Rearranging furniture or changing the layout of the kitchen often dictates its own terms, requiring household appliances to be moved to a new location. Owners of refrigeration units of the brand Samsung are faced with the need to change the opening side of the doors in order to provide comfortable access to products. Fortunately, most modern models of the South Korean brand are designed with this possibility in mind, allowing you to perform the procedure yourself.
The re-hanging process does not require calling a specialist if you act carefully and follow the sequence of operations. Errors at the dismantling stage can lead to damage hinge mechanisms or failure of the seal. Carefully studying the design of your device will be the first and most important step before starting work.
In this article we will analyze all the technical nuances that will help you safely change the direction of door opening. You will learn what tools you will need, how not to damage the electronic cables, and what to pay special attention to during reassembly.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply by removing the plug from the outlet. Working with live electrical appliances is prohibited by safety rules.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
High-quality preparation of the work site is the key to successful re-hanging without scratching the floor or losing small parts. You will need some space in front of the refrigerator to place the removed items. Cover the floor with thick cardboard or a soft carpet so as not to damage the coating and glass shelves if you have to remove them.
To dismantle and then install the hinges, you will need a basic DIY kit. In most cases, a standard Phillips screwdrivers wrench is sufficient. However, the design of some models Samsung may require hexagons of a certain size.
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead of different sizes).
- 🔩 8 mm wrench or socket (often used in fasteners loops).
- 📦 A container for folding screws and bolts (so as not to lose).
- 🧤 Work gloves (to protect your hands from sharp metal edges).
It is also recommended to invite an assistant, especially if you have a model Side-by-Side or large refrigerator. The doors of such units are heavy, and holding them with one hand while unscrewing the bolts is extremely inconvenient and risky for the back.
⚠️ Attention: Technical characteristics and location of fasteners may vary depending on the specific series. Always check the official documentation of your device, as manufacturers have the right to make changes to the design without prior notice.
Design features of Samsung doors
Refrigerators Samsung are distinguished by well-thought-out ergonomics, but have their own unique features that need to be taken into account when re-hanging. The main difference is the handle fastening system and the presence of additional controls on the door leaf. In models with the system No Frost it is important not to damage the air supply ducts when removing panels.
Device with a display on the front panel requires special attention. In such cases, simply rearranging the doors is impossible without reconnecting the electronic loops. The length of the wires is often limited, which requires special care when moving the control unit to the other side or throwing a cable through the housing.
Another important point is the sealing system. The rubber contour should fit evenly around the entire perimeter. When rehanging, it is important to check the condition of the magnetic tape and, if necessary, warm it with a hairdryer in order to straighten out creases that arose during transportation or previous installation.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the top part
You should always start work with the top hinge, since it holds the bulk of the door leaf. First remove the decorative cap, if present. Usually it is pryed off with a flat-head screwdriver or simply removed by hand, depending on your model Samsung.
After gaining access to the fasteners, loosen the bolts, but do not remove them completely immediately. Have an assistant hold the door. Then unscrew the bolts completely and remove the top hinge. If a display is installed on the door, you need to be extremely careful at this stage.
For models with a display, you must carefully disconnect the wire connector. Do not pull on the wires themselves, only grab the plastic part of the connector. Some models have a latch that must be bent before removal. After disconnecting the cable, the door can be completely removed from the bottom hinge and set aside in a safe place.
Now take care of the top panel of the case, if it is removable. In some modifications of refrigerators Samsung it is necessary to remove the entire top cover in order to gain access to the holes for reinstalling the hinges on the other side. Unscrew the fastening screws and remove the panel.
Moving fittings and lower hinges
After removing the upper part of the structure, we proceed to dismantling the main door leaf. The door is removed from the bottom hinge with a slight upward movement. Now you need to move the bottom loop itself to the opposite side. To do this, unscrew the plugs from the holes on the new side and screw them into the vacant spaces on the old one.
