Changing the direction of opening the refrigerator door is a standard procedure necessary when remodeling a kitchen or moving to a new home. It often happens that door design prevents full opening due to the proximity of a wall or kitchen furniture. Equipment owners Ariston Hotpoint can solve this problem on their own without contacting a service center if they follow a clear algorithm of actions.
Before starting work, you need to make sure that you have enough free space around the unit and all the necessary tools. The process requires care, since door hinges they are under load, and careless handling can lead to damage to the case or mechanism. Properly done overhang will extend the service life of the seal and ensure the tightness of the chamber.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of dismantling and installing elements on the opposite side. You will learn what nuances are typical for the Ariston i Hotpointmodels, and how to avoid common mistakes. Readiness to work and compliance with safety precautions are the key to a successful result.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
For high-quality installation of the door in a new position, you will need a basic set of home craftsman. The main tool will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different attachments, since the mounting screws may have different head geometries. You also cannot do without a wrench, the size of which corresponds to the diameter of the bolts on the hinges of your refrigerator.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for dismantling fittings.
- 🔩 A wrench or 8-10 mm socket for work with the main bolts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧹 Soft rags for wiping the surface from dust.
It is important to prepare a flat surface next to the refrigerator, where you can temporarily put the removed parts. Make sure that the floor is covered with soft material so as not to scratch the decorative elements or flooring if accidentally dropped. The lighting in the work area should be sufficient so that you can clearly see small fasteners. metal hinges. The lighting in the work area should be sufficient so that you can clearly see small fasteners.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any dismantling work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network. This will eliminate the risk of a short circuit if the wiring or contacts are accidentally damaged while manipulating the door.
Some models may require the use of hexagons, so check the configuration of your device in advance. If you have lost the original key included in the kit, select an analogue from your tool kit. Having all the necessary tools on hand will speed up the process and make it safer.
Design features of Ariston Hotpoint doors
Refrigerators of the brands Ariston i Hotpoint often have a similar door fastening architecture, but may differ in details depending on the series and year of manufacture. The main feature is that upper hinge usually secured with screws hidden under a decorative plug or panel. The lower support also has its own adjustment nuances that must be taken into account when rearranging.
Many modern models are equipped with a system automatic closure, which depends on the correct angle of inclination housings. When rehanging, it is important to maintain this angle, otherwise the door may begin to open spontaneously or, conversely, not fully adhere to the body. The sealing rubber on these models is often removable, which makes it easier to access hidden screws.
- 🏗️ The top panel often hides the main hinge attachment points.
- 🔄 The bottom bushing can be pressed in and requires careful extraction.
- 🔌 In some models, sensor wiring passes through the door, requiring disconnection.
It is worth noting that in two-chamber models the procedure is repeated twice: first for the refrigerator compartment, then for the freezer compartment. The procedure may differ slightly, but the general principle remains the same. Understanding the device hinge mechanism will help you avoid breaking the plastic bushings.
Is it possible to hang the door without removing it completely?
Theoretically, you can try to unscrew the hinges while holding the door suspended, but this is extremely risky. The door is heavy, and without an assistant there is a high chance of dropping it or damaging the floor covering. It is better to remove the door completely to have free access to the fasteners.
If your refrigerator is equipped with a display or control buttons on the door, make sure that the length of the connecting cables allows you to move them to the other side. In most cases, the cables have sufficient reserve, but require careful handling when transferring.
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
The process begins from the top of the refrigerator, since that is where the main fastening unit is located. The first step is to remove the top cover, if present, to gain access to fastening screws. They are usually closed with plastic plugs that can be easily removed with a thin screwdriver or knife.
Once access is free, unscrew the screws holding the top hinge. At this stage, it is advisable to have someone hold the door, since after removing the hinge it will only remain supported by the lower bushing and may fall. If you are working alone, use pads under the bottom of the door for insurance.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when unscrewing soured screws. If the fastener does not budge, treat it with a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40) and wait 10-15 minutes to avoid stripped threads.
After removing the top hinge, carefully lift the door and remove it from the bottom axis. Place the removed door on the prepared surface with the inside facing up. Now you can start disconnecting the handle, if the design requires its rearrangement, or simply prepare the door for installing new fittings.
