Rearranging furniture in the kitchen or moving to a new house often dictates its ergonomic conditions, forcing you to think about how to rehang the refrigerator doors for easier access. This procedure seems complicated only at first glance, but in fact it is accessible to any home craftsman with a basic set of tools. Changing the opening side allows you to optimize the kitchen space and avoid collisions with furniture or walls.
Modern models of refrigeration units from manufacturers such as Indesit, Atlant or Bosch, often provide for this possibility at the design stage. However, it is important to understand that not all models are reversible, and attempting to convert a monolithic structure may result in failure. Therefore, before starting any work, you must carefully study the technical documentation of your device.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of dismantling and installing hinges, adjusting mechanisms and possible pitfalls that you may encounter. You will learn what tools needs, how to safely turn off the equipment and what to do if the door does not fit tightly after installation. A competent approach will save you money on calling a specialist and time for repeated rearrangement.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before starting physical work, you should prepare the workplace and tools. You will need clear space around the refrigerator to allow access from all sides. It is better to cover the floor with soft material or cardboard so as not to damage the floor covering and the unit itself if small parts fall.
The set of tools may vary depending on the refrigerator model, but the basic set remains the same. The most commonly used are hex keysscrewdrivers with various types of blades (phillips and flat), as well as wrenches. Some models LG or Samsung may require a special key included in the kit, or a socket head of a certain size.
Be sure to prepare soft rags or towels that can be placed under the doors when removing them. This will protect the enamel from scratches and chips. It would also be a good idea to have on hand WD-40 or a similar lubricant if the hinges have not been serviced for a long time and could rust or sour.
Safety precautions and preparatory stages
Safety is the foundation of any repair. The first and most important step is to completely disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network. Unplug the cord from the outlet and make sure that access to the power source will not be blocked during operation. This eliminates the risk of electric shock and prevents accidental starting of the compressor.
⚠️ Attention: Never begin disassembling until the refrigerator is completely defrosted and all water has been removed from it. Moisture inside ducts or on shelves can leak onto electrical components or the floor, creating a hazardous situation.
After defrosting, the doors must be emptied of their contents. Shelves, drawers, bottles - everything must be removed. This will not only make the structure lighter, making lifting it less dangerous, but will also prevent food and utensils from breaking. It is better to remove heavy glass shelves separately, holding them with your hands.
Next, you should disconnect all the cables going to the door. In modern models with displays, control buttons or system No Frost wires can pass through the top or bottom loops. They must be carefully disconnected, having previously photographed the connection diagram, so as not to mix up the contacts during assembly.
Removing the upper and lower hinges: step-by-step algorithm
The process of removing the hinges depends on the design of your refrigerator. In classic two-chamber models, first remove the top door (freezer), then the middle one (if any), and lastly the bottom door. Let's consider the standard sequence of actions for a model with a top freezer.
Start with the top hinge. Unscrew the bolts securing it to the refrigerator body. If the hinge is aligned with the axis of rotation of the door, then after removing the fasteners the door can be lifted and removed from the lower pin. If the design is different, first remove the decorative plug, then the fasteners, and only after that the door is released.
☑️ Dismantling algorithm
For the bottom door, the algorithm is similar, but often requires removing the decorative panel of the refrigerator base to access the fasteners. After all the doors have been removed, it is necessary to move the fastening elements to the opposite side. Plastic plugs, included in the kit or already installed on the other side, are screwed into the holes that will now remain free.
Reinstallation nuances for different types of refrigerators
Different manufacturers use different engineering solutions. For example, refrigerators Atlant often require turning over the door handle itself, which can be monolithic or consist of several parts. Models Beko or Haier may have specific latches that require careful handling of the plastic so as not to break the latches.
Particular attention should be paid to models with a system Door-in-Door or built-in displays. In such cases, the outweighing mechanism can be significantly more complicated. Sometimes it is necessary not only to rearrange the hinges, but also to reprogram the controller or physically move the control unit if it is located on the door.
| Brand | Features of the hinges | A special one is needed. tool | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indesit | Standard bolts | No | Low |
| LG | Hidden fasteners | Often needed | Average |
| Samsung | Electronics in the door | Yes | High |
| Atlant | Massive hinges | No | Low |
What to do if the length of the wires is not enough?
If, after rehanging, the control wires do not reach the new connectors, under no circumstances extend them by twisting. This will break the seal and may cause a short circuit. In such cases, it is necessary to replace the wiring harness with a longer one, original for your model.
If there are no holes for fasteners on the back side of the door or the handle is located only on one side, then it is technically impossible to change the opening side without violating aesthetics or functionality.
Adjusting the tightness of the fit and eliminating distortions
After installing doors in a new location, there is often a need for adjustment. The door may not close tightly or, conversely, require excessive force to open. The main adjustment tool is adjusting screws on the hinges.
If the door is skewed, as can be seen from the unequal gap between the body and the seal at the top and bottom, it is necessary to loosen the fastening of the middle hinge (if there is one) or the top one. Carefully level the door and tighten the bolts. Do not tighten them at once, first tighten all the fasteners, check the geometry and only then fix them.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the door still does not fit tightly, check the condition of the magnetic seal. When overweighted, it could become deformed. Warm it up with a hairdryer at low temperature or fill it with hot water to restore elasticity.
It is also worth checking the operation of stoppers and closers, if they are provided for in the design. The closing mechanism should operate smoothly, without jerking or extraneous sounds. If you hear a creak, lubricate the rubbing parts of the hinges with a special lubricant that is safe for food production.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
One of the most common mistakes is the loss of fasteners. Screws from different hinges may differ in thread length and diameter. If you screw a long screw into a short hole, you can pierce the wall of the refrigerator or damage the internal circuit, which will lead to freon leakage and expensive repairs.
Another mistake is ignoring electrical connectors. Trying to close the door and forgetting to connect the sensor cable may cause the refrigerator to “think” that the door is open. As a result, the compressor will work continuously, trying to catch up with the temperature, which will lead to its overload and freezing of the evaporator.
It is critically important not mix up the left and right sides when installing door opening limiters. If you install the limiter incorrectly, the door will not open at the same 90 or 110 degrees as intended, but will rest against the body ahead of time or, worse, damage adjacent furniture when opening.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to rehang the door on a refrigerator that is more than 10 years old?
It depends on the condition of the metal and plastic. If the hinges are not completely rusted, and the plastic has not become brittle over time, then you can. However, older models often have a less universal design, and the holes for fasteners may already have been developed, which will require the use of bolts of larger diameter or repair of the thread.
What to do if, after re-hanging, there is excess noise during operation?
Noise can be caused by vibration of poorly tightened bolts or the refrigerator pipe touching the wall or furniture due to a changed opening vector. Check the tightness of all screws and make sure that the refrigerator is level on the floor; the support legs may need to be adjusted.
Do you need to call a specialist, or can you do it yourself?
In 80% of cases, you can do this yourself with basic skills. However, if you have a Side-by-Side model, a refrigerator with built-in ice generation or complex electronics on the door, it is better to turn to professionals, since the risk of damaging expensive components is very high.
Will the warranty remain valid after re-hanging it yourself?
If you do not damage the external and internal elements during dismantling and installation, the warranty is usually preserved. However, if the service center receives a refrigerator with traces of self-tampering (broken threads, scratches from tools, lack of factory seals on components that you have touched), warranty service may be refused.