the body. This is where the mating part of the loop and, often, the adjusting pin are located. It must be unscrewed and moved to the opposite side. To do this, the refrigerator body has threaded holes on both sides, closed with plastic plugs.
Unscrew the lower support pin. If it is rusty or tight, you can use a penetrating lubricant, but be careful not to get any chemicals on the rubber seal. Clean the threads from dust and old grease.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when screwing the stud into the new hole. If the thread is tight, check if there are any foreign objects or casting defects inside.
Now let's work on the door itself. On it you need to rearrange the handle (if it is asymmetrical) and the stops. In some models Daewoo the handle is attached to screws on the inside of the end. Unscrew them, remove the handle and install them in the prepared holes on the other side. Old holes can be closed with supplied plugs.
☑️ Check before installation
Installing the door on the new side
The installation process is in reverse order, but requires increased accuracy. Place the door on the bottom stud, making sure it fits evenly into the groove. Have an assistant hold the door in a closed or slightly open position.
Attach the top hinge to the body and end of the door. Insert the bolts and begin tightening them by hand. Do not tighten them all the way straight away. First you need to achieve the correct position of the door relative to the body to ensure uniform pressure of the seal along the entire perimeter.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower pin | Rearrangement | Key 8-10 mm | Lubricate the thread |
| Upper hinge | Installation | Hexagon | Do not tighten immediately |
| Door handle | Transfer | Screwdriver | Hidden screws |
| Plugs | Replacing sides | Flat screwdriver | Close old holes |
After preliminary fixation, check the operation of the door. It should open smoothly, without distortion, and close tightly. If the door is skewed, loosen the top bolts and adjust the position by placing thin washers or changing the angle of inclination.
Adjustment and final check
The final stage is to tighten all the bolts with force. Make sure the hinge is pressed tightly against the body. Now check the operation of the magnetic lock and the tightness of the rubber seal rubber seal. The door should not open on its own when the body is tilted a few degrees.
Plug in the refrigerator. During the first hours of operation, listen for sounds. If you hear a whistling or humming noise, the door may be warped and the seal is not holding in heat, causing the compressor to work harder. In this case, the adjustment procedure will have to be repeated.
Do not forget to replace all decorative covers and plugs. This will not only improve the appearance Daewoo refrigerator, but also protect the mechanisms from dust and moisture.
Common errors
One of the common errors is loss of symmetry during installation. If the top hinge is installed with an offset of even 1-2 mm, this will lead to rapid wear of the seal and sagging of the door. Always use the factory holes and do not try to drill new ones.
Also, users often forget about the floor level. If the refrigerator is not level, the door may not close on its own, even if the hinges are installed perfectly. Before starting work, be sure to adjust the support legs of the unit.
⚠️ Attention: If your model has a display on the door, when rehanging, you may need to reconnect the cable or transfer it to another channel. Be extremely careful with thin wires - their damage will lead to inoperability of the control panel.
Try not to drop the screws inside the case. If this happens, do not turn on the refrigerator until you remove the foreign object. A metal part can get into the fan or onto electrical contacts.
Do you need to call a specialist to rehang the door?
If you have basic skills and a set of tools, you can do it yourself. A technician will be needed only in difficult cases, for example, if the threads in the case are damaged or there are complex electronics that require reprogramming.
What to do if the old holes on the door do not match the new side?
In 99% of models Daewoo the holes are symmetrical. If they are closed with plugs, just rearrange them. If there is no hole on the right side, it means that this model is not intended for rehanging, which is extremely rare in modern lines.
Is it possible to rehang the door without emptying the refrigerator?
Theoretically it is possible, but it is highly not recommended. Fully loading significantly increases the weight of the door, which increases the risk of dropping it or damaging the hinges during dismantling. It is better to empty the door shelves in advance.