The need to change the opening side refrigerator doors Atlant often occurs when remodeling a kitchen or purchasing new furniture, when the standard arrangement becomes inconvenient. Manufacturers of household appliances, including the Belarusian brand, provide the constructive possibility of rehanging the canvas, which allows you to adapt the unit to specific room conditions. However, this process requires accuracy, a basic set of tools and an understanding of the structure of hinge mechanisms.
Before starting work, it is important to make sure that your model really supports this function, since some budget or specific series may not have the necessary holes on the opposite side of the case. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to damage to the plastic elements or failure of the seal. Careful study of the instructions and preparation of the workspace will be the key to the successful modernization of your equipment.
In this article we will analyze in detail the stages of dismantling and installing door leaves, paying special attention to the nuances of working with magnetic locks and control systems. You'll learn what tools you'll need, how to avoid common mistakes, and what to pay attention to during final adjustments. Compliance with technology will allow you to do the job efficiently without contacting a service center.
Preparation for work and necessary tools
For high-quality rehanging of refrigerator doors Atlant it is necessary to prepare in advance a work table or a flat surface covered with a soft cloth, so as not to damage the enamel or plastic when laying the removed elements. The main tool will be a set of wrenches or sockets, since mounting bolts usually have standard metric sizes, most often M6 or M8. You will also need a flathead and Phillips screwdriver to remove decorative plugs and plastic panels.
Do not forget about physical fitness, since the doors of modern two-chamber refrigerators are quite heavy, especially if they are equipped with a system No Frost or a built-in display. It is recommended to call an assistant who can secure the structure when unscrewing the top hinges, preventing the metal from falling and deforming. Safety in this case is a priority over the speed of work.
- 🔧 A set of wrenches or a ratchet with heads (8 mm, 10 mm)
- 🪛 Screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for plugs
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges edges
- 🛋️ Soft covering for temporary placement of removed parts
It is also important to ensure good lighting of the work area in order to see small fastener parts and not lose lock washers or bushings. Before starting any manipulations, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply by removing the plug from the outlet. This will eliminate the risk of electric shock and prevent accidental starting of the compressor during work.
Dismantling the top part and the main door
The process begins with removing the top cover refrigeration chamber, if it is structurally provided for in your model Atlant. It is usually secured with latches or a couple of screws that need to be carefully unscrewed, after which the cover slides back and is removed. Under it you will find the upper hinge, which holds the door of the refrigerator compartment.
Next, you need to unscrew the bolts securing the upper hinge, but do not remove them completely until the door itself is secured. Holding the door with one hand or asking an assistant, finally unscrew the fasteners and remove the hinge. Now you can carefully lift the door and remove it from the lower pin, putting it in a safe place.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the door hanging on one lower hinge after unscrewing the upper one - this can lead to distortion and deformation of the metal of the body.
The upper hinge is installed in the free space for freezer compartment (if it is top) or plug the hole with a decorative plug, if the model provides for this. Some models require rearrangement of internal stops or opening limiters, which are located inside the door end or on the body. These elements prevent the door from opening in the wrong direction and must be rearranged according to the diagram in the instructions.
Removing and rehanging the freezer
The next step is working with the bottom door of the freezer, which often has a more complex fastening system due to the presence of a handle or lock. First, the middle hinge is removed, which is common to both compartments or separate to the freezer, depending on the design. After removing the fasteners, the freezer door is carefully removed from the support.
Particular attention should be paid hinges to the bushings, which may be different for the left and right sides. Manufacturers often install asymmetrical bushings, so they need to be moved to the opposite side or replaced with components from the repair kit that comes with the refrigerator. Ignoring this point will lead to a loose fit of the door.
After preparing the seats on the new side, the freezer door is placed on the lower support hinge. It is important to ensure that the holes for the middle hinge fasteners match. If the holes do not match, check that the internal stops are installed correctly and that there are foreign objects preventing a tight fit.
- 🔩 Remove the middle hinge while supporting the door
- 🔄 Rearrange the bushings and stops to the new side
- 🚪 Install the door on the lower support
- 🔨 Fix the middle hinge with bolts (without fully tightening)
It is too early to completely tighten the middle hinge bolts, since it will be necessary to adjust the position of the doors relative to each other. First you need to make sure that all the elements are in place and nothing interferes with the free movement.
