Rearranging furniture in the kitchen often confronts owners with the need to change the direction of opening refrigeration doors. The brand Indesit provides for this possibility in most of its models, but the process itself requires care and adherence to a certain sequence of actions. Improper dismantling can lead to damage to the hinges or failure of the seal, which in the future will affect the energy efficiency of the device.
Before proceeding with physical intervention, you must carefully study the design of your specific unit, since series models BIA, TS or DF may have design differences. It is important to understand that hanging the door this is not just a rearrangement of bolts, but a complex procedure that affects the upper and lower brackets, and sometimes even the handles. In this article, we will analyze each stage in detail so that you can complete the job efficiently and without wasting time.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is critical for safety, as when removing the doors, accidental damage to wiring or internal sensors may occur.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task, you will need a minimum set of tools, which can usually be found in any home handyman's drawer. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm), which often comes with the refrigerator itself. You may also need a Phillips screwdriver and an 8 or 10 mm wrench, depending on the type of fasteners used in your model. Indesit.
In addition to the main tool, it is extremely important to prepare auxiliary materials that will facilitate the process and protect the floor from scratches. Be sure to find an assistant, since the refrigerator door weighs quite a lot, and holding it with one hand while unscrewing the bolts is almost impossible. Clear the space in front of the unit in advance to be able to move freely around it.
- 🔧 Hex keys (a set or a specific size for your hinges).
- 🔧 Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers for removing handles and plugs.
- 🔧 Wrench or head with a collar for the main bolts.
- 🔧 Soft fabric or cardboard to protect the floor covering.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the fasteners may vary depending on the year of manufacture of the model. Parts may be changed by the manufacturer, so check the technical documentation specifically for your serial number, if it is available.
Removing the top panel and bracket
The first stage of work is always removing the top cover of the refrigerator, if it is structurally provided for in your model. In most cases, it is held on by two screws at the front or latches on the sides. Carefully unscrew the fasteners and slide the cover back to gain access to the top hinge bracket.
Next, you need to remove the decorative plug from the top hinge, which is located on the side opposite the desired opening. Underneath are the bolts that hold the door in place. It is important here not to lose small parts or drop them inside the refrigerator body, since it will be extremely difficult to remove them from there without partially disassembling the unit.
What to do if the bolts are rusty?
If you find that the upper bracket bolts do not unscrew due to corrosion, do not use excessive force so as not to tear them off carving Treat the joints with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 10-15 minutes. After this, try to carefully loosen it with a key.
After loosening the bolts of the upper bracket, the door is not yet completely removed, but only the upper fastening is released. This allows the door to be moved to access the lower elements, but the main load remains on the lower hinge. Be careful not to damage sealing rubber when manipulating the door leaf.
Removing the door and rearranging the handles
Now that the top hinge is freed, you can begin to remove the door itself. It is best to do this with an assistant: one person holds the door, and the second unscrews the bottom bracket bolts or completely removes the door from the bottom hinge, if the design allows it. Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down so as not to scratch the facade.
The next step is to remove the handle. In models Indesit handles are often attached to screws that are hidden under decorative plugs or located on the inside of the door. Unscrew the fasteners and remove the handle. On the back of the door leaf you will see holes closed with plastic plugs. They must be removed and rearranged in place of the old holes in order to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
- 🚪 Remove the decorative trims from the places where the handles are attached.
- 🚪 Unscrew the screws that secure the handle to the door leaf.
- 🚪 Move the plugs to the vacated holes on the other side sides.
- 🚪 Install the handle on the new side using the standard holes.
Working with the bottom bracket and hinge
The bottom bracket is the most loaded structural element, which also requires rearrangement. In some refrigerator models Indesit the lower hinge is a non-removable part of the body, and you just need to move it to the opposite side using the holes provided by the manufacturer. In other cases, it is necessary to replace the bracket itself with a mirror one.
If the refrigerator was supplied with an additional one fitting kit for hanging, now is the time to use it. Unscrew the bottom stop on one side and screw it on the other. Make sure that the thread enters smoothly, without distortions, so as not to damage the unit body. Tighten the bolts all the way, but without fanaticism, so as not to break the threads in the metal.
