The need to change the direction of opening the refrigerator door Indesit often occurs when moving to a new apartment or after remodeling the kitchen. The standard factory configuration involves opening from right to left, but in limited space this is not always convenient. Owners often encounter the fact that the door rests on furniture or prevents neighboring cabinets from being fully opened.
The rehanging procedure does not require calling a specialist or special technical skills if you act carefully and follow the sequence. It is important to understand that the design of different models may differ in the presence of a display on the door or the shape of the handles, but the general principle of dismantling remains similar. Properly performed work will ensure tightness and long service life of the seal seal.
Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare the workplace and free up space around the unit. Taking your time and having the right tools is the key to success in this operation. In this article, we will analyze all the stages in detail so that you can complete the task independently and efficiently.
Preparation of tools and workplace
Quality preparation is half the success. To work with metal structural elements, you will need a set of tools that can be found in the arsenal of any home craftsman. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 or 5 mm), since it is this that is most often used for fastening hinges in technology Indesit.
You can also not do without a Phillips screwdriver for removing decorative plugs and, possibly, an 8 or 10 mm open-end wrench for some models fastenings. To avoid losing small parts, prepare a container for screws and bolts. Small hardware tend to get lost at the most inopportune moment, so it is better to immediately put them in a magnetic tray or jar.
- 🛠️ Hex keys (a set or a specific size for your hinges).
- 🔧 Phillips and flathead screwdrivers for plugs and screws.
- 🧊 Container for folding small parts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
Be sure to clear access to the refrigerator from all sides. You will need to walk around the unit to work the hinges from different directions. Cover the floor in front of the appliance with soft material or cardboard so that a part that accidentally falls does not damage the floor covering or the door itself door.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Preliminary actions and safety
The first and most important step is to completely disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Unplug the cord from the outlet to eliminate the risk of electric shock and allow the compressor to cool. This is also necessary so that when the unit is tilted or vibrates, a short circuit in the electrical circuit does not occur.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to defrost the refrigerator and remove all food. It is strictly forbidden to tilt or shake a filled unit - this can damage the compressor or lead to depressurization of the system.
Empty not only the main shelves, but also remove all removable elements from the doors: egg containers, bottle holders and shelves. This will significantly reduce the weight of the structure and reduce the load on the hinges during dismantling. A heavy door can break out of your hands if you do not calculate the weight, so unloading is mandatory.
If your model Indesit has a display or control panel located on the door, you need to be careful. In some cases, the electrical harness may need to be disconnected. Do not yank the wires too harshly; they may be short or fragile. Carefully find the connector and unplug it, after remembering or photographing the position of the contacts.
What to do with the display wires?
If the wires interfere with the door, they do not need to be cut off. Carefully thread the loop of wire through the hole in the housing or secure it temporarily with tape so that it does not become pinched when installing the new loop. The main thing is not to damage the insulation.
Dismantling the upper part of the structure
The removal process always begins with the top hinge, since it holds the main weight of the door leaf. First, remove the decorative plastic cover that hides the mounting bolts. Usually it is simply pryed off with a flat-head screwdriver or removed with a slight movement of the hand if it has a special recess.
Using a hexagon, loosen the bolts securing the top hinge, but do not remove them completely immediately. You need to hold the door with your other hand to prevent it from falling. After loosening the fasteners, you can completely unscrew the bolts and remove the metal loop along with the axle.
- 🔩 Remove the decorative cover of the top hinge.
- 🔧 Loosen and unscrew the fasteners hex bolts.
- 🤲 Hold the door so that it does not fall to the floor.
- 🚪 Carefully lift the door and remove it from the lower axis.
After removing the door, put it in a safe place, preferably horizontally on a soft surface, so as not to bend the plane and do not damage sealing rubber. You now have easy access to the inside of the case and the bottom hinge. If the model is two-chamber, a similar operation will need to be carried out with the freezer door, also starting from the upper fastening.
Removing and reinstalling the lower hinge
The lower hinge often has a more complex design, since it includes a rod that goes into the door body. To remove it, you may need an 8 or 10 mm wrench, depending on the model Indesit. Unscrew the bolt securing the lower support and remove the bushing.
