Sometimes the standard kitchen layout dictates its own strict conditions, requiring you to change the direction of opening the refrigeration unit door. Owners of equipment from a Russian brand Pozis often face the need to hang the door in order to provide convenient access to products and not block the passage. This process is quite possible to do it yourself if you act carefully and consistently, observing safety precautions.
Before starting work, it is important to understand that the design of the hinges may differ depending on the specific model of your device. Some versions are equipped with a hidden fastening mechanism, others have classic external hinges. Regardless of the type of design, you will need a minimum set of tools and about an hour of free time to complete the task efficiently.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for various modifications of refrigerators Pozis, point out the typical mistakes of beginners and give recommendations for adjusting the gaps. Proper re-hanging will not only improve the ergonomics of the kitchen, but will also extend the service life of the seals, since the door will close more tightly.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
Quality preparation is half the success of any repair operation. To work with refrigerator fittings, you do not need complex industrial equipment, but using unsuitable items can damage decorative elements or break threads. Collect everything you need in one place in advance so as not to be distracted during the process.
The main tool will be a set of screwdrivers, including Phillips and flathead versions of different sizes. Often, the equipment comes with a special hex wrench, which is ideal for dismantling the main bolts, but it may not be at hand, so it is better to prepare your own. Pozis There is already a special hex key that is ideal for dismantling the main bolts, but you may not have it on hand, so it’s better to prepare your own.
You will also need:
- 🔧 A set of wrenches or sockets (most often sizes 8, 10 or 13 mm).
- 🔨 A small sledgehammer or hammer handle (for carefully knocking out the pins if they are rusty).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📦 A container for folding small parts so as not to lose screws.
Be sure to free up space in front of the refrigerator. You will need to easily walk around the device from all sides, since the door will have to be removed completely and set aside. Remove carpets and furnishings that may get in the way or get dirty.
Safety measures and preliminary actions
A refrigerator is an electrical device that operates on a 220-volt network. Before starting any manipulations with the housing or internal components, the unit must be completely de-energized. Unplug the power cord from the outlet to eliminate the risk of short circuit or electric shock if the wiring is accidentally damaged.
The next critical step is to completely unload the cameras. The refrigerator door Pozis when loaded has significant weight, and it is almost impossible to hold it with one hand while unscrewing the bolts. In addition, food may fall out and stain the floor or break.
⚠️ Warning: Never attempt to remove the door without emptying the shelves and drawers. A sudden shift in the center of gravity can lead to injury to the legs or damage to the floor covering from falling glass shelves.
After unloading, let the device stand for 15-20 minutes if it has just been operating. This is necessary to allow the refrigerant and oil in the compressor to calm down, although by rehanging the doors we do not directly affect the cooling system. Wipe the outside surface free of dust and dirt to prevent dirt from getting inside the mechanisms during disassembly.
If your refrigerator has a display or control panel on the door, make sure you know how to disconnect the wiring harness. In some models Pozis the wires run inside the door leaf, and they will need to be carefully removed before removal.
Removing the top hinge and removing the door
The process of removing the door leaf always starts from the top. This is where the main load-bearing loop is located, which holds the weight of the structure. First, carefully inspect the upper end: sometimes there is a decorative plug installed there, which needs to be pryed off with a knife or a thin screwdriver.
Unscrew the fastening bolts of the upper hinge. Depending on the model, there may be two or three. Do not remove the bolts completely at once - loosen them, then unscrew them completely. If the hinges have a plastic sleeve, try not to lose it; it will be needed during reinstallation.
Now the most important step. You will need an assistant as the door is heavy and bulky. One person should hold the door, preventing it from falling, and the second should finally unscrew the fasteners. Smoothly lift the door up, removing it from the bottom pin, and set it in a safe place, placing it on a soft cloth or cardboard with the outer side down.
☑️ Check before removing the door
Rearranging the lower hinge and fittings
After the door is removed, attention turns to the lower part of the refrigerator body. There is a support loop here that needs to be moved to the opposite side. In some models Pozis the lower hinge can be welded or have a complex structure, but most often it is bolted.
Unscrew the fasteners of the lower hinge from the current side. If the bolts are stuck, use a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and give it time to work. Carefully remove the pin or axle on which the door rotated. It may fit tightly, so use pliers or a hammer to carefully knock it out.