Installing the doors on the new side
Now that the bottom door of the freezer is fixed, you can start hanging the top door of the refrigerator compartment. It is installed on the middle hinge, which is already attached to the body. It is important to correctly direct the pin of the lower hinge of the upper door into the corresponding hole of the middle hinge.
After installing the upper door in place, the upper hinge, which was previously dismantled or prepared, is mounted on top. The bolts are inserted into the holes and tightened by hand, without the use of tools, to leave some play for later adjustment. Only after making sure that the door is level and nothing is in the way can you begin the final fixation.
| Work stage | Tool | Implementation nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Removing the top hinge | Key 10 mm | Hold the door |
| Rearranging the bushings | Pliers | Watch the orientation |
| Installing the middle hinge | Key 8 mm | Do not tighten all the way |
| Final adjustment | Level, key | Checking gaps |
During the installation process, make sure that the backlight or sensor wires (if any) pass through the door) were not pinched or strained. In modern models Atlant with displays, cables can pass inside the door, requiring special care when transferring connectors to the other side.
☑️ Ready for installation
Adjusting the position and tightness
After all the doors are installed in new places, it is necessary to carry out a thorough adjusting their position. To do this, the hinge bolts are slightly loosened and the door is moved in the desired direction until the ideal gap around the perimeter is achieved. A properly adjusted door should close tightly along its entire contour, ensuring tightness.
It is convenient to check the tightness of the seal using a sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body in different places around the perimeter. If the sheet is removed with force along its entire length, it means it seal works correctly. If in some places the paper slides out freely, additional tightening of the hinges or checking the evenness of the seal itself is required.
⚠️ Attention: Excessive tightening of the bolts can deform the metal of the door, which will lead to the formation of cracks and loss of cold.
It is also worth checking the operation of magnetic latches and locks, if they are provided for in the design. The door should open and close without excessive force, but at the same time securely lock in the closed position. If the door opens too easily or, on the contrary, sticks, you may need to lubricate the hinges or readjust the tilt of the refrigerator body using the front support legs.
What to do if the door does not fit?
If adjusting the hinges does not help, try heating the seal with a hairdryer at low temperature or placing washers under the hinge fasteners on the side hinges.
Features of models with a display and the No Frost system
Owners of refrigerators Atlant with an electronic display on the door should be especially careful when rehanging. In such models, the control cable runs inside the door leaf and requires reconnection or extension when changing sides. Often, this requires removing the decorative panel on top of the door to gain access to the connector.
For systems No Frost it is critical not to damage the cold air supply channels that may pass through doorways. When installing, make sure that the ducts are aligned correctly, otherwise the cooling efficiency will drop dramatically. In some cases, it is necessary to move the air duct damper to the opposite side.
If your model belongs to a series with an inverter compressor or other advanced functions, after reversing the doors, you may need to reset errors or calibrate sensors. This is usually done through a long disconnection from the network or a combination of buttons on the control panel.
- 📟 Carefully disconnect the display connectors
- ❄️ Check the alignment of the air ducts No Frost
- 🔌 After turning on, let the refrigerator run without loading
- 👂 Listen to the operation of the compressor for vibrations
The final stage will be a visual inspection and test activation. Leave the refrigerator running idle for several hours to make sure that the temperature is stable and that there are no extraneous noises that could appear due to the body being skewed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to call a specialist to rehang the door?
If you have basic skills in working with the tool and can find instructions for your model, re-hanging it yourself is quite possible. However, if you have a model with a display or a complex cooling system, it is better to turn to professionals so as not to damage the electronics.
Is it possible to re-hang a door if there are no holes on the case?
Unfortunately, if there are no factory holes and threaded bushings on the opposite side of the case and door, then it is impossible to re-hang the door. The manufacturer does not provide such an option for this model, and drilling new holes may disrupt the tightness and thermal insulation.
Why does the door not close completely after rehanging?
Most likely, the reason is incorrect installation of the opening limiters or skewed hinges. Also check whether anything inside the refrigerator is in the way (shelves, food) and whether the unit itself is level on the floor. The support legs may need to be adjusted.
Will the warranty still apply after re-hanging it yourself?
Re-hanging the doors yourself, as a rule, is not a basis for voiding the warranty if you have not damaged the parts in the process. However, if as a result of your actions a breakdown occurs (for example, the glass cracks or the display board burns out), warranty repairs may be refused.