The need to change the direction of opening the door in the refrigerator Stinol often arises when moving or remodeling the kitchen space. Owners are faced with a situation where the standard arrangement of handles makes it difficult to open cabinets or the passage becomes too narrow. Fortunately, the design of most models Stinol allows you to perform this procedure yourself, without contacting a service center.
The rehanging process requires care and adherence to the sequence of actions, since the door leaf has significant weight. Incorrect installation can lead to misalignment, loss of seal, or even damage to the housing. In this article, we will analyze in detail how to turn the door on Stinol refrigerators of various series, taking into account the nuances of fastening hinges and fittings.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
Before starting work, you need to clear the space in front of the refrigerator. You will need a place where you can temporarily place the removed door without damaging it or the flooring. Make sure the floor is level and the unit is stable. If the refrigerator is built-in, it will have to be completely removed from the niche, since access to the side panels and back will be limited.
To complete the task, you will need a minimum set of tools, which any home craftsman usually has. The main tool will be hex key or a set of screwdrivers, since the mounting bolts may have different heads. Also, the help of a second person will not be superfluous, especially if we are talking about heavy two-chamber models.
Here is a list of necessary equipment:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for dismantling handles and plugs.
- 🔑 Hex keys (usually 4 mm or 5 mm) for hinge bolts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧼 Soft cloth or cardboard to rest the door on when removing.
⚠️ 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 if you suddenly hit the thermostat.
Design features of Stinol refrigerators
Refrigerators Stinol were produced in a wide range of models, but the principle of fastening the doors they have a unified The main difference lies in the type of defrosting system: No Frost or drip. In models with full automatic defrosting, the doors are often more massive due to built-in air ducts and a thicker layer of insulation.
Fastening is carried out using upper and lower hinges. The top hinge is usually fixed to the lid of the refrigerator, and the bottom - to the base of the case. An important element is the pin on which the bottom of the door rests. When rehanging, this pin is moved to the opposite side.
It is worth noting that in some models the handles may be hidden or integrated into the profile. Dismantling such fittings requires special care so as not to break the plastic latches. If you are not sure about the type of fastening, it is better to first study the technical data sheet of a particular device.
Removing the top hinge and cover
The first step is always removing the top hinge. This is necessary to be able to remove the door. Depending on the model, the top hinge may be closed with a decorative plastic plug or be an extension of the refrigerator lid. Use a flathead screwdriver to carefully pry the plug.
If the hinge is secured with bolts, they must be unscrewed counterclockwise. Do not apply excessive force if the bolt does not fit - it may be stuck or has a locking thread. In such cases, you can slightly warm the metal with a hairdryer, but be careful not to damage the paintwork.
Sequence of steps for dismantling:
- ❄️ Remove the decorative panel or plug from the top hinge.
- 🔩 Unscrew the mounting bolts holding the top hinge.
- 🚪 While holding the door, carefully lift it to remove it from the bottom pin.
- 🛑 Put the removed hinge aside, remembering its orientation.
After removing the top hinge, the door can only be held on by the bottom pin. This is a critical moment when physical strength is required. The door must be lifted strictly vertically so that it comes off its axis. It is recommended that two people do this: one person holds the bottom, the other controls the top.
Removing the door and dismantling the bottom hinge
After the top hinge is released, the door is removed from the bottom pin. Place it on a prepared surface (cardboard or fabric) with the outer side down. This will prevent scratches on the faceplate and damage to the floor. Now you can start working with the lower part of the structure.
The bottom hinge of refrigerators Stinol is often hidden under a decorative base or strip. It is necessary to remove this strip to get to the fasteners. In some models, the pin is pressed into the body and needs to be knocked out, but more often it is simply screwed in or inserted into a hole.
It is important to pay attention to the condition sealing rubber. While the door is removed, there is an excellent opportunity to check its integrity and, if necessary, replace it. It is also worth inspecting the magnetic tape, which ensures a tight fit.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the door, watch out for the wires if they go through the loop (for example, for a display or lamp). In older Stinol models, the wires may be short, and a sudden movement will lead to their breakage.
Flipping the door and rearranging the fittings
The most critical stage is the physical transfer of fastening elements to the opposite side. At the end of the door you will see holes closed with plastic plugs. They need to be removed and moved to the vacated places on the other side. This also applies to the holes for attaching handles, if they are through.
Door handles also require dismantling and turning over. Depending on the design, they can be removed together with part of the body or separately. If the handle is asymmetrical, it needs to be rotated 180 degrees. To do this, unscrew the screws from the inside of the door.
