The situation when the standard location of the door leaf becomes inconvenient arises quite often. This may be due to kitchen remodeling, ergonomic features, or simply a desire to change the familiar interior. Modern models Indesit often allow you to solve this problem yourself, without calling a specialist, which saves budget and time. However, the procedure requires care, since mechanical hinges electrical connections in models with a display.
Before starting work, you must clearly understand the design of your unit. In most cases, it is necessary to move mounts to the opposite side of the case. It is important to immediately assess whether you have the necessary set of tools and free space for maneuvers. If you ignore the preparation, you can damage seal or deform the metal.
It should be remembered that not all models support this option. Some budget versions or specific configurations may have an asymmetrical body or hidden elements that prevent overhang. Therefore, the first step should always be to check the technical documentation for your specific device. If the manual is lost, you can focus on the presence of plugs on the opposite side.
⚠️ Attention: Before any manipulations with equipment, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Working with live electrical appliances is life-threatening.
Preparation of tools and workplace
High-quality work is impossible without suitable equipment. You will need a basic DIY kit, which most men will have. The main tool will be screwdriver, but its type may vary depending on the fastener model. The most commonly used are Phillips (PH2) or flat slotted ones.
It is also a good idea to prepare a wrench or head of the appropriate size if the bolts are tightened too much. To facilitate the process of removing heavy doors, call an assistant or use special stops. It is better to cover the floor at the work site with soft material to avoid chipping if parts accidentally fall.
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat)
- 🔩 Wrench or socket head (usually 8-10 mm)
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges
- 🧼 Clean rags for wiping mechanisms
Pay special attention to lighting. In the dark, it's easy to lose small screws or miss a crack in the plastic. If you are working in a niche, provide an additional light source. It is better to put all removed parts in a separate container so that they do not get lost.
Removing the top panel and brackets
The process starts from the top of the refrigerator compartment. This is where the main guides and often hidden control mechanism is located. Carefully remove the decorative cover, if present. It can be held on by latches or small screws that need to be unscrewed.
Next, you should loosen the fastening of the upper hinge. Do not remove the bolt completely at once, just unscrew it first so that the hinge becomes movable. In models with a display on the door, it passes through the top hinge wire harness. It must be carefully disconnected, remembering or photographing the location of the contacts.
Procedure:1. Remove the top cover.
2. Unscrew the bolts of the upper hinge.
3. Disconnect the wiring (if any).
After releasing the upper support point, the door can be slightly lifted and removed from the lower axis. This must be done carefully, since the weight of the canvas with products inside can be significant. Move the door to a safe place, having first removed all the shelves and baskets from it to reduce weight.
Now you need to dismantle the hinge itself and move it to the opposite side. There will be holes in the place of the old fastening that need to be closed plugs. Usually they come complete with the refrigerator or are already installed in free holes on the other side.
Rehanging the door leaf
The most important stage is installing the door on the new side. Here it is important to maintain symmetry and correct orientation seal. Place the door outside down on a soft surface to avoid scratching the bezel. Check the condition of the rubber: if it is deformed, it may need to be replaced or heated with a hairdryer.
At the end of the door you will see holes for the hinges. If there are none on the right side, you may need to reposition the handle. In some models Indesit the handle is symmetrical and does not require moving, in others it is attached to screws that need to be unscrewed and tightened on the reverse side. Use thread lock for handle screws so that they do not unscrew over time from vibration.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Repositioning to a new side | Screwdriver, wrench |
| Lower support | Replacing the bushing or axle | Pliers |
| Handle | Dismantling and installation | Hexagon |
| Plugs | Installation in old holes | Hands |
When installing a new axle into the lower hole, make sure that it fits tightly and evenly. If there is a misalignment, the door will not close tightly. In models with the system No Frost it is important not to damage the air supply channels that may pass near the fasteners.
☑️ Check before installation
Installation and adjustment of the lower hinge
The lower part of the structure experiences the greatest load, so fixing the lower hinge needs to be approached seriously. In some models, the axle is pressed into the body and cannot be removed, in others it is unscrewed. If the axle is removable, move it into the prepared hole on the other side.
When hanging the door on the lower axle, you need to get the upper hole of the hinge into the groove. It is more convenient to do this together: one person holds the door, the second directs the top hinge. Once in the groove, do not tighten the bolts “all the way” immediately. Tighten them first so that adjustments remain possible.
⚠️ Attention: If you overtighten the bottom hinge bolts before final alignment, the metal may become deformed and the door will be warped forever.
Check the operation of the closing mechanism. The door should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. If resistance is felt, the axle may be installed crookedly or an internal trim element is in the way. In models with a magnetic lock, make sure that the mating part is positioned correctly.
The final tightening is done after you are sure of the correct position. Use torque wrench if available, or simply tighten well by hand, avoiding excessive force, which can strip the threads in the aluminum case.
Features of models with display and No Frost
Refrigerators Indesit with electronic control require a special approach. It is critically important to connect correctly connectors. An error in polarity can damage the control board or the display itself. Usually the connectors have different shapes or color markings, but double-checking will not hurt.
In systems No Frost It is important not to pinch the condensate drain hoses if they pass through the door hinge. You should also check that the new opening side does not interfere with access to the internal air ducts. Sometimes it is necessary to rearrange the internal plastic panels.
What to do if the wires are short?
If after rehanging the wiring harness is tense, do not leave it like that under any circumstances. You need to carefully widen the hole in the loop or, as a last resort, extend the wire, maintaining the insulation. The tension will lead to a break in the contact in a month or two.
After assembly, turn on the refrigerator and check the operation of the indicators. If the display does not light up, check the connection at the top hinge. Often the problem lies precisely in a connector that is not fully inserted.
Final adjustment and tightness check
The last stage is checking the quality of the installation. The door should fit evenly around the entire perimeter of the body. You can check this with a piece of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places. If the sheet is pulled out with the same force along the entire perimeter, then seal it is working correctly.
If in some place the sheet falls out or is pulled out too easily, the door height needs to be adjusted. To do this, tighten the adjusting screws on the lower hinge or add washers. Also, the tilt of the refrigerator body can be changed using the front support legs.
- 📏 Check the gaps between the door and the body - they should be the same.
- 🌡️ Let the refrigerator run for 30 minutes and check the heating of the seal (it should not get hot).
- 👂 Listen to the sounds: air whistling means leakage.
Make sure that all decorative plugs are installed in their places. This is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also of protecting internal mechanisms from dust and moisture. If you changed the opening side on a two-chamber refrigerator, repeat the procedure for the second chamber, if necessary.
⚠️ Attention: Do not load the refrigerator with food at once. Let it run idle for several hours to make sure the compressor is working correctly and the chambers are tight after manipulation.
Is it possible to rehang a door if there are no holes on the body on the right side?
If there are no factory holes or threaded bushings on the opposite side of the body, then it is impossible to rehang the door. The manufacturer does not provide for this possibility, and drilling new holes will violate the thermal insulation and warranty.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Yes, this is mandatory. When tilting or moving, melted ice may leak water onto the electrical contacts or down to the compressor. Complete defrosting and drying is a prerequisite.
What to do if after installation the door does not close completely?
Check whether the contents of the shelves or the shelf itself are in the way. If everything is clean inside, then the geometry of the hinge installation is broken. Try to loosen the fastenings and adjust the position of the door; you may need to adjust the legs of the refrigerator to change the angle of inclination.
Will the warranty remain valid after re-hanging it yourself?
According to the law, the consumer has the right to self-repair if it does not lead to a breakdown. However, if you damage the seal, break the display glass, or break the thread, the service center may refuse to repair these components free of charge. Proceed with caution.