Kitchen remodeling or simply the desire to optimize the workspace often dictates its own terms, forcing one to think about rearranging large household appliances. Owners of refrigerators LG often face a situation where the standard opening of the door to the left becomes an obstacle to comfortable use of the appliance. Fortunately, the design of most modern models provides for the possibility of reinstalling the hinge, which allows you to change the opening direction to the opposite.
The rehanging procedure requires care, the availability of a basic set of tools and strict adherence to the algorithm of actions so as not to damage fittings or the body. Incorrect assembly can lead to sash misalignment, loss of seal tightness and, as a result, increased load on the compressor. In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of work, paying special attention to the specifics of different series of refrigerators of the Korean brand.
Before taking active steps, you need to make sure that your model really supports this option, since in some budget or specific series (for example, with a built-in display on the door or a complex No Frost system with a central partition), the design may be unchangeable. Careful preparation of the workplace and study hinge diagrams will save time and nerves, allowing you to avoid annoying mistakes during the dismantling process.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
The quality of the work directly depends on how well you prepared for process. You will need not only physical strength, but also a certain set toolsthat should be at hand when disassembly begins. The absence of the necessary screwdriver or wrench can delay the process or lead to the breaking of the edges of the bolts.
The optimal set for working with equipment LG is considered:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for working with screws of different calibers.
- 🔩 Wrenches or heads (most often sizes 8, 10 and 13 mm) for hinge bolts.
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📏 Level or a ruler to control the horizontal installation after installation.
It is important to free up space around the refrigerator in order to have access to it from all sides. Prepare a soft surface (such as a blanket or cardboard) in advance on which to place the removed doors so as not to scratch their front surface or the floor. It is also recommended to have a container on hand for folding small parts so as not to lose plugs or screws during operation.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any rehanging work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This is critical for your safety and to prevent short circuits in case of accidental damage to the wiring.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Design features of doors of different LG models
Refrigerators LG are distinguished by a variety of design solutions, and the rehanging procedure can vary significantly depending on the series. The main difference lies in the type of fasteners used hinges and location. In classic two-chamber models, upper and lower rotary hinges are most often used, which change places.
In models such as Side-by-Side or French Door, the situation is more complicated. This may require dismantling the central vertical partition or relocating electronic components if the control display is integrated into the door leaf. For such cases, a call to a specialist is often required, since the risk of damage electronic unit or breaking the geometry is very high.
Particular attention should be paid to models with the system Door-in-Door. In them, the outer leaf may have its own attachment points that do not coincide with the main door. Before starting work, it is strongly recommended that you find instructions specifically for your model by studying the “Technical Specifications” or “Installation” sections.
Models with a display on the door
If on your LG model the display is located on the door, then when rehanging, you may need to move the cable or resolder the contacts. In 90% of cases, such models are not intended for independent re-hanging without a service center.
Below is a table that helps identify the type of structure by external features:
| Model type | Hinge location | Difficulty of re-hanging | Do I need a special one? instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic two-chamber | Side (left/right) | Low | No (standard set) |
| Side-by-Side | Top/Bottom + center | High | Often required |
| Multi-Door (4 doors) | Separate sections | Medium | No |
| With display on the door | Side with wiring | Critical | Yes (for electronics) |
Removing the upper part and removing the door
You should always start the process from the top of the refrigerator. The first step is to remove the top decorative panel, if present. It is usually held on by latches or small screws hidden under plugs. Carefully pry the panel with a flat-head screwdriver, being careful not to damage plastic clips.
After removing the panel, you will have access to the top hinge. In some models LG the upper hinge may be hidden under a plastic casing, which also needs to be removed. Unscrew the mounting bolts holding the hinge. Here
Remove the top hinge and carefully lift the door to disengage it from the bottom hinge. If the design has a middle hinge (for three-chamber models), it must also be loosened or removed, having first fixed the position of the lower part of the door. Immediately place all removed parts and fasteners in a prepared container.
After removing the door, inspect the end holes. They often have plastic bushings or plugs installed that need to be moved to the opposite side. These elements are responsible for the absence of play and silent closing. If the plugs cannot be removed by hand, carefully pry them up with a thin tool, avoiding damage to the metal case.
Rehanging the handles and moving the fittings
One of the key steps is moving the handles and hidden fittings. In most models LG handles are fastened with screws from the inside of the door leaf. You will need to remove the door from its hinges (if this is not already done completely) and place it on a soft surface with the inside facing up.
Unscrew the mounting screws that hold the handle. Be careful: the screws may be different lengths and can be easily mixed up. Remember or write down which screw was removed from where. After removing the handle, install it on the opposite side, using the mounting holes provided by the manufacturer Together with the handles, it is often necessary to transfer other elements, for example, counterparts of magnetic latches or decorative overlays. Be sure to insert the supplied plugs into the holes left from the previous fastening. They are sold together with the refrigerator in a bag with documents or are already installed in hidden places of the case..
