Changing the kitchen layout or the banal inconvenience of opening the door in the current position often confronts owners of household appliances with the need to re-hang them. Refrigerators Nord, like many other models, were initially designed taking into account the possibility of changing the opening side. This design solution allows you to adapt the unit to the features of the kitchen set without calling a specialist. The process seems complicated only at first glance, but if you have basic tools and care, it can be completely implemented at home.
However, it is worth considering that re-hanging doors is not just rearranging the loops. This is a complex procedure that requires emptying shelves, removing handles and, in some cases, rearranging decorative caps. If you are planning to rearrange the door so that the refrigerator fits better into the interior, make sure that on the selected side there is sufficient space for the door to fully swing open.
Before taking a screwdriver, carefully study hinge design your model. Different series Nord may have their own nuances for attaching handles and closer mechanisms. Improper dismantling can lead to damage to the plastic or deformation of the metal, which will make further operation in normal mode impossible.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is critically important, since if the case is skewed while removing the doors, a short circuit in the wiring or damage to the contacts of the light bulb may occur.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task, you will need a minimum set of household tools. Do not use professional power tools with high torque, as there is a risk of stripping the threads or cracking the plastic housing. It is best to prepare a regular Phillips screwdriver, a set of open-end wrenches (most often 10 or 12 mm) and, possibly, a flat spatula for removing decorative elements.
Pay special attention to preparing the site. The refrigerator Nord is a large and heavy unit. You will need some space around it so you can walk around it on all sides. It is also strongly recommended to call an assistant: even if you are confident in your abilities, it is much safer to use two people to support the body when unscrewing the hinges.
Check that all of them are present components. In some models, when purchased, the hanging loops are already in a separate bag or attached to the back wall. If you lost the instructions, make sure you have all the necessary screws for reinstallation on the new side.
Removing the top and removing the door
Always start the process from the top. The first step is to remove the top cover of the refrigerator compartment, if it is structurally provided for in your model Nord. It is usually held on by latches or a couple of screws at the back. Carefully pry it off with a flat object, being careful not to damage the paintwork.
Next, unscrew the top hinge. At this point, the door should be securely secured so that it does not fall on your feet or damage the floor. Have a helper hold the sash while you remove the mounting bolts. After removing the hinge, the door can be carefully set aside, having previously freed it from the contents.
☑️ Dismantling steps
It is important not to lose the washers and bushings that may be located between the hinge and the body. These elements ensure correct clearance and smooth running. Place all the small parts in a separate container in the order in which they were removed, so that when assembling you don’t have to guess where to put everything.
Rearranging handles and plugs
The most critical moment, where errors most often occur, is moving the handle and plugs. On older models Nord the handles could be cast or require disassembling the door leaf itself, which is extremely undesirable to do without experience. In modern versions, the handle is simply screwed on the inside.
Unscrew the handle fasteners on the old side and move it to the new one. The holes on the housing are usually already provided by the manufacturer and are closed with plastic plugs. You need to remove these plugs from the new side and install them in the place where the handle was previously attached.
- 🔧 Carefully pry the plugs with a thin screwdriver, being careful not to scratch the metal.
- 🔧 Check whether the screw holes of the new handle match the holes in the door.
- 🔧 Make sure that the plugs fit tightly in their new place, otherwise dust will accumulate there.
⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator model is equipped with an electronic display on the door, the procedure becomes more complicated. You will have to disconnect the cables running from the case to the control panel. Do this extremely carefully, having first photographed the connection diagram.
Sometimes the screws from the handle may be of different lengths for the upper and lower positions. Remember which screw was placed where, or use a caliper to measure so as not to confuse them when reassembling.
Installing the lower hinge and installing the door
After preparing the door leaf, you need to rearrange the lower support hinge. On most models Nord it is bolted from below. Unscrew them and move the hinge to the opposite side, screwing it into pre-prepared threaded holes.
Now you can put the door in place. Install the bottom hinge pin into the corresponding hole on the door and align the frame. Do not tighten the upper loop tightly yet - this is necessary for subsequent adjustment. Insert the top hinge into the grooves and tighten the bolts by hand.
