Sooner or later, owners of household appliances are faced with the need to service the unit, and the question of how to change the door in the Atlant refrigerator becomes relevant when distortions, sagging or a desire to change the opening side appear. Hanging the door This is a standard procedure provided for by the design of most Belarusian models manufacturer, however, it requires accuracy and understanding of the device fastening units. Incorrect actions can lead to damage sealing rubber or deformation metal sheet, so it is important to strictly adhere to the algorithm.
The main reason why intervention in the design of the doors is required lies in the natural wear and tear of the mechanisms or a change in the layout of the kitchen. If the door begins to fit poorly, warm air enters the chamber, which forces compressor to work harder and increases energy consumption. In some cases, owners decide turn the door over to the opposite side for ease of use, which also requires dismantling and reinstalling all elements.
It is important to understand that the design of refrigerators Atlant may differ depending on the series and year of manufacture, therefore, before starting work, it is necessary to visually assess the condition hinges and the presence of additional fasteners. Some models are equipped with a complex system closers or have hidden bolts that are not immediately obvious. Ignoring these nuances can lead to the fact that it will be extremely difficult to put the structure back together without damaging the plastic.
Diagnostics of the condition of the door leaf and hinges
Before grabbing the tools, it is necessary to conduct a thorough visual and tactile diagnosis. Often the problem lies not in the hinges themselves, but in contamination seal or distortion of the refrigerator body due to improper installation on the floor. Check the horizontal installation using a building level: if the unit is crooked, then even serviceable hinges will not ensure a tight seal.
Inspect upper and lower hinges for corrosion, play or mechanical damage. If you notice rust, this is a signal of increased humidity in the room or a violation of the integrity of the coating. It is also worth checking the condition of bushings and washers: if they are worn out or deformed, simple adjustment will not help, complete replacement of components will be required.
Pay special attention magnetic seal. If it is contaminated with grease or crumbs, the door will open on its own or, conversely, not close completely. In some cases, it is not necessary to replace the door, but to thoroughly wash it and degrease the contact surfaces.
⚠️ Attention: If you find cracks in the metal door leaf or in the places where the hinges are attached, you cannot operate the refrigerator. Deformation of the metal can lead to disruption of the geometry of the chamber and loss of tightness, which cannot be corrected by re-hanging.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To properly replace or rehang the refrigerator door Atlant you will need a minimum set of tools, which any home craftsman usually has. The main tool will be open-end wrench or a head of the appropriate size (most often 8, 10 or 13 mm), as well phillips screwdriver for working with decorative plugs. Some models may require hexagons, so it is better to prepare a set in advance.
In addition to the main tool, Don't forget about plastic spatula or a knife to carefully pry off the decorative trims without damaging the plastic of the case. To fix the door in the open position while dismantling the top hinge, an assistant or special supports may be required, since the doors Atlantov are quite heavy due to the metal base and internal filling.
Prepare the workplace: free up space in front of the refrigerator so that it can be accessed from all sides. Cover the floor with cardboard or soft cloth so that fallen bolts or tools do not scratch the coating, and the refrigerator itself does not slide on tiles or linoleum.
☑️ Preparation for work
Technology for dismantling the top and bottom hinges
The dismantling process begins from the top of the structure. First you need to remove the decorative plug that hides the top hinge mounting bolts. Carefully pry it off with a plastic spatula or thin knife, being careful not to damage plastic casing. Under the plug you will find two or three bolts that need to be unscrewed with a key.
After loosening the bolts, the top hinge should not be removed immediately. First you need to fix the door in a vertical position. If you are working alone, you can use wooden blocks or have someone hold the door. Then carefully remove the hinge, releasing the top pin. Now the door is supported only by the lower fastening, which allows it to be slightly lifted and removed.
The lower hinge of refrigerators Atlant is often hidden under the base or decorative panel at the bottom of the case. Remove the panel to gain access to the mechanism. Unscrew the bolts of the lower support, but remember that after this the door will be completely free. In some models, inside the lower hinge there is pinon which the door is placed; it also needs to be removed or knocked out by light tapping.
Secrets of removing soured bolts
If the hinge bolts cannot be unscrewed due to corrosion, do not use excessive force to avoid stripping the threads. Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 15-20 minutes. After this, the thread should turn easily.
When dismantling, pay attention to the condition of bushings the washers. If they show signs of heavy wear, they must be replaced with new ones, otherwise the new door will quickly begin to sag. It is better to lay out all the removed parts in the order of dismantling, so as not to confuse their location during assembly.
Changing the opening side: step-by-step instructions
Changing the opening side is a popular procedure that allows you to adapt the refrigerator to a new kitchen layout. To do this, you need to move hinges i handle to the opposite side. Refrigerators usually come with spare plugs for the holes that will remain free on the old side. Atlant Usually there are spare plugs for the holes that will remain free on the old side.
