Situations when the standard location of the refrigerator door becomes inconvenient, occur quite often. This may be due to kitchen remodeling, furniture rearrangement, or simply a desire to optimize the space for more ergonomic use of household appliances. Fortunately, most modern models Samsung, Bosch, LG and other manufacturers provide the ability to hanging doors on the opposite side.
This process is not technically difficult, but requires accuracy, a basic set of tools and an understanding of the device. hinge mechanism. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to damage to the enamel, skewing of the canvas, or even failure of the opening sensors. Therefore, before starting work, it is important to carefully study the design of your particular unit.
In this article we will analyze in detail the stages of dismantling, transferring fasteners and reassembly. We will look at the nuances of working with different types of handles and fixation systems, and also point out critical points that cannot be ignored. Properly performed rearranging the door will extend the service life of the seal and ensure the tightness of the chamber.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
Before taking up a screwdriver, it is necessary to ensure safe working conditions. A refrigerator is a heavy and bulky appliance, so the free space around it plays a key role. You will need to move the unit away from the wall, allowing access to the back and side panels on all sides.
To complete the task, you will need a minimum set of tools. Different manufacturers may use different types of screws, so it is better to prepare several options for attachments. Typically these are Phillips screwdrivers, wrenches and sometimes hexagons.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead) for removing screws.
- 🔧 Wrenches or sockets (often required size 8 mm or 10 mm).
- 📦 A container for small parts so as not to lose screws and plugs.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
Particular attention should be paid to the stability of the device. If the refrigerator has adjustable support legs, it is better to unscrew them to the minimum height before starting work so that the center of gravity is lower. It is also recommended to fix the position of the unit so that it does not wobble during the process of removing heavy doors.
Removing the top door and removing the handles
Work always starts from the top of the refrigerator compartment. This is due to the fact that the lower door often serves as a support or has a more complex fastening system, which is more convenient to touch last. The first step is always to disconnect the device from the power supply.
Removing the handle can be the first test, since designs vary. In some models they are screwed from the inside, in others - from the outside and closed with decorative plugs. If you see screw holes covered with plastic covers, you need to carefully pry them out with a thin knife or flat-head screwdriver.
⚠️ Attention: Plastic plugs and decorative overlays are very fragile. At low temperatures they become brittle, so do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the fasteners.
After removing the handle or decorative panel, access to the upper hinges becomes available. You will need a helper to hold the door while you remove the bolts. You cannot remove the canvas abruptly - it is heavy and can damage the floor covering or the master’s feet.
☑️ Dismantling the top door
Models with displays or control buttons on the door deserve special attention. In such cases, before completely removing the canvas, you must carefully disconnect the wiring harness. Usually the connector is located at the top of the case or inside the hinge.
What to do with the display wires?
If there is a display on the door, the wires pass through the hollow hinge axis or a special channel. When disconnecting the cable, remember or photograph the position of the contacts. Do not pull on the wires; they may break off at the base. Carefully unclip the plastic connector lock and disconnect the parts.
Rearranging the lower hinges and dismantling the freezer
After removing the top door, the turn comes to the freezer. The principle of operation here is similar, but there are some peculiarities. The bottom hinge is often hidden under the decorative strip of the plinth or the freezer body itself.
It is necessary to remove all visible fasteners holding the bottom door.
- ❄️ Remove all drawers from the freezer to make the structure lighter.
- 🔩 Unscrew fastening the lower hinge, holding the door.
- 🚪 Carefully remove the freezer door and put it in a safe place.
Now that both doors have been removed, you can start rearranging the hinges themselves. The bolts that held the hinges on one side must be completely unscrewed. On the opposite side of the case you will find symmetrical holes closed with plastic plugs. These plugs must be removed and installed in the vacant spaces on the working side.
Fastening elements are usually universal, but in some cases bolts of different lengths may be used for the left and right sides. Compare the holes visually: if on one side the threaded connection is deeper, then longer screws are needed there.
Installing hinges on the new side and installing doors
Assembly begins in the reverse order, but with an important feature: first install the hinges on the new side, and then hang the doors. We attach the bottom hinge of the freezer first, since it is the basic support.
