Rearranging kitchen furniture often dictates its own conditions, requiring changes in the configuration of household appliances. If you plan turn over the refrigerator door Samsung so that it opens in the desired direction, you will need a clear sequence of actions. This process is not complicated, but requires accuracy and understanding of the design of the hinges.
Many users are looking for video materials to visually assess the scale of the work, but without a textual explanation of the nuances it is easy to make a mistake. Samsung refrigerators have their own design features, which are important to consider before starting dismantling. In this article we will analyze all the stages, necessary tools and hidden points that are silent in short videos.
Changing the opening side is a standard procedure provided by the manufacturer for ease of use. Hanging the doors takes from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the model and the experience of the technician. The main thing is to take your time and prepare a flat surface for work.
Necessary tools and preparing the workplace
Before you start disassembling refrigeration unit, you need to collect the entire arsenal of tools. Failure to use the correct screwdriver or wrench may result in stripped threads or damage to the plastic. For work you will need:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for dismantling decorative panels.
- 🔩 Wrenches or sockets (usually 8 mm, 10 mm) for removing the main hinge bolts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧱 A stand or stepladder if the refrigerator is tall (Side-by-Side models).
Free up space in front of the equipment. You need to provide access to the refrigerator from all sides, since door hinges they require manipulation from both the front and the back. Remove the carpet or lay down thick cardboard to avoid scratching the floor with heavy elements.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure the floor is level and stable. Tilt of the refrigerator while removing the hinges may cause the heavy door to fall and cause injury.
It is important to prepare a container for small parts in advance. Bolts, washers and plugs are easily lost, and finding a replacement for specific fasteners Samsung can be difficult. Magnetic tray or several jars will help keep order.
☑️ Tools and preparation
Removing the top hinge and main door
The process begins from the top of the refrigerator. Unlike some other brands, u Samsung o often require you to first remove the top cover or trim to get to the fasteners. Carefully pry up the plastic plug with a flat screwdriver.
After access to the bolts is gained, they must be unscrewed. It is important here not to drop the fastener inside the case, as this can lead to a short circuit or jamming of the mechanisms later. Top hinge It holds the main weight, so you need to hold the door with a second hand or ask an assistant.
After removing the hinge, carefully lift the door and remove it from bottom support. This is the most difficult stage, requiring physical strength. Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down so as not to damage the enamel or glass.
Nuances of removing the Side-by-Side door
If you have a model with two doors side by side, remove the left (freezer) door first, then the right one. The procedure is similar, but greater care is required with the backlight wires.
Pay attention to the wires if they go through the top loop. In models with a display or backlight electrical cables can be connected to the door. They need to be carefully disconnected, remembering the position of the connectors.
Rearranging the lower supports and fittings
After removing the doors, attention turns to the lower part of the body. Here is lower pin or a rotary sleeve, which must be moved to the opposite side. To do this, it is often necessary to remove the base panel of the refrigerator.
Unscrew the bolt securing the lower support sleeve and move it into the prepared hole on the other side. Tighten the fasteners with force, but without fanaticism, so as not to break the threads in the aluminum case. Bottom support It should sit tightly and not wobble.
- 🔄 Rearrange the limit stops, if your model has them.
- 🔩 Replace the decorative plugs on the holes: tighten the bolts where there were holes, and close the holes with plugs on the new opening side.
- 🧹 Clean the ends of the doors from dust before reinstalling them.
Now you need to prepare the doors themselves. At the ends door leaf there are also holes for hinges. You need to unscrew the fasteners on one side and move them to another, symmetrical position. Often this requires a hex key.
⚠️ Attention: Do not mix up the length of the bolts when rearranging. Using a screw that is too long may damage the internal contour of the door or the No Frost system.
Check the condition of the rubber seals. While the doors are removed, this is the ideal moment for them cleaning and inspection. If the seal is deformed, after rehanging the refrigerator may begin to hold the temperature worse.
