The situation when, after a purchase or move, it turns out that refrigerator does not fit into the allotted space due to the direction the door opens, is familiar to many. It would seem that this is a dead end, requiring a complex exchange of equipment or a complete redevelopment of the kitchen. However, most modern models provide a design option reversible opening, which allows you to solve the problem in one hour.
The rehanging process doors does not require calling a technician and having an expensive special tools. A basic set of home tools, attentiveness and strict adherence to the algorithm of actions is enough. The main thing is to take your time and understand the physical meaning of each step so as not to damage sealing rubber bands or decorative elements.
In this article we will look in detail at how to change the opening side on various types of units. Whether it is a classic two-chamber refrigerator or a model with a system No Frost, the principles of dismantling are similar, but have their own nuances. Correct installation guarantees tightness and long service life of the equipment.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before proceeding with disassembly refrigerator, it is necessary to free up the space around the unit. You will need access from all sides, since the door will have to be moved from one side to the other, going around the body. Remove all products, shelves and drawers to minimize the weight of the structure and avoid broken glass or plastic.
For work you will need a standard set of tools, which are often already in your home drawer. The key tool will be hex wrench (usually 4, 5 or 6 mm), since most manufacturers use this type of fastener for hidden installation of hinges. An open-end wrench or socket head, flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers, as well as a building level for checking the horizon are also useful.
Pay special attention to surface preparation. It is better to cover the floor under the refrigerator with thick cardboard or a soft blanket so that an accidentally fallen door tool does not damage the floor covering. If you have an assistant, call him - together, doing the work of rearranging heavy sashes is much safer and more convenient.
- 🛠️ A set of hex keys (imbus) of different sizes.
- 🔧 Open-end wrenches and socket head with ratchet.
- 🪛 Screwdrivers: flat (wide and narrow) and Phillips.
- 📐 Building level (bubble) for adjustment.
- 🧤 Gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect refrigerator from the power supply! Unplug the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of electric shock if the wiring is accidentally damaged while dismantling the controls.
After disconnecting the equipment from the network, let it stand for 10-15 minutes. This is necessary so that the refrigerant in the system has time to be redistributed and the oil flows into the compressor. Although we don’t touch the tubes when re-hanging doors, following this rule is good form when servicing any refrigeration equipment.
Dismantling the top hinge and removing the top door
Work always starts from the top of the unit. First of all, it is necessary to remove the decorative plug, which hides the fastening bolts of the upper hinge. It can be made in the form of a plastic cover with latches or simply a pasted sticker. Act carefully so as not to scratch the glossy surface of the refrigerator.
After opening access to the fasteners, loosen, but do not completely unscrew the upper hinge bolts yet. This is necessary in order to fix the door in its current position before removing the lower fastenings, if the design of your model requires it. However, in most cases, the scheme is different: first, the upper hinge is completely dismantled, and then the door itself is removed.
Holding door with one hand (or asking an assistant), completely unscrew the bolts securing the upper hinge. Remove the loop and set it aside. Now the top sash is secured only by the magnetic seal and possibly the bottom pin. Carefully lift the door up, removing it from the lower support sleeve, and set it in a safe place, having first placed a soft mat on the floor.
At this stage, the issue of wires often arises. If your refrigerator equipped with a door display or door open alarm system, there will be a wiring harness coming from the frame. It must be carefully disconnected. The connectors are usually located under the top cover or inside the end of the door. Do not pull the wires sharply - use a flat screwdriver to press out the plastic connector latches.
What to do if the wires are too short?
If, when moving the door, it turns out that the standard length of the harness does not allow you to move the connector to the other side, do not under any circumstances pull them. On some models, the wiring can be carefully moved inside the door cavity by removing the inner plastic panel. In rare cases, it is necessary to lengthen the contacts, but this is a task for the service center.
Rearranging the lower door and dismantling the base
After removing the upper sash, the turn comes to the lower part refrigerator. Here the process may vary slightly depending on the type of structure. In some models, the lower one door is attached to a common axis, in others it has independent hinges. You should start by removing the decorative plinth (the strip at the bottom of the refrigerator), which often interferes with access to the lower fastenings.
The plinth is usually held on by plastic latches or two screws at the front. Carefully pry it off with a flat screwdriver, after protecting the surface with a rag, and remove it. The lower support sleeve or hinge will open in front of you. Similarly to the upper assembly, unscrew the fastening bolts, holding the lower one door from falling.
Having removed the lower door, pay attention to the mating part of the hinge, which is attached to the body of the refrigerator. It also needs to be dismantled. Now you have two doors, two sets of hinges and a free body. Carefully inspect the ends of the doors: they should have holes for hinges on both sides. If the holes on the side you need are closed with plastic plugs, they need to be removed.
An important point concerns sealing rubber. When removing the doors, it could become deformed or jump off the groove. Before reinstalling, check its condition. If the rubber has come off, carefully push it back into place using a blunt object, such as a spoon handle or a plastic spatula, so as not to tear the material.