Along with the handles, it is often necessary to transfer other elements, for example, the corresponding parts of magnetic latches or decorative overlays. Be sure to insert the supplied plugs into the holes left from the previous fastening. They are sold together with the refrigerator in a package with documents or are already installed in hidden places in the case.
If your model is equipped with a closer or a complex fixation system, make sure that the mechanism is installed correctly for the new opening side. Sometimes it is necessary to turn the mechanism itself over or rearrange it into a symmetrical hole. Ignoring this step may result in the door slamming too sharply or, conversely, not completely adhering to the body .
Installing the bottom hinge and door installation
After preparing the door leaf, we proceed to installing the lower support hinge. Unlike the top one, the bottom hinge experiences the main load due to weight, so its fastening must be as reliable as possible. Find symmetrical holes on the refrigerator body on the opposite side from the original position.
Screw the bottom hinge into the new holes using the bolts that previously held the plug or the spare bolts from the kit. Tighten the fasteners tightly, but without fanaticism, so as not to strip the threads in metal base. Make sure that the hinge pin looks strictly vertically upward.
Now the most crucial moment is putting the door in place. Lift the door and carefully slide the bottom hole onto the hinge pin. Make sure that the door is level and not warped. If the door “walks” or is crooked, check whether the pin is inserted all the way and whether there is any debris in the seat.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the door, watch the wire loops (if any). They should not be twisted or pinched between the metal parts of the hinge, otherwise a short circuit may occur when opening.
After installing the lower part, put the upper hinge in place. Insert it into the grooves of the body and door, then tighten the bolts. Do not tighten them completely until they are aligned. Check how the door opens and closes, whether there is friction against the body or sealing rubber sealing rubber.
Adjusting the gaps and final check
The final stage is fine adjustment. Even with careful assembly, the door may require position adjustment. To do this, loosen the fastening bolts of the top hinge half a turn and, moving the door left and right or back and forth, achieve an ideal gap around the entire perimeter. Pay special attention to the tight fit of the magnetic seal. The door should close with a characteristic soft bang and be held in place by magnets. If the door moves away or, conversely, closes too tightly, adjust the height of the refrigerator's support legs or the position of the hinges. around the entire perimeter.
Pay special attention to the tight fit of the magnetic seal. The door should close with a characteristic soft bang and be held in place by magnets. If the door moves away or, conversely, closes too tightly, adjust the height of the refrigerator's support legs or the position of the hinges.
Check the operation of all functions: turn on the refrigerator, make sure the indicator lights up, and listen to the operation of the compressor. Make sure that the light comes on when the door is opened (unless the lamp is LED and does not electronically depend on the position of the door).
In some cases, it may take several hours of idle operation for the refrigerator to stabilize after a lengthy installation procedure. Do not load products immediately, let the system reach operating temperature Temperature conditions.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
During the reweighing process, users often encounter a number of typical problems. One of the most common is that the door does not close tightly. This may be caused by improper installation of the seal, which could come off during dismantling, or by misalignment of the door leaf. Check the fit of the rubber around the entire perimeter.
Another problem is a creaking or grinding sound when opening. Often the reason lies in metal-to-metal friction due to displacement of the hinge axes. In this case, it is necessary to loosen the fasteners again and center the door. Also, the source of the sound may be the lack of lubrication on the rubbing elements, although modern LG use bushings that do not require lubrication.
If after rehanging the display or button on the door stops working, the problem is almost certainly in the contact group or cable. Check that the connectors are securely latched. Sometimes the contact disappears due to the fact that the wire is tense and comes off when moving.
⚠️ Attention: The design and equipment of refrigerators may vary depending on the year of manufacture and the region of sale. Always check the official instructions for your specific model, as the location of the mounting points may vary.
Is it possible to re-hang the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
Re-hanging the door yourself, as a rule, does not void the warranty on the compressor and major components, unless parts are damaged in the process. However, if you strip a thread or break a hinge, that particular assembly will not be covered under warranty. Be extremely careful.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
Plugs can be ordered at the service center LG or pick up universal analogues in furniture fittings stores. As a last resort, the holes can be covered with decorative stickers in the color of the body, although this is less aesthetically pleasing.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Yes, this is a prerequisite. Complete defrosting (minimum 24 hours) is necessary so that water does not get into the electronic components when tilted, and also so that the plastic becomes more elastic and less fragile, which will reduce the risk of breakage during dismantling.
Why did the door begin to open on its own after rehanging?
This indicates a violation of the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself. If the body is tilted backward, the door will tend to close; if it is tilted forward, it will tend to open. Adjust the front support legs so that the refrigerator is slightly tilted back (the back legs should be slightly higher than the front ones).