The situation when you need to change the direction of opening the refrigerator door Indesitoccurs quite often when moving or remodeling the kitchen space. The standard factory configuration provides for right-hand opening, which is not always convenient in narrow kitchens or with a specific arrangement of furniture. Fortunately, the design of most models allows you to re-hang them yourself without contacting a service center.
In this article we will look at how to change the doors on an Indesit refrigerator, based on the technical features of different series. You will learn about the necessary tools, sequence of actions and nuances that will help avoid damage accessories. The process requires care, but it can be easily implemented at home if you have basic skills in working with tools.
Before starting work, it is important to make sure that your unit actually supports the reverse function. Although the vast majority of modern models Indesit (BIA, DS, EF series) have symmetrical hinges, there are budget options with asymmetrical fastening of handles or the absence of holes on the opposite side of the case. A careful inspection will help you avoid unnecessary movements.
To perform the procedure, you will need to prepare a workplace. Remove all food, shelves and drawers to remove excess weight from doors. This will not only make the work easier, but will also protect the contents from falling in case of careless movement. It is also recommended to free up space in front of the refrigerator for comfortable access to the bottom of the device.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work on dismantling the housing elements, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This is critical for safety, since in the process you may accidentally touch the backlight wiring or sensors.
Necessary tools and preparation
The quality of the work directly depends on the correct selection of tools. To dismantle and subsequently install hinges, you do not need complex industrial equipment. A standard DIY kit that everyone can find is enough. However, if you use the wrong tools, you risk tearing off the edges of the bolts or damaging the decorative plugs.
The main tool will be hex key (usually 4 or 5 mm in size) and a Phillips screwdriver. Some models may require 8mm or 10mm sockets. Check the equipment of your refrigerator in advance: sometimes the required key is already in the technical passport or attached with tape to the back wall of the unit.
☑️ Tools for rehanging
Special Pay attention to surface preparation. Cover the floor in front of the refrigerator with a soft material - a blanket or cardboard. This is necessary in case a heavy door slips off its hinges during removal. Also prepare a container for small parts so as not to lose screws and decorative covers.
Design features of Indesit refrigerator hinges
Understanding the design of the locking mechanism is the key to success. Refrigerators Indesit use a system of upper and lower hinges that secure the door in a vertical position. The top hinge is often aligned with the pivot axis and may have a built-in door sensor. The lower loop serves as a support and contains a pin on which the entire structure rests.
It is important to distinguish between models with one chamber and two-chamber units. In two-chamber refrigerators (with a freezer at the bottom or top), the process is complicated by the presence of intermediate hinges and a central axis. Closing mechanism can be implemented in different ways: in some cases it is a magnetic seal, in others there are additional mechanical latches that require adjustment.
It is worth noting that in some budget series the door handles may be asymmetrical. This means that when switched to the other side, the handle will be upside down or will not fit into the intended holes. In such cases, it is necessary to either replace the handle itself, or, what happens more often, carefully remove and rearrange the internal fastening elements.
Nuances of the sensors
In some models, the door opening sensor is built into the top hinge. When rehanging, it must be carefully removed and rearranged into a symmetrical hole on the other side, or (less often) replaced with a plug if the design provides for automatic side detection.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the door
The process of removing the door requires consistency. First we release the upper part. Remove the decorative plug from the top hinge (usually it is held on by latches or simply inserted into a groove). Unscrew the mounting bolts holding the top hinge. If the sensor wire is attached to the loop, carefully disconnect the connector without pulling the wires.
Next, move on to the bottom part. Depending on the model, you may need to remove the refrigerator base panel to gain access to the bottom hinge. Unscrew the bottom hinge bolts. At this stage, the door is no longer held by anything except weight and inertia. Here you definitely need an assistantwho will hold the door while you finally remove the lower hinge axis.
- 🔧 Remove the upper decorative cover and unscrew the bolts of the upper hinge.
- 🔌 Disconnect the sensor cable opening the door (if any).
- 🧊 Remove the door from the lower support axis (the help of a second person is required).
- 🔩 Unscrew and remove the lower hinge from the refrigerator body.
After the door is removed, inspect the mating parts of the hinges on the body itself. You will see that on one side the holes are closed with plastic plugs, and on the other (where the hinge was) they are open. Your task is to move the plugs to the new working side, and screw new fasteners or plugs included in the kit into the old holes.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when removing the door. If it does not come off, check that all the bolts are unscrewed. Hardened grease or corrosion can “stick” the hinge, in this case, carefully treat the joint with penetrating lubricant (WD-40) and wait 10-15 minutes.