Installing doors on a new side
The most crucial moment is putting the doors in place. Start with the bottom door (if you have a two-compartment refrigerator). Place it on the previously installed lower pin. Make sure that the door is level and not warped.
Next is installation top hinge. Align the holes in the door and on the refrigerator body. Insert the bolts and tighten them by hand without fully tightening them all at once. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door for an ideal fit.
If the model provides for connecting wires, carefully connect the connectors and place them in the intended channels. Power cables should not be pinched or strained. After checking the connections, you can finally tighten the bolts of the upper loop.
| Work stage | Required tools | Completion time | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removing the top hinge | Screwdriver, wrench 8-10 mm | 5-10 min | Low |
| Dismantling doors | Assistant (desirable) | 5 min | Average |
| Rearranging supports | Wrench, screwdriver | 10-15 min | Medium |
| Final adjustment | Level, key | 10-20 min | High |
After installing the top door, the process is repeated in a similar way. The main thing is to monitor the vertical level. Door misalignment will lead to a loose fit of the seal and loss of cold.
Adjusting the position and tightness
After all the hinges are installed and tightened, you need to check the geometry. The door should open freely, but when released from an angle of 45 degrees, it should close on its own (if the magnetic seal is working properly and the tilt of the body is maintained).
Use a building level, applying it to the end of the open door. If there are deviations, you can (adjust) the position by slightly loosening the top hinge bolts and sliding the door. Adjusting the gaps Critical for aesthetics and functionality.
Check the operation of the door sensors. In some models Samsung a magnetic sensor is built into the end. If, after rehanging, the refrigerator “thinks” that the door is open (the indicator is on, the light is off), perhaps the magnet is too far from the sensor.
- 👀 Visually assess the uniformity of the gap around the entire perimeter.
- ✋ Run your hand along the seal - there should be no drafts.
- 📏 Measure the distance from the edge of the door to the body at the top and bottom - it should be the same.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use force to slam the door while checking. If it does not close, then there is a misalignment that needs to be corrected by adjusting the hinges, and not by pressure.
If your model is equipped with a system electronic control, check if the settings have gone wrong. Sometimes, after removing the wires, the display may require a reboot or error reset.
Typical errors and troubleshooting
Even following the instructions, you may encounter difficulties. One of the common problems is that the door hangs crookedly. This happens if lower pin it is not screwed in completely or the thread is broken. Check the fit of all elements.
Another common mistake is loss of tightness. If after rehanging it begins to form in the corners of the chamber, it means that the seal does not fit. Try warming up the problem area with a hairdryer (carefully!) or placing a sealant under the rubber. ice or frost, which means the seal does not fit. Try heating the problem area with a hairdryer (carefully!) or placing a sealant under the rubber.
Also, users often forget about the plugs. Open holes on the side where the hinge used to be are a bridge for cold and dust penetration. Be sure to close them decorative plugswith the included ones.
In rare cases, it may be necessary to replace the hinges themselves if the old ones are deformed. However, in 95% of cases, standard elements Samsung withstand repeated rearrangement without loss of properties.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Full defrosting is not possible a must if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to wait until it thaws so that water does not flow into the mechanisms when the case is tilted.
Is it possible to change the opening side on a Side-by-Side refrigerator?
On classic Side-by-Side models (two vertical doors), change the opening side You cannot. The design of the hinges and the weight of the doors do not provide for such an option. The instructions are relevant for refrigerators with an upper or lower freezer compartment.
What to do if the holes for the hinges do not fit?
In modern models Samsung the holes are symmetrical. If you don't see the holes on the other side, it's possible that your particular modification doesn't support rehanging, or the holes are hidden under a trim strip.
Is the warranty still valid after re-hanging the doors yourself?
Re-hanging the doors yourself generally does not void the warranty unless you damage the frame or strip the threads and didn't break the hinges. However, if problems arise with tightness, the service center may refuse free repairs.
How long can you not turn on the refrigerator after the procedure?
There is no special waiting time if you have not damaged the refrigerant tubes. However, it is recommended to let the seal expand in its new position for 2-3 hours before active use.