It is important to install the bushings and pins correctly. Often included with the refrigerator or in the niche of the base there are special plastic plugs for holes that are not currently in use. Make sure that all openings are closed to prevent dust and moisture from entering the case.
| Element | Action | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Top hinge | Moving to the other side | Requires removal of the decorative cover |
| Bottom hinge | Removal and transfer | It is important not to lose the pin |
| Plugs | Replacement in places | Close unused holes |
| Door handle | Rearrangement (if removable) | A hexagon is required |
If the handle on your model is integrated into the profile or is mortise, its relocation may not required. However, for overhead handles the procedure is required. Use hex keyto unscrew the fixing screws on the back of the door or below, and move the handle to a new location.
Installing doors in a new position
Assembly is done in the reverse order, but requires increased concentration. First, install the bottom hinge in its new location and slide the door leaf onto it. Make sure the door is seated tightly and level. If there is a misalignment, slightly loosen the fasteners, align the position and tighten again.
Next comes the most important step - connecting the electronics for models with a display. Insert the cable connector until you hear a characteristic click. Make sure that the wires are not pinched by the metal parts of the hinge, otherwise when closing the door the insulation may be damaged, which will lead to short circuit.
Reinstall the top hinge in place, aligning the holes. Screw in the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow the door position. After final fixation, check for smooth movement. The door should close tightly, without gaps, and the magnetic seal should touch the body along the entire perimeter.
⚠️ Attention: If after installation the door does not close tightly, check the tilt level of the refrigerator itself. Adjusting the legs can solve the problem of spontaneous opening.
Adjusting and checking tightness
The final stage is checking the quality of the work performed. Visually inspect the gaps between the door and the body. They should be uniform from top to bottom. If you notice that the door fits tighter in one place than in another, you may need to adjust the height of the refrigerator legs.
You can use a simple test with a sheet of paper to check the tightness. Clamp the sheet with the door in different places around the perimeter. If the paper is pulled out with force, then the compactor is working correctly. If the sheet falls out freely or is removed too easily, the seal is broken in this area.
Plug in the refrigerator and listen to the operation of the compressor. Make sure doors do not interfere with internal mechanisms or touch walls or furniture when opened 90 degrees. A correctly installed door is the key to energy efficiency and long service life of your door. Samsung.
Possible problems and their solutions
Unforeseen difficulties may arise during the work process. For example, the holes on the body and door may not line up due to manufacturing play. In this case, do not use force. Loosen all fasteners, level the door and tighten again. Sometimes a slight adjustment to the position of the unit itself on the floor is required.
If a creaking noise appears after re-hanging, lubricate the rubbing metal parts of the hinges with a special lubricant. Do not use edible oils as they thicken over time and may attract dust. The best solution would be silicone grease or specialized compounds for household appliances.
In rare cases, users are faced with the fact that the door closing sensor stops responding. This can happen if the magnet in the door has moved relative to the reed switch in the housing. Check the alignment of these elements and, if necessary, place a thin spacer under the magnet.
Do you need to remove the doors completely or can you do without it?
In most cases, complete removal of the doors is necessary for safe transfer of the hinges. However, some models allow the operation to be performed partially, if the design of the hinges allows for this. Carefully read the instructions for your specific model Samsung.
What to do if you lose the hinge screws?
It is not recommended to use random bolts, since the threads and strength of the metal may not correspond to the load. It is better to contact an authorized service center or order original fasteners from the spare parts catalog.
Is it possible to rehang the door on a Side-by-Side refrigerator?
The procedure for Side-by-Side models is much more complicated and often requires disassembling the entire front panel. It is recommended to entrust this work to professional craftsmen so as not to damage complex fastening systems and electronics.
Why does the door not close tightly after hanging?
The reason may be incorrect adjustment of the height of the refrigerator legs, contamination of the seal or its damage during installation. Also check whether the products on the shelves do not interfere with the tight closure.