The need to change the direction of opening the refrigerator door Ariston often arises when moving, remodeling a kitchen, or purchasing a new model that does not fit into the existing configuration of the unit. Unlike many other brands, Italian technology is famous for its thoughtful ergonomics, but the procedure door reverse here requires attention to detail and strict adherence to the sequence of actions. An error at any stage can lead to damage to decorative trims or disruption of the seal, so it is important to prepare in advance.
Modern models of refrigerators Ariston are designed taking into account the possibility of installing hinges on any side, but factory assembly always assumes standard right-hand opening. Before starting work, it is necessary to clear the space around the unit, moving it away from the wall at least 50-70 centimeters for easy access from all sides. It is also extremely important disconnect the device from the power supply to remove all products, shelves and drawers in order to reduce the weight of the structure and avoid injuries.
You will need a basic set of tools that can be found in the arsenal of any home craftsman: a flat-head screwdriver, a Phillips screwdriver, an open-end or socket a wrench (most often 8 or 10 mm) and a hexagon. It would be a good idea to prepare a soft rag or cardboard to place them on the floor and avoid scratching the coating of the door or body during dismantling. If the model is two-chamber, the process will take longer, since you will have to dismantle both sashes in turn.
Preparation for dismantling and assessment of the design
The first step is to carefully study the type of fastening of the hinges of your specific model Ariston. Designs may differ: in some models, the top hinge is fixed with a decorative plug, which must be carefully pryed off with a knife or flat screwdriver; in others, the fasteners are hidden under plastic covers. Hidden hinges require more delicate handling, since their mechanism is more complex and more sensitive to distortions.
⚠️ Attention: Before you start unscrewing the bolts, be sure to take a photo of the current state of the fasteners on your phone. This will help you correctly navigate when reassembling if you forget which bolt was screwed in where.
Check for the presence of special technological holes on the opposite side of the case. In 95% of cases, refrigerators Ariston they are already drilled and closed with rubber or plastic plugs. If you own a very old or specific model, you may need to do your own drilling, but this is a rare case with modern technology. Make sure that the sealing rubber is not glued to the body and comes off freely when opening.
To fix the position of the door during operation, you may need an assistant or special stops. The refrigerator door, especially the bottom one, has significant weight due to the built-in shelves and glass, so holding it with one hand and simultaneously unscrewing the bolts is extremely inconvenient and dangerous. Closer mechanismif present, it also creates additional resistance that needs to be taken into account.
Removing the top door of the refrigerator
You should always start work from the top of the unit. Open the refrigerator door and locate where the top hinge attaches to the refrigerator body. In most models Ariston it is covered with a plastic cover, which must be removed by prying it from below. This will give you access to the mounting bolts, which are usually tight enough that some force may be required.
Use a suitable wrench to loosen the top hinge bolts, but do not remove them completely yet. Have a helper hold the door so it doesn't fall on your feet or hit the floor. Slowly lower the door, removing the load from the hinges, and only then completely unscrew the fasteners. Remove the top hinge and set it aside, carefully storing all the screws.
Now you need to remove the middle hinge that connects the top and bottom doors (in two-chamber models). To do this, lift the top door up to remove its pin from the hole in the middle hinge and remove the door. Place it face down on a previously prepared soft surface. The middle loop often has a complex shape and can be fixed with additional pins, which need to be knocked out with careful blows of a hammer through a drift.
☑️ Dismantling checklist
Removing the bottom door of the freezer
After the upper part is freed, we move on to the lower door. It is attached to the lower loop, which, in turn, is fixed to the base of the refrigerator body. The principle of operation is similar: unscrew the fastening bolts of the lower hinge, after first lifting the door or fixing it in the open position. Be careful as hinge mechanism may be lubricated and the door may slide off.
After removing the door, inspect the bottom hinge. In some models Ariston it is part of the body structure and cannot be removed, while in others it is a separate removable element. If the hinge is removable, unscrew it and move it to the opposite side using the holes provided by the factory. It is important not to mix up the installation side, otherwise the door will open in the wrong direction or will not close tightly.
Pay attention to the condition of the sealing rubber. While the door is removed, this is an excellent opportunity to wash it with warm water and a mild detergent and check for cracks or creases. If the seal is deformed, after rehanging, problems with tightness may arise, and the cold will escape, forcing the compressor to work harder. Cleanliness of the seal directly affects the service life of the equipment.
Rearranging fasteners and fittings
The most important stage is the transfer of all fastening elements to the opposite side. Take the removed top hinge and install it on the mirrored holes on the other side of the case. Tighten the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet, so that you can adjust the position. Do the same with the middle and bottom loops, if the design of your model Ariston involves rearranging them.
Pay special attention to the handles and decorative plugs. On the free side (where the hinges used to be) there will be holes that need to be closed. For this, special plugs are used, which often come with the refrigerator or are already installed on the back of the handles. If there are no plugs, you can order them at the service center or use universal analogues of a suitable color.
⚠️ Attention: Do not overtighten the hinge fastening bolts. Excessive force can strip the threads in the metal body of the refrigerator, which will require complex repairs using threaded bushings.
Some models require rearrangement of internal mechanisms, such as the light switch rod or lock tongue. This may require removing the plastic control panel or inner door trim. Proceed with caution, plastic latches easily break in the cold, so if the equipment was in an unheated room, let it warm up to room temperature.
What to do if the bolts are rusty?
If the mounting bolts do not unscrew due to corrosion, do not use excessive force. Treat the threads with a penetrating lubricant (eg WD-40) and leave for 15-20 minutes. After this, try to carefully remove the bolt. If this does not help, you can slightly warm up the joint with a hairdryer, but be careful with plastic parts.
Installing doors in a new position
After all the hinges have been moved to new places, you can begin hanging the doors. Start with the bottom door: lift it, insert the bottom pin into the hinge hole and carefully lower it. Make sure that the door sits level and there is nothing preventing it from closing. Now install the middle hinge (if it was removed) and secure it with bolts, controlling the gap between the doors.
Then hang the top door. Align the holes in the top hinge with the mounting points on the body and insert the bolts. At this stage it is important to set correctly vertical level. The door should open easily, without distortion, and fit snugly around the entire perimeter of the body. If the door is skewed, loosen the middle hinge bolts, align the door and tighten the fastenings again.
Check the operation of the magnetic lock and the closer mechanism (if there is one). The door should automatically close when opened to an angle of about 30-45 degrees. If this does not happen, you may need to adjust the tilt of the refrigerator using the front support feet. By tightening them, you can achieve the correct tilt angle of the unit back, which will ensure gravity closing.