Rearranging furniture in the kitchen or changing the layout of the room often poses the question of how to swap the doors on the Indesit refrigerator. This procedure, known as rehanging, allows you to open access to products from a more convenient side, which is especially important for narrow kitchens or a corner location of the unit. Many users mistakenly believe that this operation requires calling a specialist, but the design of most modern brand models allows you to do the work yourself with a minimum set of tools.
Before taking active steps, you need to clearly understand the structure of the door mechanism of your device. In models with a system No Frost the process may differ from classic drip systems by the presence of additional sensors and a more complex system of seals. It is important to understand that violation of the sequence of actions can lead to skew of the canvas and, as a result, a loose fit, which is critical for energy efficiency.
In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of the work, paying special attention to the nuances of dismantling the fittings and adjusting the gaps. You will learn what tools are needed for the job and how to avoid common mistakes that beginners make when first trying to service large household appliances.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
High-quality preparation is the key to the successful completion of any technical operation. To hang the doors on the refrigerator Indesit you do not need a professional tool kit, but the presence of certain items is required. First of all, clear the space in front of the unit so that you can easily access it from all sides, since you will have to walk around the unit.
Make sure that the floor under the refrigerator is clean and dry to prevent slipping during operation. If you have an assistant, enlist his support, since the door leaf, even empty, has significant weight, and holding it with one hand while unscrewing the bolts is extremely inconvenient and unsafe. As a last resort, prepare stable stands or boxes on which the removed door can be supported.
To complete the work you will need the following set:
- 🔧 A set of open-end or ring wrenches (most often, sizes 8, 10 and 13 mm are required).
- 🪛 Screwdrivers: flat and cross (PH2) for dismantling plastic plugs and handles.
- 🔨 Spatula or flat spatula for carefully removing decorative elements.
- 📏 Level (constructionist) for checking the horizontal installation after completion of work.
Special attention should be paid to the condition of the fasteners elements. If your refrigerator is many years old, the threads in the hinges may have oxidized. In this case, prepare a penetrating lubricant, such as WD-40, in advance to make it easier to unscrew the bolts. Do not use excessive force when jerking, so as not to strip the threads or break the plastic hinge body.
Design features of Indesit refrigerators
Refrigerators of the Italian brand Indesit are famous for their maintainability and unified design of door blocks. However, despite the general similarity, in different series there may be variations in the fastening of handles and hidden hinges. The majority of models are equipped with removable handles, which are attached to screws hidden under decorative plugs or directly in the body of the handle.
It is important to note that in some models with the system No Frost air ducts or door opening sensors may be located on the inside of the door. When rehanging such doors, you must act extremely carefully so as not to damage fragile plastic elements or pinch the wiring, if it is provided for in the design. In classic models with a weeping evaporator, there are fewer such restrictions, and the process goes faster.
Before starting work, be sure to find the technical data sheet of your model or study the diagram on the back wall. This will help you understand whether your modification includes holes for attaching hinges on the back side, since the most budget or older models may not have them, which will make re-hanging impossible without drilling new metal.
It is also worth considering the weight of the freezer door, if we are talking about a two-chamber refrigerator. Users often forget that the top door is heavier due to the thickness of the insulation and the presence of additional controls, so the order in which they are removed is important for safety.
Is it possible to re-hang the door if it has a display?
If the refrigerator door has an electronic display or control panel, re-hanging it may be impossible or extremely difficult. The cable wires usually have a fixed length and do not allow moving the door to the other side without extending the cables, which is not recommended to do yourself.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the door leaf
The process of removing doors should begin strictly in a certain sequence to avoid distortions and damage to the seals. First you need to remove the top door of the refrigerator compartment. To do this, open it and find the top hinge fastening. In most cases, it is closed with a decorative plastic cover, which must be carefully pryed off with a flat screwdriver.
After removing the plug, unscrew the bolts securing the upper hinge. Do not remove them completely at once, leave them for a couple of turns so that the loop holds, but has some play. Then have a helper hold the door while you finally remove the fasteners. Remove the hinge and carefully set the top door aside, placing it on a soft surface, such as a blanket or cardboard, so as not to scratch the front panel.
Next we move on to the middle hinge, which is often common to both chambers or acts as a support for the bottom door of the freezer. The algorithm of actions is similar:
- 🔩 Remove the decorative plugs from all visible bolts.
- 🔧 Loosen the fastening, but do not remove the hinge completely if it holds the bottom door.
- 🚪 Remove the freezer door, having first freed it from contents.
After both panels have been removed, you can remove the lower support loop. Now all the doors are free, and you can begin preparing them for installation on the new side. Do not forget to also rearrange or turn over the door handles, if the design allows this to be done without replacing the elements themselves.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Flipping the doors and rearranging the fittings
The most critical stage is the physical transfer of the hinges and fittings on the opposite side. There are usually technological holes on the refrigerator body and at the ends of the doors, closed with plastic plugs. You will need to remove these plugs from the new side of the installation and replace them in the old places to hide the empty holes.
Carefully inspect the door handles. On many Indesit models they are symmetrical and can simply be turned 180 degrees. If the handles are asymmetrical, check the package: sometimes the device passport or a separate package with documents contains additional elements for turning it over. If the handle is solid and does not require reversal, you may need to order components, but this is a rare case for this brand.
