The situation when, after purchasing and installing a refrigerator, it turns out that the door opens in the wrong direction is familiar to many. This creates discomfort in the kitchen, interferes with opening adjacent cabinets, or simply disrupts the ergonomics of movement in the room. Fortunately, most modern models of household appliances, be it Indesit, LG or Atlant, provide the ability to rehang the door leaf. This procedure does not require calling a specialist and can be done independently if you have a basic set of tools and attention to detail.
Before starting work, you need to carefully study the design of your unit. Reversing the handles and doors - this is a process that requires precision, since incorrect assembly can lead to a loose seal. or skewed canvas. In this article we will analyze the universal principles of working with fittings, consider the nuances for different brands and pay special attention to safety in order to avoid damage to fragile elements of the body.
It is worth noting that not all models allow you to completely reverse the door. Some budget options or specific design series may have an asymmetrical body design, where holes for hinges are provided only on one side. Therefore, the first step should always be a visual inspection of the side edges of the refrigerator for hidden plugs or threaded holes on the opposite side.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
High-quality preparation is the key to successful completion of the job without scratches on the floor and injuries. You don't need a complicated professional tool, but regular school supplies won't work here. The main requirement for the tools is compliance with the fastening elements so as not to tear off the slots on the screws, which are often tightened with great force at the factory.
For work you will need the following set:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) of various sizes for dismantling decorative panels.
- 🔩 Wrenches or heads (most often sizes 8, 10 mm) for unscrewing the main hinge bolts.
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from the sharp edges of metal fasteners.
- 🧱 A wooden block or a stack of books for placing under the door when removal.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This is not only for safety, but also to allow the compressor and internal components to cool, and to prevent the fans from accidentally turning on when removing control panels.
Clear space around the refrigerator. You need access to the unit from all sides so that you can walk around it and work on the opposite side. Remove all food, shelves and drawers from the door you plan to remove. This will significantly reduce the weight of the structure and reduce the risk of fragile glass shelves falling during dismantling.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Analysis of the design and search for fasteners
Before picking up a screwdriver, it is important to understand what kind of design you are dealing with. Hanging system may differ depending on the manufacturer and year of manufacture of the model. Older models often required physically repositioning the handle itself, drilling new holes, or using adapter plates. Modern refrigerators, as a rule, have symmetrical openings closed with plastic plugs.
Pay attention to the type of handle. If it is integrated into the door profile (hidden groove handle), then the process is simplified to the rearrangement of the hinges themselves. If it is an overhead handle that is attached with screws, it may need to be dismantled. In some cases, for example, for models Bosch or Siemens, the handle is part of a decorative trim that must be carefully removed by unlatching the latches.
Examine the side walls of the refrigerator cabinet. On one side you will see installed hinges, and on the other - a row of holes. Some of them may be occupied by shipping bolts or simply covered with plastic. It is into these holes that the main fastening units will be moved. It is critically important to keep all the removed plugs in order to close the vacated holes on the working side after rearrangement.
Models with a display on the door deserve special attention. If the control panel is located on the door leaf that you want to move, you will have to additionally reconnect the wire loops. This complicates the task and requires care not to damage the delicate electrical connections.
Dismantling the top hinge and removing doors
The process always starts from the top of the structure. The top hinge bears the main load of holding the door in a vertical position, so its dismantling requires fixing the door leaf. Do not try to simply unscrew the bolts while holding the door suspended - this may result in the heavy element falling and damaging the floor or the master’s feet.
Remove the decorative cover covering the top hinge. It is usually held in place by latches or a single screw. After removing the cover you will see the mounting bolts. Loosen them, but do not remove them all the way until you are ready to hold the door. Ask an assistant to fix the door or use improvised means to support it.
After completely unscrewing the bolts, the top hinge can be removed. Now the door is held only by the bottom pin (in models with bottom support) or by magnets (rarely). Gently lift the door to remove it from the bottom axis and set it in a safe place, it is best to place it on a soft surface (blanket or cardboard) with the inside facing up.
If your model has the ability to change the opening side, at the end of the door you will find threaded holes for a hinge on the other side. They are often closed with plastic stoppers. Unscrew the plugs from the working side and screw them into the holes on the opposite side. This will ensure a symmetrical appearance after completion of the work.
Rearranging the lower support and axis of rotation
The lower part of the mechanism can be made in different ways. In one version, it is a simple sleeve into which the door pin is inserted. The other has a full-fledged hinge with a bearing, bolted to the body. If you have the first option, then you often need to move the support bushing itself to the opposite side of the lower end of the door.
To move the lower support:
- 🛠️ Unscrew the fixing screw of the lower bushing in its current place.
- 🛠️ Remove bushing and install it in a symmetrical hole on the other side.
- 🛠️ Secure with a screw, making sure that it sits tightly and does not protrude into the mechanism.
In some models Samsung or Hotpoint the lower axis is part of the hinge, which is simply rearranged. There are times when you need to use a special one, which comes with the refrigerator (often it is already screwed into an unnecessary hole or is in a bag with documents). If there is no such bushing, perhaps in your model the lower axis does not require rearrangement, and the door simply turns over, or a symmetrical pin is used. adapter bushing, which comes complete with the refrigerator (often it is already screwed into an unnecessary hole or lies in a bag with documents). If there is no such bushing, it is possible that your model does not require repositioning the bottom pin and simply flips the door or uses a symmetrical pin.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the lower support, make sure that it does not protrude above the level of the end of the door. If the axis is too high, the door will not close tightly and the cold will escape. If it is too low, the door will be warped.
