Situations when the standard arrangement of the door leaf no longer suits the owners of household appliances arise quite often. This may be due to the redevelopment of the kitchen, the installation of a new set, or the desire to make the operation of the device more ergonomic. Reversing the door is a process that allows you to change the opening side of the door by moving the handles and hinges to the opposite side of the body.
Many users are afraid to start dismantling on their own, considering this a complex engineering task requiring the participation of a service center. However, in most models of modern refrigerators, be it Indesit, Bosch or Atlant, the design provides for the possibility of self-reinstallation. The main thing is to act consistently, not to use excessive force and remember the fragility of some elements.
Before starting work, you need to clear space in front of the equipment and prepare the tools. Be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supplyas you will have to tilt the body and work in close proximity to electrical components. You should also completely empty the shelves and door pockets to reduce the weight of the structure and avoid food damage.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
The success of the operation directly depends on how well you prepare for the process. You don't need complex, specialized equipment, but having the right tools will save time and stress. The standard set usually includes flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers, as well as open-end wrenches or socket heads, the size of which depends on the model of your equipment.
Often manufacturers complete their products with special plugs for holes that will remain free after rearrangement. If such plugs are lost, they can be purchased separately or made independently from plastic. To work with some models, for example Liebherr or LG, you may need a hexagon, which sometimes comes complete with a key for adjustment.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for removing handles and plastic covers.
- 🔩 Open-end wrenches or a set of heads (usually 8, 10 mm) for removing hinges.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📦 Capacity for folding screws so that they do not get lost in the process.
Organize your workplace so that it is convenient for you to walk around the refrigerator from all sides. Cover the floor with cardboard or soft material, as the heavy unit will have to be tilted slightly to access the lower mounts. Lack of haste and good lighting are your main allies in this matter.
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
The process always starts with the top hinge, since it is this that holds the bulk of the door leaf in a suspended state. First you need to remove the decorative plug that hides the mounting bolts. Depending on the model, it can be removed by prying with a flat-head screwdriver or unscrewed with a screw.
⚠️ Attention: Before completely unscrewing the top hinge bolts, be sure to ask an assistant to hold the door. Abruptly removing the load can lead to a heavy sheet falling and damage to the floor covering or the craftsman’s feet.After loosening the fasteners, the top hinge must be carefully removed. On electronically controlled models, such as some versions Samsung or Haier, at this stage it may be necessary to disconnect the wire cable going to the display or light bulb. Proceed with extreme caution: the wires may be short, and a sudden movement can break the contacts.
Now you can remove the door itself. Lift it straight up vertically to remove the lower bushing from the hole in the lower hinge. If the door is difficult to remove, do not yank it, but try to slightly rock it from side to side while lifting it at the same time. Often the lower pin can stick or rust, requiring careful development.
Rearranging fittings and lower fastenings
The removed door must be placed on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down. Now comes the turn to rearrange the handle. In most cases, the handle is attached to two or three screws on the inside of the blade. After unscrewing them, the handle is easily removed and transferred to the opposite side, where it is screwed into the technological holes pre-designed by the factory.
Particular attention should be paid to the bottom loop. It often has an asymmetrical shape or an asymmetrical arrangement of mounting holes. You will need to remove the hinge from one side of the case and install it on the opposite side. For this, the same holes are used, but on the other side, or special sockets closed with plastic plugs.
☑️ Check before assembly
Done: 0 / 4If your model has a magnetic latch or door position lock, it also needs to be rearranged. Typically this element is located inside the housing opposite the hinge. To access it, you may need to remove the bottom decorative panel of the refrigerator. Do not forget to rearrange the response part of the lock on the door, if the design allows for this.
Installing the door on a new side
The most crucial moment is placing the door in its new rightful place. Have a helper lift the door leaf and install the bottom bushing into the bottom hinge hole on the new side. It is important to get exactly in the center, otherwise, when tightening the top bolts, a misalignment may occur, which will lead to a loose fit.
While an assistant is holding the door, you must install the top hinge and tighten the mounting bolts. Do not tighten them all the way straight away. First, make sure that the door opens and closes freely and that the gaps around the perimeter appear symmetrical. Only after a visual check can you begin the final fixation.
