The situation when standard opening of the refrigerator door becomes inconvenient due to the peculiarities of the kitchen layout is familiar to many owners of household appliances. Often there is a need to change the side of the hanging to provide free access to shelves or simply to optimize space. For equipment owners Indesit this problem is solved quite simply, since the design of most models initially provides for the possibility of reinstallation.
The rehanging process does not require calling a specialist and special technical knowledge if you act carefully and consistently. The main attention should be paid to the correct sequence of dismantling the fittings and maintaining the integrity of the decorative elements. In this article, we will look in detail at how to change the direction of door opening, what tools will be needed and what to pay special attention to so as not to damage the seal or body.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Before proceeding with direct dismantling, it is necessary to prepare a comfortable workspace. It is best to move the refrigerator away from the wall, allowing access from all sides, including the top and back of the cabinet. Make sure that the floor is level and stable, and that the passage is clear, as you will have to bend over and move around the unit.
To work, you will need a minimum set of tools, which are usually found in every home. The main tool will be a wrench, most often 8 or 10 mm in size, depending on the specific model Indesit. You also cannot do without a Phillips screwdriver for removing decorative plugs and, possibly, a flat-head screwdriver for carefully removing the plastic hinge covers.
An important step is to free up the internal space. The shelves on the door can be heavy, and their weight will significantly complicate the process of removing the panel. In addition, there is a risk of damage to the glass shelves if the heavy door is handled carelessly.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply by removing the plug from the socket. This will prevent accidental activation of the compressor or damage to the wiring when manipulating the housing.
It is also recommended to invite an assistant. The refrigerator door, even empty, has considerable weight and can slide off if you hold it with one hand while unscrewing the bolts. The presence of a second person guarantees the safety and security of the equipment.
- 🔧 Wrench (open-end or socket) 8–10 mm in size.
- 🪛 Medium-sized Phillips screwdriver.
- 🔩 Flat-head screwdriver for prying off plugs.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges.
Having prepared everything you need, you can begin to study the design of your unit. Models Indesit may have slight design differences in the arrangement of fasteners, but the general principle remains the same.
Removing the top hinge and removing the door
The reinstallation process begins from the top of the refrigerator. This is where the main load-bearing hinge is located, which holds the weight of the door leaf. The first step is to remove the decorative plug that hides the mounting bolts. It can be made in the form of a separate plastic cover or be part of the top panel design.
Carefully pry off the plug with a flat-head screwdriver or your fingernail, if the design allows. Under it you will see two or three bolts securing the upper hinge. Important Do not unscrew them completely right away, if you are working without an assistant - it is better to loosen them and leave them in the thread so that the hinge does not move abruptly.
After loosening the bolts, you need to remove the hinge itself. In some models Indesit the top hinge also serves as a fastener for the decorative panel on the top of the refrigerator. If this is your case, the panel will need to be carefully lifted and moved to gain access to the fasteners or simply removed along with the hinge.
Now comes the most crucial moment - removing the door. Take the door by the handle and the bottom, lift it straight up vertically to remove it from the bottom hinge pin. The movement should be smooth, without jerking. Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface, such as a blanket or cardboard, face up to avoid scratching the finish.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you grip the door firmly when removing it, as even when empty it is heavy. Dropping the door can cause the cabinet to deform or break the internal glass shelves.
Removing the bottom hinge and magnetic valve
After The door is removed, attention turns to the lower part of the body. Here is the bottom loop and, which is very important for refrigerators Indesit, the magnetic valve of the No Frost system or simply a magnetic latch. The presence of this element often raises questions among users who are faced with overhang for the first time.
The lower hinge is usually attached to the refrigerator body with two bolts. They must be completely unscrewed and the loop removed. Pay attention to the condition of the pin (axis) on which the door was placed. If there are traces of rust or dirt on it, they should be cleaned and the pin itself should be lubricated.
The magnetic valve requires special attention. It is located at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment opening, where the door meets the body when closed. When rehanging, this valve must be moved to the opposite side. To do this, carefully remove it from its seat. Often it is held on by latches or simply inserted tightly into the groove.
In some models, to remove the valve you need to pry it a little with a screwdriver, but proceed carefully so as not to damage the plastic valve body or the wall of the refrigerator. After removal, the valve is rearranged into a symmetrical hole on the other side.
- 🧲 Remove the magnetic valve from the current seat.
- 🔩 Unscrew the lower hinge and remove it from the body.
- 🧹 Clean the mounting holes from dust and chips.
- 🛢️ Lubricate the lower hinge axis with a small amount of lubricant.
Do not forget to also check the condition of the rubber stops or stops, if they are provided for in the design of your model. They can be located both on the door and on the body, and they will also need to be rearranged or replaced with complete ones from the opposite side if they come complete with plugs.
Rearranging fittings and plugs
Now you need to prepare the vacated holes on the side where the door will open. In the factory version, these holes are closed with plastic plugs. They need to be removed and moved to the side where the door will no longer open.
To remove the plugs, it is convenient to use a thin awl or needle. Carefully pry up the plastic part and pull it out. Then install the plugs into the holes on the new "working" side of the case. They should sit tightly and flush with the surface so as not to interfere with the fit of the door.
Pay special attention to the door handle. In most modern models Indesit the handles are symmetrical and do not require rearrangement. However, if your model has an asymmetrical handle or an integrated groove handle, you may need to flip the door panel itself or rearrange the handle fastening elements if they are dismantled.
If the refrigerator came with additional decorative covers for the handle or hinges, install them according to the new pattern. It is important that all plastic elements are installed correctly, otherwise the door may not close tightly or will look unaesthetic.