Particular attention should be paid to the lower hinge pin. It must be installed strictly vertically. If the pin is skewed, the door will not snap into place correctly and the seal will be compromised. Also check the condition of the bushings and washers, if they are present in the structure, replace or lubricate them if necessary.
☑️ Checking the lower fastening
Compatibility table and types of fastenings
Different series of refrigerators Indesit may have different fastening systems. Below is a table to help you navigate the types of connections found in popular models. This will allow you to prepare the necessary tool in advance and understand the scope of work.
| Refrigerator series | Top hinge type | Bottom hinge type | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indesit BIA | Screw (hexagon) | Fixed pin | Requires removal of the base |
| Indesit TS | Bolt (key 10) | Removable bracket | An assistant is needed for removal |
| Indesit DF | Hidden fasteners | Adjustable support | Tilt adjustment possible |
| Indesit C | Combined | Screw | Removal of the decorative panel |
As can be seen from the table, design features can vary significantly. In models with a non-removable pin, the process is simplified, since there is no need to look for a place to store additional parts. However, in models with removable brackets, it is important not to confuse the left and right elements when rearranging.
Installing the door on a new side
After all the preparatory work is completed and the bottom bracket is installed in a new location, you can begin installing the door. Carefully lift the door and slide the bottom hole onto the installed pin. Make sure that the door fits tightly and evenly, without distortions or play in the horizontal plane.
Now you need to fix the upper part. Align the holes in the top bracket with the matching holes on the refrigerator body. Insert the bolts and start tightening them, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to make final adjustments to the position of the door so that the gaps around the perimeter are the same.
Once the door is aligned, finally tighten all mounting bolts. Check the operation closer (if your model has it) and the tightness of the magnetic seal around the entire perimeter. The door should open freely, without creaks, and close tightly with a slight push.
⚠️ Attention: If after installation the door does not close tightly or is skewed, do not try to solve the problem by force. Loosen the fastenings of the upper bracket and re-align the position of the blade, then repeat the tightening.
Adjustment and leak testing
The final stage is to check the quality of the work performed. Visually inspect the perimeter of the closed door: the distance between the body and the seal should be uniform. If you notice that the door does not fit tightly in one of the corners, you may need to adjust the height of the legs of the refrigerator or the position of the top bracket.
You can use a simple test with a sheet of paper to check the tightness. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body at different points around the perimeter and try to pull it out. If the paper comes out too easily or, on the contrary, tears, it means that the pressure is insufficient or excessive. In models Indesit often only the top hinge is adjusted, which allows you to adjust the tilt of the door.
It is also worth checking the operation of the light switch and door opening sensors. When reweighing, the position of the magnet or the switch itself can sometimes shift. If the light does not go out when closing or does not light up when opening, check the alignment of these elements.
Why does the refrigerator hum after re-hanging?
Sometimes after removing and installing the door, the balancing may be disrupted or the refrigerator will stand crooked, which will increase the vibration of the compressor. Check the horizontal installation level of the unit using a building level.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to hang the door yourself without an assistant?
Theoretically, this is possible if you use special stands or stops to fix the door in a vertical position while unscrewing the bolts. However, manufacturers strongly recommended involve a second person, since the risk of dropping a heavy door and damaging the floor or your own legs is very high. The weight of the door can reach 15-20 kg, and it is inconvenient to hold it with one hand.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
If the plastic plugs are lost, the holes can be covered with decorative stickers in the color of the body or use universal furniture plugs of a suitable color diameter The main thing is to close the holes so that dust and moisture do not get in there, which can lead to corrosion of the internal metal frame of the door.
Do you need to wait after turning on the refrigerator?
After you have finished re-hanging and turned on the appliance, it is recommended not to load food for 2-3 hours. This time is necessary for the refrigerant to distribute throughout the system and for the compressor to reach operating mode. A sudden load immediately after transportation or work may be undesirable.
Will the warranty remain valid after re-hanging the door?
According to the legislation and rules of most service centers, re-hanging the door yourself is not is grounds for canceling the warranty if other components (wiring, tubes, etc.) were not damaged in the process body). However, if you doubt your abilities, it is better to contact official representatives of the brand.