When installing the hinges in a new place, make sure you use the correct holes. They often have different diameters or threads. Do not overtighten the bolts at this stage, tighten them by hand or lightly secure them with a wrench, as the final adjustment will be made later. Make sure that the hinge pins point straight up and are parallel to each other.
Pay special attention to the magnetic seal (elastic band). When turning the door over, it could become deformed or wrinkled in the corners. If you notice any creases, you can carefully straighten them with a hairdryer, heating the rubber to a warm state, but without overheating it, so as not to damage the structure of the material.
Comparison of processes for different models
The rehanging process can vary significantly depending on the type of refrigerator. Below is a table comparing the features of work for various modifications of Indesit equipment, which will help you navigate the nuances of your model.
| Model type | Complexity | Fastening features | Nuances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (2 doors) | Low | Standard bolts | Simple layout, plenty of room for maneuver |
| No Frost | Medium | Hidden hinges | Possible presence of sensors and air ducts |
| Atlant (Indesit assembly) | Low | Reinforced hinges | Large weight of doors, an assistant is needed |
| Built-in | High | Complex mechanisms | Requires removal of the front furniture panel |
As can be seen from the table, the most difficult to maintain are the built-in models, since they require the dismantling of the external furniture casing before starting work on the refrigerator itself. Owners of such devices are advised to be especially careful about the length of the mounting screws so as not to break through the insulating layer.
Models with the system No Frost are characterized by a tighter fit of the doors due to the powerful magnetic seal, so after installation, more careful adjustment of the gaps may be required. While classic models forgive small flaws in the installation of hinges.
What to do if there are not enough holes?
In some budget models, there may be holes for overweight only on one side. In this case, independent drilling of the metal body is strictly not recommended, as this will break the tightness of the circuit and lead to corrosion.
Adjusting and checking the tightness
Once the doors are installed in a new location, the work cannot be considered complete. An obligatory step is to check the tightness of the fit. A door that is not tightly closed will result in the compressor constantly turning on, ice formation and food spoilage. To check, use a simple sheet of paper.
Pinch a sheet of paper between the door and the body around the entire perimeter. When closed, the paper should be pulled out with noticeable force. If the sheet falls out freely or is pulled out without resistance, it means that a gap has formed in this place. In such cases, it is necessary to loosen the hinge bolts and move the door slightly in the desired direction, then tighten the fasteners again.
Also check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself using a level. If the floor is uneven, adjust the height of the front support feet. The door should close on its own under the influence of gravity when opened 45 degrees. If this does not happen, slightly lift the front of the refrigerator by unscrewing the adjusting screws.
⚠️ Attention: After hanging the doors and turning it on for the first time, the refrigerator takes time (up to 24 hours) to reach operating mode. During this period, do not load the chambers with products and monitor the operation of the compressor.
During operation, especially in the first weeks, periodically check the tightness of the seal. Thermal expansion and contraction may slightly change the geometry of the rubber seals, and a repeated, final tightening of the hinge bolts may be required.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
Even following the instructions, users often make common mistakes that ruin all efforts. One of the most common is the incorrect sequence of door removal. If you try to remove the bottom door without securing the top door or without removing the middle hinge, you may be injured or damage the mechanism.
Another common problem is loss of fasteners. Small screws easily roll under the refrigerator or get lost in the clutter. To avoid this, use a magnetic stand or tape the removed parts to the case in a safe place. Also, do not forget about the plugs for the holes - their loss will make the appearance of the refrigerator untidy.
If after installation the door is skewed and does not close:
- 🔍 Check whether the refrigerator itself is level on the floor.
- 🔧 Make sure that all hinge bolts are tightened evenly, without distortions.
- 🌡️ Give the seal time to straighten out if it was compressed during transportation.
If you find that the door touches the body or shelves when opening, check whether the stoppers or travel stops are installed correctly, if they are provided for by the design of your model.
⚠️ Attention: Technical characteristics and design may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture and the specific series. Always check the official documentation for your model.
Following all recommendations will allow you to successfully change the side of door opening, making the use of the refrigerator Indesit more comfortable and ergonomic for your kitchen.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible change the doors on an Indesit refrigerator with a display on the door?
In most cases, if the display is built directly into the door leaf and connected via a cable, re-hanging is impossible without re-soldering the wires and extending the cable, which is a complex engineering task. However, if the display is on the body, and there are only buttons on the door, re-hanging is possible.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before re-hanging the doors?
Yes, this is a mandatory requirement. Complete defrosting (at least 24 hours) is necessary so that water does not get inside the mechanisms when removing the doors and so that the rubber seals become more elastic for safe dismantling.
What to do if the plastic plugs for the holes are lost?
You can order a set of plugs from the Indesit service center using your model number. Temporarily, the holes can be covered with decorative stickers or carefully cut out plugs from black plastic, but this will worsen the appearance.
Why did the door begin to close worse after rehanging?
Most likely, the geometry of the hinges is broken or the seal is skewed. Try to loosen the bolts and re-align the door, and also check whether any of the products or shelves are preventing it from closing tightly.