In some cases, it may be necessary to relocate the door opening limiter (damper) if it is located asymmetrically. Check the instructions for your specific model to make sure all moving parts are in place.
Installing the door on a new side
After preparing the case and rearranging all the fittings, you can begin installing the door. This step is best done together. Lift the door and carefully place its lower hole onto the pin of the lower hinge, which should already be installed in the new location (or ready for installation, depending on the design).
In some models Indesit first install the lower hinge in the new location, place the door on it, and then install the upper one. In others, the door is placed on the bottom pin of the body, and the hinge is screwed on top. Follow the logic of the design: if the bottom hinge is removable, install it, put on the door, then the top.
Align the door leaf strictly vertically. This is a critical point. If the door is skewed, it will not fit well, which will lead to freezing of the chambers and increased load on the compressor. While holding the door in the correct position, install the top hinge into place.
Insert the top hinge bolts into the holes and begin to tighten them. Do not tighten them all the way right away. First you need to tighten all the bolts in order to be able to (adjust) the position of the door.
- 🚪 Place the door on the lower pin or hinge.
- 🔝 Put the upper hinge in place.
- 🔩 Screw in the fastening bolts, but do not tighten them finally.
- 📏 Check the vertical installation using a level.
⚠️ Attention: Do not overtighten the hinge fastening bolts. This can lead to deformation of the metal hinge bushing or breakage of the threads in the refrigerator body, which is made of thin metal.
Adjusting the gaps and checking the tightness
After the door is installed and the bolts are slightly tightened, it is necessary to make a final adjustment. The main task is to achieve a uniform gap around the entire perimeter and ensure a tight fit of the seal (cuff) to the body.
For adjustment, oval holes in the fasteners or special adjusting screws in the lower part (supports) of the refrigerator are usually used. By turning the front legs of the refrigerator, you can change the tilt of the entire body, which will affect the self-closing of the door. The door should open to approximately 45 degrees and close on its own under the influence of gravity.
Check the tightness around the entire perimeter. To do this, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp a piece of paper between the door and the body in different places and try to pull it out. The paper should come out with noticeable force. If the sheet is pulled out freely, the gap in this place is too large.
If you notice a distortion, loosen the top hinge bolts a little, align the door with your hands and tighten the fasteners again. Repeat the procedure until the door is perfectly level.
☑️ Checking the installation quality
Table of typical sizes and tightening torques
For convenience, below is a table with approximate data on fasteners for various series of refrigerators Indesit. Remember that depending on the year of manufacture and the specific modification, the parameters may differ.
| Series / Model | Size of upper hinge bolts | Size of lower hinge bolts | Recommended tightening torque | Seal type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indesit DF / DFS | M8 x 25 mm | M8 x 20 mm | 8-10 Nm | Magnetic, removable |
| Indesit IBS / IB | M8 x 22 mm | M6 x 15 mm | 6-8 Nm | Magnetic, non-removable |
| Indesit ES / ER | M8 x 25 mm | M8 x 20 mm | 8-10 Nm | Magnetic, removable |
| Indesit C (Compact) | M6 x 20 mm | M6 x 15 mm | 5-7 Nm | Magnetic |
Please note that the data in the table is for reference. Always refer to the actual size of the fastener in your device. Using bolts of the wrong length (too long) can result in interference with internal structural elements and damage to the insulation or tubing.
What to do if the bolts do not fit?
If standard bolts do not fit in length or diameter, do not use the first ones you get from the hardware store. Steel that is too hard can damage the threads in the thin metal of the housing. It is better to contact an authorized Indesit service center to order an original hinge repair kit.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
In the process of self-repair, users often make typical mistakes that can negate all efforts. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of plugs. To avoid this, lay out the parts in the order they were removed or use a magnetic tray.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the seal. When removing the door, the rubber may stretch or become deformed. If after installation you see that the door does not fit tightly, try warming the seal with a hairdryer (not too hot air) and straighten it with your hand, giving it the correct shape.
There is also a problem with the magnetic valve. If you forget to move it or install it incorrectly, the door at the bottom will not close tightly. This will lead to freezing of the “fur coat” at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment.
If after all the manipulations the refrigerator begins to make more noise, check whether the door touches the body or internal shelves when opening. Sometimes it is enough to loosen the fastening a little and move the door a millimeter to the side to eliminate friction.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Do you need to completely defrost the refrigerator before hanging the door?
Full defrosting is not strictly necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice or food in the refrigerator, it may shift and fall when the unit is tilted. In addition, a warm door is easier to deform. It is recommended to at least remove the food and let the unit stand turned off for 15-20 minutes so that the plastic becomes less fragile.
Is it possible to change the door on a built-in Indesit refrigerator?
Yes, on built-in models the door can also be re-hung, but the process is more complicated. You will have to dismantle the facade furniture overlay. Be extremely careful with the facade fasteners, as they can be easily damaged. Often, built-in models require a special tool to remove furniture hinges.
What to do if, after hanging, the door does not stay open?
It is usually not the hinge that is responsible for holding the door open, but the tilt of the refrigerator itself. Make sure that the front legs of the refrigerator are unscrewed so that the body tilts slightly backwards. If the refrigerator is standing strictly vertically or tilted forward, the door will tend to close under the influence of gravity.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
Plugs can be ordered from the official Indesit service center, naming the model of the refrigerator. They are also often sold in appliance parts stores. As a last resort, the holes can be sealed with a decorative sticker in the color of the body, selected at a hardware store.
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
According to consumer protection legislation, re-hanging the door yourself (if it is provided for by the design and does not require breaking the seals on the compressor or opening HDA) is not a basis for voiding the warranty. However, if you damage the body or hinges in the process, the warranty case for these damages will not be considered.