The need to change the position of the door leaf occurs quite often among owners of household appliances. This may be due to a kitchen remodel, moving the refrigerator to a new corner, or a desire to optimize access to shelves. Equipment owners LG often face the question of how to safely and correctly perform this procedure without calling a technician.
The process of rehanging or replacing a door requires care, since the door leaf has significant weight and a complex design. Incorrect actions can lead to damage to the housing, loss of sealing or breakage of fasteners. Understanding the device loop group will help you avoid common mistakes.
In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of work: from preparing tools to final adjustment of gaps. You will learn how to remove the old hinges, move the fittings to the other side and reinstall the door.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
Before starting any manipulations with the refrigerator body, it is necessary to ensure safe working conditions. You will need free space around the unit so that you can walk around it on all sides. It is also extremely important de-energize to remove the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of electric shock if the wiring is accidentally damaged.
To perform the work, you will need a standard home handyman kit. The main tool will be a wrench or a set of sockets, since fasteners in technology LG usually bolted. It would be a good idea to have flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers on hand, as well as pliers for working with small fasteners.
- 🛠️ 8 or 10 mm wrench (depending on the model).
- 🪛 Set of screwdrivers (phillips and slotted).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges.
- 📏 A level or tape measure to check horizontality.
It is recommended to prepare a soft mat in advance on which to place the removed door. This could be cardboard, a folded blanket, or a thick towel. It is very easy to scratch the glossy surface or damage the sealing rubber if you place heavy elements directly on the floor.
Removing the door leaf and top hinge
The process of removing the door begins with the top fastening, since it is this that holds the main weight of the leaf. In modern models LG the upper loop is often hidden under a decorative plug or cover. Carefully pry up the plastic element with a screwdriver to gain access to the bolts.
After removing the decorative trim, you will see the mounting bolts. They need to be loosened, but not completely unscrewed yet if the door is not secured. Some designs have a special locking pin or clamp that must be unlocked before removal. Top hinge bears the greatest load, so the bolts may be very tight.
⚠️ Warning: The refrigerator door is heavy and may fall if don't hold her. Have a helper hold the blade while you unscrew the final threads of the top hinge bolt.
Once the top hinge fasteners are loosened, you can carefully lift the door and remove it from the bottom pin. This should be done smoothly, trying not to jerk sharply, so as not to damage the water supply tubes or cables if they are laid inside the canvas. If the model is equipped with a display or system No Frost with complex wiring, first disconnect the connectors.
☑️ Preparing to remove the door
Features of dismantling the lower support
After the door field is removed and put aside in a safe place, attention turns to the lower part of the body. There is a support sleeve and a lower hinge located here, which also require moving to the opposite side. The design of the lower assembly may vary depending on the series of the refrigerator LG.
You will need to unscrew the bolts that secure the lower hinge to the body. Often there is an adjusting washer or plastic sleeve underneath that cannot be lost. These elements ensure smooth movement and proper fit of the door. Lower hinge responsible for the vertical positioning of the leaf.
If your model has a finishing system or a closing mechanism, carefully study its structure before disassembling. Some components may be fragile. Keep all removed parts in one place so as not to mix them up during reassembly.
What to do if the bolts are stuck?
If the mounting bolts cannot be unscrewed due to corrosion or factory paint, do not use excessive force to avoid stripping the threads. Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 10-15 minutes. After the rust has softened, try to carefully remove the bolt with a wrench.
Re-hanging the hinges to the opposite side
The most critical stage is installing the fasteners on the new side. The refrigerator body usually has technological holes closed with plastic plugs. You need to remove these plugs from the new side and install them in the old, vacated places.
When installing the bottom hinge, make sure that it lies flat and all the holes line up. Tighten the bolts tightly, but without fanaticism, so as not to damage the threads in the metal case. Mounting holes Must be clean from dust and dirt.
Next we move on to the upper mount. If the hinge design allows you to change the installation side (reversible hinges), disassemble it according to the instructions. In some models LG the hinge needs to be turned over or the axial pin must be rearranged. Make sure that all stoppers are in place.
Door installation and final assembly
Now that the fasteners are prepared, you can begin hanging the door. Carefully lift the door leaf and slide it onto the bottom pin. Make sure that the door is level and not warped. At this stage, you will again need the help of a second person.
Align the holes in the top of the door with the installed top hinge. Insert the bolts and start tightening them. Do not tighten them completely until you are sure that the door closes tightly and without distortion. Final tightening This is done after checking the operation.
If the model is equipped with a display or lamp, connect the electrical connectors. Make sure the wires are not pinched or touching moving parts. Install the decorative plugs in their places, hiding the fasteners.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Removal and rearrangement | Wrench, screwdriver |
| Lower support | Dismantling and installation | Wrench |
| Plugs | Rearrangement to the other side | Thin tip |
| Fasteners | Tightening bolts | Set of heads |
Adjusting gaps and tightness
After installing the door, you need to check the quality of its fit to the body. If the door is skewed, the cold will escape and the compressor will work with overload. For adjustment, adjustment bolts on the bottom hinge or special screws on the top are often used.
Use a building level to check the vertical position. If the door warps to one side, loosen the top hinge fasteners, straighten the door leaf and retighten the bolts. The gap between the door and the body must be the same along the entire length.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the door still does not fit tightly, check the condition of the sealing rubber. It may be dirty or deformed and requires replacement or restoring its shape with a hairdryer.
To check the tightness, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Squeeze the sheet with the door and try to pull it out. If the paper is removed with force along the entire perimeter, it means it seal works correctly. In places where the sheet falls out freely, additional adjustment is required.
Common mistakes and expert advice
When replacing or When re-hanging a door, beginners often make mistakes that can lead to equipment failure. One of the most common is an attempt to forcefully turn a rusted bolt, which leads to broken threads. Another mistake is ignoring electrical connections in doors with displays.
Also, do not forget about time intervals. After installation, it is not recommended to turn on the refrigerator immediately if work has been done with the refrigerant (although this is rare when rehanging the door), but letting the mechanism “settle” and check the operation idle is a good practice.
- ❌ Do not ignore