Rearranging furniture in the kitchen often confronts owners with the need to change the opening side of the refrigerator to ensure ergonomic access to food. Models LG are distinguished by a well-thought-out design that allows you to perform this operation yourself, without calling a specialist. However, the process requires care, since improper dismantling can damage the hinges or break the tightness of the seal.
In this article we will analyze in detail how to rehang the doors on an LG refrigerator, taking into account the nuances of different series of equipment. You will learn what tools you will need, how to safely remove a heavy door and correctly adjust the gaps. Accurately follow the algorithm will allow you to avoid common mistakes that lead to misalignment of the doors.
It is worth noting that the design of the hinges may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture and model of your unit. Some versions require the removal of decorative panels, others simply reposition the bolts. We will consider a universal approach that covers most modern and classic models of the Korean brand.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
Before starting work, it is extremely important to prepare all the tools so as not to interrupt the process halfway. You will need a set of screwdrivers, including Phillips and flat head screwdrivers, and appropriately sized wrenches or sockets. Often for models LG you need an 8 mm or 10 mm wrench, but it is better to have an adjustable tool on hand.
⚠️ Attention: Be sure to free up at least 1.5 meters of space in front of the refrigerator. You will need to put heavy doors down, and the narrow passage may cause injury or damage to the floor covering.
It is recommended to use a soft cloth or cardboard to protect the floor surface and the unit itself. If the model has a display or complex electronics at the top of the door, you may need the help of a second person to carefully disconnect the cables.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead) for removing fasteners.
- 🔧 Wrenches or ratchet with heads (usually 8, 10, 13 mm).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧹 Soft rags for lining the removed parts.
Make sure that the refrigerator is securely on the floor and does not wobble. If the model is two-door or has a system No Frost with a top freezer, stabilizing the case is critical when removing the top hinge.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Design features of hinges of different LG models
Design of awnings refrigerators LG varies from simple metal hinges to complex systems with closers. In most modern models, the top hinge is fixed with a decorative cover, which must be carefully removed before starting work. The lower hinges are often hidden under plastic plugs or a plinth.
Particular attention should be paid to models with a display on the door. In such cases, inside the upper loop there is cable harnessconnecting the control panel to the main electronics unit. Its length is limited, so the door cannot be completely removed without first disconnecting the connector.
Nuances of hinges with a closer
In premium models, hinges can be equipped with a hydraulic closer. When dismantling them, do not apply sudden forces, as the soft closing mechanism can be damaged. Such hinges require special attention when reinstalling them on a new side.
The lower support sleeve (rod) also plays an important role. When re-hanging the door, the old rod is removed, the hole is closed with a plug, and the new rod is installed in a symmetrical hole on the opposite side. It is important not to lose this element, since without it the door will not fall into place.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the top part
We begin the process by disconnecting the refrigerator from the power supply. This is a mandatory safety condition, especially if you have to work with display wires. Next, remove the top decorative cover, under which the bolts for securing the top hinge are hidden.
Using a wrench, unscrew the mounting bolts. At this moment the door must be securely fixed an assistant or a support so that she does not fall. If the model allows, the bolts can simply be loosened, but not removed completely until the door is secured.
For models with a display:
- Carefully lift the door to gain access to the connector.
- Disconnect the cable plug, by pressing on the latch.
- Remove the door from the top hinge and put it in a safe place.
After removing the door, dismantle the top hinge itself. It is moved to the opposite side of the case. To do this, screws are unscrewed on one side and screwed into symmetrical holes on the other. The threaded holes on the unused side are closed with the plastic plugs included in the kit.
Removing the main door and working with the lower hinge
After dismantling the upper part, we move on to the main door leaf. If you have a refrigerator with a bottom freezer, then the main door is removed in a similar way to the method described above. If this is a two-chamber unit with an upper freezer, the upper door is removed first, then the main one.
