The situation when after installing a new refrigerator Hotpoint Ariston it turns out that the door opens in the wrong direction, familiar to many owners. This is a common problem with kitchen layouts when the handle pushes against the wall or furniture, blocking access to the shelves. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand allows for the possibility of reversing the door leaf on the opposite side without contacting a service center.
The process of changing the opening side requires care, a basic set of tools and an understanding of the hinge mechanism. Incorrect sequence of actions can lead to damage to decorative panels or a violation of the tightness of the seal. In this article, we will analyze in detail the stages of dismantling and installing the door so that you can complete the job efficiently and safely.
Before you begin, it is important to make sure that your model actually supports reverse. Although Hotpoint Ariston is famous for the unification of units, in some budget or specific series the hinges may be welded or not have holes for fastening on the other side. If you plan to simply adjust the tightness due to sagging, the procedure will differ from a complete rehang, which will be discussed below.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work with electrical equipment, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the mains. This is critical for safety, since you will be working with metal elements that may come into contact with wiring or sensors.
Required tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task, you will need a minimum DIY kit. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm in size), which often comes with equipment, but it is better to prepare your own reliable set. You also cannot do without a Phillips screwdriver for removing decorative plugs and, possibly, an 8 or 10 mm wrench for some hinge modifications.
Free up space in front of the refrigerator. You need easy access from all sides, since the door will have to be removed completely and set aside. It is recommended to place a soft blanket or cardboard on the floor to avoid scratching the floor covering and the door itself when temporarily placing it. Remove all products from the shelves on the door to reduce the weight of the structure and avoid cans falling.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
If your refrigerator has a display or control panel on the door, the procedure is complicated by the need to disconnect the cables. In this case, you may need thin flat-head screwdriver or a plastic spatula to neatly connect the connectors. Do not try to separate them by force, so as not to break the plastic clips.
Dismantling the upper part and removing the door
We start work with the upper hinge, since it is this that holds the main weight of the door leaf. On most models Hotpoint Ariston the upper loop is closed with a decorative plastic plug. Carefully pry it up with a flathead screwdriver and remove it. Under it you will find two or three fastening bolts.
An important point: before completely unscrewing the upper hinge bolts, you just need to loosen them, but not remove them, if the design allows. However, in the classic rehanging scheme, the door must be removed. To do this, call an assistant who will hold the door firmly while you completely unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge to the refrigerator body.
After removing the fasteners, carefully lift the door up, removing it from the bottom hinge, and set it in a safe place. Now attention turns to the lower part. The bottom hinge often has a more complex design with a support sleeve. It also needs to be dismantled by unscrewing the bolts from the refrigerator body.
⚠️ Attention: The refrigerator door is heavy and has an offset center of gravity. Under no circumstances let go of it until all the bolts are unscrewed, and do not try to hold the structure with one hand - this may lead to injury or damage to the housing coating.
After dismantling all metal elements, pay attention to the holes in the housing. On the opposite side (where you plan to hang the door), these holes can be closed with plastic plugs. They need to be removed and rearranged to the vacant places, maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the appliance.
Flipping the door handle and preparing the canvas
The most labor-intensive stage is rearranging the handle. On refrigerator doors Hotpoint Ariston handles are usually attached from the inside with screws. To gain access to them, you need to open the door (while it is not yet removed or using a temporary fastener) and find the holes in the end or on the internal contour.
Unscrew the screws holding the handle and remove it. Now you need to find the set of plugs that came with the refrigerator (usually they are in the bag with the documents). If the set is lost, you will have to close the holes from the old handle yourself, choosing plugs according to color and diameter, or leave it as is, if the design allows it.
Install the handle on the new side using the same holes that were previously closed with plugs. Tighten the screws firmly, but without excessive force, so as not to strip the threads in the plastic base of the handle. Make sure that the handle sits smoothly and has no play.
Now you need to turn the door itself over if the hinge design requires symmetrical fastening. In some models upper canopy you need to flip it mirrored, since it has an asymmetrical shape. Carefully inspect the parts: if one side is beveled, it means it should point in a certain direction relative to the hinge.
Installing hinges and mounting the door on the new side
We proceed to assembly on the new side. Start by installing the bottom support sleeve and hinge. Insert the sleeve into the hole on the door (if it is removable) or install the hinge on the refrigerator body using the bolts. Do not tighten them all the way, leave a small gap for adjustment.
