The need to change the position of the refrigerator door Ariston often arises when moving to a new kitchen or rearranging furniture, when standard opening becomes inconvenient. Unlike some budget models, the equipment of this brand is designed taking into account the possibility rehanging the hingesthat allows you to adapt the unit to any room layout. However, the process itself requires care, since the door leaf has significant weight, and the closing mechanism is equipped with a complex system of seals.
Before proceeding with dismantling, it is important to understand that we are not talking about completely replacing the door with a new one, but about moving the hinge from one side to the other. If your goal is to replace a damaged blade due to a dent or crack, then the procedure will consist of finding a compatible spare part and installing it in the standard mounting locations. In most cases, owners are faced with the task of changing the opening side, which is technically simpler and does not require the purchase of expensive components.
It is worth noting that modern models of refrigerators Ariston may have different design features depending on the year of manufacture. In some places, hidden hinges are used, and in others, classic external fastenings are used. It is critically important before starting work to find the technical data sheet for your particular model, since the location of the mounting holes and the presence of stoppers may differ. Incorrect actions can lead to skewing of the canvas and disruption of the seal of the chamber.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To perform high-quality work on hanging the door, you will need a minimum set of home craftsman, but having a specialized tool will greatly simplify the task. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 or 5 mm) and a Phillips screwdriver. Some models may require socket heads or an 8 or 10 mm wrench, so it is better to prepare a complete set in advance.
Particular attention should be paid to organizing the space around the refrigerator. You need to provide free access to the unit from all sides, since the door will have to be removed completely and set aside. It is better to cover the floor with a soft material, for example, a blanket or cardboard, so as not to damage the floor covering with a fallen tool or parts.
List of necessary tools and materials:
- 🔧 A set of hex keys (imbus) of different sizes.
- 🪛 Phillips and flathead screwdrivers with magnetic tips.
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📦 Plastic containers for folding screws and small parts.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to unplug the refrigerator Ariston from the power supply. Remove the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of a short circuit or accidental activation of the compressor while manipulating the wiring if it is routed through loops.
It is a good idea to call an assistant, especially if you have a two-chamber refrigerator or a Side-by-Side model. The door, along with the shelves and glass inserts, weighs a lot, and holding it with one hand while unscrewing the bolts is extremely inconvenient and dangerous. Two people will do this work faster and safer for the equipment itself.
Dismantling the top part and preparing to remove the canvas
The process begins from the top of the refrigeration chamber. The first step is to remove the top trim panel or the cover if it is covering the top hinge mounting bolts. In models Ariston with a display on the door, this is where the control cables often pass, so you need to act with extreme caution.
Using a suitable hexagon or screwdriver, unscrew the mounting bolts holding the top hinge. Do not remove them completely if you are not sure of the stability of the door - it is better to simply loosen the fixation so that you can remove the hinge along with the door or after it is removed. If the model is equipped with electronic module on the door, carefully disconnect the connectors, having previously memorized or photographed their location.
After releasing the top hinge, the moment comes to remove the door leaf itself. This is the most critical stage, requiring physical strength and coordination. One person should hold the door, and the second should completely unscrew the bolts securing the hinge to the body.
Sequence of actions for dismantling:
- 📸 Take a photo of the current position of all cables and cables before disconnecting.
- 🔌 Carefully disconnect the wiring connectors, without tugging sharply on the wires.
- 🚪 Remove the door from the lower support sleeve and set it aside in a safe place.
- 🔩 Remove the middle hinge (if there is one) and free the lower support.
It is better to place the postponed door on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down so as not to scratch the façade or damage the internal shelves. Make sure that the place is stable and that no one will trip over the lying unit.
Removing and reinstalling the lower supports and hinges
The lower part of the refrigerator structure Ariston is the foundation on which the entire door rests. This is where the support sleeve and often the closer mechanism or stopper are located. In some models, the lower hinge is rigidly fixed to the body, and it must be moved to the opposite side using pre-provided technological holes technological holes.
To begin, remove the lower support washer or bushing. It can be plastic or metal. If there is no ready-made hole on the opposite side to install the support, you may need to drill it or knock out a plug, but in most modern models Ariston the holes are already there and closed with plastic plugs.
| Fastening element | Location (Standard) | Action when re-weighing | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Top right | Rearrange left | 5 mm hexagon |
| Middle hinge | Between the chambers | Remove and rearrange | Phillips screwdriver |
| Bottom support | Bottom on the right | Move to the left hole | 8-10 mm key |
| Door stop | Inside the hinge | Move to the groove on the other side | Flat screwdriver |
It is important to correctly process the holes on the side that will become the working side. If there are plastic plugs there, they need to be removed and moved to the vacant spaces on the right side (or vice versa). Metal threaded bushings, if removable, are also transferred to the new side.
⚠️ Attention: When moving the lower support, make sure that it fits snugly in the new socket. The play of the lower support will cause the door to warp when opening, and sealing rubber will no longer seal tightly to the body.
