The need to redesign the kitchen or simply the desire to optimize the space often dictates its own conditions, and the standard opening of the refrigerator door ceases to be convenient. Equipment owners LG may encounter a situation where the handle rests against the wall or interferes with passage, which requires immediate intervention. Fortunately, the design of most modern models allows for the possibility of reversing the doors on the other side, which allows you to adapt the unit to specific room conditions.
Performing this procedure requires care, a basic set of tools and a clear understanding of the sequence of actions, since violation of the disassembly order can lead to damage to expensive components. Incorrectly installed hinges or unadjusted gaps often cause a loose seal, which leads to loss of cold and increased energy consumption. In this guide, we will analyze the rearrangement process in detail, paying special attention to the technical nuances of various series of refrigerators.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
Before starting any manipulations with the body of household appliances, it is necessary to ensure safe working conditions and prepare the appropriate equipment. You'll need a flat, soft surface on which to place the removed items without scratching the front or damaging the fragile plastic. The optimal solution would be a floor covered with a blanket or a wide table free of foreign objects.
The basic set of tools usually includes a Phillips screwdriver, a wrench (most often 8 or 10 mm) and a flat spatula for snapping off decorative plugs. Some models LG with a system No Frost or Door-in-Door may require additional tools, such as hexagons or socket heads, so it is recommended that you read the product data sheet in advance. It would also be a good idea to prepare a container for folding fasteners so that small screws do not get lost during work.
- 🛠️ Phillips and flathead screwdrivers for removing panels and screws.
- 🔧 A set of wrenches or sockets for working with hinges.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧹 Soft rags for wiping mechanisms from dust.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply by removing the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of a short short circuit or electric shock if the wiring is accidentally damaged.
It is also important to ensure sufficient lighting of the work area, since many fasteners are located in hard-to-reach places and are difficult to see in dim light. If you are working alone, make sure that you have the ability to securely fix the refrigerator body so that it does not swing while unscrewing heavy hinges.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Design features of hinges of various LG models
Structural design of hinged mechanisms for refrigerators LG may vary significantly depending on the year of manufacture and series of the device. In classic two-chamber models, external hinges are most often used, which are attached directly to the body and are visible to the naked eye. In such cases, the rehanging procedure is relatively simple and only requires rearranging the hinges and plugs themselves.
More complex systems, such as Door-in-Door or models with a display on the door, have hidden wiring and additional damper control rods. Here it is critical not to damage the cable channelrunning inside the top loop, as its breakage will lead to the display or control system not working. In such models, it is often necessary not only to rearrange the metal, but also to switch the connectors of the electrical contacts.
| Model type | Location of loops | Presence of electronics | Complexity works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (Top Freezer) | External, visible | Absent | Low |
| No Frost (Bottom Freezer) | Hidden/External | Possible | Average |
| Door-in-Door | Complex compound | Yes (display, lamp) | High |
| Side-by-Side | Reinforced, hidden | Often there | High |
It is worth noting that in some budget series the manufacturer may not provide for the possibility of reversing the bottom door of the freezer, leaving only the top movable. Always check the technical documentation to make sure that your specific modification allows such manipulations without voiding the warranty.
The Myth of Self-Aligning Hinges
There is an opinion that modern hinges do not need to be adjusted, since they fall into place themselves. This is not true: after re-hanging, manual adjustment of the gaps is required, otherwise the door will slam or not close completely.
Dismantling the upper part and removing the door
The disassembly process always begins from the top of the unit, since this is where the main load-bearing hinge is located, holding the weight of the entire structure. The first step is to remove the decorative cover that hides the mounting bolts; it is usually secured with latches or a single screw covered with a plastic cap. Carefully pry the plug with a flat-head screwdriver and remove it, then unscrew the exposed screws.
After releasing the top hinge, do not rush to remove it completely - first you need to fix the door in the open position or ask an assistant to hold it so that it does not fall. In models with electronics, special care is required at this stage: if a wiring harness passes through the loop, it must be carefully disconnected, first remembering or photographing the position of the connectors. Contact groups they often have latches that need to be released before removal.
Having removed the top loop, carefully lift door upward, moving its pin out of the lower support sleeve, and set the element aside in a safe place. Now you need to carry out a similar procedure with the middle part (if the refrigerator is three-chamber) or go straight to the bottom loop if you are working with a two-chamber model. It is important not to use excessive force, as the plastic can be fragile, especially if the refrigerator has been in use for a long time.
- 📸 Take a photo of the wire connection before disconnecting.
- 🔩 Place screws from different hinges in separate containers.
- 🚪 Remove door only after all fasteners have been completely loosened.