An important point: there are holes in the vacant space (where the loop was) and on the opposite side (where we will transfer it). On the new side, the holes can be closed with plastic plugs. They need to be carefully removed and rearranged in place of the old holes in order to maintain aesthetics and protect the insides from dust.
The hinge itself must be moved to the opposite side. Insert the axle into the prepared hole in the new location and secure with a bolt. Do not tighten the bolt “all the way” immediately - leave a small play for subsequent adjustments position of the door.
| Element | Action during dismantling | Action during installation (new side) |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Remove from the door, unscrew from the body | Install on the body, secure with bolts |
| Bottom hinge | Unscrew the rod, remove bushing | Insert the rod into the new hole, fix |
| Plugs | Remove from new holes | Install in old holes |
| Door handle | Remove (if asymmetrical) | Install on the new side |
Installing the door in a new place
Now the most important stage is placing the door in its rightful, but on the other side, place. Insert the lower hinge rod into the corresponding hole on the end of the door. Make sure that the door is level and the lower axis is fully seated in the groove.
Lift the upper part of the door and put the upper hinge on it. Align the holes in the hinge with the holes in the refrigerator body. Insert the bolts and start tightening them. At this stage it is important not to warp the door, so proceed slowly and check the position of the door leaf relative to the body.
⚠️ Attention: When installing a heavy door, watch your fingers. If installed incorrectly, metal surfaces can painfully pinch the skin. Use gloves for a secure grip.
If your model Indesit is equipped with a system No Frost and display, be sure to carefully pass the wiring harness through the access hole in the loop or housing and connect the connector. Check that the wires are not under tension and do not touch moving parts or hot elements.
Adjusting the position and tightness of the fit
After installation, the door may hang unevenly or not fit tightly to the body. This is normal as the bolts are not fully tightened yet. Your task is to achieve the ideal gap around the entire perimeter. Loosen the top hinge a little and align the door visually.
Check the tight fit seal along the entire length. The door should close with a characteristic bang, but without excessive force. If you notice a skew, slightly release the lower or upper loop and adjust the position of the blade until symmetry is achieved.
When the result satisfies you, finally tighten all the bolts with a wrench. Make sure the loop does not turn. After this, you can replace all the removed plastic plugs, returning the refrigerator to a neat appearance.
Common mistakes and expert advice
When making repairs on their own, beginners often make mistakes that can lead to problems in the future. One of the most common is the loss of fasteners. Refrigerator hinge bolts Indesit often have a specific thread or length, and replacing them with regular ones from a hardware store can lead to stripping of the threads in the body.
Another mistake is ignoring the level check. If the refrigerator is on an uneven floor, the door may open on its own or, conversely, not close completely, which will lead to ice freezing. Always check the position of the unit using a building level and adjust support legs.
- 🚫 Do not use an impact tool (drill, screwdriver) to tighten the hinges - you can break the thread.
- 🚫 Do not leave the door open for a long time without fixing it - hinges may become deformed under weight.
- ✅ Be sure to wipe the seal and mating surfaces before installation.
It is also worth mentioning models with hidden hinges. In some modern series Indesit the mechanism is hidden inside the case, and to rehang it may require removing the front panel or top (lid) of the refrigerator. In such cases, it is better to refer to the official instructions for a specific model, since the algorithm may differ.
What to do if the door does not close completely after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of inclination of the refrigerator itself is broken. The refrigerator should stand with a slight tilt back (the back legs are 1-2 cm higher than the front legs). This ensures that the door closes automatically under the influence of gravity. Adjust the height of the front legs.
Is it possible to hang the door if there is a display on it?
Yes, you can, but it is more difficult. You will have to carefully unplug the cable that goes to the display, thread it through the new hole, and reconnect it. The main thing is not to damage the contacts and not to bend the cable. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to invite a specialist.
Do you need to wait after installation before turning it on?
If you did not tilt the refrigerator more than 45 degrees when rehanging, you do not have to wait. However, if the unit was tilted strongly, it is recommended to let it stand upright for 2-4 hours before turning it on, so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.