Owners of domestically produced refrigeration equipment are often faced with the need to change the side of the door opening. This may be due to remodeling the kitchen, installing new furniture, or simply a desire to improve the ergonomics of using household appliances. The brand Pozis offers reliable units, the design of which allows such manipulations to be performed without the involvement of third-party specialists. However, the process requires care and adherence to a certain sequence of actions.
Before starting physical work, it is necessary to carefully prepare the workplace. You will need clear space around the refrigerator to allow access to the fittings from all sides. It is also important to make sure that sealing rubber has no defects, since when removing the door it can stretch or be damaged if you are not careful. Proper preparation reduces the risk of problems at the final stage of assembly.
The main difficulty is that hinges and fasteners are often hidden by decorative plugs or require a specific tool for dismantling. Incorrect handling fasteners can lead to damage to the body or disruption of the geometry of the blade. In this article, we will analyze in detail the stages of rehanging, paying attention to the nuances characteristic of models of this brand.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task of changing the opening side, you will need a minimum set of tools that can be found in the arsenal of any home craftsman. The main tool will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different bits (phillips and flathead). It is important that the tip of the tool exactly matches the slots of the screws, so as not to tear off their heads during dismantling.
In addition to the main tool, it is recommended to prepare auxiliary materials. You may need a flat object, such as a putty knife or knife, to carefully remove the decorative caps. It would also be a good idea to have a clean rag on hand to wipe the hinges from dust and old grease before installing them in a new location.
- 🔧 A screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers (PH2, PZ2).
- 🔨 A flat screwdriver or spatula for removing the plugs.
- 🧼 Clean cloth for wiping parts.
- 📏 Level for checking the position of the door (optional).
Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is not only a safety measure, but also a way to prevent the compressor or lighting from accidentally turning on during manipulation. Remove all products and shelves to make the structure lighter and provide free access to the inside of the case.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Design features of Pozis door systems
Refrigerators Pozis, such as series Mir, Agidel or Chamomile, have a classic door hinge design. Typically, the upper hinge is fixed with screws hidden under a decorative cover, and the lower hinge rests on a rod or is also screwed to the base. Understanding the device hinge mechanism is critical to preventing errors.
It is worth noting that some models may not have pre-drilled holes for the hinges on the other side. In such cases, special technological plugs are provided at the end of the body or on the door itself, which must be rearranged. Ignoring this step will result in the door not being able to close tightly.
⚠️ Attention: If your model does not have holes for attaching hinges on the desired side, do not try to drill them yourself without consulting a specialist. This can break the tightness of the circuit and damage the thermal insulation layer.
It is also important to consider the weight of the door. The panels in refrigerators of this type are quite heavy, so it is better to carry out all removal and rearrangement operations with an assistant or using special stands to fix the position.
Why is it important to check the holes?
In many models, the holes on the opposite side already exist, but are closed with plastic plugs. They must be carefully removed and installed in place of the vacated holes in order to preserve the appearance and protect the inside of the case from dust.
Removing the top hinge and handle
The disassembly process begins from the top part of the structure. The first step is to remove the decorative trim that hides the mounting bolts. Usually it is held on by latches or simply inserted tightly into the grooves. Be careful not to break the plastic clips.
After removing the cover, you will see the bolts holding it in top hinge. They need to be unscrewed. At this moment, the door is still supported by the lower rod, but is no longer fixed at the top. If on your model the handle is part of the structure that requires dismantling to remove the door, then now is the time to start unscrewing it. The handle fasteners are often hidden under decorative caps.
Removing the handle may require removing the entire interior door panel if the bolts are accessed from the inside. In such cases, carefully bend the edge of the panel or remove the screws around the perimeter. Do not use excessive force, as plastic becomes brittle at low temperatures.
- 🔍 Remove the top decorative cover.
- 🔩 Unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge.
- 🚪 If necessary, remove the handle.
- 🙌 Hold the door so that it does not fall.
After the upper fastenings have been loosened, the door can be slightly lifted and removed from the lower rod. This must be done sharply, but in a controlled manner, since the rod may be stuck or rusty. If the door cannot be removed, you can slightly rock it from side to side.
Removing the door and rearranging the fittings
When the door is removed, place it on a soft surface, such as a blanket or cardboard, face down. This will prevent scratches on the enamel or glass. Now you need to dismantle lower hinge and the freed upper fasteners in order to move them to the opposite side.
