Rearranging furniture in the kitchen or changing the layout of the room often confronts owners of household appliances with the need to change the opening side of the refrigerator door. This procedure, known as re-hanging the door, is quite doable at home if you act carefully and consistently. Many users are looking for an answer to the question of how to rehang the door on a refrigerator video in order to visually assess the complexity of the process before starting work.
In most modern models, be it Indesit, LG or Bosch, the design allows you to replace the side of the hinge without losing the warranty, if you do not damage the fasteners. However, it is important to understand that not all units support this function, although the vast majority are equipped with symmetrical hinges and plugs. Correctly completed work will take from 30 to 60 minutes of your time and will require a minimum set of tools.
Before proceeding with dismantling, it is necessary to clear the space around the unit and prepare a flat surface for temporary placement of the removed elements. In this article we will analyze in detail the stages of work, paying attention to the nuances that are often overlooked when watching short videos on the Internet. It is critically important to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply before starting work to avoid short circuits or damage to the electronics.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Quality preparation for work is half the success. You do not need specialized equipment, but using the wrong tools may strip threads or damage the decorative elements of the case. The main tool will be a set of screwdriversincluding Phillips and flat-head options of various sizes.
For some models, especially built-in or premium ones, you may need hex key or a socket head of a certain diameter. Check the fastener specifications in advance in the instructions for your model Samsung or Whirlpoolso as not to discover the lack of the required size in the midst of the process.
- 🛠️ Set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for unscrewing screws.
- 🔧 Socket wrenches or 8-10 mm wrench for powerful bolts.
- 📐 Construction level for checking horizontal position after installation.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
Organize your workspace so that you have easy access to the refrigerator from all sides. Remove carpets and foreign objects that could interfere with movement or damage the floor if the tool is accidentally dropped. If you are working alone, make sure that the door will not swing open spontaneously and hit you or the furniture.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use a power tool (screwdriver) at maximum power to tighten screws in plastic cases, as there is a high risk of damaging the threads or cracking the plastic.
After preparing the tools, you should check the package for the presence of all necessary plugs and decorative overlays. Often they are already included with the new refrigerator in the vegetable compartment or in the upper part of the chamber, secured with tape. If you have lost the original plugs, you can purchase them separately or carefully repaint the existing ones to match the color of your unit.
☑️ Preparing to rehang the door
Design features and types of hinges
The design of door hinges varies depending on the manufacturer and model refrigerator. There are two main types of fastening systems: simple mechanical hinges and complex systems with closers or electronics. In most cases, we are talking about mechanical hingeswhich are attached directly to the body and door.
Particular attention should be paid to models with a system No Frost and refrigerators with a display on the door. In such cases, a wiring harness may pass through the loop and must be handled with extreme care. Incorrect disconnection or tension of the cable can lead to failure of the display or control system.
Some manufacturers, for example Liebherr or Siemens, use hidden loops that are not visible from the outside. This aesthetic solution requires a more complex re-hanging procedure, since access to the fasteners is carried out through special technological holes or after removing decorative panels.
- 🔩 Open hinges are a standard solution, available for self-adjustment.
- 🔌 Wired hinges - require disconnecting the loops before dismantling.
- 🔒 Hidden hinges are a necessity for removing additional body panels.
It is also important to consider the weight of the door. Double-compartment refrigerators have heavier upper doors, which may fall when removed if not supported. Three-chamber models or units with a freshness zone may have an additional lower door, which increases the number of rehanging operations.
What is a door closer?
A door closer is a mechanism that ensures smooth closing of the refrigerator door. It can be built into a loop or be a separate node. When rehanging such models, you need to be especially careful with the closer spring, since it is under tension.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the door
The dismantling process begins with removing the top door if you have a two-chamber refrigerator. This is necessary to gain access to the lower fastenings and not to upset the balance of the structure. First, remove the top cover of the refrigerator, if it is removable, to gain access to the top hinges.
Unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge. At this moment, the door is supported only by them, so be sure to hold it with your other hand or ask an assistant. After removing the bolts, carefully lift the door up, removing it from the lower pin, and put it in a safe place.
Sequence of actions:1. Remove the top cover (if any).
2. Unscrew the bolts of the upper hinge.
3. Remove the upper door.
4. Remove the middle hinge (for two-chamber ones).
5. Remove the lower door.
Next we move on to the lower door. Remove the middle hinge, which has now become the top one for the lower chamber. Unscrew the fasteners in the same way, holding the door. If the model is equipped with a magnetic lock or latch, make sure that you release it before attempting to remove the door.
