How to change the doors on an Indesit refrigerator

The situation when the standard location of the refrigerator door becomes inconvenient is familiar to many owners of household appliances. This may be due to remodeling the kitchen, installing new furniture, or simply wanting to optimize your workspace. Refrigerators Indesit are designed taking into account the possibility of changing the opening side, which makes the process of their modification accessible even to a non-professional. However, in order not to damage the seal or hinges, it is necessary to strictly follow the sequence of actions.

Before starting work, it is important to understand that you will be dealing with a heavy unit that requires careful handling. Incorrect dismantling sequence may lead to case deformation or breakage hinge mechanism. In this article, we will look in detail at how to safely change the doors, what tools are required and what to pay special attention to during assembly.

It is worth noting that the design may vary slightly depending on the model, be it a classic two-chamber version or more modern lines. However, the basic mounting principle remains the same for most devices from this brand. Your task is to act methodically, without skipping a single stage of preparation and assembly.

Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace

Quality preparation is half the success of any repair operation. To work with refrigerator fasteners Indesit you will need a standard DIY kit. You should not try to replace a specialized tool with improvised means, as this can lead to the edges of the bolts being torn off or the plastic being damaged.

First of all, make sure that you have screwdrivers with different types of blades on hand, since screws can be either Phillips or flat. A wrench or socket of a certain size is also often required, usually 8 or 10 mm, depending on the specific series of the refrigerator.

• 🔧 Phillips head screwdriver (PH2) for medium-length screws.
• 🔧 Flat-head screwdriver for removing decorative plugs.
• 🔧 Wrench or ratchet with an 8-10 mm head.
• 🔧 Building level to check the horizontal installation.

Pay special attention to lighting the work area. You will have to look into hard-to-reach places where hidden fasteners may be hiding. If there is not enough light, use an additional source so as not to miss a single screw connection.

⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Remove the plug from the outlet to eliminate the risk of short circuit or electric shock if the wiring is accidentally damaged.

Clear space around the refrigerator. You need to ensure access to the unit from all sides, as it may have to be tilted or turned slightly during operation. Remove rugs and foreign objects that may interfere with the stable position of the cabinet.

Dismantling the top part and preparing to remove the doors

The rehanging process begins from the top of the refrigerator compartment. This is where the main mechanism that holds the door in a vertical position is located. At this stage, it is important not to damage the decorative elements, since the plastic in older models can be fragile.

First remove the top cover of the refrigerator, if it is removable. In some models Indesit it is secured with latches, in others - with screws. Carefully pry it up with a flat-head screwdriver or unscrew the fastener. Under the cover you will see the top hinge that needs to be moved.

Before unscrewing the hinge, you need to fix the position of the door. It is best if someone helps you hold it so that it does not fall after loosening the bolts. A sudden fall of a heavy door can damage the floor or the unit itself.

Now you can proceed to unscrewing the top hinge mounting bolts. Use the prepared wrench. Be careful not to strip the threads. After the bolts are unscrewed, carefully remove the loop and set it aside so as not to lose it.

After removing the hinge, the refrigerator door is released from above. Now you need to carefully lift it and remove it from the lower support. It is better to perform this action with an assistant, since the door weighs a lot. Place the removed door in a safe place, having first covered the floor with cardboard or soft cloth.

Removing and moving handles and fittings

The next stage is working with handles and additional elements on the door. In refrigerators Indesit handles are often attached to screws, which can be hidden under decorative plugs or located on the inside.

Carefully inspect the fastening of the handle. If you see holes covered with plastic plugs, carefully remove them with a thin screwdriver. There are screws hidden underneath that need to be removed. Do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the plastic.

If the handle is integrated into the profile or is attached non-standardly, access to the inside of the door may be required. To do this, sometimes you have to remove the inner panel, but in most cases it is enough to unscrew the visible bolts. After removing the handle from one side, it needs to be moved to the opposite side.

What to do if the holes do not match?

In some models of Indesit refrigerators, holes for the handles are already provided on both sides. If they are not there, check the package - sometimes the plugs are sold separately, or you need to drill the holes yourself using the template from the instructions.

Install the handle on the new side using the existing holes. If the holes on the new side are covered with plugs, remove them. Secure the handle with screws, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the handle after the final installation of the door.

• 🔩 Remove the decorative plugs from the fastening points on the new side.
• 🔩 Move the handle and install the screws without over-tightening.
• 🔩 Check the symmetry of the handle installation relative to the edge of the door.
• 🔩 Make sure that the opening mechanism does not touch the body.

It is also important to check the condition of the sealing rubber. While the door is removed, this is the ideal time to clean it or replace it if it has lost its elasticity. Dirt on the seal may prevent a tight seal after installation.

Adjusting and installing the bottom support

Once the top is freed, attention turns to the bottom support. In refrigerators Indesit the lower axis is often built into the body or is a separate element that needs to be moved to the other side.

