Changing the opening side doors are a standard procedure that is often required when moving or remodeling a kitchen space. Owners of household appliances Don may be faced with the need to rehang the door to provide convenient access to shelves or simply free up space in the room. Modern models, such as Don 600 or Don 300, were initially designed with the possibility of reinstallation in mind, which greatly simplifies the task for the home craftsman.
However, it is important to understand that the process requires accuracy and adherence to a certain sequence of actions. Incorrect handling of fasteners can lead to damage to the enamel or loss of tightness of the seal. The main difficulty lies in the precise positioning of the heavy metal blade and adjustment of the hinges after they are transferred to the opposite side of the case.
First Before starting work, you need to prepare your workplace and tools so as not to be distracted during the process. We will consider all the stages in detail, paying attention to the nuances characteristic of this particular brand of household appliances. Correctly performed re-hanging will extend the service life of the hinges and ensure ideal operation magnetic seal along the entire perimeter.
Preparation of tools and workplace
The quality result of any technical operation directly depends on the preparation. To work with brand refrigerators Don you will need a minimum set of household tools, which most men have. The main requirement is to use serviceable tools with suitable head sizes so as not to tear off the edges of the bolts.
You will need Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, as well as a set of wrenches or sockets (the most commonly used sizes are 8, 10 and 13 mm). It will not be superfluous to use a building level to check the horizontal and vertical alignment of the installation after completion of installation. Also stock up on rags for wiping surfaces and, perhaps, WD-40 if the old bolts have become stuck from time to time.
☑️ Tools for hanging the door
Particular attention should be paid to organizing the space around the unit. Make sure you have easy access to the appliances from all sides, and the floor is protected from scratches, since the refrigerator will have to be tilted. Safety is priority number one, so make sure that the power is turned off and the cord is not in the way of movement.
Dismantling the upper part and removing the door
You should always start work from the top hinge, since it is this that holds the main weight of the door leaf. The first step is to remove the decorative plugs if they cover the fasteners. On models Don these plugs can be rubber or plastic, and they need to be carefully pryed off with a flat screwdriver, being careful not to damage the surface.
After opening access to the upper hinge bolts, do not rush to unscrew them completely. Loosen the fastener first, but leave the hinge secured. At this moment, you will definitely need an assistant who will hold the door, preventing it from falling. A sharp jerk can lead to injury or deformation of the door leaf itself.
⚠️ Attention: Before completely unscrewing the top hinge, make sure that the door is securely fixed. Dropping a heavy door on your foot can cause serious injury, and hitting the floor will damage the enamel.
When the top fastener is removed, carefully remove the door from the bottom hinge and set it in a safe place, placing a soft cloth underneath. Now you can proceed to dismantling the topmost hinge from the refrigerator body. Keep all removed screws and washers in one container so as not to lose them during work.
Nuances of dismantling on older models
On older models of refrigerators, the Don plugs may be covered in paint or become very sticky. In this case, gently warm them with a hairdryer or use a solvent, but do not use excessive force so as not to split the plastic.
Removing the handles and preparing the door leaf
The next step is preparing the door itself for installation on the new side. On most models Don the handles are fastened with screws, access to which is gained after removing the decorative trims. These linings are often located on the inside of the door or are closed with special plugs.
Unscrew the fixing screws of the handle and remove it. Carefully inspect the end of the door: there you will see the holes in which the screws are now located, and the plugs on the opposite side. Your task is to rearrange the plugs in place of the current holes, and install fasteners for the handle into the vacated slots.
- 🔹 Carefully remove the plastic plugs from the unused holes at the new installation location.
- 🔹 Install the plugs in the holes that are formed after moving the handle.
- 🔹 Fasten the handle in a new place using the same screws, making sure it is a tight fit.
Sometimes owners are faced with a situation where the holes for handles on one side are narrower and wider on the other, or the design involves the use of different types of fasteners. In such cases instructions, supplied with a specific model, is the main authority. If the instructions are lost, proceed using the fitting method, but without fanaticism, so as not to break the thread.
Rearranging the lower hinges and pins
The lower door support is a critical element that ensures smooth operation and the absence of distortions. On refrigerators Don the bottom hinge often has an asymmetrical design or contains a pin that must be installed in the corresponding hole when changing sides.
