Rearranging furniture in the kitchen or changing the layout often dictates new conditions for placing large household appliances. Owners of brand refrigerators Stinol often face the need to change the door opening direction in order to provide convenient access to products. This procedure is quite doable at home, but requires care, a basic set of tools and an understanding of the design of the unit. Incorrect actions can lead to damage to the seal or disruption of the seal of the chamber.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of how to hang the doors on a refrigerator Stinol, paying attention to the nuances of dismantling old hinges and installing new fasteners. It is important to understand that the design of different models may differ, so before starting work you need to make sure that your model technically allows such alteration. Reversing the doors This is not just a mechanical action, but fine-tuning the opening geometry.
First, you should prepare the workplace: free up the space in front of the refrigerator to have access to it from all sides. Check the package in advance: in some models Stinol the necessary plugs and hinges are already included in the kit, while in others you have to purchase them separately or use old ones if the design allows their mirror installation. Do not rush to remove the equipment from warranty, if you are not confident in your abilities - it is better to consult with the service center.
Preparing tools and checking the equipment
Before starting the active phase of work, you need to collect all the required tools. Not having the right wrench in the middle of the process can cause you to give up halfway or, worse, damage the threads of the bolts. The main tool will be a set of screwdrivers, including Phillips and flat, as well as open-end or socket wrenches, the size of which depends on the model of your refrigerator.
Most often, to work with fasteners Stinol keys for 8, 10 or 13 millimeters. It's also a good idea to have pliers on hand to remove the locking pins and a spirit level to check that the installation is vertical after the job is completed. If you have an assistant, involve him in the process - working with heavy doors together is much safer and more convenient.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for working with case screws.
- 🔧 Open-end or socket wrenches (sizes 8-13 mm) for dismantling loops.
- 📏 Construction level for checking verticality after installation.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
Special attention should be paid to the packaging. In some models Stinol the plugs for the holes on the opposite side are already glued on the outside, in others they are in a bag with documents inside the refrigerator compartment. Carefully inspect the ends of the door and the body of the unit. If you plan to rearrange only one door (for example, the lower one), make sure that the upper door also has corresponding openings or the ability to create them, although it is more common to change the opening direction of both leaves.
⚠️ Attention! Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This will not only protect you from electric shock, but will also prevent the compressor from accidentally starting if the door sensor suddenly trips during dismantling.
Check that all the necessary parts for the new opening side are included. Sometimes it happens that some of the fasteners are lost during the first installation at the factory or in the store. Hanging kit may include pins, bushings, the hinges themselves and decorative plugs. If something is missing, there is no point in carrying out further work - first you need to replenish it.
☑️ Preparation for work
Dismantling the top door and removing the hinges
The process always starts from the top of the unit. This is due to the design feature of two-chamber refrigerators Stinol, where the upper door often rests on the lower one or has common fastening elements. The first step is to remove the top trim panel if it is covering the top hinge fasteners. Usually it is held on by latches or small screws that need to be carefully unscrewed.
After gaining access to the top hinge, do not rush to remove it immediately. The refrigerator door is heavy, and without support it can fall, damaging the floor or its corners. Have a helper hold the door or use a stop. Carefully remove the bolts securing the top hinge to the refrigerator body. If a magnetic switch (light sensor) is installed on the hinge, you must first disconnect it by remembering or photographing the location of the wires.
Next, you should remove the top door itself. To do this, you need to lift it to disengage the axis of the lower bushing and carefully place it in a safe place. It is best to place the door on a soft surface, such as a blanket or cardboard, with the front side facing up to avoid scratching the finish. Now you have access to the middle hinge, which connects the upper and lower doors (in models with a common partition) or secures the lower door to the body.
The middle hinge also needs to be removed. Depending on the design, it can be a single block with a top or a separate element. Unscrew the mounting bolts and remove the hinge. Pay attention to the condition of the pins and bushings - if they show signs of corrosion or wear, it is better to replace them. Old, worn parts can cause the door to sag after rehanging.
