Changing the kitchen layout or simply wanting to put the refrigeration unit in a more convenient place often encounters one problem - the direction of opening the door does not correspond to the new arrangement of furniture. Owners of equipment Indesit may encounter this, since the standard factory assembly involves opening on the right. Fortunately, the design of most two-chamber models provides the opportunity door rehanging, which allows you to adapt the device to any operating conditions.
This process does not require calling a specialist and special technical knowledge, but it does require accuracy, attentiveness and the availability of a basic set of tools. Improper execution of operations can lead to damage facade panel or failure of the seal. Therefore, before starting work, you need to carefully study the instructions and prepare the workplace.
In this article we will analyze in detail the stages of dismantling and installing door panels on the opposite side. We will look at the nuances of working with hinges, adjusting gaps and typical mistakes that beginners make. Compliance with the sequence of actions ensures that your Indesit refrigerator will work properly and the doors will close tightly.
Preparation for work and the necessary tools
Before you begin the active phase of work, you need to make sure that you have at hand everything you need. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm), which is often included with the equipment, but it is better to prepare your own set. You will also need a flathead and Phillips screwdriver to remove decorative plugs and work with screws.
It is important to free up space around the unit. You need to provide access to the back wall and sides from all sides. It is recommended to move the refrigerator at least a meter away from the wall. This will allow you to move heavy door leaves without hindrance and not damage the flooring or furniture.
- 🛠️ Set of hex keys (imbus) of different sizes
- 🔧 Screwdrivers (flat and Phillips) for dismantling handles
- 🧤 Workers gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges
- 📦 Small container for storing bolts and screws
Be sure to empty the door shelves of food and removable elements. Doors should be empty to reduce the load on the hinges and to avoid objects falling during manipulation. If your model has a system No Frost, make sure that the unit is disconnected from the power supply before starting work, although the mechanical part of the suspension itself does not require electricity.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work on electrical components or when completely dismantling components, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is a standard safety measure when servicing household appliances.
Removing the top door of the refrigerator compartment
You should always start the process from the top door. This is due to the design features of two-chamber models Indesit, where the upper loop is often the supporting structure for the entire facade structure. First, remove the top decorative panel covering the fasteners. It is usually held in place by latches or small screws.
After removing the cover, you will see the top hinge. On some models, this loop may have a wire attached to it that goes to a light bulb or display on the door. If the wire is present, it must be carefully disconnected, having first remembered or photographed the connection diagram. Do not pull the wires sharply so as not to damage the contact group.
☑️ Preparing to remove the door
Next, you need to loosen the bolts securing the top hinge. There is no need to completely unscrew them right away - just loosen them enough to be able to remove the loop from the bushing. The door should be tightly closed at this moment. It is best to perform this operation with an assistant who will hold the heavy door leaf while you work with the fasteners.
When the bolts are loosened, carefully remove the hinge and set it aside. The top door is now free and can be removed from the bottom pin. Place the door in a safe place on a soft surface to avoid scratching the front. At this stage, the middle hinge connecting the two chambers becomes visible.
Removing the middle hinge and freezer door
The middle hinge is the key element connecting the top and bottom of the refrigerator. It bears the main load when opening the bottom door. To dismantle it, you will need a key of the appropriate size. Unscrew the bolts holding the middle hinge and remove it along with the bushing.
After removing the middle hinge, the bottom door of the freezer is released. Remove it from the lower pin in the same way as the upper one. Be careful: lower doors are often heavier due to thicker insulation and heavy drawers inside, although the drawers themselves should already be removed before removing the door.
Inspect the removed hinges for damage or corrosion. If you notice that hinge axes they have wear or deformation, it is better to replace them with new ones to avoid sagging doors in the future. Also check the condition of the bushings - they should not be cracked.
Nuances of the middle hinge
In some Indesit models, the middle hinge may have an asymmetrical shape, which makes it impossible to install it upside down. Carefully study the geometry of the part before removing it to understand how it will look on the other side.
Now that all the door panels and old hinges have been removed, you have access to the holes on the refrigerator body. On the opposite side of the case there should already be technological holes closed with plastic plugs. This is where we will transfer the fasteners.