Remove the bottom hinge from the current side of the case. This may require a key of the appropriate size. After dismantling, inspect the hinge: it may have a mounting pin (bushing) that needs to be moved into a symmetrical hole on the hinge itself or in the body. This action determines which side the door will rotate from.
| Element | Action on the left side | Action on the right side | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom hinge | Mount on the left | Mount on the right | Use standard holes |
| Location pin | In the left hinge socket | In the right socket hinges | Provides alignment |
| Plugs | Close the right holes | Close the left holes | For case aesthetics |
| Middle loop | Moved (if any) | Moved (if any) | Only for two-chamber |
Install the bottom loop to a new place, having first screwed the pin into it (if the design provides for this). Do not tighten the mounting bolts all the way right away - leave a little play for later adjustment. This will allow you to more accurately align the door relative to the body.
Installing the door and adjusting the gaps
After the bottom hinge is installed on the new side, you can install the door in place. Have a helper lift the door leaf and slide it onto the bottom pin. Make sure that the door sits evenly and nothing prevents its free rotation.
Now you need to install the top hinge on the new side of the body. Align the hinge holes with the holes in the refrigerator body and on the door. Insert the mounting bolts and begin tightening them. At this stage it is important to control verticality installations using a building level.
Adjusting gaps is a delicate process that requires patience. If the door is skewed, it may not fit tightly to the body or, conversely, rub against it. Loosen the top hinge bolts a little and, slightly moving the door to the left or right, achieve a uniform gap along the entire length.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the door warps when opening, check the floor level under the refrigerator. Often the problem is solved not by adjusting the hinges, but by tightening the support legs of the unit itself.
After the final adjustment, tighten all the bolts tightly. Check the door operation: it should open smoothly, without squeaks, and close tightly with little effort. Make sure that the magnetic seal is adjacent to the body along the entire perimeter.
Features of two-chamber models
Owners of two-chamber refrigerators Donsuch as Don 400 or Don 500will have to tinker a little longer. These models have a middle hinge that separates the freezer and refrigerator compartments. The rehanging procedure here is complicated by the need to dismantle both doors.
First, remove the top door (usually the refrigerator compartment), then remove the middle hinge together with bottom door (freezer). It is important not to lose the rotation axis or bushings that may be located inside the middle hinge. When moving the middle hinge to the other side, make sure that it is installed with the correct side up.
When assembling a two-chamber model, it is critical to follow the sequence: first the bottom door is placed on the bottom hinge, then the middle hinge is installed, and only then the top door is hung. Violation of this sequence will make installation impossible.
Tightness check and final tests
The final stage is checking the quality of the work performed. The easiest way to check for leaks is to use a piece of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body at different points of the perimeter and try to pull it out.
If the paper is pulled out with noticeable force and breaks, it means seal it fits perfectly. If the sheet slips freely, additional adjustment of the hinges or checking the condition of the rubber seal itself is required. It is possible that when the door was skewed, the seal was deformed and requires time to restore its shape.
- 🔸 Carry out a visual inspection: the door should be strictly parallel to the floor.
- 🔸 Check the lighting operation: the light should go out when the door is closed (if the sensor is on case).
- 🔸 Make sure that the shelves and drawers do not touch each other when opening.
After successful completion of all tests, wipe the surface of the refrigerator from fingerprints and dust. Now your unit is ready for operation in new conditions, delighting with ease of access and aesthetic appearance.
What to do if there are excess fasteners left?
Sometimes after re-hanging, excess bolts or bushings remain. Don't throw them away! Save this kit in a package with instructions - you may need it the next time you rearrange it or for repairs in the future.
Is it possible to change the side of the door on very old Don models?
On most classic Don models this possibility is provided structurally. However, on very old examples the holes may already be used or rusted. In this case, careful cleaning of the threads is required and, possibly, the use of a tap to restore the threads.
Does it need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Yes, this is a mandatory requirement. When tilting the refrigerator to access the lower hinges, oil from the compressor can enter the cooling circuit if the unit has not been previously defrosted and has not stood in a vertical position for several hours.
Why, after rehanging, the door does not close completely?
Most likely, the tilt of the case is set incorrectly. The refrigerator should be tilted slightly backwards (the support legs at the front are twisted higher than at the back). This ensures the door closes by gravity under the influence of gravity.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
Plugs can be ordered at service centers that repair household appliances, or you can find universal analogues in furniture fittings stores. They can also be made from thick rubber or plastic by cutting holes to size.