Remove the lower decorative plinth of the refrigerator if it blocks access to the mechanisms. It is usually held in place by latches or a few screws. Under it you will see a lower loop or seat for the axle.

If the design involves moving the lower axle, unscrew it from the current side and screw it into the prepared hole on the opposite side. The thread should fit easily, without distortion. If you feel resistance, check whether dirt has entered the threaded connection.

In some models, the lower support is a non-removable part of the body, and you only need to change the opening side by rearranging the upper hinge and turning the door. Carefully study the instructions for your specific model to understand the type of design.

⚠️ Attention: When rearranging the lower axle, make sure that it is screwed in all the way and securely fixed. Weak fasteners will lead to distortion of the door and rapid wear of the seal.

After installing the lower support, you can begin installing the door in a new location. Install the door with the lower axis into the prepared slot. Make sure that it is level and does not fall to the sides.

Installation of the top hinge and final assembly

Now that the door is installed on the lower support, you need to fix it from above. Take the top hinge that you previously removed and install it on the new side. Align the hinge holes with the holes on the refrigerator body and the end of the door.

Insert the mounting bolts and start tightening them. At this stage it is important not to tighten them completely. First you need to achieve the correct position of the door so that it closes tightly and without distortions.

Use a building level to check that the installation is vertical. If the door is warped, loosen the bolts and move the hinge slightly. Having achieved the ideal position, you can finally tighten all the fasteners.

After tightening the bolts, check the operation of the door. It should open freely, without squeaks, and fit snugly around the entire perimeter. If you notice gaps, you will need additional adjustment of the height of the legs of the refrigerator.

Adjusting the position and eliminating distortions

Even with the hinges installed correctly, the door may not close tightly due to the tilt of the body itself refrigerator. For correct operation of the self-return mechanism and a tight fit of the seal, the upper part of the refrigerator must be slightly raised relative to the bottom.

For this, adjustable support legs are used. By rotating them clockwise, you increase the height, counter-clockwise, you decrease it. Usually it is enough to unscrew the front legs a few turns to create the required backward slope.

Check the result using a level placed on the top cover. The bubble should be slightly moved back, or the door should close on its own if it is opened at an angle of about 30-40 degrees.

⚠️ Attention: Do not lift the refrigerator too high, this may disrupt the operation of the compressor or make the unit unstable. A small slope of 1-2 degrees is enough.

If after adjusting the legs there is still a gap at the top or bottom of the door, you can try to loosen the top hinge and move it slightly up or down. This is a fine adjustment that requires patience.

Be sure to check that the door does not touch the walls of the refrigerator or furniture when opening. If the gap is minimal, you may have to move the refrigerator away from the wall or adjust the legs again.

Common mistakes and precautions

When doing work with your own hands, it is easy to make a mistake that will subsequently affect the functionality of the appliance. One of the most common problems is loss of fasteners. Small screws and plugs can easily be lost in the carpet pile or rolled under the refrigerator.

Try to put all the parts in one container or magnetic tray. Also, users often forget to remove the transport locks from the inside of the door, if any, which makes it impossible to close the refrigerator.

Another mistake is overtightening the bolts. Excessive force may cause the hinge metal to crack or the housing threads to break. It is extremely difficult to restore broken threads in the thin metal of the refrigerator body.

• ❌ Do not ignore the need to level the refrigerator.
• ❌ Do not leave the handle screws loose - this will lead to loosening.
• ❌ Do not use aggressive chemicals to clean parts during operation.
• ❌ Do not turn on the refrigerator immediately if it was transported on its side.

If you notice that after rehanging the door began to sag more than before, check the condition of the lower support axis. Perhaps it was worn out or was not installed completely.

Questions and answers (FAQ)

Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before re-hanging the doors?

It is not necessary to defrost the refrigerator specifically for this procedure, unless you plan to carry out general cleaning at the same time. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to wait until it melts so that water does not flow out when the unit is tilted during work.

Is it possible to change the doors on a built-in Indesit refrigerator?

Yes, on built-in models this is also possible, but the process is more complicated. You will first have to remove the decorative facade panel from the refrigerator door, rehang the metal door itself, and then reattach the facade. Be careful with fastening the facade so as not to damage the furniture.

What to do if the holes for the hinges on the other side are closed?

In 99% of cases in refrigerators Indesit the holes are already drilled at the factory. They can be closed with plastic plugs that need to be carefully picked out, or with tape. If there are no physical holes (in very old or specific models), drilling will be required, which will void the warranty.

How long can you not turn on the refrigerator after changing the side of the door?

If you just changed the opening side without strong shaking and tilting more than 40 degrees, you can turn on the refrigerator immediately. If the unit was tilted strongly or placed on its side, it is recommended to let it stand upright for 2-4 hours before starting to allow the oil to drain into the compressor.

Why does the door not stay in the open position after rehanging?

This may be due to an incorrect slope of the housing. Make sure the front legs are higher than the back legs. If the slope is insufficient, the self-return mechanism will not work correctly, and the door will close itself or, conversely, will not lock.