On the opposite side of the case you will find technological holes closed with plastic plugs. Remove the plugs from the side where you will transfer the loop and close the vacated holes with them. This is important for maintaining aesthetic appearance and thermal insulation.
Install the bottom hinge in a new location. Insert the pin or axle into the seat and secure the structure with bolts. Do not tighten them all the way “tight” yet, leave a small gap for subsequent adjustment of the door position.
What to do if the holes do not match?
Some older models may require drilling new holes or using an adapter plate, however, for most modern Pozis refrigerators, all the necessary holes are already provided by the manufacturer.
Modifications with the No Frost system and electronics
Owners of more modern models Pozis with a system No Frost or electronic control on the door need to be careful. In such devices, a wiring harness often passes through the top hinge, connecting the control panel, lighting or sensors to the main control unit.
When removing the door, you cannot simply yank it up. First you need to remove the top decorative panel to gain access to the connectors. Carefully remove the chips, remembering or photographing their location. Often the connectors have latches that must be bent before removal.
The wires are usually routed inside the door cavity. To rehang the door, sometimes it is necessary to remove the inner plastic panel from the handle side and transfer the wiring harness to the corresponding channel on the other side, if the design allows for this. In other cases, the wires are simply carefully pulled out from above.
| Model type | Availability of wires | Complexity of work | Required tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-chamber | No | Low | Screwdriver, wrench |
| Two-chamber (mechanics) | No (usually) | Medium | Set of keys |
| No Frost / Display | Yes | High | Flat screwdriver, pliers |
| Hidden hinges | Depends on the model | High | Hexagons |
After moving the door, make sure that the wires are not pinched by the metal parts of the body. This can lead to a short circuit and failure of the refrigerator electronics.
Installing the door and final adjustment
Now that the lower hinge is fixed in a new place, you can place the door in its rightful place. Place the bottom hole of the door onto the installed stud. Make sure that the canvas is level and not skewed.
Attach the top hinge to the end of the door and the body of the refrigerator. Insert the mounting bolts and begin tightening them. At this stage, it is important not to tighten them completely. First, ensure the correct position of the door relative to the body.
Check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. The door should close easily, but with a characteristic pop when pushed. If the door is skewed, loosen the bolts of the lower or upper hinge and slightly move the leaf in the desired direction.
Finally tighten all bolts with a wrench or screwdriver. Reinstall the decorative caps and panels. If you removed the wires, connect the connectors and check the operation of the display or lighting lamp.
Frequent problems and their solutions
After rehanging the doors, users sometimes encounter the fact that the door does not close tightly or, conversely, too tightly. This is often due to incorrect adjustment of the lower support height. If the door hangs too low, it will touch the frame; if it is too high, the magnetic tape will not fit tightly.
Another common problem is creaking hinges. This can be solved with lubrication. Use special silicone grease or graphite powder. It is not recommended to use machine oil or grease, as they thicken over time and collect dust, which will only worsen the situation.
If you notice that after rehanging the refrigerator began to make more noise or vibrate, check whether the door is hitting the cabinet walls or adjacent equipment when opening. Also make sure that all bolts are tightened evenly.
⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations the refrigerator door Pozis still does not fit tightly, the housing itself or the magnetic seal may have become deformed. In this case, you may need to replace the rubber band or align the case.
If you are not confident in your abilities or are faced with a non-standard hinge design, it is better to contact an authorized service center. Incorrect installation can lead to misalignment and rapid wear of the compressor due to loose closure of the chamber.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Yes, this is highly desirable. When defrosting, you will free the chambers from food, which will make it easier to remove the door. In addition, melt water can leak out when the case is tilted, so it is better to defrost and thoroughly wipe the device in advance.
Is it possible to hang the door alone, without an assistant?
Technically it is possible if the refrigerator model is small-sized and light. However, for two-chamber models Pozis it is strongly recommended to involve a second person, since the risk of dropping a heavy door and damaging the floor or the unit itself is very high.
Where to put the holes from the hinges on the old side?
Plastic plugs (decorative caps) are usually provided with the refrigerator or on its body. They are inserted into the vacated holes, hiding them and preserving the appearance of the device. If the plugs are lost, they can be ordered from the service center.
Why does the door open by itself after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of the refrigerator itself is broken. For proper closure, the housing must be tilted slightly backwards. Adjust the height of the front support legs by unscrewing them to lift the front part of the device.