What to do if the holes do not match?
If the holes do not match, you may have mixed up the top and bottom of the door or are using a hinge from a different model. In rare cases, drilling is required, but this is not typical for Nord equipment - check the package again.
Make sure that the door is level and not skewed. If a clear misalignment is visible at this stage, do not try to tighten the bolts by force - you may strip the threads in the aluminum housing. It’s better to loosen the fastening and try to set the position again.
Adjusting gaps and tightness
After installing the door, the fine-tuning stage begins. Your goal is to achieve a perfect fit of the seal around the entire perimeter. If the door is skewed, in one corner there will be a gap through which the cold will escape, and in the opposite corner the seal will be compressed too much, which will lead to its rapid wear.
Adjustment is carried out by loosening the bolts of the upper hinge and slightly moving the door in the desired direction. Move the sash literally a millimeter, and then check the result. To check, use a sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body at different points. It should be removed with the same force along the entire perimeter.
Pay special attention magnetic seal. It should fit tightly, without visible breaks in the contact line. If after adjustment there are still small irregularities, try warming the problem area of the seal with a hairdryer (without overheating the plastic) - this will restore elasticity to the rubber.
| Problem | Possible cause | Method elimination |
|---|---|---|
| The door opens itself | Tilt the body back | Unscrew the front legs to tilt forward |
| Gap in the upper corner | Warpness of the upper hinge | Loosen the bolts and move the hinge down/sideways |
| It closes tightly | The seal is too tight | Wait 2-3 days or lubricate with silicone |
| Knock when closing | The gap is too large | Tighten the adjusting bolts |
Do not forget that the new seal may be hard. Let the refrigerator stand closed for several hours after installation so that the rubber takes the desired shape.
Final check and startup of the refrigerator
When all manipulations are completed, conduct a visual inspection. Make sure that all tools are put away, the plugs are in place, and there are no extraneous sounds when opening. Now you can plug in the refrigerator.
The first hours of operation may be accompanied by more active compressor noise - this is normal, since the chambers need to reach operating temperature conditions. Do not load the refrigerator with food immediately, let it run idle for at least 2-3 hours.
Check the operation of the light alarm (if any). When the door is open, a light should come on and perhaps a buzzer should sound. If after rehanging the light does not light up, check whether the wire going to the lamp is pinched.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Many beginners They forget about the horizontal installation. If the floor is uneven and the legs of the refrigerator are not adjusted, the door may behave unpredictably. Be sure to use a building level when finalizing the position of the body. Nord are not adjusted, the door may behave unpredictably. Be sure to use a spirit level when making final adjustments to the cabinet position.
Another common mistake is the loss of fasteners. Small screws tend to roll under the refrigerator or fly off in an unknown direction. Use a magnetic cup or container with a lid for all removed parts.
- 🚫 Do not use screws that are too long - you can puncture the inner chamber and damage the evaporator.
- 🚫 Do not use force when removing plastic plugs - they may burst.
- 🚫 Do not leave the refrigerator open for a long time unnecessarily so that the seal does not dry out.
If you feel that you cannot cope, or notice damage to the threaded holes, it is better to stop. In some cases, it is easier to call a specialist than to buy a new door entirely.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Do I need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Yes, this is a prerequisite. There should be no ice or food inside, since when the door is tilted or turned over, water can get into technical components or onto the floor. In addition, an empty door is easier to hold and adjust.
Is it possible to hang the door if the refrigerator has a display?
This is possible, but much more difficult. You will have to disconnect the wires leading to the display. If you do not have experience working with electronics, it is better not to take risks, as you can damage the cable or control board.
Why does the door not close completely after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of the case is broken. The refrigerator should be tilted back slightly (the top is further from the wall than the bottom) to allow gravity to help close the door. Adjust the front legs.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
They can be ordered at service centers Nord or find universal analogues in hardware stores. As a last resort, the holes can be carefully sealed with a decorative sticker in the color of the case.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the hinges and the presence of holes for hanging may vary depending on the year of manufacture and the specific series of the refrigerator. If you do not find any holes on the opposite side, your model may not be re-hung.