Rearrangement furniture in the kitchen or a change in layout often dictates new operating conditions for household appliances. The situation when the standard arrangement of refrigerator doors becomes inconvenient occurs very often. Fortunately, most modern models of the brand LG are designed with this possibility in mind, allowing you to rehang the sashes yourself.
This process requires accuracy, a basic set of tools and a clear understanding of the sequence of actions. Errors at the dismantling stage can lead to damage to the enamel or disruption of the geometry of the hinge. In this article, we will look in detail at how to safely and correctly change the opening direction of your unit.
Before starting work, it is important to make sure that your specific model technically supports reverse opening. This is usually indicated in the owner's manual or on a sticker with the serial number. If you have not found any obvious prohibitions, you can begin preparing the workplace and tools.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
High-quality preparation is the key to the success of the entire operation. You will need to clear some space in front of the refrigerator so you can access it from all sides. It is advisable to move the equipment away from the wall at a distance of at least one meter.
The basic set of tools that you will need includes Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, as well as wrenches. In some cases, you may need a hex wrench, which often comes with the equipment itself.
- 🔧 Medium-sized Phillips screwdriver for case screws.
- 🔧 8 mm wrench (most often used for hinges).
- 🔧 Flat-head screwdriver or spudger for removal plugs.
- 🔧 Container for storing small bolts and screws.
Be sure to take care of protecting the floor covering. Place cardboard or soft cloth under the feet of the refrigerator to avoid scratches when moving heavy items.
☑️ Preparing to rehang
Design features and types of LG hinges
Refrigerators LG may have different hinge designs depending on the series and year of manufacture. Understanding the type of fastening is critical as removal methods may vary. The main types are upper and lower hinges, as well as intermediate ones if the refrigerator is multi-chamber.
In modern models there are often hidden hinges that are not visible from the outside. When working with them, special care is required so as not to damage the decorative overlays. Metal brackets can be reinforced to support the weight of heavy glass shelves.
⚠️ Attention: LG refrigerator doors are often heavier than they appear. Do not try to hold the removed door with one hand - this may lead to a back injury or falling and breaking the glass.
Particular attention should be paid to the depreciation closing system. In some models it is built into the hinge, and when rehanging it will be necessary to rearrange or switch a special mechanism. Ignoring this step will result in the door not closing tightly.
Hidden hinge mechanisms
In models with the Linear Cooling system, the hinges may have additional plastic bushings. When removing the door, make sure that these bushings are not lost and will be reinstalled in a new location.
Dismantling the top part and removing the doors
You should always start work from the top of the refrigerator. First you need to remove the top decorative panel, if there is one. This usually hides the top hinge mounting bolts.
Use a wrench to loosen the hinge bolts, but do not remove them completely yet. This is necessary in order to fix the position of the door before final removal. Then carefully lift the door and remove it from the lower pin or free it from the fasteners.
For two-door models (Side-by-Side or French Door), the sequence of actions may be more complicated. It is often necessary to first remove the lower door to gain access to the upper door's fasteners. Always refer to the diagram in the instructions for your specific model LG.
- ❄️ Remove all removable shelves and drawers from the doors to lighten the weight.
- ❄️ Disconnect the display or lamp wires if they come through the door (be careful with the connectors).
- ❄️ Ask an assistant to hold the door while unscrewing the hinges.
After removing the door, place it on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down. This will prevent scratches on the front panel.
Transferring fastening elements and fittings
The most critical stage is transferring fastening elements to the opposite side. You will need to remove the hinges, handles and caps from one side of the door and install them on the other. For this purpose, symmetrical technological holes are provided on the body and door.
Take the plugs that covered the holes on the new side and install them in place of the old holes. This is necessary to maintain an aesthetic appearance and prevent dust and moisture from entering the structure.
If your model has a handle installed, it also needs to be rearranged. The mounting screws are usually located at the bottom or top of the handle, hidden by decorative caps. Carefully pry off the caps with a flat screwdriver.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Move to the opposite side | Wrench |
| Door handle | Dismantle and secure on the other side | Hexagon |
| Plugs | Replace (with working sides to empty) | Flat screwdriver |
| Door stopper | Move to the bottom hole | Phillips screwdriver |
Don't forget about stoppers or opening limiters. They are often located at the bottom of the cabinet and door. Rearranging them is mandatory, otherwise the door will open too wide and may damage the wall.
Installing hinges and hanging doors
After preparing all the holes, you can begin installation. Place the bottom loop in its new location and screw it lightly without fully tightening it. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door when hanging.
Lift the door and place it on the lower hinge pin. Make sure it sits straight and tight. Now you can proceed to installing the top hinge. Align the holes and insert the mounting bolts.
Tighten the bolts evenly, diagonally, to avoid distortion. First tighten all the bolts by hand, then use a wrench to secure them in place. Excessive force may strip the threads, so proceed with caution.
⚠️ Attention: If you are moving the door on a display refrigerator, make sure the cable is long enough to accommodate the new position. In some cases, extension of the wire or re-soldering is required, which is best left to a specialist.
Check the free movement of the door. It should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. If the door is skewed, loosen the fasteners and adjust the position using the adjusting screws on the hinges.
Adjustment and checking tightness
After installation, you need to check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. The door should close tightly, without gaps. If you notice a loose seal, this may result in loss of cooling and increased load on the compressor.
Use a sheet of paper to check. Clamp it with the door in different places around the perimeter. If the sheet is pulled out with force, it means the seal is working correctly. If the paper falls out freely, adjustment is required.
Many models LG have adjusting screws on the hinges that allow you to change the tilt of the door back and forth or left and right. By rotating them, you can achieve a perfect fit. Also check the operation of the magnetic latch.
- 🔍 Inspect the seal for creases after rearrangement.
- 🔍 Make sure that the doors do not touch each other when closing.
- 🔍 Check the operation of the light switch in the refrigerator camera.
If everything is done correctly, your refrigerator is ready for use again. Let it stand turned off for 2-3 hours before turning it on, especially if it leaned a lot during operation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to call a specialist to rehang the LG door?
In most cases, this can be done yourself if you have basic tools and physical strength to hold the door. However, if the model is complex (for example, with a Multi Air Flow system and many wires), it is better to turn to professionals so as not to damage the electronics.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built-in?
With built-in appliances, everything is more complicated. You will have to dismantle the facade furniture panels and take into account the gaps in the niche. Often, re-hanging a built-in refrigerator requires its complete removal from the kitchen unit.
What to do if, after re-hanging, the door does not close tightly?
Most likely, the geometry of the hinge is broken. Loosen the hinge bolts and try moving the door up, down, or to the side a little. Also check if anything inside (shelves, products) is in the way or if the seal is twisted.
Will the warranty still apply after re-hanging it yourself?
The mere fact of re-hanging the door does not void the warranty if you have not damaged the equipment in the process. However, if you break a hinge or strip a thread, that particular assembly will not be covered under warranty. Proceed carefully.