The need to change the direction of opening the refrigerator door often arises when remodeling a kitchen or moving to a new apartment. The standard position of the handle on the right may be inconvenient if furniture is installed on this side or the passage is limited. Owners of equipment Atlant can solve this problem on their own, since the design of most models provides for this possibility. It is only important to carefully study the structure of the loops and the sequence of actions.
The process takes from 30 to 60 minutes and does not require specialized tools, a standard set of home craftsmen is enough. Before starting work, you must completely empty the doors of food and defrost the unit if ice has accumulated in it. This will make manipulation easier and prevent damage to the internal shelves when tilting the case. It is also worth enlisting the help of a second person, since the doors are heavy and require fixation when removed.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
The first stage is preparing the area around the refrigerator. You will need free space on both sides of the unit so that you can easily walk around it and stow removed parts. It is recommended to cover the floor with a soft material, such as cardboard or thick fabric, so as not to scratch the floor covering and the equipment itself during installation. Make sure that there is sufficient lighting in the room, as some fasteners may be hidden in the shadows.
To carry out work on dismantling and installing hinges, you will need the following set of tools:
- 🔧 Hex key (usually 4 mm or 5 mm) for fastening bolts.
- 🪛 Screwdriver with flat or Phillips slot (depending on the type of screws).
- 🔩 Wrench (often required size 10 mm) for hinge nuts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧼 A piece of soft cloth for wiping surfaces.
It is important to check the configuration of your Atlant refrigerator for the presence of plugs for holes. They usually come complete with instructions and are kept in the vegetable compartment or on the shelf. If the plugs are lost, you can make them yourself from plastic or buy them at a furniture fittings store to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the front panel.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Remove the plug from the socket to avoid electric shock and to prevent accidental starting of the compressor when tilting the case.
Removing the top cover and dismantling the top hinge
The process must always start from the top down. The first step is to remove the top cover of the refrigerator compartment, if it is structurally provided for by the model. In some modifications Atlant the cover is simply lifted up and moved, in others it is secured with latches or screws. Be careful not to break the plastic clips. Removing the cover reveals access to the top hinge.
The top hinge is often equipped with an automatic closing mechanism or a magnet. Make sure you understand how it is secured before removing the bolts. In most cases, two or three bolts are used, which are unscrewed with a hex key. If the hinges are hidden by decorative overlays, they must first be removed by prying them off with a flat screwdriver.
Here you will need an assistant. While one person holds the top of the door, the second unscrews the mounting bolts. The door must not be released, as it may fall and damage the floor or become deformed. After unscrewing the bolts, the upper hinge is removed together with the door or separately, depending on the design.
☑️ Check before removing the hinges
After removing the top hinge, the door is carefully set aside. Now you need to dismantle the intermediate loop if you have a two-chamber refrigerator. It is attached to the body of the unit and holds the bottom of the upper door or the top of the lower door. The bolts are unscrewed and the hinge is removed. Pay attention to the pin on which the door rests - it also needs to be removed.
Re-hanging the main and lower doors
The next stage is working with the lower door of the freezer. It is removed in the same way as the top one: the bottom hinge is unscrewed (which now becomes the middle one), and the door is released. It is important not to lose the bushings and washers that may be located inside the hinge holes. It is better to immediately put all small parts in a separate container so that they do not get lost.
When all the doors are removed and the hinges are dismantled on the right side, the installation process on the left side begins. On the left side of the refrigerator body there should be technological holes closed with plugs. Carefully remove the plugs from the left side and install them into the empty holes on the right. This will preserve the symmetry and neat appearance of the equipment.
Installation of the hinges is done in the reverse order:
- 🔨 The lower support hinge is installed on the left side and fixed with bolts.
- ❄️ The freezer door is hung, aligned pin.
- 🔧 An intermediate hinge is mounted and attached to the body.
- 🚪 The upper door of the refrigerator compartment is hung.
- 🔝 The upper hinge is installed and fixed with bolts.
When tightening the bolts Do not tighten them all the way straight away. First, tighten all the fasteners, align the doors vertically and horizontally, and only then make the final tightening. This will avoid distortions, which can lead to a loose fit of the seal.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some older models or if there is a manufacturing defect, the holes may have backlash. In this case, use the adjusting screws on the hinges (if any) or place thin washers under one side of the hinge to align the axis of rotation. Do not try to drill new holes in the body - this will break the tightness and thermal insulation.