☑️ Dismantling the upper part
Carefully inspect the removed hinge for wear. If you notice any play or damage, it is best to replace the part with a new one to ensure a tight door fit in the future. Keep all the removed screws in one place so as not to lose them during work.
Working with the lower support and rearranging elements
The lower part of the door is attached to a sleeve that is inserted into the refrigerator body. To remove it, you may need pliers or a thin screwdriver to carefully pry the element off. Be careful not to damage the plastic socket or the lower bushing itself lower bushing.
After removing the bushing from one side, it must be rearranged into a symmetrical hole on the opposite side of the case. Make sure it fits snugly and completely. Some models Ariston use special locking pins that fix the position of the bushing.
- 🔻 Carefully remove the lower support bushing from the current socket.
- 🔺 Insert bushing into the prepared hole on the other side.
- 🔒 Secure the element with a stopper, if provided for by the design.
- 🧹 Clean the empty nest from dust and seal it with a decorative plug.
Now you need to prepare the door itself for installation. If the handle is asymmetrical, it needs to be rearranged. To do this, unscrew the fastening screws from the inside of the door, remove the handle and install it in the new holes on the opposite end. Use the same screws that were removed earlier.
If your model has symmetrical holes in the door hinges, then you will need to install plugs on the free side of the door. They usually come with the refrigerator or are already installed in unused holes. This is an important step in maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the unit.
Assembling and installing the door on the new side
The final stage is installing the door in a new place. Lift the door and slide it onto the bottom bushing, making sure it is level. Then install the top hinge in place, aligning the holes in the door and the refrigerator body.
Insert and tighten upper mounting screws. Do not immediately clamp them all the way; First tighten all the screws so that the hinge is level, and then tighten them evenly. This will avoid distortion of the door, which can lead to a loose seal.
| Assembly stage | Action | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Installing the bottom | Stringing the door onto the bushing | Keep an eye on the vertical |
| 2. Mounting the top | Fixing the top hinge | Do not immediately tighten tightly |
| 3. Alignment | Position adjustment | Checking gaps around the perimeter |
| 4. Final fixation | Tightening all screws | Controlling the clamping force |
After installation, check the smooth movement of the door. It should open and close without jamming, and when released in the half-open position (about 30 degrees), it should close on its own thanks to the magnetic seal and the angle of inclination. If the door “walks” or is warped, loosen the screws and reset the position.
Adjusting the position and checking the tightness
Correct adjustment is the key to the energy efficiency of your refrigerator. If the door is skewed, condensation will accumulate in the chamber, and the compressor will work harder, trying to maintain the temperature. Make sure that sealing rubber adjacent to the body around the entire perimeter without gaps.
To check the tightness, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door in different places around the perimeter. If the paper comes out easily, it means that the fit is not tight enough in this place and additional adjustment of the hinges is required. In some models, the height of the legs of the refrigerator also affects the collapse of the door.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the gaps remain, check the condition of the seal itself. Over time, the rubber loses its elasticity and may require replacement or treatment with silicone, rather than just hanging the door.
Plug in the refrigerator and let it run for several hours. Listen to see if there is any extraneous noise from the vibration of the door. Make sure that when closing the light comes on (if the light is on the body) or goes off (if on the door), which indicates that the limit switch is working correctly.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before hanging the door?
It is not necessary to defrost the refrigerator specifically for this procedure unless there is a lot of ice inside, which can spill out when bending over. However, if you plan to disconnect the unit from the network for a long time, it is better to remove the products and free the chamber from excess weight for ease of operation.
What to do if the screws on the hinges are torn or rusted?
If the screw head is torn off, try using a rubber layer between the screwdriver and the screw for better grip or use an extractor. If the screw is rusty, be sure to use a penetrating lubricant and give it time to work. In extreme cases, the fasteners will have to be drilled out, but this requires great care.
Is it possible to rehang the door if there is a display on it?
Yes, it is possible, but it requires more care. You will have to disconnect the display cable from the control board, carefully route it through the new holes in the door or case, and connect it again. It is important not to damage the thin contacts and make sure that the wire is long enough for the new position.
Why does the door not close completely after rehanging?
Most likely, the problem is incorrect adjustment of the tilt of the body or the height of the legs. The refrigerator should be tilted back slightly to allow gravity to help the door close. Also check whether anything inside (shelves, food) is in the way and whether the seal is installed correctly.