Now you can remove the lower door. The principle is the same: lift, disengage and set aside. After removing both doors, you have clear access to the bottom hinge, which is attached to the base of the body. It also needs to be unscrewed. At this stage, dismantling the old configuration can be considered complete. Place all removed parts in the reverse order of removal so as not to lose anything.
What to do with the sensor wires?
The door opening sensor wires usually run inside the housing. When rehanging, they must be carefully transferred to the other side through the technological holes in the end of the door or body, if the design provides for this. Do not pull the wires too tightly so as not to damage the insulation.
Transferring the fastening elements to the other side
The most critical stage is preparing the holes on the opposite side of the body and doors. In refrigerators Stinol these holes, as a rule, are already provided by the manufacturer and closed with plastic plugs. Your task is to carefully remove these plugs from the “new” side and install them in place of the old “vacated” holes. This will provide an aesthetic appearance and protect the internal thermal insulation from moisture.
You can use a thin awl or knife to remove the plugs, but be careful not to damage the enamel coating of the body. If the plugs are on the doors, they also need to be rearranged. Some models require the handles to be repositioned. If the handles are not symmetrical and cannot be installed in a mirror manner, you may need to purchase a new set of handles, although most models do not require this - they are universal. Stinol this is not required - they are universal.
Pay special attention to the bushings and pins. It often happens that for a new opening side it is necessary to reinstall the pins in the doors in a mirror position. This may require removing the door handle or trim to gain access to the interior. Remove the pin, flip the door over, or move the fastening element into the provided hole on the other side.
If your model has unsymmetrical hinges (the left is different from the right), make sure you are using the correct hinge for the correct side. Sometimes it is necessary to turn the loop itself upside down, if the design allows it. Carefully study the instructions for your specific model Stinol, since there is no universal solution for all modifications.
- 🔄 Remove the plugs from the new side of the door installation.
- 🔩 Rearrange the pins and bushings in the doors to the mirror position.
- 🚪 Check the possibility of installing the handles on the new side.
- 🧹 Clean the holes from dust before installing the new fastener.
An important point is the relocation of the door opening limiter. This is a small plastic or metal stop that prevents the door from swinging too wide and damaging the seal or adjacent furniture. It must be moved to the opposite end of the door. It is usually held on by one or two screws. Do not forget about this element, otherwise the door will open 180 degrees and may get stuck in this position.
Installing doors in a new configuration
Assembly begins in the reverse order, but taking into account the new opening side. The first step is to install the lower support loop on the base of the refrigerator body Stinol. Insert it into the prepared holes and tighten the bolts. Do not tighten them completely yet - this is necessary to be able to adjust (level) the position of the door. Make sure that the hinge is level and without distortions.
Next, the bottom door is installed. Place it on the bottom hinge pin. Here it is important to get the bushing onto the pin correctly. If the door is stuck, check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. The door should open and close smoothly, without squeaks or jams. If the movement is tight, it may be necessary to lubricate the rubbing parts or check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself.
Then the middle hinge is mounted (or the upper one, if the model is single-chamber or has a different design). It connects the lower door to the body or upper door. Installing the overhead door will again require the assistance of a second person. Carefully slide the top door onto the middle hinge, line up the holes, and install the top hinge. Only after all the doors are in place can you finally tighten all the bolts.
Do not forget about the door sensor wires. They need to be carefully removed through the hole in the end of the door and connected to the connector. Make sure that the wires are not pinched by the metal of the hinges and body, otherwise they may break when the door is opened, which will lead to a malfunction of the control system or constant lighting of the light.
After installing all the hinges and doors, check the operation of the mechanism. Doors must close tightly, ensuring tightness. If you notice a misalignment, do not be discouraged - in many models Stinol the hinges can be adjusted in height and angle of inclination. Loosen the fastening a little and move the door in the desired direction, then tighten the bolts again.