☑️ Dismantling steps
Installing the hinges on the new side and installing the doors
Now the assembly process on the new side begins. Take the hinges that you previously dismantled and install them on the opposite holes at the ends doors. Secure them with bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet - this will allow you to adjust the position of the valves during the final adjustment. Make sure that the hinge axes face the correct direction for installation on the body.
Install the lower support sleeve or hinge onto the body refrigerator from the new side. Put on the bottom door on the axle, falling into the mounting hole. Holding the sash, screw the mating part of the hinge to the body. Here it is extremely important not to tighten the bolts right away, since it may be necessary to equalize the gaps.
Next comes the most critical stage - installing the top doors. Lift it up and put it on the top axle. If the model provides for connecting doors through a pin, make sure that it fits correctly into the groove. Now you can finally fix the top hinge on the body. After this, tighten all the bolts on the doors themselves, ensuring the rigidity of the structure.
Don't forget about the wires! Route the control harness so that it does not get pinched or rub against moving parts when opening. Connect the connectors according to the markings or color scheme (they usually have keys to prevent incorrect connections). Make sure that the wires lie freely in the channels intended for them.
| Element | Action when moving | Nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Transfer to the opposite end | Requires disconnection of display wires |
| Bottom loop | Transfer to the opposite end | Often hidden under a decorative base |
| Door handle | Rearranging or replacing plugs | It may be necessary to remove the interior panel |
| Plugs | Swap places with holes | It is important not lose the plastic caps |
⚠️ Attention: When installing, ensure the vertical position doors. If the sash is skewed when tightening the bolts, the magnetic seal will not fit tightly, which will lead to ice freezing and increased energy consumption.
Adjusting gaps and replacing handles
After physical installation door a new location requires fine tuning. Open and close the doors several times, checking for smooth operation. The gap between the door and the body around the entire perimeter should be the same. If you notice that in one place door it fits tighter than in another, loosen the hinges and slightly move the sash in the desired direction.
Height adjustment requires special attention. If one door is lower than the other or touches the lower plinth, use the adjusting supports (feet) in the front part refrigerator. By turning them with a key, you can raise or lower the corresponding corner of the unit, achieving an ideal horizon. Check the position with a bubble level.
A separate topic is handles. In models where the handle is part of the design and is not symmetrical, it will have to be rearranged. This often requires removing the inner plastic panel of the door by unscrewing several screws around the perimeter. Inside you will see holes for fastening the handle on both sides. Rearrange the handle and close the panel.
In some budget models refrigerators instead of full handles, recesses in the body (pockets) are used. In this case, holes will remain on the free side. They are closed with special plugs, which usually come with instructions or are already installed on the back side. If there are no plugs, they can be ordered at the service center or carefully painted over with selected paint.
Checking functionality and typical errors
The final stage is testing. Turn on refrigerator the network and listen. There should be no extraneous creaks or knocking noises when the compressor is operating. After 15-20 minutes, check whether it fits tightly seal along the entire contour. There should be no gaps through which light passes.
One of the common mistakes is the incorrect assembly sequence, when the wires are pinched between the loop and the body. This may result in broken contact and failure of the display or fan. Always check the free movement of the harnesses before final tightening the bolts.
Another common problem is the sides of the hinges being mixed up. On some models, the left and right hinges look similar, but have different axis angles. If, after installation, door does not close on its own completely or, conversely, bounces off, check the correct orientation of the hinges.
Also, users often forget to remove the shipping tape from the internal elements or the seal, which could be pasted for protection when rearranged. Carefully inspect the entire surface of the refrigerator before the first start.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the hinges and the location of the mounting holes may vary depending on the manufacturer (LG, Samsung, Bosch, Indesit) and the year of manufacture of the model. Always check the official instructions for your specific modification, since there is no universal scheme for everyone.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to swap the doors on a built-in refrigerator?
Yes, on most built-in models this is possible, but the process is more complicated. You will need to rehang not only the doors of the refrigerator itself, but also the decorative facade panel of the kitchen unit, which requires precise fitting and the presence of special fasteners.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not fit tightly?
Most likely, the installation geometry of the hinges is broken. Loosen the fastenings of the upper and lower hinges, align door relative to the body and tighten again. Also check if the sealant got into the gap during installation.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before moving the doors?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, it is better to remove the products to make the design easier. If there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to wait until it melts so that water does not flow into the hinge mechanisms when the door is tilted.
Will the warranty be valid if I change the door myself?
According to the law, the consumer has the right to independently service the equipment if this does not lead to breakdown. However, if you break the threads or damage the wiring when rehanging, warranty repairs may be denied. Proceed with caution.
Where to put the holes from the handles on the old side?
Plastic plugs that match the color of the body are often included with the refrigerator. If they are lost, you can use decorative stickers or order original plugs from the brand’s service center.