Rearranging furniture in the kitchen or changing the layout often dictates new requirements for the location of household appliances. Whirlpool refrigerators Initially designed taking into account the possibility of changing the direction of door opening canvases, which makes them universal for any interior. Owners are often faced with a situation where the standard right-hand hinge becomes inconvenient, and the only solution is to physically move the hinges to the opposite side.
This process does not require calling a specialist if you have a minimum set of tools and are careful. Locking mechanism and the design of the hinges allow dismantling and reinstallation at home without losing the warranty, if the seals on the compressor are not damaged. However, haste is unacceptable here, since incorrectly tightening the bolts can lead to distortion and a loose fit of the seal.
Before taking active steps, it is necessary to clear the space around the unit. You will need access from all sides, including the top and rear where ventilation or mounting components may be located. Proper preparation of the workplace will save you time and protect you from accidental scratches on the floor or cabinet.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is critical for safety, since you will be working with metal tools in close proximity to electrical components and wiring installed inside the door panels.
The success of the operation directly depends on how well you prepare the tools. Don't rely on a random set of wrenches found in the garage, as modern models require precise socket sizes. To work with equipment Whirlpool most often you need socket wrenches or heads measuring 8 mm and 10 mm, as well as a medium-sized Phillips screwdriver.
- 🔧 Socket wrench or head 8 mm and 10 mm (preferably with a ratchet).
- 🔧 Phillips screwdriver (PH2) for small diameter screws.
- 🔧 Flat screwdriver for carefully removing decorative plugs.
- 🔧 An assistant for holding a heavy door while unscrewing.
Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the fasteners. If your refrigerator is more than 10 years old, the bolts may be coated with oxides or factory grease, making them difficult to remove. In this case, it is recommended to prepare a penetrating lubricant, such as WD-40, in advance to treat the threads 15–20 minutes before starting work.
Some models are equipped with plastic decorative elements that hide the attachment points. Removing them requires delicacy so as not to break the latches. The hinges can be hidden under the covers, and careless movement can lead to breakage of the plastic, which will then have to be masked.
The first stage of work is removing the top panel, if it is structurally provided for in your model. In most modern refrigerators Whirlpool the top cover is fixed with several screws, access to which is opened after removing the decorative grille or simply along the back wall. Carefully unscrew the fasteners and remove the panel to gain access to the top hinge.
Next, you need to free the top hinge from the mounting bolts. It is critical here that someone securely holds the door leaf, since after unscrewing the last bolt it no longer holds anything. The weight of the door can reach 15–20 kg, and dropping it on your foot or the floor means creating unnecessary problems for yourself.
- 🚪 Remove the decorative plug from the top hinge.
- 🚪 Unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge to the refrigerator body.
- 🚪 Remove hinge and set it aside (you will need it later).
- 🚪 Carefully remove the top door by lifting it from the bottom axis.
After removing the top door, you have access to the middle hinge (if you have a two-chamber refrigerator) or immediately to the bottom zone. The principle of operation is similar: fix the door, unscrew the bolts, remove the fastening element. It is important not to lose the washers and bushings that can be installed between the hinge and the body to adjust the gap.
⚠️ Attention: Do not allow the door to sharply bend where the electrical wire exits. The cable running to the light bulb or display has a limited bend radius. If handled incorrectly, the core inside the insulation may burst, which will lead to failure of the electronics.
The most delicate moment is working with the electrical cable connecting the main part of the refrigerator and the door. In models Whirlpool the connector is usually located at the top of the doorway or inside the hinge channel. You need to carefully disconnect the chip without pulling the wires themselves.
The design of the connectors may differ: some snap into place, others have a rotary locking mechanism. If the connection does not work, do not use force - carefully inspect the lock mechanism. Often you need to press the plastic tab or turn the connector body 90 degrees.
After disconnecting the wire, the door is completely free. Set it aside in a safe place after removing all shelves to reduce the weight and risk of damage to the contents. Now the refrigerator body is ready to transfer the accessories to the opposite side.
What to do if the connector does not fit the shape?
In some cases, when changing sides, additional adapters or rearrangement of contacts inside the chip are required. If a standard connection is not possible, refer to the diagram in the instructions or find a service manual for your specific model.