Adjusting and adjusting the tightness
The final stage is fine tuning. Even with careful installation, it may be necessary to adjust the tightness of the door to the body. This is critical for the correct operation of the refrigerator Stinol. A loose seal will lead to loss of cold, ice formation and increased energy consumption.
Check the gap around the entire perimeter of the door. It should be uniform. If the door does not fit tightly in some place, try adjusting the position of the opposite hinge. It is also worth checking the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself using a level. The legs of the refrigerator must be unscrewed so that the unit is stable and has a slight tilt back - this facilitates spontaneous closing of the door if it is released ajar.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The door is not closes all the way | Distortion of hinges or interfering products | Adjust hinges, check shelves |
| Gap in the upper corner | Incorrect height of the front leg | Unscrew the front adjustable support |
| The door opens by itself | The refrigerator does not tilt back | Increase the height of the front legs |
| It is difficult to open | Clogged drain hole or new seal | Clean the drainage, develop a seal |
Pay attention to the condition of the sealing gum. After rehanging, it could become deformed or displaced. If you see obvious creases or leaks, warm the seal with a hairdryer (not too hot air!) and straighten it by hand. It is also useful to wipe the seal and the adjacent surface of the case with soapy water for a better fit.
⚠️ Attention! If the gaps remain uneven after adjustment, do not use excessive force to bend the metal of the door. This may damage the internal circuit and compromise the thermal insulation. It is better to repeat the procedure for installing the hinges again.
Plug in the refrigerator and let it work. After 15-20 minutes, check how well the cold holds. You can use a simple test with a sheet of paper: clamp the sheet with a door around the perimeter - it should be pulled out with force. If the sheet falls out or is pulled out too easily, the adjustment must be continued.
Common mistakes and expert advice
When doing work on hanging doors on your own refrigerator Stinol beginners often make common mistakes. One of the most common is the loss of small parts. The bolts, washers and plugs are very small and can easily roll under the refrigerator or into a crack. To avoid this, use a magnetic tray or container with sections for storing fasteners.
Another mistake is ignoring the instructions specifically for your model. Refrigerators of different years of manufacture and series may have design differences. What worked for a 10-year-old model may not work for a new one. Always check technical documentation. Also, do not forget about safety: a falling door can seriously injure your legs or damage the floor covering.
Experts recommend taking photographs of the original state of the fastenings before starting work. This will help you find your way if you forget where the part was originally located. In addition, it is useful to lubricate the rubbing parts of the hinges with a small amount of graphite grease or special oil to avoid squeaks in the future.
- 📸 Take a photo before disassembly to remember the original position of the parts.
- 🧲 Use a magnetic tray to avoid losing small fasteners.
- 📖 Read the instructions carefully, as models Stinol are different.
- 🧴 Lubricate the hinges after installation for silent operation.
If during the process you find that the holes on the body do not match the holes on the door, do not try to drill new. This indicates that either the door is from a different model, or you chose the wrong side to hang (not all models allow hanging on any side). In such cases, it is better to return everything as it was and contact the service center.
Do I need to call a technician to rehang the Stinol doors?
Calling a technician is not necessary if you have minimal technical skills and the right tools. However, if the refrigerator is under warranty, doing it yourself may void it. In this case, it is better to contact an authorized service.
Is it possible to rehang the door if it has a display?
Yes, it is possible, but it is more difficult. You will need to carefully transfer the display and control module cables to the other side. This often requires extending the wires or resoldering the connectors, so for models with a display on the door it is better to invite a specialist.
Where to put the old holes if there are no plugs?
If the factory plugs are lost, they can be replaced with decorative stickers of a suitable color or carefully seal the holes with pieces of plastic and paint over them. The main thing is to ensure the tightness of the thermal insulation layer.
Why did the door begin to close worse after re-hanging?
Most likely, the geometry of the hinges is broken or the refrigerator itself is not level. Check the level and try to loosen the hinges, press the door tightly and tighten the bolts again. Also check if the products on the shelves are in the way.