The door is lifted up to remove it from the lower support rod. It is better to perform this action together, since the refrigerator panels LG are quite heavy due to the thick layer of insulation. We place the removed door on the prepared soft surface with the front side up.
⚠️ Attention: Do not place the removed door on the end or handle - this can lead to deformation of the geometry of the leaf and damage to the internal plastic frame.
Now we are working on the bottom hinge. Unscrew the fastening bolts and remove the hinge. In its place we install a plug (if it is provided for in the design for this side). Then we move the support rod (bushing) into a symmetrical hole on the other side of the body. The rod should fit tightly, without play.
Install the lower hinge in a new place and secure with bolts. Make sure it sits level and parallel to the bottom of the body. Misalignment at this stage will lead to the door closing poorly or opening spontaneously.
Installing doors on a new side
The assembly process begins with installing the main (bottom) door. We put the canvas on the lower support rod. It is important to get the bushing exactly into the hole, so the door must be held strictly vertical. After installation, we check how the door sits on the axis - it should rotate freely, but not dangle.
Next we move on to the upper part. If you have a refrigerator with a separate freezer on top, first install the top door on its hinge, and then attach the entire structure to the body. If the freezer is from below, we attach the top hinge to the main panel.
Fix the top hinge with bolts to the refrigerator body. The bolts must be tightened evenly, alternating sides, so as not to create distortion. For models with a display, at this stage, carefully reconnect the cable connector, observing the position of the lock.
Check the operation of the door. It should close tightly, without gaps at the top or bottom. If skew is noticeable, you may need to adjust the height of the refrigerator legs or loosen the hinge bolts for (fine adjustment).
Adjusting gaps and installing handles
After installing all the elements, you need to check the geometry of the door fit. The gap between the door and the body must be uniform along its entire length. If the door does not fit tightly, check whether the contents of the shelves or bottles in the door niches are in the way.
Handles on refrigerators LG often hidden (integrated) or require installation in new places. If your model has removable and symmetrical handles, simply rearrange them using the holes that were previously covered with plugs. In some models, the handles are already installed on both sides, and you just need to remove the protective films.
To adjust the tilt of the body (so that the door closes itself), use the front adjustable supports. By twisting or unscrewing them, achieve a slight tilt of the refrigerator backwards. This will ensure correct gravity closing.
Table problems and solutions
During the rehanging process, typical difficulties may arise. Below is a table that will help you quickly diagnose and fix the problem.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not close tightly | The hinges are skewed or interfering item | Check the shelves, loosen and align the hinges |
| A creaking sound is heard when opening | Lack of lubricant on the hinges | Lubricate the hinges with silicone grease or graphite |
| The door opens by itself | The refrigerator is tilted forward | Unscrew the front legs to tilt back |
| The display does not light up after assembly | Bad contact of the cable | Reconnect the connector until the latch clicks |
⚠️ Attention: Technical characteristics and location of fasteners may vary depending on the specific series of the refrigerator. Always check the official instructions for your model if the standard algorithm does not fit.
After completing all the work, turn on the refrigerator. Allow the compressor to reach temperature for 2-3 hours before fully loading with food. This will allow the seal to expand and take the correct shape in the new position.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
It is not necessary to defrost the unit if you are working quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice or food inside, it is better to take them out to lighten the weight of the door and avoid spilling the contents when tilting the case.
Is it possible to hang the door alone?
Theoretically, it is possible if the model is small-sized. However, for standard two-chamber refrigerators LG it is strongly recommended to involve a second person, since the weight of the door is large, and there is a high risk of dropping it or damaging the floor.
What to do if the plug for the old hole is lost?
Plugs usually come with the refrigerator in a bag with documents. If they are lost, you can order a set of spare parts according to the model or use universal furniture plugs of a suitable color and diameter.
Why did the door become worse to close after rehanging?
Most likely, the geometry of the hinges is broken or the refrigerator is not level. Check the floor level, leg adjustment and tightness of the top hinge bolts. Also check if the seal is wrapped inward.