Table of correspondence of actions for different types of handles:
| Handle type | Action | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Mortise (in end) | Unscrew from the inside | Access to the end is required |
| Invoice | Remove the plugs | Rearrange the plugs |
| Hidden (profile) | Does not require action | Just turn the door over |
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some cases, the holes at the factory may not be drilled on the reverse side. If you encounter this, use a drill of the appropriate diameter, but be extremely careful not to damage the inner contour of the door.
After rearranging the plugs and handles, you need to rearrange the bottom pin. It is unscrewed on one side and screwed into the prepared threaded hole on the other. Make sure that the pin is screwed in all the way and does not wobble, since it will bear the weight of the entire door.
Installing the door in a new place
Now that all the preparatory work has been completed, you can install the door in its rightful, but new place. Lift the door leaf and slide the bottom hinge hole onto the installed pin. Make sure that the door is seated tightly and evenly.
The next step is to install the top hinge. Align the holes on the refrigerator lid with the holes on the door hinge. Insert the mounting bolts and tighten them. Do not tighten the bolts completely right away - just tighten them first to be able to correct the position.
Key points of the final assembly:
- ✅ Check the vertical installation of the door using a level.
- 🔩 Finally tighten all the bolts of the upper and lower hinges.
- 🔌 If there were wires, connect them according to the diagram and place them in the cable channel.
- 🧪 Install decorative plugs on the vacated holes.
☑️ Final check
After installation, be sure to check the operation of the door. It should open smoothly, without jerking, and close tightly. If the door is skewed, you may need to adjust the height of the legs of the refrigerator itself or tighten the hinge bolts.
Adjustment and checking the tightness
The final step is to check the tightness of the seal. This is critical for the normal operation of the refrigerator Stinol. If the door is skewed, warm air will enter the chamber, which will lead to the formation of ice and increased load on the compressor.
To check, use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door in different places around the perimeter. If the paper is pulled out with force, the seal is good. If the sheet falls out or is removed too easily, adjustment is required in this place.
If the door is severely skewed, it may be necessary to heat the seal with a hairdryer to restore its elasticity if it was deformed during storage in the wrong position.Also check the operation of the light switch and light bulb. When the door is opened, the light should come on, and when closed, it should go out. If the wires have been mixed up or pinched, the light may not work or, conversely, may remain on constantly.
⚠️ Attention: If after installation you notice that the door does not close completely or a gap is visible between the body and the seal, do not ignore it. This will lead to loss of cold and spoilage of food.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
In the process of hanging doors on refrigerators Stinol beginners often make a number of typical mistakes. One of them is the loss of fasteners. The bolts from the upper and lower hinges may differ in length and diameter, so mixing them up can lead to damage to the threads.
Another common problem is damage to the seal when removing the door. If you pull the door sharply, the elastic may stretch or break in the corner. In this case, you will have to buy a new seal, since the old one will no longer keep the cold.
Possible problems and solutions:
- 🚪 Door creaks: Lubricate the hinges with silicone grease or a drop of machine oil.
- 🌬️ The door does not stick: Check the cleanliness of the seal and body, degrease the surface.
- 📉 The door is skewed: Adjust the height of the front legs of the refrigerator.
If you encounter situation when the bolts are rusty and cannot be unscrewed, do not use brute force. Use a penetrating lubricant (eg WD-40), leave it on for 15-20 minutes, and only then try to unscrew it. This will help maintain the integrity of the thread.
Is it possible to re-hang the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
Formally, independent intervention in the design can become a reason for refusal of warranty service if it is proven that the breakdown occurred precisely because of your actions. However, if you do everything carefully, do not damage the seals on the compressor and save all parts, there should be no problems. In the documentation for Stinol refrigerators, there is often a re-hanging diagram, which implies that such an operation can be performed by the user.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before re-hanging?
Yes, this is highly recommended. First, an empty refrigerator is lighter (albeit only slightly). Secondly, when tilting and moving, water may leak out of the freezer or ice may fall out, which will create inconvenience and the risk of a short circuit if the equipment is turned on. It is better to carry out the defrosting procedure in advance.
What to do if there are not enough holes for hinges on the other side?
In Stinol refrigerators, holes for hinges are usually provided on both sides at the factory. If you only see plastic plugs, then there are holes underneath them. If the metal is solid (which is extremely rare for this brand), you cannot drill holes - this will disrupt the thermal insulation. In this case, it will not be possible to rehang the door in the normal way.
How long can you not turn on the refrigerator after rehanging?
There is no special waiting time for turning on after mechanical work on the door if you did not touch the freon tubes. However, if the refrigerator was lying on its side for a long time or was transported, it is recommended to let it stand upright for 2-4 hours before turning it on, so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.