Rearranging the plugs and preparing the holes
There are still open holes on the side where the hinges were previously attached. They must be closed with decorative plugs, which were originally located on the working side. Carefully remove the plastic plugs from the new holes and install them in the empty spaces. They should sit tightly and flush with the surface of the case.
If your refrigerator came with special threaded bushings for the new side, install them now. In some cases, the holes already have the necessary threads or design to screw in bolts without additional components. Carefully examine the technical documentation for your specific model. Indesit There were special threaded bushings for the new side, install them now. In some cases, the holes already have the necessary threads or design to screw in bolts without additional components. Carefully review the technical documentation for your specific model.
| Element | Action on the working side | Action on the new side |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hole | Install the plug | Install the hinge |
| Middle hole | Install the plug | Install the hinge |
| Bottom hole | Install plug | Install the support sleeve |
Make sure that all plugs are installed correctly. A loose plug can become a source of excess noise during compressor operation or vibration of the housing. If the plugs have different shapes for different holes, do not mix them up.
Installation of hinges and installation of doors on a new side
The assembly process begins from the bottom up. First, install the lower support sleeve or pin into the prepared hole. Then we put the bottom door of the freezer on it. It is important to get into the grooves and ensure the vertical position of the canvas. Holding the door, we install the middle hinge.
We secure the middle hinge with bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door during further assembly. Next, we put on the top door of the refrigerator compartment. If your model has a wire for the upper door, pass it through the technological channels in the door body and the refrigerator body.
- 🔩 Install the lower support sleeve in the new hole
- 🚪 Place the bottom door on the pin and align
- 🔨 Mount the middle hinge by tightening the bolts
- ❄️ Install the top door, connecting it to the middle hinge
Now it’s the turn of the top hinge. Place it in place, pass the wires (if any) and tighten the mounting bolts. At this stage, all doors should be hanging in place, but the bolts are not yet fully tightened. This is a critical point for adjusting the gaps.
⚠️ Attention: Do not tighten the hinge bolts all the way right away. First, make sure that the doors are level, parallel to each other and to the body. Misalignment of the hinges will lead to a loose fit of the seal and loss of cold.
Adjusting the position of the doors and checking the tightness
The final stage is fine tuning. Doors must close tightly around the entire perimeter, without distortion. The gap between the door and the body should be the same at the top and bottom. To adjust, use a hex key, slightly loosening or tightening the bolts of the middle and upper hinges.
Check the operation of the magnetic lock and the tightness of the seal. Take a piece of paper, hold it against the door and try to pull it out. If the paper is pulled out with force along the entire perimeter, the tightness is normal. If in some places the paper falls out freely, additional adjustment of the height or tilt of the door is required.
After the final tightening of the bolts, check whether the doors do not touch each other or the body when opening. The move should be smooth, without jerks or squeaks. If you find that the door does not close completely, check whether the contents of the shelves or incorrect installation of the refrigerator itself are in the way (it should stand with a slight tilt back).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if you are planning long-term work or are afraid that condensation or water will leak from the drain when the unit is tilted, it is better to turn off the refrigerator in advance and let it defrost. This will also lighten the weight of the doors if you decide not to remove the shelves (although it is recommended to remove the shelves in any case).
What to do if there is not enough wire length for the lamp?
In most models Indesit the length of the wire is calculated with a margin for overhang. If the wire is really missing, it can be carefully extended using soldering and high-quality insulation, or, as a last resort, contact a service center to replace the harness. Do not leave the twists without insulation.
Is it possible to hang the doors alone?
Technically this is possible, but it is highly not recommended. Refrigerator doors are heavy and bulky. There is a high risk of dropping glass, damaging the floor, or injuring your back. Having a second person who will simply hold the door while you tighten the bolts greatly simplifies and secures the process.
Why does the door not fit completely after rehanging?
Most likely, the problem is that the height of the hinges is not adjusted correctly or that the refrigerator is on an uneven floor. Check the adjustment supports on the bottom of the refrigerator - the front legs should be unscrewed a little more than the back ones so that the body tilts back. This ensures spontaneous slamming of the door.