Changing the opening side of the refrigerator door is one of the most popular operations when moving or remodeling a kitchen. It often happens that the purchased model fits perfectly into the interior in terms of size and functionality, but the direction of opening the sash creates inconvenience. Fortunately, most modern manufacturers provide an opportunity reversible installationthat allows you to change the position of the door without calling a technician.
The process of rehanging requires care and a basic set of tools, but is quite within the capabilities of any home craftsman. Errors at the dismantling stage can lead to damage accessories or disruption of the seal of the chamber, so it is important to act consistently. In this article we will analyze the technical nuances for different types of refrigerators, including models with displays and the No Frost system.
Before starting work, you need to make sure that your unit really supports such a modification. In some budget models or specific designs, holes for hinges are provided only on one side. If the technical documentation confirms the possibility of rearrangement, you can begin to prepare the workplace and tools.
Preparation of tools and workplace
The success of the operation depends 80% on proper preparation. You will need clear space around the refrigerator to be able to access it from all sides. Be sure to empty adjacent shelves and remove rugs that may interfere with the stable position of the equipment during work. The floor must be smooth and dry.
To complete the task, you will need a standard home handyman kit. The main tool will be hex wrench or a set of screwdrivers, since manufacturers often use specific types of fasteners. It would also be useful to have an assistant to help hold the heavy door while unscrewing the lower hinges.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) or a screwdriver with the appropriate bits.
- 🔧 A wrench or a socket on 8-10 mm for the hinge fastening bolts.
- 📏 Construction level for checking the horizontal position after installation.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
It is important to prepare a container in advance for folding small parts. Bolts, plugs and washers are easily lost and replacements can be difficult to find. Some craftsmen use a magnetic tray or tape the parts to the body in a safe place so that nothing gets lost in the process.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the electrical outlet. This is not only a safety requirement, but also a necessity, since if the housing is skewed, the door opening sensor may be triggered, which will lead to unnecessary energy consumption and wear on the compressor.
Dismantling the top hinge and removing the door
The first step is always removing the top hinge, since It is she who holds the main weight of the sash. If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, work starts from the top door. Carefully remove the decorative plug hiding the mounting bolts. Usually it is simply pryed off with a knife or a flat-head screwdriver.
After gaining access to the fasteners, you need to loosen the bolts, but do not remove them completely yet. This is to secure the position of the hinge until you are ready to remove the door. Then completely unscrew the fasteners and remove the top hinge from the seat.
☑️ Algorithm for removing the top door
Now the door can be carefully removed from the lower axis. This must be done sharply, but in a controlled manner so as not to damage the shelves or interior decoration. If the door is heavy or has a built-in display, it will be extremely difficult to handle alone - the risk of dropping the unit or damaging electronic components is too great.
The removed door should be put in a safe place, preferably on a soft surface, so as not to scratch the front panel. If the model is equipped with a child lock or a door closer, make sure that the mechanism is not locked before removal.
Features of hanging doors with a display
Modern refrigerators are often equipped with an electronic control module built into the door leaf. This makes adjustments to the reinstallation process. The main difficulty is the presence of a connecting cable cablethat connects the display to the main control unit of the refrigerator.
When dismantling such a door, you cannot simply remove it from its hinges. First you need to gain access to the connection point of the wires. Depending on the model, the connector may be located in the upper part of the case, behind the decorative panel, or run inside the hollow axis of the hinge.
⚠️ Attention: Disconnect the display cable only when the refrigerator is completely de-energized. Pulling out the connectors under voltage can lead to the burning of the control controller, the repair of which will cost much more than calling a technician.
After disconnecting the wires, the door is removed in the standard way. When reinstalling on a new side, you will need to route the cable through the provided channels in the housing. Often, this requires removing the back cover of the refrigerator or the top panel in order to route the wires inside the case to a new exit location.
What to do if the cable is short?
Sometimes the standard length of the wire is not enough to transfer to the opposite side. In this case, the cable must not be pulled. It is necessary to carefully dismantle the plastic box inside the door (if the design allows) or extend the wire using soldering and high-quality insulation, although the latter method is not always welcomed by manufacturers.
It is important to check the integrity of the wire insulation before assembly. A pinched or damaged cable can cause a short circuit. Make sure that when closing the door, the wire is not pinched anywhere and has sufficient range.