Now you need to move the hinge mates and stops to the other side of the case. There are symmetrical holes at the ends of the door leaf and on the refrigerator body, closed with plastic plugs. Your task is to remove the plugs on one side and move them to the vacant spaces on the other.
To rearrange the plugs, use a thin screwdriver or an awl. Be careful not to damage the texture of the plastic or scratch the enamel around the holes. These elements are important not only for aesthetics, but also for protecting the metal from corrosion.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Transfer to the other side | Key 10 mm | Follow the orientation of the axis |
| Middle loop | Flip or transfer | Key 8 mm | Check the pin |
| Lower support | Installation in a new socket | Key 10 mm | Height adjustment |
| Plugs | Replacing sides | Awl/screwdriver | Do not break the latches |
Pay special attention to the lower support element. On some models Whirlpool the lower bushing has an asymmetrical shape and requires correct orientation when installing on the new side. If you install it incorrectly, the door may not fit into place or will touch the body when opening.
After installing all the mating parts on the new side, you can begin installing the doors in the reverse order. First, install the bottom door (if the refrigerator has a two-chamber), then the top door. It is important to correctly insert the axis of the lower hinge into the mounting hole and make sure that the door lies flat.
- 🔩 Install the lower support sleeve in the new socket.
- 🔩 Hang the lower door, hitting the axis in the hole.
- 🔩 Install the middle hinge and secure it bolts.
- 🔩 Hang the upper door and mount the upper hinge.
When moving the doors, make sure that they do not slam against each other. It is better to perform this operation slowly, controlling every millimeter of movement. If you're working alone, use cardboard or wooden blocks to hold the bottom door in a raised position while you work on the top one.
☑️ Final installation check
The most important step is connecting the electrical connector. Pull the cable through the hole in the loop (if the design allows passage inside the axle) and connect the chips until they click. Make sure that the wire is not stretched and has a small margin of length for free movement when opening the door.
After connecting the electrics, you can finally tighten all the hinge bolts. It is important to maintain a balance here: the bolts must be tightened tightly so that the door does not play, but without fanaticism, so as not to break the threads in the aluminum body or the hinge itself.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the hinges may vary depending on the year of manufacture of the model. Some versions Whirlpool use self-centering mechanisms that require a specific bolt tightening sequence. Always check the sticker on the inside wall of the refrigerator, if available.
After all bolts are tightened, check the installation geometry. The door should open smoothly, without jerking or squeaking. If the door is skewed, you may need to adjust the height of the legs of the refrigerator itself or the washers under the hinges.
Plug in the refrigerator and check the operation of the indicator light on the door (if there is one). Leave the unit for 2–3 hours to return to operating mode and check the tightness of the seal. To do this, you can use a sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body around the entire perimeter - it should be removed with the same force.
If you notice that the door does not fit tightly in one of the corners, do not rush to unscrew everything again. Often the problem is solved by simply adjusting the tilt of the refrigerator body forward using the front support legs. This creates a natural tilt back, and the door closes itself under the influence of gravity.
Caring for overhanging doors at first requires attention. Check the bolts for tightness once a week during the first month of use. Metal tends to shrink under load, and the initial tightening may weaken, leading to backlash.
Do not forget that changing the opening direction affects the ergonomics of the kitchen. Make sure that in the new position the door does not block access to important areas or touch other equipment when fully swung open to 90 or 110 degrees.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Yes, this is highly recommended. Although technically you can do without a complete defrost, emptying the shelves and chambers will significantly reduce the weight of the structure. In addition, this will protect the products from damage if the process drags on or the door has to be removed several times.
Is it possible to damage the wires inside the door when rearranging?
There is a risk if you act roughly. The cable is laid inside a special channel at the end of the door. The main thing is not to bend the wire at an acute angle and not to pull it with force. If the wiring is intact before starting work and you do not use sharp tools inside the channel, there should be no damage.
What to do if, after hanging, the door does not close tightly?
First of all, check if anything is interfering with the seal (crumbs, packaging). Then make sure that the loops are tightened evenly and there is no distortion. Often the problem is solved by adjusting the height of the front legs of the refrigerator: unscrew them so that the body tilts slightly back.
Will the warranty remain valid after re-hanging it yourself?
According to the rules of most manufacturers, including Whirlpool, re-hanging the door is a user operation and does not void the warranty if the unit components are not damaged in the process. However, if you break the thread or break the plastic, there will be a charge for repairing these specific damages.