⚠️ Attention: When removing a door with hinges through which wires pass, first carefully disconnect the connectors, remembering their position, and only then remove the door.
After dismantling all doors, it is recommended to clean the ends of the body and yourself doors from dust and old grease that could have accumulated in the hinge area. This will ensure a tighter fit and cleaner installation of the new elements. Also check the condition of the rubber seals for damage.
Installation and adjustment on the new side
Installation of doors on the new side begins with rearranging the lower support pin. Locate the threaded hole on the opposite side of the housing, closed with a plastic plug. Carefully remove the plug and place the metal pin in the vacated hole.
Install the bottom door into place by sliding it onto the pin. Level the door and secure it with the bottom hinge, which will now be on the side. Do not tighten the bolts all the way right away - first make sure that the door is level and nothing interferes with its movement.
| Element | Installation action | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom hinge | Move the pin to a new hole | Check horizontality |
| Middle hinge | Secure on the opposite side | Align the holes in the door |
| Top hinge | Install after hanging the top door | Keep an eye on the wires |
| Plugs | Close the old holes | Use original |
Repeat the procedure for the upper door. If your model has wiring, route the harness through the new channels in the housing and hinges, connect the connectors, and test the display before final assembly. Make sure that the wires are not pinched and do not touch moving parts.
Adjusting the closing density and gaps
After installing the doors the new side is often required adjusting the gaps. A loose door seal leads to the formation of ice, increased energy consumption and rapid wear of the compressor. Check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter.
To adjust, use the adjusting screws located on the hinges. By turning them clockwise, you can raise the corner of the door or change its slope. In some models Electrolux or Beko a special eccentric system is provided for this.
- 📏 Check the gap between the door and the body - it should be uniform.
- 🌬️ Make sure that the door fits tightly to the body throughout perimeter.
- 🔄 Check the operation of the magnetic lock (if any) after adjustment.
Use a building level to make sure that the refrigerator is level. If the floor is uneven, tighten the leveling feet at the bottom of the unit. Correct leveling facilitates the natural closing of the door under its own weight.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to forcefully close the door if it is warped. This will lead to deformation of the hinge or breakage of the seal. Adjust the position of the door gradually, making half a turn of the screw at a time.
After completing the adjustment, let the refrigerator stand off for about 2-4 hours to allow the oils in the compressor and refrigerant to calm down after moving, although modern units are less sensitive to transportation. Then turn on the device and check its operation during the day.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
One of the most common errors is the loss of fasteners. Small screws and washers easily get lost in carpet pile or fall behind the refrigerator. To avoid this, use a magnetic tray or container with compartments to sort parts by disassembly stage.
Another mistake is ignoring wiring. In a hurry, users forget to disconnect the connectors or, worse, tug on the wires while trying to remove the door. This leads to broken contacts and costly repairs to the electronic control module.
If after installation the door does not close completely or, conversely, is too tight, check whether you have mixed up the left and right hinges. Despite their external similarity, they may have design features designed for a specific side of the installation.
If difficulties arise with alignment, refer to the factory instructions. Sometimes it is necessary to remove handles or decorative trims, which beginners forget about. Remember that each model may have its own unique mounting features.
What to do if the plug for the old hole is lost?
If the original plug is lost, you can use a piece of plastic of a suitable color, cut from an inconspicuous place (for example, on the inside of a drawer), or purchase a universal set of plugs at a furniture store. You can also carefully paint the hole with a marker in the color of the body if it does not catch your eye.
Is it possible to rehang the door on a refrigerator with a display?
Yes, it is possible, but the procedure is complicated by the need to reconnect the cables. You must act extremely carefully so as not to damage the thin contacts. In some models, the length of the wire may be limited, which requires careful laying of the harness into new channels.
Do you need to call a technician to rehang the door?
In most cases, calling a technician is not required, since the procedure is provided by the manufacturer for you to perform independently. However, if you do not have tools, experience with equipment, or the refrigerator model is a premium class one with complex electronics, it is better to entrust the work to a professional.
Why does the door not stay closed after rehanging?
Most likely, the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself is broken. Check the leveling feet and body tilt. Also, the cause may be a worn seal or incorrect assembly of the hinges when they were mixed up.