Rearranging the lower hinge and rotation axis
After working with the upper part, attention switches to the lower section. In side-by-side refrigerators or models with a bottom freezer, the procedure is similar: remove the door, remove the bottom hinge. Pay special attention to the rotation axis - often it needs to be moved to the opposite side.
To do this, the lower hinge is completely removed. In its place you will see an axis, which can be pressed in or simply inserted into the hole. Using pliers or a suitable mandrel, the axle is carefully knocked out or pulled out and rearranged into a symmetrical hole on the other side.
| Refrigerator type | Feature of the lower hinge | Required tools | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-chamber | Simple axis, often hidden by a decorative strip | Screwdriver, pliers | Low |
| Double-chamber (freezer below) | Reinforced hinge, height adjustment possible | 8-10 mm key | Medium |
| Side-by-Side | Complex system, often with a damper | Set of keys, assistant | High |
| With a display on the door | The presence of a cable channel in the axis | Screwdriver, tweezers | High |
If in the design provided damper (closer), it may also need to be rearranged. It is usually secured with latches or screws on the opposite side of the doorway. Do not lose the spring mechanism during dismantling.
Installing the door on a new side
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order. First, the lower loop is installed in a new place. Check that the axle fits tightly and without distortion. Then place the door on the axis and fix its upper part.
When installing the top hinge, do not immediately tighten the bolts “all the way”. First, tighten them so that the loop has minimal play for alignment. Only after making sure that the door is level and the gap around the perimeter is the same can you finally tighten the fasteners.
Pay special attention to the magnetic seal. After rehanging, it may not fit tightly due to changes in the geometry of the hinge. Let the refrigerator stand in an upright position for several hours so that the seal expands and takes the desired shape.
If you have rearranged the door with the display, now is the most important time to check the functionality of the electronics. Turn on the refrigerator and check whether the screen lights up, whether the buttons work and whether the temperature is displayed correctly.
Adjusting gaps and eliminating distortions
After installation, a situation often arises when the door hangs crookedly or does not fit tightly to the body. This can be solved by adjustment. On most modern models, the top hinge has adjusting screws that allow you to change the tilt of the door back and forth and left and right.
For horizontal alignment, use a building level, applying it to the end of the door. By tightening the adjusting bolts, achieve a strictly vertical position. If the door is skewed in height, adjustment is carried out by twisting or unscrewing the support leg of the refrigerator itself.
⚠️ Attention: Do not ignore the loose fit of the door. Even a small gap will lead to a constant growth of a “coat” of ice, increased humidity in the chamber and increased energy consumption.
Check the operation of the latch. The lock tongue should fit freely into the counter hole. If the door begins to close tightly, the hinges may need to be lubricated or the position of the strike plate on the body must be adjusted.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
In the process of work, beginners often make mistakes that can negate all efforts. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of plugs. Remember that the holes on the old side should now be closed, and on the new side open.
Another problem is tightening the bolts. Excessive force can strip the threads in the aluminum housing or deform the hinge itself, causing permanent misalignment. Use moderate force and, if necessary, a thread locker.
If after assembly the door does not stay in the half-open position (from 30 to 60 degrees) and slams itself, the refrigerator may not be level. Slightly tilt the body back, twisting the front legs so that the center of gravity moves back.
What to do if the bolts are rusty and cannot be unscrewed?
Do not use excessive force so as not to break the bolt head. Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 15-20 minutes. If this does not help, you can gently warm up the joint with a hair dryer, but be careful with the plastic elements and seal.
Is it possible to rehang a door if there are no holes on the other side?
Unfortunately, if the manufacturer has not provided technological holes and places for attaching hinges on the reverse side, rehanging is impossible. Drilling new holes in the housing is strictly not recommended - this will break the tightness of the thermal insulation and can damage the cooling circuit.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before moving it?
Complete defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to defrost the unit in advance. Ice may fall out when you tilt or remove the door, and water may get on the electrical contacts or damage the floor covering.
How long does the refrigerator need to “rest” after turning it over?
If you just changed the door without turning the refrigerator itself upside down, you don’t need to wait - you can turn it on right away. If the unit was tilted strongly (more than 40 degrees) or placed on its side, it is recommended to wait 2-4 hours before turning it on so that the oil in the compressor flows back into the crankcase.
Why did a whistle or creaking appear after the rearrangement?
Most likely, the hinges were installed without lubrication or overtightened. Disassemble the connection, apply special grease (lithium or silicone) and reassemble, observing the correct tightening torque. Also, the source of the sound may be the friction of the door on the body due to incorrect adjustment.