The situation when standard opening of the refrigerator door becomes inconvenient or physically impossible due to the layout of the kitchen is familiar to many owners of household appliances. Re-hanging the door is a standard procedure provided by engineers for most modern models, allowing you to change the opening side from left to right and vice versa. This solution often becomes the only solution when the refrigerator has to be placed in a corner where the hinged door blocks the passage or prevents the opening of adjacent cabinets.
This process does not require deep engineering knowledge, but requires a basic set of tools and attention to the details of the design of your unit. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to damage sealing rubber, breakage of plastic fasteners, or even a violation of the tightness of the system if the tubes are touched. In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for various types of hinges and structures.
Before proceeding with dismantling, you must clearly understand that the weight of the door, especially in two-chamber models or Side-by-Side devices, can be significant. Never try to hold a heavy door with one hand while unscrewing the lower fasteners - this is the most common cause of injuries and chips on the floor. Preparing the workspace and having an assistant is significant will simplify the task and ensure the safety of the process.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the job, you will need to collect a certain set of tools, which may vary depending on the model of your refrigerator. The main tool is usually screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different tips, since manufacturers use different types of screws. Also often required is a wrench, open-end or socket, the size of which corresponds to the diameter of the bolts on the hinges.
It is important to prepare the surface on which the removed door will be laid so as not to damage its decorative coating or internal plastic lining. A soft blanket, thick cardboard or old carpet will make an excellent base. Don't forget also about masking tape, which will help fix the moving parts during work, and a marker for marking holes when rearranging accessories.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is necessary not only for your safety, but also to avoid false alarms of open door sensors or short circuits in case of accidental damage to the wiring.
The list of tools may look like this:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat-head) or a screwdriver with bits.
- 🔩 Wrenches (sizes 8, 10 or 13 mm are often required).
- 📏 Construction level for checking the horizon after installation.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧼 A rag and a degreaser to clean the contact areas of the seal.
If your model has decorative plugs or special technological holes covered with stickers, they must be carefully removed or cut off with a blade. Sometimes, to access the fastening elements, it is necessary to remove the top panel of the refrigerator or the decorative box hiding the top hinge.
Features of the design of hinges of different brands
The design of hinged mechanisms varies greatly among different manufacturers, and there is no universal instruction “for everyone”. For example, refrigerators Indesit i Ariston often have a simple design, where the hinge is attached directly to the body with bolts hidden under a plastic cover. At the same time, equipment Bosch or Siemens may have more complex systems with closers and built-in sensors.
Particular attention should be paid to models with a system No Frostwhere wires can pass through the top loop, powering indicators on the door or a control button. In such cases, simply unscrewing the bolts is impossible without first disconnecting the plugs. Ignoring this point will lead to a break in the wiring and the need for complex electronic repairs.
Below is a table showing the differences in the approaches of popular brands to fastening doors:
td>Standard screws under the decor
| Brand | Type of fastening of the top hinges | Presence of wires | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlant | Open bolts under the cover | Rarely | Low |
| Samsung | Hidden screws, often with stoppers | Often (display) | Average |
| Liebherr | Powerful brackets, require a key | Yes (almost always) | High |
| Beko | Sometimes | Low |
Some models, especially built-in ones, may require special adapters or additional brackets, which are included with purchase. If you have lost the instructions, look for its digital version for the exact model on the manufacturer's website, since the hanging diagram is always indicated there.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the door
We begin the process by dismantling the upper part of the structure. If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, it is more convenient to start work by removing the top door of the freezer, if the design allows this to be done independently. First, remove the decorative trim hiding the top hinge, unscrew the fastening bolts and carefully remove the hinge itself.
After this, you need to remove the door from the bottom pin or free it from the middle hinge. It is critically important to hold the door here, since after removing the top fastening it is only supported by the lower hinge and can fall sharply. If the model is heavy, it is better to call an assistant who will insure the structure.
☑️ Removing the door
If your model has the ability to rearrange the handles, then at this stage you can remove them too by unscrewing the screws from the inside of the blade. Often the handles are attached to powerful screws, which can be closed with plastic stoppers. Carefully pry them off with a knife or flat-head screwdriver.
⚠️ Attention: When unscrewing the bolts, try not to use excessive force so as not to strip the threads in the aluminum housing. If the bolt does not fit, try preheating it with a hairdryer or using a penetrating lubricant, but be careful not to stain the plastic.
The removed door must be placed on a prepared soft surface with the outer side facing down. Be careful: the shelves inside may fall out, so it is better to clear the door of containers and shelves in advance. This will also significantly reduce the weight of the structure and the risk of damage.
