Modern kitchen dictates its own rules of ergonomics, and it often happens that the refrigerator has to be moved to a new place. At this moment, equipment owners Candy face a problem: the door opens in the wrong direction or rests against the wall, preventing passage. Fortunately, the design of most models provides the ability to reversing the doorwhich allows you to adapt the unit to a new layout without calling a specialist.
The process of changing the side of the hinge may seem complicated only at first glance. In fact, this is a standard procedure that requires only a minimum set of tools and accuracy. The main thing is to understand the structure hinge mechanism of your refrigerator, since in different series Candy (for example, CFB, CMG or built-in models) there may be slight design differences.
Before proceeding with active actions, it is necessary to free up space around the unit. You will need access to the appliance from all sides, especially from the top and sides where you plan to hang the door. Make sure that the floor is level and the refrigerator itself is stable to avoid unpleasant situations during operation.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any manipulations with the door of the Candy refrigerator, be sure to disconnect the device from the power supply. This is critical to your safety as you will be working with metal components in close proximity to electrical components and wiring.
You will not need advanced engineering knowledge to complete the task successfully, but basic tools are essential. Usually a standard home workshop is sufficient. However, if your refrigerator No Frost system or a complex electronic control panel on the door, the approach should be more careful so as not to damage the cables.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
Quality preparation is half the success. In order not to run around looking for a screwdriver at the most crucial moment, collect all the tools in advance. To work with refrigerators Candy most often you need Phillips screwdrivers of different sizes and, possibly, an 8 or 10 mm wrench or socket, depending on the hinge model.
Also do not forget about a container for storing fasteners. Bolts and screws tend to get lost or roll under the refrigerator, so it's best to keep them in one place. Masking tape will be your best friend for securing elements during dismantling.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead) for removing decorative plugs and fasteners.
- 🔩 A wrench or ratchet with a head (usually 8-10 mm) for the main hinge bolts.
- 🧲 Magnetic cup or container for folding screws so they don’t get lost.
- 📏 Painting tape for temporarily fixing the door in the open position.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
Pay special attention to the model your refrigerator. If you Built-in appliances, the process may be complicated by the need to remove the facades. In this case, the instructions may differ from the standard procedure for free-standing models. Always check the device's passport data.
Removing the top hinge and removing the top door
You should always start work from the top of the unit. This is the most loaded unit, and it is the one that holds the bulk of the door leaf. First you need to remove the decorative plug that hides the mounting bolts. It can be made in the form of a plastic cover or simply covered with a sticker.
Once you have gained access to the bolts, do not rush to unscrew them immediately. The refrigerator door is heavy and without support it could fall on your feet or damage the floor. Ask an assistant to hold the door or use masking tape to secure it in the slightly open position relative to the body.
Sequence of actions:1. Remove the plug.
2. Secure the door.
3. Loosen the upper hinge bolts.
4. Completely unscrew the fasteners.
When the bolts of the upper hinge are unscrewed, carefully remove the hinge itself. In some models Candy there may be a washer or bushing under it - do not lose it, it will be needed when installing on the other side. You can now remove the top door by lifting it up to disengage it from the bottom hinge.
⚠️ Attention: If a control panel or display is installed on the top door, use extreme caution. There may be a trail of wires running inside. Do not jerk the door sharply, otherwise you risk breaking the contacts, which will lead to expensive electronic repairs.
It is best to put the removed door in a safe place, placing it on a soft cloth or cardboard so as not to scratch the front surface. Now you have access to the internal elements and the middle part of the refrigerator if you have a two-chamber model.
Working with the bottom door and central hinges
If your refrigerator is a two-chamber one, after removing the top door, you need to remove the bottom door as well. The principle of operation is similar, but there are some nuances. Often between the upper and lower doors there is a middle hinge, which serves as a support for the upper compartment and a fastening for the lower one.
To remove the lower door, you first need to release the middle hinge. Unscrew the bolts holding it in place. As with the top, take care to secure the bottom door in advance so that it does not fall after removing the fasteners. The weight of the lower part can be significant, especially if there are glass shelves inside.
- 🚪 Remove the lower door, carefully lifting it up.
- 🔩 Remove the middle hinge, if the design requires it.
- 💾 Save all fasteners in a separate box, labeling them purpose.
- 🧹 Clean the ends of the doors from dust and old grease before installation.
An important point concerns seals. During prolonged use, the rubber contour could become deformed. While the doors are removed, it makes sense to wash the seals with warm soapy water and check their integrity. This will improve fit and energy efficiency after assembly.