Adjusting the position of doors and magnets
After installing the doors on the new side, you need to check the tightness of their fit to the body. The sealing rubber should touch the metal surface along the entire perimeter without gaps. If you notice a loose fit at the bottom or top, you will need to adjust the height of the doors.
To adjust the height, use the rotation of the adjusting screws on the hinges or tightening the support legs of the refrigerator itself. Models Atlant often provide the ability to (micro-adjust) the position of the door relative to the hinge by loosening the fastening bolts and shifting the leaf by 1-2 mm.
Pay special attention to the magnets. In some models, a magnet for securing the door in the closed position is located in the upper part of the body. When reversing the door to the other side, the magnet may be out of place. It must be moved to a symmetrical hole on the opposite side. To do this, the magnet is carefully removed from the old socket (sometimes a light tap is required) and installed in a new one.
| Problem | Possible cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not stay open | Incorrect tilt angle of the refrigerator | Unscrew the front adjustable supports so that the body tilts back |
| Gap in the upper part of the seal | The upper hinge is too low | Loosen the bolts of the upper hinge and lift the door |
| The door closes tightly | The bolts are overtightened or the axle is skewed | Loosen the hinge fasteners and align the door vertically |
| A creaking sound is heard when opening | Lack of lubrication in the hinges | Drop a little silicone oil or lithium grease into the hinge mechanism |
Features of models with the No Frost system
Owners of refrigerators Atlant with the system No Frost (or "Full No Frost") should be careful. In such models, air ducts or power cables for lighting and sensors often pass through the door. Before completely removing the door, make sure that you do not damage these communications.
If the door is equipped with an electronic control panel or display, removal requires special care. The cables may be short, and sudden movement will lead to broken contacts. In such cases, the door cannot simply be set aside - it must be carefully disconnected from the connectors, having previously photographed the connection diagram.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to forcefully tear off the door if you feel resistance. Check to see if the temperature sensor or backlight wire is still connected. A break in the wiring will lead to a malfunction of the refrigerator control system.
When reversing a door with a display, it may be necessary to reprogram the controller or change the settings in the menu so that it correctly displays information for the new opening side. However, in most household models Atlant electronics are universal and do not require reconfiguration.
Final check and tilt adjustment
The final stage is to check the operation of the doors. They should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. The most important point: when the door is opened at an angle of about 30-40 degrees, it should close independently under the influence of gravity. This is ensured by correctly tilting the refrigerator body back.
If the door does not close on its own, you need to unscrew the front adjustable supports (legs) of the refrigerator. This will raise the front of the unit and create the required slope. The rear legs of most models are non-adjustable, so the height is set by the front screws. Use the wrench included in the package or a suitable wrench.
After installing the refrigerator in place and connecting it to the network, let it run for several hours without loading food. This will allow the seal to straighten out and take the correct shape, and the compressor to reach operating mode. Check the tightness of the fit by inserting a sheet of paper between the door and the body: it should be pulled out with noticeable force along the entire perimeter.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen unit?
Technically this is possible, but it is extremely difficult. You will need to completely remove the refrigerator from the niche, remove the top decorative panel of the kitchen (if there is one) and have access to the sides of the unit. In most cases, it is easier and safer to call a specialist or temporarily free up space around the niche.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
Plugs are not a critical part for the operation of the refrigerator; they are decorative. You can leave the holes open (this will not affect the cold), seal them with colored tape to match the body, or order a set of plugs at the service center Atlant.
Do you need to wait before turning on the refrigerator after rehanging?
If you did not tilt the refrigerator more than 40 degrees and did not shake it, you can turn it on right away. If the unit was tilted strongly or lay on its side, it is recommended to let it stand upright for 2-4 hours before starting, so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.
Why did a gap appear in the corner of the door after rehanging?
Most likely, the door was skewed during installation. Loosen the hinge bolts, align the door with the body and tighten the bolts again. Also check whether the contents of the shelves on the door itself are preventing the door from closing tightly.