Rearranging furniture in the kitchen or changing the layout often dictates its own conditions: the refrigerator handle ends up on the wrong side, making it difficult to open the adjacent cabinet or simply disrupting the ergonomics of the work triangle. Fortunately, most models Hotpoint Ariston are designed taking into account the possibility of reversing the doors, which allows you to adapt the equipment to a specific space without losing functionality. However, despite its apparent simplicity, this process requires accuracy and understanding of the structure of the hinge mechanisms, especially in modern models with the system No Frost.
Before taking up the tools, you must clearly understand that you are working with heavy equipment, where the slightest misalignment can lead to leakage or damage to the plastic. An incorrectly installed hinge will cause the door to not close tightly, which will lead to ice buildup and increased load on the door. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you safely change the opening side, maintaining the warranty and appearance of your unit. compressor. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you safely change the opening side, maintaining the warranty and appearance of your unit.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
The success of the operation is 80% dependent on proper preparation. You will need not only a set of screwdrivers, but also some free space around the refrigerator. Make sure the floor is level and there is enough lighting to work on small parts. Often it is in dark corners that screws are lost or cracks in plastic plugs are not noticed.
To work with fasteners Hotpoint Ariston you will need the following set:
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) - the main tools for dismantling.
- 🔧 8 or 10mm socket or socket - often required for main hinge bolts.
- 🧤 Construction gloves - metal may have sharp edges and the weight of the door is significant.
- 📦 Helper - two people are highly recommended to hold the door.
It is important to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply in advance. This is not only a safety requirement, but also a way to avoid accidentally turning on the compressor or damaging the electronics when manipulating wiringif it passes through the loops.
Removing the top panel and top door
The process begins from the top of the refrigerator. If you have a model with a freezer on top, then this is what you will have to work with. The first step is to remove the trim panel or cover if it is covering the top hinge. Usually it is held on by latches or one screw.
Carefully unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge. Do not remove them completely at once - loosen them and check whether the structure is supported by other elements. After removing the fasteners, the top hinge can be removed. Now is the time to remove the door: lift it to remove it from the bottom axis and set it in a safe place.
⚠️ Attention: Hotpoint Ariston refrigerator doors are often equipped with closers. When removing, make sure that the mechanism does not hit the floor or walls, as this may damage shock absorber or the plastic case.
If your model is equipped with a system No Frost, control wires may pass through the top loop. In this case, carefully disconnect the connectors, first remembering or photographing their location. Do not pull on the wires - they may be short.
Reversing the handle and plugs
After removing the door, you need to move the handle to the opposite side. On most models Hotpoint Ariston the handles are universal or have symmetrical attachment points. Find hidden screws that are usually covered with decorative plugs.
Unscrew the handle fasteners and move it to a new location. The holes that remain free on the opposite side must be closed with special plugs that come with the refrigerator. If the supplied plugs are lost, you can use decorative stickers in the color of the body to preserve aesthetics facade.
Check that the handle fits tightly and does not wobble. Weak fastening of the handle is a common cause of breakage of plastic elements of the case during active use.
Working with the lower door and middle hinges
If you change the opening side on a two-chamber refrigerator, where the freezer is at the bottom, the procedure is repeated for the lower section. Remove the top door of the main compartment first, then move on to the bottom door. Here it is important to correctly dismantle the middle hinge, which often combines both sections.
Remove the decorative trim from the middle hinge. Unscrew the bolts and remove the hinge itself. Remove the bottom door. Now you need to move the pin (axis) of the lower hinge to the other side, if the design provides this. Some models Hotpoint Ariston use an asymmetrical bottom loop, which needs to be turned over or rearranged into a mirror position.
The table below will help you navigate typical problems when working with loops:
| Type of problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The door is skewed | The bolts are not tightened or the floor is uneven | Adjust the legs and hinge fasteners |
| Difficult to open | Clogged drainage hole or sticky seal | Clean the drain and wash the seal |
| You can hear a squeak | Lack of lubrication in the hinges | Lubricate the hinges with silicone grease |
| Does not hold the cold | The geometry of the door is broken | Check the tight fit around the entire perimeter |
Make sure that all holes in the body that are freed up after moving the hinges are securely closed with plugs. This is important not only for appearance, but also for maintaining thermal insulation the body.
☑️ Checklist before final assembly
Assembling and installing doors on new ones places
Now that all the preparatory stages have been completed, you can begin installation. Place the bottom hinge (or axle) into the prepared hole on the other side. Place the bottom door onto the axle. Align it and install the middle hinge, threading the wires (if any) through special channels.
When installing the top door, be especially careful with the wiring. Carefully pull the harnesses through the holes in the loops and connect the connectors. Make sure that the wires are not pinched with metal or twisted, otherwise when you open the door contacts they may move away and the indication or fan will stop working.
⚠️ Attention: Do not clamp the wires with a loop too tightly. Leave a small margin of length (“loop”) so that when opening the door 180 degrees there is no tension and chain breakage.
Secure the top hinge with bolts. Don't tighten them all the way yet - you need to line up the doors first. After final assembly, check that the doors are installed vertically relative to each other and the body.
What to do if the holes do not match?
If you have rearranged the hinge and the holes do not match the factory ones, check the instructions. Your model may require you to reverse the hinge itself or use a different set of fasteners included in the kit. Do not drill new holes yourself!
Adjusting the door position and tightness
The final stage is adjustment. The doors should open smoothly, without distortion, and fit tightly to the body around the entire perimeter. To adjust the height, adjustable feet (legs) are used at the front of the refrigerator. By rotating them, you can raise or lower the corner of the unit.
If the door is skewed vertically, loosen the middle hinge, align the door and tighten the bolts again. Check the operation of the magnetic seal: it should adhere evenly to the housing. Gaps will lead to the entry of warm air and the formation of frost.
Checking the quality of work:
- 👁️ Visual inspection - door lines must be parallel to each other and horizontal.
- 📄 Test with a sheet of paper - clamp the sheet of paper with the door around the perimeter; it must be pulled out with force.
- 🚪 Spontaneous closing - when the door is tilted by 30-40 degrees, it should close on its own.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to rehang the door yourself if the refrigerator is still under warranty?
Technically this is possible, and in many cases it will not void the warranty unless you damage the equipment. However, if in the process of rehanging you break the thread, break the plastic or damage the wiring, the service center may refuse free repairs. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call a specialist from an authorized center.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close tightly?
Most likely, the installation geometry is broken. Check if the refrigerator is level (use a level). Try raising the front legs a little to create a natural roll back. Also check whether the food on the shelves does not interfere with the closing of the door.
Do I need to wait after turning it on if I kept the refrigerator turned off for a long time?
If you did not tilt the refrigerator more than 40 degrees during operation, there is no need to wait. If the unit was lying on its side, it is recommended to let it stand upright for 2-4 hours before turning it on, so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
Plugs can be ordered from the official Hotpoint Ariston service center, indicating the model of your refrigerator. You can also sometimes find them in spare parts stores for household appliances or use universal furniture plugs of a suitable color and diameter.