If the design provides opening stopper (damper), it also needs to be rearranged. It is usually located inside the hinge mechanism or at the end of the door. Moving the stopper ensures that the door will not swing open too wide and hit the furniture.
Installing the door leaf on the new side
After preparing all fasteners on the new side, you can begin installing the door. This step is best done together. Lift the door leaf and carefully slide it onto the lower support sleeve. Make sure the door sits straight and is vertical.
Next you need to install the middle loop (for two-chamber models). Align the holes on the door and the refrigerator body, insert the bolts and tighten them by hand. Do not tighten the bolts all the way right away - first you need to align the position of the door vertically and horizontally.
☑️ Check before final tightening
Now you can proceed to installing the upper hinge. If the model provides for routing wires through the top hinge, carefully place the bundles in the channels intended for them so that they do not get pinched when the door moves. Connect the electrical connectors if they were disconnected.
Main points during installation:
- 📏 Check the symmetry of the gaps between the door and the body.
- 🔩 Tighten the bolts sequentially: first the lower ones, then the middle ones, then the upper ones.
- 🧊 Make sure that the door opens and closes freely, without squeaking.
After the initial fixation of all elements, check the operation of the magnetic lock and the tightness of the seal. The door should close with a characteristic bang, but without excessive force.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
The final stage is fine-tuning the position of the door. Even with careful installation, adjustments may be required to achieve a perfect fit sealing rubber all the way around. If the door is skewed, the temperature regime in the chamber will be disrupted and the compressor will work with overload.
To adjust the height of the door, adjusting screws on the lower support or spacers under the hinges are often used. By rotating the support screw, you can raise or lower the corner of the door. In some models Ariston to adjust the tilt, you need to loosen the hinge bolts, level the door and tighten them again.
Checking the tightness is a mandatory procedure. There is a simple folk method: hold a sheet of paper with the refrigerator door and try to pull it out. The paper should be pulled out with noticeable force. Walk around the entire perimeter of the door. If in some place the paper flies out freely, it means there the gap is increased and additional adjustment of the loop is required.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the gaps are still uneven, check the condition of the seal itself. Old, stiff rubber may not adhere even to a perfectly straight door. In this case, replacing the seal or restoring it with hot air (hairdryer) will help.
Don't forget to check the operation of the door stopper. Open it 90 degrees and release. If the mechanism is working properly and installed correctly, the door should either lock in this position or close smoothly (depending on the type of closer), but not swing open further than intended.
Frequent errors and nuances of operation after replacement
In the process of self-repair, even experienced craftsmen can make mistakes that will subsequently affect the operation of the refrigerator. One of the most common problems is overtightening of bolts. Excessive tightening force can lead to metal deformation or thread breakage, especially in aluminum alloys, from which hinges are often made.
Another mistake is ignoring wires. If the display or lighting control cables are pinched in a loop, after some time the contact will disappear, and the refrigerator electronics Ariston may go into error or stop responding to commands. Always leave a small margin of wire length inside the channel.
What to do if the door does not close tightly after hanging?
If adjusting the hinges does not help, the seal may have become wrinkled when the door was stored in a horizontal position. Try heating the problem areas with a hair dryer at low temperature and straightening them with your hand. Also check whether the food on the shelves does not interfere with the tight closing.
After installation, let the refrigerator stand turned off for at least 30-60 minutes, especially if it was tilted strongly during operation. The oil in the compressor takes time to drain into the crankcase. Connect the unit to the network only after a complete check of all fastenings.
In the future, periodically (once every six months) check the tightness of the hinge bolts, as vibration of the compressor can weaken them. Timely tightening will extend the service life of the mechanism and preserve the geometry of the door leaf.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Do I need to buy new hinges to hang the door on the Ariston refrigerator?
In most cases, additional purchases are not required. The design of refrigerators Ariston initially provides for the possibility of rehanging, so the set of hinges installed at the factory is universal. You only need standard tools. An exception may be very old or specific models, where the hinges were damaged during a previous repair.
Is it possible to rehang the door yourself if the refrigerator has a two-chamber?
Yes, you can, but it is more difficult than with a single-chamber refrigerator. The main difficulty lies in the weight of the middle hinge, which holds both doors, and the need to accurately align the rotation axes of the upper and lower chambers. It is extremely difficult for one person to do this - there is a high risk of dropping the heavy lower door or damaging the enamel. It is recommended to work with an assistant.
Why did a squeak appear when opening after re-hanging?
A squeak can occur for several reasons: the door is misaligned (adjustment is required), lack of lubrication in the rubbing mechanisms of the hinge, or dirt ingress. Try lubricating the hinges with silicone grease. If this does not help, check the vertical installation of the door with a level and, if necessary, loosen the fasteners for alignment.
What to do if the holes on the body do not fit the new side?
If you find that there are no threaded holes on the required side, carefully inspect the end of the body. Often there are plastic plugs that need to be squeezed out. If there really are no holes (which happens in some budget or older models), then re-hanging is impossible without drilling the case, which is not recommended to do yourself, since you can damage the thermal insulation layer or the cooling circuit.