Changing the layout of the kitchen often requires rearranging household appliances, and at this moment it turns out that the refrigerator door Indesit opens in the wrong direction. This is a common problem faced by owners of narrow kitchens or island layouts. Fortunately, the design of most models allows you to change the side of the hitch without calling a specialist, if you act carefully and consistently.
The rehanging procedure takes from 30 to 60 minutes and does not require special technical skills, but it does involve working with heavy elements and metal parts. You will need a basic set of tools and, preferably, an assistant to support the leaf during dismantling, since the weight of the door can reach 20-30 kg.
Before you begin active actions, make sure that you have enough free space around the unit. The refrigerator must be stable, and it is better to temporarily remove all shelves and drawers to lighten the structure and avoid breaking glass or plastic during the work.
Necessary tools and preparation of the work area
To successfully complete the task, you will not need many tools, but their quality and availability directly affect the speed of work. The main tool will be screwdriver or a Phillips screwdriver, since most fasteners in refrigerators Indesit have a Phillips slot. You may also need an 8 or 10 mm wrench if the hinges are secured with nuts.
Be sure to prepare masking tape or a special film to protect the surface of the floor and the refrigerator itself from scratches. Metal tools can accidentally slip and damage the enamel, so it is better to cover the working area around the unit with soft material or cardboard.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work on dismantling the refrigerator components, be sure to disconnect the device from the power supply. Remove the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of short circuit or electric shock if the wiring is accidentally damaged.
Remember to prepare a container for storing fasteners. Bolts, screws and plugs are very small and easily lost, and finding replacements during the assembly process can be extremely difficult. Lay out the parts in the order they were dismantled so as not to get confused when reassembling.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Removing the top panel and freezer door
You should always start work from the top of the refrigerator, since that is where the main load-bearing parts are located loops. In models Indesit with a top freezer, you first need to remove the top cover of the case if it interferes with access to the hinges, or work directly with the top hinge of the door.
Carefully unscrew the mounting bolts holding the top hinge. At this point, a second person should hold the freezer door firmly so that it does not fall and damage the flooring. After removing the bolts, carefully lift the door and remove it from the bottom hinge pin, placing it in a safe place.
If your model has a handle that can be repositioned, now is the time to begin dismantling it. Usually the handle is attached with screws from the inside or hidden under decorative plugs. Decorative overlays You need to pry it off very carefully, using a thin screwdriver, so as not to break the plastic clamps.
Nuances of removing handles
In some Indesit models, the handles are part of the structure and cannot be removed, while in others they require removal of the entire door panel. Carefully inspect the inside of the door: if you see screws, then the handle can be rearranged. If there are no screws, you may need to completely replace the handle with a symmetrical one, if it is not universal.
Removing the main door of the refrigerator compartment
After the upper part is freed, we move on to the main refrigerator compartment. Here it is important to correctly remove the intermediate hinge, which is often a common fastening element for both doors. Unscrew the bolts securing the middle hinge and remove the main door, also with the help of an assistant.
Carefully inspect the hinge axis: it may have special bushings or washers that regulate the height and tightness of the fit. Remember or take a photo of the order of arrangement of washers and bushingsas their incorrect installation will lead to skewing of the door and problems with tightness.
Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down. Do not place the door on the handle or on a corner - this may deform the body. While the door is removed, it’s time to check the condition sealing rubber and, if necessary, clean it of dirt.
Rearranging hinges and fasteners
The most critical stage is moving the fasteners to the opposite side. The refrigerator body Indesit initially has technological holes on both sides, closed with plastic plugs. You need to remove the plugs from the working side and move them to the vacant one.
The hinges that were on the left should now be on the right. In some models, the top and bottom hinges are symmetrical and can simply be flipped or rearranged. In other cases, it may be necessary to replace the hinges themselves with mirror ones if the design is asymmetrical. Check the equipment of your refrigerator: often spare parts for rehanging are in the vegetable compartment or in the documentation.
Install the lower support loop in a new place and securely fix it with bolts. Do not tighten them all the way right away - leave a little play for later adjustment. Make sure that the hinge pin looks strictly vertically upward, otherwise it will be difficult to hang the door.
Installation of doors and final adjustment
Now you can begin installing the doors in a new location. First, hang the main door of the refrigerator compartment on the bottom hinge. Have an assistant hold it level while you install the middle hinge and secure it with bolts.
Then install the top freezer door. We insert it into the grooves of the middle loop and put it on the pin of the upper loop. Secure the top hinge with bolts. At this stage, it is important not to overtighten the fasteners in order to be able to equalize the gaps.
Adjusting the position of the doors is a critical step. The gaps between the door and the body must be the same along the entire length. If the door warps, use adjusting washers or slightly loosen and tighten the hinge bolts, achieving an ideal vertical position.
| Element | Action | Tool | Test sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom hinge | Fixing the base | Key 10 | Vertical pin |
| Middle hinge | Fixing two doors | Phillips screwdriver | Equal gap |
| Top hinge | Fixing the freezer | Philipps screwdriver | Tight fit |
| Plugs | Decorating holes | Hands/Flat screwdriver | No cracks |
Check tightness and operation of magnets
After installation, you must make sure that the doors close tightly and hold the magnet. Take a sheet of paper, clamp it with the door and try to pull it out. If the paper is pulled out with force along the entire perimeter, it means seal it fits well.
Pay attention to the operation of the light switch and door opening sensors. When closing, the light should go out, and if the model is equipped with a sound signal, it should stop. If the door does not close the first time or moves away at the top, you will need to readjust the tilt of the refrigerator body.
⚠️ Attention: If after rehanging the door begins to close worse, check whether it is touching the protrusions of the body or the floor. Sometimes it is necessary to change the angle of the refrigerator itself using the front adjustable supports.
Give the seal time to straighten if it has been deformed during storage or transportation. In the first hours after installation, it is better not to load the refrigerator with food, so that the hinge mechanism falls into place and the rubber takes a working shape.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
One of the common mistakes is the loss of fasteners or mixing up bolts of different lengths. This can lead to the fact that the long control bolt