Installation and adjustment on the new side
Installation is done in the reverse order, but taking into account the new ones holes. First, secure the bottom hinge to the new side of the case. Make sure it fits snugly and doesn't wobble. Then, with the help of an assistant, place the door on the bottom pin. Make sure that the axle hits exactly the center of the bushing.
Now work on the upper part. Install the top hinge by lining up the holes. Insert and tighten the mounting bolts. Do not tighten them all the way straight away. Leave a small gap in order to later produce position adjustment doors. Only after the door is level and closes tightly can you finally fix all the bolts.
| Element | Installation action | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom hinge | Attached to the body first | Check the horizontal installation |
| Door | Put on the lower axis | Requires the support of an assistant |
| Upper hinge | Fixes the upper axis | Do not tighten until the gap is adjusted |
| Plugs | Change places | Close the old ones holes |
If your model allows for rearranging the handle, now is the time to do it. There are usually holes on the inside of the door that are closed with plugs. Unscrew the handle on one side and screw it on the other using the same fasteners. Make sure that the handle does not dangle.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
After installation, the main task is to ensure a tight fit of the door to the body. Incorrect adjustment will lead to the refrigerator not closing well, or, conversely, the seal will not fit tightly, causing ice to freeze and waste electricity. To check, use a sheet of paper.
Pinch a sheet of paper between the door and the body around the perimeter. It should come out with little effort. If the paper flies out freely or, conversely, breaks when trying to remove it, you need to loosen the hinge bolts and move the door slightly to the left or right, up or down.
Pay attention to the operation of the closers (if any) and the magnetic seal. The door should close on its own when opened to approximately 30-45 degrees. If the door slams or doesn't go all the way, check to see if it's hitting the floor or any protruding pieces of your kitchen furniture. Also make sure that the refrigerator is strictly horizontal - the legs of the unit must be unscrewed so that the body is slightly tilted back.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
When doing self-repair, common errors are often encountered. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of screws of different lengths. Screwing a long screw into a short hole can lead to a through hole in the refrigerator wall or damage to the internal circuit. Always check the length of the fasteners before installation.
Another problem is damage to the threads in the plastic bushings of the housing. If you over-tighten the bolt, the plastic may crack. In this case, it will be difficult to restore the fastening; you will need to replace the entire housing element or use repair bushings. Act carefully and without jerking.
- ❌ Trying to remove the door without turning off the sensor (risk of wire breakage).
- ❌ Using an impact tool (screwdriver) instead of a hand screwdriver (risk of stripping the thread).
- ❌ Ignoring the tilt level refrigerator (the door will not close on its own).
- ❌ Mixing up the left and right plugs (violation of aesthetics and tightness).
⚠️ Attention: If during the dismantling process you find that the holes on the opposite side of the case are tightly closed and do not have threads, then your model does not support overhanging. Trying to drill new holes is strictly prohibited - you will damage the insulating layer and the refrigerant.
What to do if the door is skewed after installation?
If after tightening all the bolts you see a skew, try placing washers under the bottom hinge on the right side or, conversely, removing them. Sometimes loosening all the fasteners, aligning the door “by eye” and sequentially tightening the bolts diagonally helps.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to hang the door on an Indesit refrigerator without the help of a second person?
Theoretically it is possible, but it is highly not recommended. The door of a two-chamber refrigerator weighs from 15 to 25 kg, and holding it with one hand while simultaneously trying to get the axle into the hole and tighten the bolts is very difficult. You risk dropping the door, damaging the floor, or causing injury. If you don’t have an assistant, use special suction cup holders or place stops made of books/boxes of the required height under the door.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before hanging the doors?
Yes, this is a prerequisite. First, an empty refrigerator is easier. Secondly, when tilting or moving the unit (which is often required to access the bottom), oil from the compressor can flow into the circulation system if the refrigerator has not been previously defrosted and settled. Defrosting should last at least 12-24 hours.
Where to put the door opening sensor wire when rehanging?
In most models Indesit the sensor wire is long enough to simply throw it to the other side inside the hinge body or lead it out through an adjacent hole. If there is not enough length, you may need to carefully disassemble the top of the door to reconnect the contacts inside. The main thing is not to pinch the wire with the loop.
Why, after rehanging, does the door not fit tightly?
Most likely, the geometry of the hinge installation is broken. Loosen the fasteners and try to move the door a little. Also check if anything is interfering with the seal (crumbs, packaging residue). If the distortion is significant, the door itself or the hinges may have become deformed - in this case, only replacing the elements will help.