Changing the layout of the kitchen or moving to a new apartment often poses unexpected challenges for owners of household appliances. One of the most common problems is the inconvenient location of the refrigerator, when the door opens in the wrong direction or rests against the wall. For many models of refrigerators Pozis it is possible to change the opening side, which allows you to adapt the unit to new operating conditions.
This process does not require complex professional tools, but requires care and accuracy. Re-hanging the doors is a mechanical operation in which the left and right hinges are swapped, and the handles and decorative plugs. If you perform all the steps sequentially, you can avoid damaging the case or breaking the seal.
Before starting work, you need to free up the space around the refrigerator. You will need access to the unit from all sides to be able to walk around it freely and place the removed parts on a clean surface. Make sure that the floor under your feet is not slippery, and that the lighting is bright enough to work with small fasteners.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the power supply. Unplug the plug from the socket and let the device stand for 10-15 minutes so that the refrigerant calms down and the condensation in the electrics evaporates.
There are several modifications of refrigerators Pozis, and the design of the hinges may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture and series. However, the general principle remains the same for most models. The main thing is not to use excessive force where parts should move easily, and not to lose small fastening elements.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
Quality preparation is the key to success. You don't need a whole toolbox, but you should have just the right items on hand that will allow you to remove the fasteners without damaging the bolt heads. For most models Pozis a basic DIY kit is sufficient.
The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4, 5 or 6 mm in size) or a Phillips screwdriver. In some cases, a 10mm wrench may be needed if the hinges are secured with nuts on the outside. Also prepare a container for folding the screws so that they do not roll under the refrigerator.
To protect the floor and the refrigerator itself from scratches during operation, lay cardboard or thick fabric on the floor. This is especially true if you are working on laminate or linoleum. It is better to immediately wipe the removed parts from dust so that during reassembly the dirt does not get into the mechanisms.
☑️ Preparation for work
It is important to check the condition of the fasteners before starting work. If you see that the screws are very rusty or acidified, treat them in advance with a penetrating lubricant, for example WD-40. This will help avoid stripping threads or breaking the tool at the most inopportune moment.
Removing the top hinge and top door
The rehanging process always starts from the top of the refrigerator. This is due to a design feature: the top hinge supports the weight of the door, and removing it frees the top of the chamber. First you need to remove the decorative cap, if there is one on the top panel.
Use a hex key or screwdriver to remove the screws securing the top hinge. In models Pozis there are usually two or three of them. After unscrewing the fasteners, carefully remove the metal hinge plate. Do not pull sharply to avoid damaging the wiring if there is a light or display connected to the door.
⚠️ Attention: If your model has a temperature display on the door, there may be a cable running inside or near the hinge. Be extremely careful when disconnecting the connectors so as not to damage the contacts.
Now you can remove the top door itself. It is better to do this with an assistant, since even an empty door has significant weight and can slip out of your hands. Lift the door up, removing it from the lower axis, and set it in a safe place, placing it on a soft surface.
After removing the door, inspect the mating part of the hinge on the refrigerator body. Often rubber bushings or washers remain there. They must be saved and moved to a new side or carefully cleaned of dirt. Adjusting the gaps in the future will depend on the condition of these elements.
Removing the middle hinge and main door
Once the top door is removed, access to the middle hinge, which holds the main, bottom door of the refrigerator or freezer, opens. The principle of operation is similar, but there are some nuances associated with the weight of the structure.
Unscrew the screws securing the middle hinge to the refrigerator body. In some models Pozis this hinge can be combined with a stop for the top door. Remove the metal piece and set it aside. The main door is now only held in place by the bottom pin.
Gently lift the bottom door to remove it from the axis. This is the hardest part of the job, so the help of a second person is required here. Lay the door horizontally on a prepared surface, previously covered with a blanket or cardboard.
Pay attention to the lower support sleeve. It can be plastic or metal. It must be removed from its seat and temporarily removed. In the future, it will be installed in a symmetrical hole on the other side of the case.
What to do if the door cannot be removed?