When installing, make sure that the hinge pins point up and are positioned strictly vertically. A misalignment of even a millimeter will result in the door not closing tightly and not sealing tightly. This is fraught with ice freezing and increased load on the compressor. sealing rubber will not fit tightly. This is fraught with ice freezing and increased load on the compressor.
| Element | Action | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom loop | Attached to the body | Check horizontality |
| Freezer door | Put on a pin | Assistant required |
| Intermediate loop | Fixes the top of the freezer | Align the holes |
| Upper loop | Completes the design | Connect the cable (if any) |
After installing the lower door and fixing the intermediate hinge (if it is structurally provided), the upper door of the refrigerator compartment is hung. At this stage, it is important not to tighten the bolts “all the way” right away. First you need to attach them, check the movement of the doors and only then finally fix them.
Adjusting the position of the doors and the tightness of the fit
The final stage is adjustment. Even with perfect assembly, (slight adjustment) of the door position may be required. If the door does not close completely or, on the contrary, is too tight, you need to adjust the height of the refrigerator's support legs.
By turning the front legs clockwise, you raise the corner of the unit. This causes the doors to close under the influence of gravity. If the legs are twisted too much, the refrigerator may become unstable, so look for balance.
Checking the tightness of the fit seal is a critical point. Take a piece of paper, hold it against the door and try to pull it out. It should come out with noticeable resistance around the entire perimeter. If in some place the paper flies out freely, it means that a gap has formed there.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the hinges may vary depending on the year of manufacture and the specific series of the refrigerator. If you see that the holes don't line up or the parts don't fit, stop and check the official instructions for your model. Do not try to force the fit of parts.
- 👀 Visually assess the gaps between the door and the body - they should be uniform.
- ✋ Run your hand along the joint of the closed door - there should be no sudden changes in height.
- 📏 Check the distance between the doors two-chamber refrigerator - it should be the same at the top and bottom.
If, after adjusting the legs, the gap is not eliminated, you may need to loosen the hinges on the body and move them slightly to the side to level the plane. Do this millimeter by millimeter, constantly checking the result.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
In the process of hanging doors, even experienced craftsmen can make mistakes that will subsequently affect the operation of the equipment. One of the most common problems is screws of different lengths being lost or mixed up. This can cause the long screw to rest against the inner wall and damage the insulation or even the heat exchanger.
Another common mistake is ignoring the plugs. Leaving the holes open will allow dust and moisture to enter, which will eventually lead to corrosion of the metal. In addition, the aesthetics of the device are violated.
What to do if the door creaks after hanging?
The creaking can occur due to metal-on-metal friction in the hinges. Place a couple of drops of machine oil or special lubricant (for example, WD-40, but silicone is better) on the hinge axle. Allow the lubricant to spread by opening and closing the door several times.
If the door warps and opens spontaneously, check that the magnets or latches are installed correctly. In some models, when changing sides, you need to move the magnetic lock to another slot on the body.
Is it possible to reverse the door if there is a display on it?
Yes, in most models this is possible. However, you will need to carefully disconnect the cable cable. The cable length is usually calculated with a margin, but you need to act carefully so as not to damage the contacts. In rare cases, the length of the wire may not allow moving the display, then the control panel remains in the old place, but this does not interfere functionally.
Do you need to call a specialist to re-hang the door?
If you have basic skills in working with tools and physical strength (the doors are heavy), you can do it yourself. Calling a technician makes sense if the refrigerator is very expensive, is under warranty (so as not to break the seals), or if you do not have an assistant to hold the doors.
What to do if, after rearranging, the door does not close tightly?
First of all, check the adjustable feet - the front edge of the refrigerator should be slightly higher than the back. If this does not help, loosen the hinges and try to move the door a little in the desired direction. Also check if anything inside (shelves, products) is preventing the door from closing tightly.
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
Re-hanging the door yourself, as a rule, does not void the warranty unless you damage the body, strip the threads or break the plastic elements. However, if you damage the display cable or break the glass in the process, this will be considered a warranty claim. If in doubt, it is better to contact an authorized service.
Are any special lubricants needed for the hinges?
Usually the hinges are lubricated at the factory. If a squeak appears after a while, you can use silicone grease. It is not recommended to use thick industrial oils or grease, as they can thicken in the cold or drip down, staining the floor.