Check the condition of the seal. While the door is removed, there is an excellent opportunity to inspect the rubber circuit for dirt or damage. Wipe it with a soft cloth and soapy water. This will improve the fit and extend the service life of the seal.
What to do if the bushing is lost?
If a special adapter bushing is lost, and the design requires its presence, you can try to unscrew an identical bushing from the opposite side (if it is there and is not used) or order an original spare part according to the model catalog number. The use of homemade analogues is not recommended due to the risk of distortion.
Installation of hinges on the new side and hanging the door
Now we move on to installing fasteners on the new side. Take the top hinge and try it on the holes on the refrigerator body on the desired side. Screw in the bolts by hand to tighten the threads, then tighten with a wrench. Do not overtighten the bolts to avoid stripping the threads in the soft metal of the housing, but ensure a secure fit.
Install the bottom hinge or support sleeve onto the housing if the design requires it. Make sure that all elements are positioned strictly vertically relative to each other. Any deviation from the axis will cause the door to open spontaneously or, conversely, require force to open.
Carefully lift the door and place it on the lower axis. Make sure that the top hinge hole on the door matches the top hinge installed on the body. This is the moment when having a second person is highly desirable. Align the holes and insert the mounting bolts.
Tighten the top hinge bolts. After this, check the operation of the door. It should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. When the door is released slightly open (approximately 15-20 degrees), it should either remain in place or be smoothly brought to close (depending on the presence of a self-closing system and the angle of the floor).
Adjusting the door position and eliminating distortions
After installation, there is often a need for adjustment. Even with careful work, a slight misalignment can form, which is visually noticeable by the different width of the gap between the door and the body at the top and bottom. To eliminate this defect, many models provide the ability to adjust the height of the hinges.
The table below shows problems and methods for solving them:
| Problem | Possible cause | Elimination method |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not fit on top | The lower hinge is too high | Lower the adjusting screw or place a washer |
| The door catches the body from below | The upper hinge is skewed | Loosen the top bolts and level the door |
| It is difficult to close the door | The hinge bolts are overtightened | Loosen the fastening by half a turn |
| The gap between the doors (in two-chamber) | Different heights of the canvases | Adjusting the height of the lower support |
To adjust the height, a special adjustment screw in the lower support is often used. By turning it with a key, you can raise or lower the corner of the door by a few millimeters. This allows you to set the gap between the top and bottom doors in two-chamber refrigerators to be perfectly even.
If after adjustment the gaps are still uneven, check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself. Use a building level. If the floor is uneven, tighten the adjusting feet (legs) of the refrigerator. Often the skew of the door is caused precisely by the tilt of the entire unit to the side.
Features of rearranging handles on different models
Different manufacturers use their own engineering solutions. For example, refrigerators Liebherr often use a system where the handle is part of the door frame, and rehanging requires complete removal of the outer panel. While in Beko or Atlant everything is solved by simply rearranging the bolts.
In Side-by-Side models (American type), the procedure can be even more complicated. There, it is often necessary to rearrange not only the hinges, but also switch the operating modes of the display, if any, so that the image is not upside down. To do this, you may need to hold down a certain combination of buttons.
For built-in refrigerators, the situation is complicated by the presence of furniture facades. Before moving the handle and door of the refrigerator itself, it is necessary to dismantle the furniture façade. After rehanging the refrigerator door, the facade is reattached taking into account the new opening direction, which requires high precision drilling or the use of old holes.
⚠️ Attention: In some models with the No Frost system, air ducts may pass through the loop area. When rearranging, make sure that you do not pinch the corrugated cold air supply hose, otherwise the circulation will be disrupted.
If you are the owner of a rare or old model, there may not be instructions on the Internet. In this case, use the method of elimination: examine the symmetry of the holes. If there is a thread on the other side, it means that the manufacturer has provided for the possibility of re-hanging. If there are no holes, alas, the model is one-sided.
Is it possible to rehang the door if there are no holes on the other side?
Technically, it is possible if you drill holes and tap threads, but this will void your warranty and requires the professional skills of a locksmith. In addition, there may be a cooling circuit inside the wall, damage to which is fatal to the refrigerator. Not recommended.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Yes, this is highly recommended. When defrosting, you will free up internal space, which will lighten the weight of the door. In addition, water may flow when the unit is tilted if condensation remains in the drainage system.
What to do if, after rearranging, the door begins to open on its own?
Most likely, the refrigerator is not level. The door should open by itself only at an angle of more than 90 degrees (in some models). If it opens at a smaller angle, try unscrewing the front legs of the refrigerator a little to create a slight tilt back.
Is it possible to lose the warranty if you rearrange it yourself?
According to the law, the consumer has the right to self-service. However, if in the process you strip a thread, break a hinge, or damage the housing, the warranty claim for these damages will not be considered. Proceed carefully.
What if the screws are rusty and cannot be unscrewed?
Use a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40). Apply it to the thread and wait 15-20 minutes. Do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the bolt head. If the cap comes off, drilling will be required, which is best left to professionals.
Does overhanging affect the operation of the compressor?
No, this procedure does not affect the operation of the cooling unit in any way. The only caveat is that do not overdo it with tilting the refrigerator during operation, so that oil from the compressor does not enter the refrigerant circuit. After installation, let the refrigerator stand for 2-3 hours before turning it on.