Rearranging furniture in the kitchen or changing the layout often poses to owners of household appliances the question of how to rehang the doors on the Stinol refrigerator. This procedure is necessary when the standard opening on the right becomes inconvenient due to the location of the passage or adjacent furnishings. Fortunately, the design of most models Stinol allows you to perform this operation yourself, without calling a technician.
The process of rehanging requires care and adherence to a certain sequence of actions so as not to damage accessories the body of the unit itself. Unlike some other brands, Stinol equipment often has specific fastenings that require an individual approach. Our goal is to provide the most detailed algorithm that will help you cope with the task quickly and efficiently.
Before you start work, make sure that you have free space around the refrigerator. You will need to step back from the wall at least a meter to be able to freely walk around the unit. It is also important to prepare all the necessary tools in advance so as not to interrupt the process of searching for a screwdriver or key.
Preparation of tools and workplace
The success of the operation to change the side of the door opening depends 90% on correct preparation. You don't need a complex professional tool, but the quality of the items at hand should be high. Using rusty or dull tools can lead to damage to the screw heads, which will significantly complicate the process.
For work you will need the following set:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers: you must have a Phillips (PH2) and flat-head screwdriver, preferably with magnetic tips.
- 🔩 Open-end or ring wrenches: the sizes most often required are 8, 10 and 12 mm, depending on the year of manufacture of the model.
- 🧤 Safety gloves: metal edges inside the case can be sharp, and the weight of the door is significant.
- 🧼 Rags and solvent: to clean the hinge installation sites from old grease and dirt.
Pay special attention to lighting. Working with small fasteners in poor light can result in screws being lost or falling into the technical channels of the refrigerator. If there is not enough natural light, use an additional lamp or flashlight.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly not recommended to use impact screwdrivers to remove old screws. High torque can strip threads in plastic bushings or deform the metal of the housing, making re-installation impossible.
Removing the top part and preparing to remove the door
The first stage of work is to release the top part of the refrigeration unit. If you have a model with a top freezer, that's where you should start. In models Side-by-Side or two-chamber refrigerators Stinol, the sequence may differ, but the principle remains the same: move from top to bottom.
Remove the top decorative panel, if any. It is usually secured with latches or several screws hidden under plastic plugs. Carefully pry up the plugs with a flat head screwdriver to gain access to the fasteners. Do not use excessive force, as the plastic becomes brittle over time.
After removing the panel, you will see the top hinge. Before unscrewing it, it is necessary to loosen the screws, but do not remove them completely. This will allow you to adjust the position if necessary. Then, holding the door with one hand (or asking an assistant), completely unscrew the fastening bolts.
It is best to put the removed door in a safe place, having first covered the floor with cardboard or soft material. Place it with the outside facing down to avoid scratching the finish. Now access to the internal mechanisms and the lower part is open.
The rehanging process: step-by-step instructions
The main stage of the work is to move the hinges and handles to the opposite side. The design of refrigerators Stinol provides for symmetrical mounting holes on both sides. However, in some budget models, the holes may be closed with plastic plugs that need to be removed.
Consider the algorithm of actions for a typical two-chamber model:
- Remove the bottom panel (plinth) of the refrigerator if it blocks access to the bottom hinge.
- Unscrew the bottom support hinge and remove it together with bushing.
- Move the pin or hinge axis to the opposite side, if the design allows it, or use components from a spare set.
- Install the handle in a new place. To do this, it is often necessary to remove the decorative trims from the ends of the door.
☑️ Checklist for rehanging the door
When installing the handle in a new place, pay attention to the length of the fastening screws. They may differ in different Stinol models. If you are using old screws, make sure they are not too long, otherwise you may damage the inner liner of the door.
Now you need to install the door in its new location. Insert the lower shaft into the corresponding hole on the body and put the door on. Then install the top hinge, but do not tighten the screws all the way yet. This is necessary for subsequent adjustment.
| Work stage | Required tool | Execution time (min) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removing the top panel | Flat screwdriver | 5 | Low |
| Removing the top hinge | 10 mm wrench, screwdriver | 10 | Medium |
| Repositioning the handle | Phillips screwdriver | 15 | Medium |
| Installation and adjustment | Set of keys, level | 20 | High |
Nuances of working with models of different series
Refrigerators Stinol were produced in various modifications, and each series has its own characteristics. For example, in models with a No Frost system, additional dismantling of the air ducts that are attached to the inside of the door may be required. When removing the door, be careful not to damage the corrugated air supply hose.
In older models with a weak defrosting system, there are often hinges that “stick” over time due to corrosion. In this case, it is recommended to use a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40), applying it to the connection 15-20 minutes before starting work. This will make unscrewing much easier.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some cases, especially when repairing used equipment, the previous owners could drill additional holes. If the standard holes do not match the new position, check the package: sometimes the manufacturer supplies special adapter plates or hinge repair kits that solve the problem of mismatched geometry.
Models with a display on the door deserve special attention. If the screen is located on the facade, when re-hanging it, you will also have to move the wiring harness. This requires some care: unplug the connector, feed the wiring through the new hole, and reconnect. Make sure that the wire is not pinched by the housing when closing.
Adjusting the position and checking the tightness of the fit
After installing the door on the new side, the most important step is the adjustment. The door should close tightly, without distortion, ensuring tightness seal. If the door is skewed, cold air will escape, and the compressor will work in increased mode.
Adjustment is carried out using screws on the upper and lower hinges. Loosen the top hinge fasteners half a turn and, using a light hand force, align the door vertically. Then tighten the screws. Check the gap around the entire perimeter: it should be uniform.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the door still does not fit tightly, check the condition of the magnetic seal. When overweighted, it could become deformed. In this case, it is recommended to warm the seal with a hair dryer (not too hot air) and straighten it by pressing the door for 10-15 minutes.
To check the tightness, close the door, holding a sheet of paper between it and the body. You should feel resistance when trying to pull the sheet out. If the paper is removed too easily or, conversely, the door closes with a strong bang, the height of the refrigerator's support legs must be re-adjusted.
Common mistakes and ways to eliminate them
In the process of self-repair, even experienced craftsmen can make mistakes. One of the most common is the loss of fasteners. Small screws easily fall off and roll under the refrigerator. To avoid this, use a magnetic cup or place a piece of tape, sticky side up, on the handle of a screwdriver.
Another common mistake is overtightening the screws. Excessive force may cause cracks in the plastic hinge bases or stripping of threads. Tighten the screws tightly, but not fanatically. If the screw is tight, it is better to unscrew it and clean the threads than to press harder.
Also, users often forget to replace the plugs in the vacated holes. This not only spoils the appearance, but also violates the thermal insulation of the housing. Be sure to close all unused holes with standard plugs or, if they are lost, cover them with decorative stickers in the color of the case.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Yes, this is highly recommended. When tilting or moving the unit, oil from the compressor can enter the cooling circuit, and melt water can enter electrical components. In addition, an empty refrigerator is easier to move.
Is it possible to hang the door on a Stinol refrigerator with a display?
Yes, it is possible, but it is more difficult. You will need to carefully disconnect the display cable, move it to the other side and make sure that the wire is long enough. Some models may require extending the wiring.
What to do if one hinge screw is lost?
Do not use the first bolt you come across. Go to a hardware store with a sample or measure the thread diameter and pitch. An unsuitable screw may split the bushing or not provide the required fastening strength.
Will the temperature settings be lost after rehanging?
No, the refrigerator electronics are not related to the position of the doors. However, if you disconnect the device from the network for a long time, the settings may be reset to factory settings, and they will have to be set again through the control panel Settings.