Flipping the handles and rearranging them plugs
One of the most noticeable stages is the transfer of handles. On refrigerator doors Candy holes for attaching handles are often provided on both sides, but are closed with plastic plugs. Your task is to carefully remove these plugs from the “working” side and install them on the vacated holes on the opposite side.
To remove the plugs, you can use a thin knife blade or a flat-head screwdriver. Be careful not to damage the plastic or scratch the surface of the door. If the handles are symmetrical, they can simply be turned over or moved to new places using standard fasteners.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative plug | Remove and rearrange | Thin screwdriver |
| Door handle | Move to the other side | Phillips screwdriver |
| Fixings screws | Use old or new | Screwdriver / Key |
| Matching bushings | Rearrange in the case | Pliers |
Don't forget to check the package contents. In some models, along with the refrigerator in a bag with documents or on foam packaging, there may be additional sets of plugs and screws specifically for hanging. Check all packaging materials before discarding them.
What to do if the holes do not line up?
In some budget models, holes for handles may only be on one side. In this case, careful drilling or the use of overhead handles will be required, but this requires professional intervention.
Installing doors on a new side
Now we move on to installation. Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling, but taking into account the new side. The bottom door is installed first. Insert the lower bushing into the corresponding hole on the body on the new side, put on the door and secure it with the lower hinge (or the middle one, if it is common).
When installing the upper door, be especially careful not to hit the axle. The door must be placed strictly vertically, rocking slightly so that the hinge pin fits into the groove. After this, the upper loop is installed in a new place. Do not tighten the bolts all the way yet to be able to adjust.
☑️ Check the assembly
Pay special attention tilt adjustment. The refrigerator body must stand strictly vertically, but often a slight tilt back is required for the doors to close properly. This is ensured by adjustable support legs at the bottom of the body.
Adjustment and leak testing
After all the doors are installed, it is necessary to check the quality of their operation. The door should not open on its own at an opening angle of less than 15-20 degrees, but at a larger angle it should close tightly on its own. If the door “does not hold” or, on the contrary, closes too tightly, adjustment is required.
Checking the tightness is a critical stage. Take a sheet of A4 paper, clamp it with the door and try to pull it out. The paper should be pulled out with noticeable force along the entire perimeter. If in some place the sheet falls out freely, it means that the fit of the seal is broken..
⚠️ Attention: Do not turn on the refrigerator immediately after rearranging it if you tilted or laid it down too much. The compressor needs time (at least 2-4 hours) for the oil to flow back into the crankcase, otherwise the motor may fail.
To eliminate a loose fit, you can try warming the deformed area of the seal with a hairdryer (without overheating!) or placing a sealing cord under the rubber band. In rare cases, it is necessary to adjust the position of the hinge itself by placing washers.
Common mistakes when rehanging
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes, let alone beginners. One of the most common problems is loss of fasteners or misalignment of bolts. Bolts for different hinges may have different lengths and threads. If you screw a long bolt into a short hole, you can pierce the wall of the refrigerator or damage the internal circuit.
Another mistake is ignoring the floor level. If the refrigerator is positioned crookedly, the door will constantly open or, conversely, not close completely, which will lead to ice freezing and increased load on the compressor. Always use a building level.
- ❌ Tightening bolts without first trying on the door.
- ❌ Ignoring the need to fix the door during dismantling.
- ❌ Loss of washers and bushings, which leads to play.
- ❌ An attempt to rehang the door without disconnecting from the network.
If you are faced with a situation where the holes on the body and the door do not match, do not try to force the situation. Perhaps your model Candy does not support reversing, or a special adapter is required, which can be ordered at the service center.
FAQ: Answers to popular questions
Is it possible to rehang the door on a Candy refrigerator with a built-in display?
Yes, it is possible, but requires extreme caution. Before removing the door, you must carefully disconnect the cable cable going to the display. Typically the connector is located on the top of the housing or inside the hinge channel. Remember or take a photo of the connection diagram to put everything back together correctly.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not fit tightly?
Most likely, the installation geometry is broken. Check if the refrigerator is level on the floor using a level. Try loosening the hinge bolts, pressing the door tightly against the frame, and tightening the fasteners again. Also check if anything is interfering with the seal (for example, a shelf or packaging).
Do you need to call a specialist to rehang the door?
In most cases, this is a simple operation that can be performed independently in 30-40 minutes. However, if you have an expensive model with complex electronics, a French door (Door-in-Door) or you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact an authorized service center so as not to lose the warranty.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
Plugs, screws and hinges can be ordered at an official service center Candy or find it in spare parts stores for household appliances, indicating the exact model of your refrigerator (the model is indicated on the nameplate inside the chamber).