Rehanging and installation on a new side
Now we move on to preparing the refrigerator body for installing the door on the other side. On the opposite side of the housing there are usually technological holes closed with plastic plugs. They must be removed and rearranged in the place where the hinges were previously attached in order to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
Install the top hinge in a new place, but do not fully tighten the bolts yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door so that it stands evenly and fits tightly to the body around the entire perimeter. If you are working with a model where the hinge has adjustment screws, use them to make fine adjustments.
When installing the bottom of the door, make sure that the pin or axle of the bottom hinge fits correctly into the mounting hole. Smoothly lower the door, making sure the holes for the fasteners line up. If the holes do not match, the refrigerator body may be skewed and the support legs need to be adjusted.
After preliminary fixation, check that the door moves easily. It should open and close freely, without creaking or jamming, and when opened by about 15-20 degrees, it should be independently closed with magnets.
Working with the seal and magnetic system
One of the most important parts that ensure the correct operation of the refrigerator is sealing rubber. When re-hanging a door, a situation often arises when the magnets in the seal are located unevenly or are shifted relative to the new opening side. This can lead to the fact that the door does not close completely or, on the contrary, too tightly.
In some models, the seal can be removed and reinstalled symmetrically, but most often in modern refrigerators, magnetic tape is glued evenly around the entire perimeter. If you notice that in one of the corners the door is moving away from the body, try heating the seal with a hairdryer and slightly stretching it or, conversely, tightening it.
If after installation you find that the door does not close tightly, check the cleanliness of the adjacent surfaces. Grease, crumbs or adhered dirt may impair the seal. Wipe the seal and the mating metal part of the case with warm water and a mild detergent.
What to do if the seal is deformed?
If the seal has creases or has lost elasticity, try soaking it in hot water (not boiling water) for a few minutes. This will restore flexibility to the rubber. If the deformation is severe, it is better to replace the seal with a new one.
It is also worth checking the operation of the light switch and door opening sensor. Make sure that the sensor rod is fully retracted when closing the door. If the door is skewed, the sensor may not work, and the refrigerator will “think” that it is open, which will lead to continuous operation of the compressor.
Adjustment and final check
After all fasteners are tightened, it is necessary to conduct a final check of the quality of the work performed. Open the door 90 degrees and release - it should smoothly return to its original position under the influence of gravity and magnets. If the door “sticks” or, conversely, bounces, a finer adjustment of the tilt of the body is required.
Check the gaps between the door and the body around the entire perimeter. They should be the same. If the gap is larger at the top than at the bottom, or vice versa, then the door is installed skewed. In this case, you will have to loosen the fastenings of the top hinge, level the door and tighten the bolts again.
Do not forget to rearrange all the shelves and containers on the door if their location depends on the opening side. In some models, the shelves are symmetrical, but holders for bottles or eggs can be designed for a specific side.
Plug in the refrigerator and listen to its operation. After 10-15 minutes, check whether the seal fits tightly. You can do a simple test: press a piece of paper between the door and the body in different places. If the sheet is pulled out with force along the entire perimeter, tightness is ensured.
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them
Often beginners forget to move the plugs in place of the old holes, which spoils the appearance of the equipment. Another common mistake is overtightening the bolts, which leads to deformation of the metal door and the appearance of cracks. Proceed carefully, using moderate force.
Another problem is the loss of small parts. It is better to place all removed screws, washers and plugs in a separate container or magnetic tray. The loss of even one small screw can make it impossible to securely fasten the hinge.
If after all the manipulations the door still slams or does not hold the cold, perhaps the problem is not in overhang, but in wear of the seal itself or a violation of the geometry of the body. In such cases, you may need to call a technician or replace the sealing rubber.
⚠️ Attention: The technical characteristics and designs of refrigerators are constantly being improved. If you are the owner of a newer model with a touch screen on the door or a unique hinge system, we strongly advise you to check the official manufacturer's manual before starting work, as general instructions may not take into account specific nuances.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to hang the door on a refrigerator with a built-in display?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires increased caution. You will have to disconnect the wires going to the display. Before disconnecting, be sure to take a photo of the connection diagram or mark the wires with a marker so as not to mix them up during assembly. The length of the wires usually allows you to move the door, but they cannot be stretched.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, the door may become too heavy, and water from melting during operation may flow into the hinge mechanisms. It is better to carry out the procedure when the refrigerator is empty and dry.
What to do if the holes on the new side do not match the hinge?
In 99% of cases, the refrigerator body already has all the necessary holes, they are simply covered with plastic plugs or stickers. Carefully inspect the opposite side. It is strictly forbidden to drill new holes in the body - this will damage the thermal insulation and may affect the freon circuit.
How often can you change the side of the door opening?
Technically, this can be done as many times as you like, but each hole is a potential place for corrosion or weakening of the metal. It is not recommended to change sides unless necessary. Also, the threads in the metal may wear out over time, and the fastening will become less reliable.