Sometimes a suction cup or a frozen seal can interfere with free removal. Gently rock the door from side to side. Do not use sharp jerks to avoid damaging the handle or body.
Rearranging handles and decorative elements
The most time-consuming step is moving the fittings. Handles on refrigerators Pozis can be attached in different ways: on screws on the inside of the door or on latches. In most cases, access to the inner surface of the door is required.
To remove the handle, it is often necessary to open the door and find the mounting holes closed with plugs. Carefully pry off the plugs with a flathead screwdriver. Unscrew the screws and remove the handle. Then repeat the procedure for the second door. Do not lose the screws, as they may have different lengths.
There will be holes in the vacated places where the handles were previously attached. They must be closed with the plugs that came with the refrigerator or are located on the opposite side. Usually these plugs have the same color as the body.
Install the handles in their new places. Make sure they fit tightly and do not wobble. Fixing screws Tighten evenly, without warping the handle, to avoid chipping the plastic or paint.
| Element | Action | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Upper handle | Remove and rearrange | Check the length of the screws |
| Lower handle | Remove and rearrange | Use soft rags |
| Plugs | Replace | Do not lose small parts |
| Hinges | Dismantle | Keep the threads free from dirt |
Installation of hinges on the new side
Now that all elements have been dismantled, you can begin assembling on the new side. On the refrigerator body Pozis on the opposite side there should already be technological holes closed with plastic plugs. Remove these plugs.
Begin by installing the lower support sleeve into the corresponding hole at the bottom of the housing. Insert the bottom loop (or pin) into this hole. Make sure it is locked into the grooves. Then hang the main (lower) door, its axis hitting the bushing.
Install the middle hinge on the end of the door and screw it to the refrigerator body in a new location. Do not tighten the screws all the way yet, leave a little play for later adjustment. Hang the top door and install the top hinge.
Finally secure the top hinge. Now you can tighten all the middle and bottom hinge screws evenly. Check that the doors are level with each other and the body.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
After installing doors in a new location, adjusting the gapsis often required. The doors may not fit tightly or become warped. To correct the position, loosen the screws securing the hinges (but do not unscrew them completely) and slightly move the door in the desired direction.
Check the operation of the magnetic seal. The door should close tightly around its entire perimeter. If you notice gaps through which cold can escape, try heating the seal with a hair dryer (at low temperature) and straightening it, or place a thin gasket under the rubber profile in the problem area.
Make sure that the doors do not touch each other and the body when opening 90 degrees. The move should be smooth, without squeaks or jamming. If you hear a squeak, lubricate the rubbing parts of the hinges with food grade grease or silicone.
⚠️ Attention: Do not turn on the refrigerator immediately after rearranging. Let it stand in an upright position for at least 2–3 hours (preferably 4) so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase after tilting and moving.
The final stage will be to check the operation of the unit. Plug in the refrigerator and check the temperature inside the chambers after a few hours. If the cold accumulates normally, and the doors close tightly with a bang, it means rehanging the doors of the Pozis refrigerator it was completed successfully.
Is it possible to rehang the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
Formally, independently Re-hanging the doors is not a complicated repair and often does not entail loss of warranty if the seals on the compressor are not damaged and the integrity of the pipes is not compromised. However, some service centers may interpret traces of independent tampering with the structure as a reason for refusal. It is recommended to clarify this point in advance in the service book.
What to do if the holes for the hinges do not match?
In the factory, all holes must be drilled symmetrically. If you cannot get the screw into the hole, check to see if you have mixed up the left and right sides, or if you are using fasteners from a different model. It is strictly forbidden to drill new holes in the body - this will damage the thermal insulation.
Is it necessary to change the opening direction for single-chamber refrigerators?
For most single-chamber models Pozis (refrigerator compartment only), overhanging is also possible, but the design may be simpler. Often it is enough to simply rearrange the handle and turn the door itself over if the hinges are universal. Study the instructions for the specific model.
Why does the door not close completely after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of the refrigerator is broken. To properly close the door, the device must stand with a slight tilt back (the rear legs must be unscrewed higher than the front ones). This creates a gravitational slamming effect.