Element Action Tool Nuance Upper loop Rearrangement to the other side Key 8-10 mm Keep an eye on the cable Handle Dismantling and installation Cross screwdriver Do not overtighten the screws Bottom hinge Changing the fastening side Hexagon Check the level Plugs Installation in old holes Fingers/tweezers For aesthetics Tightening the bolts should be done crosswise, gradually increasing the force. This will ensure even distribution of the load on the hinge metal and prevent deformation. If you feel that the bolt is tight, it is better to unscrew it and check the threads than to strip it with excessive force.
What to do if the door slams?
If after rehanging the door begins to slam too hard, you may have tightened the adjusting screws too much or the rubber damper washer has been lost. Loosen the top hinge by half a turn and check the operation of the mechanism again.
Adjusting a tight fit and eliminating distortions
After installing the door in a new place, a situation often arises when it does not fit perfectly. This may appear as gaps at the top or bottom, or the door opening on its own. To eliminate these defects, an adjustment system is provided.
In most modern models, adjustment is carried out by rotating the support screws on the bottom hinge or special bolts on the top. By turning the screw clockwise, you usually raise the corner of the door, and counterclockwise, you lower it. Manipulations must be carried out carefully, making half a turn and checking the result.
- 📏 Checking the horizon: use a building level, placing it on the end of the open door.
- 🚪 Leak test: close the door on a sheet of paper; it must be removed with force along the entire perimeter.
- 🔄 Checking the closer: make sure that in the last section of opening the door goes into the closed position by itself.
If adjusting with screws does not help, the problem may be deformation of the body itself or wear of the seal. In rare cases, it is necessary to place washers under the hinge to change the angle of inclination. However, for models Whirlpool or Candy often it is enough to simply align the legs of the refrigerator correctly to ensure a slight obstruction of the body back.
Features of working with two-chamber models No Frost
In system refrigerators No Frost the process may be complicated by the presence of additional air ducts and a more complex wiring system. In these models, the wires often run the entire height of the door, and their length may be limited. When rehanging, it is important not to damage the insulation and not to stretch the wires to the limit.
For two-chamber refrigerators, the procedure is repeated twice: first for the freezer compartment, then for the refrigerator compartment. It is important to follow the sequence: usually they start from the top door (freezer) in order to have access to the lower fastenings of the main chamber without unnecessary tilting of the already installed top door.
⚠️ Attention: In some models of two-chamber refrigerators, the wires run in a single bundle through both doors. In such cases, independent overweight may not be possible without replacing the tourniquet with a longer one intended for the other side. Check the instructions for your specific model.Take special care with plastic air ducts that fit the door. They can be fragile in the cold. If you work in an unheated room in winter, let the plastic warm up to room temperature before starting manipulations to avoid cracks.
Common mistakes and ways to eliminate them
Even following the instructions, beginners often make common mistakes. The most common of these is the loss or confusion of screws of different lengths. Driving a long screw into a short hole can damage the internal threads or even pierce the door wall.
Another mistake is ignoring the need for adjustment after installation. Many people believe that if the door is in place, then everything was done correctly. However, without final adjustment, the service life of the seal and hinges is reduced significantly, and the energy consumption of the refrigerator increases due to a loose fit.
If after all the manipulations the door does not close completely, check whether the food on the shelves located close to the edge is in the way. Also make sure the refrigerator is level: if it's tilted forward, gravity will constantly pull the door open. Adjust the front support legs by unscrewing them until the body tilts slightly backwards.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to reverse the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen unit?
This is an extremely difficult task. Built-in appliances require complete dismantling of the facades and often the niche itself. In addition, wires and cables in built-in models often have a minimum length designed for only one side. It is recommended to contact specialists.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
You can order original plugs according to the catalog number of your model at the service center. As a temporary solution, some use pieces of black plastic or even neatly cut circles of thick paper, although this looks less aesthetically pleasing.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Yes, this is a prerequisite. First, the equipment must be disconnected from the network. Secondly, the presence of ice inside can shift the center of gravity and complicate the work. Thirdly, water can leak when the case is tilted and damage the electrics.
Why did a creaking appear after rehanging?
The creaking usually occurs due to metal-to-metal friction in the places where the hinges are attached, if dust gets there or if the hinges are skewed when tightened. Try to loosen and retighten the bolts, and also lubricate the friction units.