The situation when the standard location of the refrigerator door Hotpoint Ariston no longer suits the owner, quite a situation arises often. This could be due to a kitchen remodel, moving to a new apartment, or simply wanting to optimize your workspace. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand, including the series Ariston and Hotpoint, provides for the possibility of reverse - moving the door leaf to the opposite side. However, this process requires care, since improper handling of hinges or fittings can lead to distortion or damage to the seal.
Before starting work, it is necessary to clearly understand that reversing the door is not just a mechanical action, but a procedure affecting the integrity of the body and attachments. In modern models there are often hidden hinges that require a special approach when dismantling. If you don't have experience working with appliances, it's important to go slowly and document each step. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to the door simply falling, damaging the floor or the unit itself.
In this article we will look in detail at how to reposition the door on the Hotpoint Ariston refrigerator, paying attention to the nuances for different series. You will learn what tools are needed, how to prepare the equipment, and what to pay special attention to during reassembly. The main rule is safety and compliance with the manufacturer's instructions, since each modification may have its own design features.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This will protect you from electric shock and prevent accidental starting of the compressor while manipulating wiring or sensors.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
The success of the operation to change the side of the door opening is 90% dependent on proper preparation. You do not need complex industrial equipment, but the set of hand tools must be of high quality. The main element will be a set of screwdrivers: Phillips and flat slots of different sizes. Hex screws are often used in the design, so the presence of a furniture key or a set of heads is also critically important.
In addition to the main tool, prepare auxiliary materials. The refrigerator door, even empty, has significant weight, so holding it with one hand and simultaneously unscrewing the bolts is inconvenient and dangerous. You will need a helper or a reliable stand. It would also be a good idea to use masking tape to secure the moving parts and a soft rag to avoid scratching the glossy surface of the case during work.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (Phillips PH1, PH2 and flat).
- 🔧 Wrenches or sockets (usually 8 mm, 10 mm).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges.
- 📦 A container for folding screws so as not to lose small parts.
Pay special attention to organizing the space around the refrigerator. Move the unit away from the wall, allowing easy access from all sides. The floor must be smooth and clean. If you are working on a slippery surface (tile, laminate), lay down cardboard or thick fabric. This will not only protect the floor, but also prevent the equipment from slipping during operation. Make sure that the lighting in the room is sufficient, since many fasteners are located in hard-to-reach places.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Analysis of the design and dismantling of the top panel
The first stage of work is to remove the top decorative panel or cover, under which the upper hinges are hidden. In models Hotpoint Ariston with a top freezer compartment, this element is often attached to latches or screws hidden under plastic plugs. Carefully pry off the plugs with a flat-head screwdriver, being careful not to damage the plastic, which could become brittle over time.
After removing the cover, you will have access to the top mount. Here it is important to pay attention to the presence of electrical wires. In modern refrigerators with a door display or system No Frost control cables often pass through the top hinge. They cannot simply be pulled or squeezed. If there are wires, they must be carefully disconnected from the connectors, having previously photographed the connection diagram.
If the refrigerator model requires a second door (for example, a two-chamber unit), then you need to start with the top door (freezer). The bottom door in most designs serves as a support or requires preliminary removal of the top door to access the intermediate fasteners. Do not attempt to remove the bottom door first unless required by specific instructions for your model, as this may upset the balance of the entire body.
What to do if the screws are rusted?
If the mounting screws do not come off due to oxidation, do not use excessive force to avoid tearing the cap off. Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 10-15 minutes. After this, try to carefully remove the thread.
It is important to note that in some models the top panel can be combined with a ventilation system. When removing it, make sure you do not damage the plastic air ducts. Any crack in the housing of the ventilation ducts will lead to disruption of air circulation and, as a result, to improper operation of the cooling system cooling.
Removing the door and rearranging the hinges
The most crucial moment is removing the door leaf. Once you unscrew the top hinge, the door is supported only by its own weight and, possibly, by the lower guide. This is where an assistant is critically needed. One person should hold the door firmly, and the second should unscrew the fasteners. A sudden movement can lead to the fall of a heavy structure.
After removing the door from its hinges, it is necessary to dismantle the handles and hinge mates on the opposite side of the body. Usually the holes on the “unnecessary” side are closed with plastic plugs. These plugs must be removed and moved to the vacated holes on the working side. This will provide an aesthetic appearance and protect the inside of the case from dust.
Then follows the process of installing the hinges on the new side. Take the removed top hinge and install it in the corresponding holes on the opposite end of the refrigerator body. Tighten the screws tightly, but not too much, so as not to damage the threads in the metal case. If the refrigerator came with special bushings or adapters for reverse, be sure to use them according to the diagram in the instructions.
- 🚪 Remove the handles from the door by unscrewing the screws from the inside.
- 🔩 Move the hinge counters to the opposite side of the case.
- 🧱 Close the vacated holes with decorative plugs.
- 🔨 Install the door on the new hinges, aligning the lower pin.