- 🧩 Save all the plastic plugs, they will be needed for reinstallation.
⚠️ Attention: When disconnecting the electrical connectors, do not pull the wires themselves, hold only the plastic housing of the connector, otherwise there is a high risk of breaking the thin wires inside the insulation.
Reweighing the lower support and installing it on a new side
The lower hinge is the supporting one and experiences the greatest static load, so its installation in a new place must be done with maximum accuracy. On the opposite side of the case there are usually already threaded holes covered with plastic plugs that need to be removed. In some cases, it may be necessary to rearrange the support sleeve or pin itself if the design is asymmetrical.
Install the lower hinge in a new location and tighten the mounting bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This is necessary in order to be able to adjust the position of the door when hanging. If your model provides for the use of special bushings or washers to adjust the height, make sure that they are installed correctly according to the diagram in the instructions.
Now you can start hanging the door: carefully insert the bottom pin of the door into the bushing of the installed hinge and align the body vertically. The upper part of the door must be brought to the place where the upper hinge is attached on the new side and the holes must be aligned. At this stage, the help of a second person is often required, since holding a heavy door and getting into the holes at the same time is quite difficult.
After aligning the holes, insert the bolts of the upper hinge and begin to tighten them, making sure that the door fits evenly and without distortions. Only after making sure that all the elements are in place can you make the final tightening of all fasteners with the required force. Check that there are no visible gaps between the body and the seal, and that the door itself opens and closes with a characteristic sound.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
Correctly adjusting gaps is a key step that is often ignored, which leads to problems in the future. If the door is skewed, magnetic seal it will not fit tightly to the body around the entire perimeter, which will cause ice to form and the compressor to constantly operate. Visually inspect the junction of the door and the body: the distance should be the same at the top and bottom.
To adjust the tilt of the door, most models LG are provided with adjusting screws on the lower or middle hinge. By rotating them clockwise or counterclockwise, you can position the door leaf, eliminating distortions. Also check the operation of the closers (if any) and make sure that when opened to a certain angle, the door does not slam shut spontaneously.
The tightness test can be done by a simple test with a sheet of paper: clamp the sheet between the seal and the body at different points around the perimeter. If the paper is pulled out with force along its entire length, then the seal is good; if in some places the sheet falls out freely or is removed too easily, additional adjustment of the height or tilt of the door is required.
- 📏 The gap between the doors (in two-door models) must be uniform.
- 🧲 The seal must touch the body along the entire perimeter without gaps.
- 🚪 The door should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming.
- 🔊 When closing, a clear but not loud bang should be heard.
Possible problems and ways to eliminate them
Even if you carefully follow the instructions, unforeseen situations may arise, for example, the door may begin to touch the body or not close tightly. A common cause is improper installation of shims or debris getting into the hinge mechanism. If the door touches the body when opening, try loosening the fasteners and moving the hinge slightly away from the problem area.
The problem of loose closure is often solved by heating the seal with a hairdryer: warm rubber becomes more elastic and quickly takes the desired shape. However, if the deformation of the seal is significant, it is better to replace it with a new one, since the old one may no longer provide the required tightness. Also check whether anything inside the chamber (for example, an extended shelf) is preventing normal closing.
⚠️ Attention: If after rehanging you notice that the refrigerator has started to operate louder or vibrations have appeared, check whether the door is hitting the cabinet or adjacent furniture when the compressor is running. Vibration can be transmitted to poorly secured elements.
In rare cases, it may be necessary to replace the hinges themselves if cracks or severe wear of the seats are discovered during the dismantling process. The use of worn parts is unacceptable, as this will lead to rapid sagging of the door and repeated failure. In such situations, it is better to contact a service center to select original spare parts.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Complete defrosting is not a requirement, but it is recommended to empty the shelves on the doors to reduce the weight of the structure. If there is a lot of ice in the refrigerator, it is better to let it stand turned off for a couple of hours so that the ice does not fall off when the case is tilted.
Is it possible to hang the door on a refrigerator with a display yourself?
Theoretically, it is possible if you have skills in working with electronics and a wiring diagram. However, due to the risk of damage to the display cables and the complex system of contacts, for models LG with a screen on the door, it is better to call a specialist.
What to do if, after rehanging, there are excess fasteners left?
In some models, the number of holes or the configuration of the hinges may differ. If there are any screws or plugs left that are not used in the new configuration, keep them in the instruction bag. These may be parts for alternative installation or spare elements.
Does re-hanging the door affect the manufacturer's warranty?
According to the rules of most manufacturers, including LG, re-hanging the doors yourself does not void the warranty if the unit components are not damaged in the process. However, if you break a loop or wiring, there will be a cost to repair that particular problem.