Carefully inspect the end of the door. There you will find the holes into which the lower hinge rod and the upper hinge fasteners went. They have plastic plugs installed. They need to be removed and moved into the vacated holes on the other side. This is an important stage for maintaining aesthetics and protecting against moisture.
Now we move on to installing the fittings in a new location. The upper loop is attached to the corresponding holes on the body on the opposite side. Do not tighten the bolts all the way yet, so that adjustment remains possible. The lower hinge is installed into the base of the housing. Make sure that the rod of the lower loop looks strictly vertically upward.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Shift to another side | Screwdriver / Key |
| Bottom hinge | Removal and installation opposite | Screwdriver / Key |
| Plugs | Replacement in places (left/right) | Tweezers / Knife |
| Handle | Dismantling and installation (if necessary) | Screwdriver |
After installing the hinges in new places, you can begin hanging the door. Carefully slide the door onto the lower rod while holding the upper part. Align the holes in the top hinge with the mounting holes on the body.
Installing the door in a new location and adjusting
The final stage is installing the door in place and making final adjustments. Insert the mounting bolts into the top hinge and begin tightening them. Don't tighten them completely right away. First, make sure that the door is level and fits tightly to the body along the entire perimeter.
Check the work sealing rubber. It should fit evenly to the body without gaps. If you notice a misalignment, loosen the top hinge bolts and move the door slightly in the desired direction. Sometimes it is necessary to adjust the height, which is carried out by tightening the lower support or using adjusting screws (if they are provided for in the design).
After the door fits perfectly, you can finally tighten all the bolts. Reinstall the decorative caps and trims. If you dismantled the handle, install it in a new place using the holes provided.
⚠️ Attention: Do not over-tighten the bolts. Excessive force can lead to metal deformation or thread breakage, which will make further adjustment impossible.
Plug in the refrigerator and let it run for several hours. Check whether the door closes tightly and whether ice forms at the joints. If the cold continues to go away, you may need additional adjustment of the hinges or replacement of the seal.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
During the process of re-hanging the doors Unforeseen difficulties may arise. One common problem is misaligned holes. This often happens if the previous owners have already changed the side or if a manufacturing defect has caused the mounting points to become misaligned. In such cases, it may be necessary to drill holes, but this must be done extremely carefully.
Another problem is that the door does not keep the cold out. This may be due to the fact that during installation the door was damaged seal or warped. Check the fit along the entire contour. Also make sure that the refrigerator is on a level surface; the distortion of the device itself affects the operation of the doors.
- ❄️ Ice in the corners is a sign of a loose fit.
- 🚪 The door bounces - a problem with the magnet or misalignment.
- 🔊 Creaking - hinges need to be lubricated.
- 📉 Sagging - bolts need tightening.
If you are faced with a situation where the screws do not rotate due to corrosion, use a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40). Apply it to the thread and leave for 10-15 minutes. This will help remove stuck fasteners without damaging the bolt head.
⚠️ Attention: The design of some models may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture. Always check the technical documentation if standard actions do not produce results.
What to do if the plug is lost?
If the plastic plug is lost, the hole can be temporarily closed with a piece of electrical tape in the color of the body or buy a universal set of plugs at a furniture fittings store. The main thing is not to leave the hole open.
Is it possible to change the opening side of the door yourself?
Yes, in most models Pozis this is provided for by the design. However, basic tools and care are required. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call a specialist so as not to damage expensive elements.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, it is recommended to remove all products and shelves to make the structure lighter. If there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to wait until it melts so that water does not get on the electrical contacts when tilting.
What to do if there is a gap after installation?
The presence of a gap indicates incorrect adjustment of the hinges or damage to the seal. Try loosening the top hinge and pressing the door closer to the body, then tighten the bolts again. If the gap remains, the seal may need to be replaced.
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
Re-hanging the door yourself, as a rule, does not void the warranty unless parts of the refrigerator are damaged in the process. However, if you strip the threads or break the plastic, you will have to pay to repair these damages yourself.
What tool is needed for models with hidden hinges?
For models with hidden hinges, you may need an Allen wrench or a special bit (often Torx). The exact type of tool depends on the specific series of the refrigerator Pozis. It is recommended to prepare a set of different bits in advance.