When installing the door in place, make sure that the lower pin or hinge fits exactly into its seat. This often requires lifting the door slightly or rocking it from side to side. If the door is up, but dangling, it means that the lower fastening is not secured. Only after a secure fit can you proceed to the final fixation of the upper assembly.
Features of models with the No Frost system and display
Owners of modern models Hotpoint Ariston with the system No Frost and an electronic display on the door should be especially careful. In such refrigerators, a wiring harness passes through the top loop, connecting the control board with sensors, a lamp and an indication panel on the door. Improper handling of these wires is the most common cause of subsequent malfunctions.
When dismantling the top loop, the wires must be carefully disconnected. The connectors usually have latches that need to be pressed out with your fingers or a thin screwdriver. Never pull on the wires themselves. When reassembling on the new side, make sure that the wires are not twisted or pinched by the metal of the hinge, otherwise, when opening the door, the insulation may be damaged, resulting in a short circuit.
⚠️ Attention: On models with a display, sensor calibration or display reconfiguration may be required after re-hanging the door. If the screen does not light up, check the tightness of the cable connection in the connector.
It is also worth considering that in the No Frost system, the cold air supply channels can be located asymmetrically. When re-hanging the door, make sure that the seal does not block the outlet openings of the air ducts. If the door fits too tightly and blocks the channel, circulation will be disrupted and ice will form in the chamber.
Adjusting the door position and eliminating distortions
After installing the door in a new place, a situation often arises when it does not fit tightly or skewed. This is normal, as the new position of the hinges requires adjustment. Adjustment is made by loosening the hinge mounting screws, aligning the blade and re-tightening. This needs to be done in stages, checking the result after each small movement.
Checking the tightness of the fit is a key step. Take a piece of paper or a banknote and clamp it around the entire perimeter of the door. The paper should be pulled out with force, but not torn or fall out freely. If the clamp is too weak in any place, it means the door is skewed in that direction. Adjust the height of the refrigerator legs or the position of the hinges until an even fit is achieved.
The table below will help you diagnose (common problems) after re-hanging:
| Symptom | Possible cause | Method elimination |
|---|---|---|
| The door opens itself | Tilting the body back or a weak magnet | Unscrew the front legs, tilting the body back |
| Strong gap at the top | The top one is not fully screwed hinge | Loosen and re-tighten the upper fasteners |
| The door creaks | Metal friction or lack of lubrication | Lubricate the hinges, check the tightness |
| The refrigerator does not close | There is distortion or interfering product on the shelf | Adjust the legs, check the loading |
If the distortion persists after adjusting the hinges, the problem may be deformation of the body itself or the door leaf, which happens during transportation. In such cases, it may be necessary to replace the seal or even the entire door, but this requires the intervention of service center specialists.
Final check and commissioning
The final stage is a comprehensive check of the functionality of the refrigerator Hotpoint Ariston after all manipulations. Make sure all tools are put away and unnecessary parts (plugs, screws) are collected. Plug in the refrigerator and listen to the compressor. There should be no extraneous noise, knocking or vibration.
During the first few hours of operation, monitor the temperature in the chambers. If the refrigerator is equipped with a display system, make sure that it shows the correct data. Check to see if condensation is collecting on the outside of the case or inside the seal - this may indicate a violation of the seal.
- ❄️ Load the refrigerator with food no earlier than 2-3 hours after turning it on.
- 👂 Listen to the absence of extraneous sounds when opening and closing.
- 🌡️ Check the uniformity of cooling in different zones of the chamber.
If you follow all the steps carefully, your refrigerator will last a long time and will delight you with ease of use. A properly hung door is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional, ensuring the correct microclimate inside the chambers.
How long should the refrigerator cool down after transportation?
If the refrigerator was transported lying down, before turning it on, it should stand upright for at least 4-6 hours (or better yet, a day) to allow the oil to drain into the compressor. This rule applies regardless of whether the door is re-hung.
Is it possible to re-hang the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
Technically this is possible, and in many cases this does not void the warranty, since the design provides for such an operation. However, if in the process you damage the case, break the threads or interrupt the wiring, the service center has the right to refuse free repairs. It is recommended to save all removed parts and act with extreme caution.
What to do if the holes for the hinges on the new side do not fit?
In 99% of cases, the holes are already provided by the manufacturer and are closed with plugs. If there are no holes, perhaps your refrigerator model Hotpoint Ariston does not support door reverse. It is strictly forbidden to drill new holes - this will compromise the thermal insulation and integrity of the case.
Does the seal need to be changed when re-hanging?
Usually the standard magnetic seal is symmetrical and does not require replacement. However, if the old seal is deformed, has lost elasticity or has tears, it is better to replace it immediately so as not to disturb the temperature regime of the refrigerator.
Why does the door slam when closing after hanging?
This may be due to the fact that the door lowers too quickly. Check that the opening limiter is installed correctly (if the model has one) and that the refrigerator is level on the floor. Adjusting the tilt of the body often solves the problem of sudden slamming.