With the support of an assistant, install the door on the lower hinge, placing the pin in the corresponding hole. Then place the top hinge on the door pin and attach it to the refrigerator body. Insert and tighten all bolts securing the upper hinge.
At this stage it is important to check the verticality of the installation. The door should be level, without distortion. If you notice that the door is skewed, tighten the adjusting bolts (usually they are located on the lower hinge or in the upper hinge structure). Uniform load distribution is the key to long service life of the mechanism.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Dismantling and installation | Hexagon 4-5 mm | Requires door support |
| Bottom hinge | Replacing the bushing/rearranging | Phillips screwdriver | The position of the sleeve is important |
| Handle | Transfer to the other side | Screwdriver/Key | Needed plugs for old holes |
| Plugs | Rearrangement | Tweezers/Knife | Maintains appearance |
After preliminary fixation of all elements, you can begin the final tightening bolts Move diagonally, tightening the bolts gradually to avoid distortion of the metal. This is especially important for aluminum hingeswhich are easy to deform when unevenly compressed.
What to do if the door does not close tightly after hanging?
If after installation you notice gaps or a loose fit, check the position of the lower support sleeve. Often it needs to be rotated or replaced with another one from the set (if there are several of them). Also make sure that the refrigerator is strictly horizontal - the legs should be unscrewed so that the body leans back slightly.
Adjusting the position and checking the tightness
The final stage is adjustment. Even with careful installation, (fine tuning) may be required. Check how the door closes: it should reach the magnetic seal on its own in the last centimeter of the way. If the door has to be slammed with force, it means that the geometry or tilt angle case is broken.
Adjust the height of the front legs of the refrigerator. The front part should be raised 1-2 cm higher than the back. This ensures that the door closes automatically under the influence of gravity. Use a building level to control the horizontalness of the top panel.
Check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. Take a piece of paper, hold it against the door and try to pull it out. The resistance should be the same everywhere. If in some place the paper flies out freely, try heating this area of the seal with a hairdryer (without overheating!) or placing a thin strip of foam rubber under it.
⚠️ Attention: Technical characteristics and the location of the mounting holes may vary slightly depending on the specific series Hotpoint Ariston (for example, the Indesit or Hotpoint series). Always check the paper instructions if you have them, or look for the diagram for your specific model on the sticker inside the camera.
Typical errors and how to fix them
A common mistake is the loss of the small plastic bushings or washers that are located inside the hinge mechanism. Without them, metal begins to rub against metal, making squeaks and quickly wearing out. If you have lost the original parts, try to find analogues made from a dense Teflon washer.
Another problem is overtightened bolts. Excessive force can cause the threads in the refrigerator body (often the insert bushing is located there) to turn. In this case, repairs will be required with drilling and installation of a new threaded bushing of a larger diameter, which is a complex procedure.
Also, users often forget about the door opening sensor. If in your model it is located at the end, when turning the door over, you may need to move the magnet or the sensor itself to the other side, otherwise the refrigerator will constantly beep, signaling that the door is open.
Is it possible to reverse the door if there is a display on it?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires more caution. You will have to carefully disconnect the wiring harness that runs from the case to the control panel. Typically the connector is located inside or near the top hinge. The main thing is not to damage the thin wires and remember the order in which they are connected. In some models, the length of the cable may not be enough to turn it over, then you will need to extend the cable.
What to do if there are no holes for loops on the required side?
If there are no threaded holes on the refrigerator body on the desired side, but only smooth metal, then your model does not provide for rehanging in the factory way. Drilling new holes yourself is highly not recommended: you will damage the thermal insulation layer (foam), which will lead to the formation of condensation and corrosion, and will also void the warranty.
How to understand that the hinge is broken and requires replacement?
A hinge malfunction is indicated by a characteristic metallic crunch when opening, a strong sagging of the door even after adjustment, or visible cracks on the metal In such cases, simply re-hanging will not help - you need to order an original spare part according to the catalog number of your model. Hotpoint Ariston.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before re-hanging?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if the refrigerator is old and there is a lot of ice in it, it is better to defrost it. Ice makes the structure heavier, and water, which can spill when the door is tilted, can cause a short circuit in the wiring or damage the floor covering.