The first step when changing sides is rearrangement handles. On the inside of the door, locate the handle attachment points (usually these are holes covered with plugs or accessible through removing the interior door panel). Unscrew the mounting screws and move the handle to the other side using the holes provided by the design. If there are no holes, perhaps your model does not allow for rearranging the handle, which is common in older series.
Then the hinges are installed on the new side. There should be threaded holes in the refrigerator body and at the end of the door, closed with plastic plugs. Remove the plugs from the new side and install them in the old place. Secure the bottom hinge in its new location, insert the pin, and slide the door back on. Do not tighten the upper hinge completely yet in order to be able to adjust the position of the door.
| Work stage | Action | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Removing the plugs from the new sides | Do not lose the removed plugs |
| Bottom hinge | Installation on a new side | Check the horizontality of the pin |
| Installing the door | Attachment to the lower pin | Requires the help of a second person |
| Upper hinge | Fixation and adjustment | Do not tighten the bolts all the way right away |
Adjusting gaps and eliminating sagging
After installing the door in place (no matter whether it is overhanged or not), it is critically important to adjust correctly gaps. The door should fit evenly around the entire perimeter of the body. If you see that in the upper part the gap is larger than in the lower part, or vice versa, you need to loosen the bolts securing the upper hinge and move the door in the desired direction.
For fine adjustments, use adjusting bolts (if they are provided in the model) or simply change the position of the door relative to the hinges, placing thin shim spacers. After each change of position, check the tightness seal along the entire contour. The door should close easily, but with a characteristic bang in the last centimeters of travel.
⚠️ Attention: When adjusting, do not overdo it with force. Excessive tightening of the bolts can lead to deformation of the door metal or breakage of the threads in the aluminum body of the refrigerator, which will make further repairs impossible without replacing the entire door.
Check the operation light switch and the tightness of the chamber. A sheet of paper sandwiched between the door and the body must be pulled out with force along the entire perimeter. If in some place the paper comes out freely, it means that the seal is broken there and additional adjustment of the hinge or replacement of the seal is required.
Replacing the sealing rubber when installing a new door
Often, replacing the door or hinges is accompanied by replacement sealing gum, since the old one could be deformed or lose elasticity. You can remove the old seal by carefully bending its edge and pulling it out of the groove. Before installation, it is recommended to warm up the new seal with a hairdryer or keep it in a warm room so that it becomes softer and more elastic.
Installation of the new seal is carried out around the perimeter of the door, starting from the top corner. Insert the seal into the groove evenly, without strong tension. In the corners of the door, additional manipulations may be required: sometimes it is necessary to trim off the excess or, conversely, add a small piece to ensure a tight connection.
After installing a new seal, the door may close slightly. This is normal: after a few days of use, the rubber will “settle” and fall into place. To speed up the process, you can open and close the door several times, after lubricating the seal with silicone grease for better sliding.
How to straighten creases on an elastic band?
If creases appear on the new seal during transportation, warm the problem area with a hair dryer (not too hot air) and straighten it with your fingers. After cooling, the rubber will retain the desired shape.
Common mistakes when replacing it yourself
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself. If the unit is standing on an uneven floor, no adjustment of the hinges will have a long-term effect - the door will warp again. Always start by adjusting the refrigerator support legs using a building level.
The second mistake is loss or mix-up fasteners. The bolts for the top and bottom hinges may differ in length and diameter. Installing a long bolt in a short hole will result in contact with the metal and the inability to tighten the connection, and a short bolt in a deep hole will not provide reliable fixation.
The third mistake is too much tension on the door during installation. The door should sit on its hinges freely, without distortion. If you feel resistance when sliding the door onto the pin, it means that the hinges are installed incorrectly or the distance between them does not correspond to the geometry of the door. Do not try to “push” the door by force.
Is it possible to change the door yourself without calling a technician?
Yes, replacing the door or rehanging it is one of the few procedures that you can do yourself if you have basic tools and care. The main thing is to follow the sequence of actions and not to use excessive force.
Why, after replacing the door, does it not close completely?
There may be several reasons: incorrect adjustment of the hinges (too large a gap), deformation of the seal, contamination of the magnetic tape, or misalignment of the refrigerator body. It is also worth checking whether anything inside the chamber (shelves, food) is in the way.
Where can I get new hinges or seals for the Atlant refrigerator?
Original spare parts are best purchased from authorized service centers Atlant or specialized spare parts stores for household appliances, indicating the exact model your refrigerator (the model is indicated on the sticker inside the chamber).
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before replacing the door?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a risk of damage to the cooling system or moisture getting inside due to careless actions, it is better to turn off the refrigerator in advance. The main thing is to turn off the power supply.