Situations when the standard location of the refrigerator door becomes inconvenient arise quite often when moving or remodeling a kitchen. Equipment owners Bosch often wonder whether it is possible to change the opening side to optimize space and ergonomics. Fortunately, most modern models of the German brand are designed with this possibility in mind, allowing you to rehang the sashes without calling a specialist.
The rehanging process requires accuracy, a basic set of tools and an understanding of the design of the hinges. Incorrect actions can lead to damage facade or failure of the seal. In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of work, paying special attention to the nuances of working with hinges and handles.
Before starting work, it is important to empty the refrigerator compartment of food and disconnect the appliance from electrical networks. This is not only a safety measure, but also a way to reduce the weight of the structure, making working with solid doors safer on your back. Make sure that you have free space around the unit for maneuvers.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
High-quality hanging of doors is impossible without suitable tools. You will need a set of screwdrivers, including Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, and a socket wrench (usually 8 or 10 mm) to work with the hinge mounting bolts. It would be a good idea to use masking tape to secure moving parts and a piece of thick cardboard or soft mat to avoid scratching the floor or the door itself during temporary installation.
Pay special attention to the condition of the fasteners. If your refrigerator Bosch has been in use for a long time, the threads may be soured, so it is recommended to prepare a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40) in advance. This will help avoid tearing off the edges of the bolts and facilitate the dismantling process.
Prepare a place for temporary storage of the removed parts. Small screws, plugs and decorative trims are easy to lose during work. It is best to put them in a separate container or lay them out on the table in the order in which you removed them.
- 🛠️ Set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead of different sizes)
- 🔧 Socket wrench or socket with a collar (8-10 mm)
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges
- 📦 Container for collecting small fasteners
Removing the top hinge and removing the top door
We start the process from the top of the refrigerator. The first step is to remove the decorative plug that hides the top hinge mounting bolts. Usually it is pryed off with a flat-head screwdriver or simply removed with your fingers, depending on your model. Bosch.
After removing the plug, you will have access to the mounting bolts. Important: do not unscrew them completely right away. Loosen the bolts, but leave them threaded to prevent the door from falling on your feet. If your refrigerator has a display or control panel on the door, first carefully disconnect the cable cable, first remembering or photographing their position.
⚠️ Attention: Before completely unscrewing the top hinge bolts, be sure to ask someone to hold the door or secure it with tape. The door is heavy, and a fall could damage the floor or lower frame.
Once the bolts are loose, you can carefully lift the door and remove it from the bottom hinge. Place the removed sash, outer side up, on a prepared soft mat. Now you can completely unscrew the bolts of the upper hinge and remove the hinge itself from the refrigerator body.
☑️ Preparation for dismantling
Re-hanging the bottom hinge and the main door
The most important part of the work is working with the bottom door and the support hinge. Unlike the top one, the bottom hinge often bears the weight of the entire structure, so it is more firmly secured. First, remove the decorative panel of the plinth (if there is one) to gain access to the lower mount.
Unscrew the bolts securing the lower hinge. In some models Bosch along with the hinge, the rod for opening the freezer can also be removed. Be careful not to lose spring mechanisms or balls, if provided by the design. Remove the freezer door if you have a two-chamber refrigerator, by analogy with the top door.
Now you need to move the hinge elements to the opposite side. On the other side of the refrigerator body there should already be technological holes closed with plastic plugs. Remove the plugs and install them in place of the current fastenings. Move the main support hinge to the new side and secure with bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet to be able to adjust.
- 🔩 Remove the plinth panel to access the bottom
- 🚪 Carefully remove the freezer door
- ⚙️ Move the rod and spring mechanisms to the new side
- 🔨 Use new holes on the opposite side of the body
Install the main door on the lower hinge, getting the rod into the corresponding hole. Then install the top door. Now that both doors are in their new places, you can begin the final fixation and adjustment.
Rearranging handles and decorative elements
Many people forget that handles need to be moved along with the doors. Depending on the model Bosch, handles can be hidden (integrated into the profile) or overhead. If you have overhead handles, they must be removed from the front side and installed from the end, which has now become the front.
To dismantle the handles, you often need to remove the side plugs or unscrew the screws on the inside of the door. Be careful with plastic parts - they can be fragile. If there are holes left from the handles on the old side, close them with the supplied plugs, which usually come with the refrigerator or are located in the technical compartment.
What to do if the plugs are lost?
If the supplied plugs are lost, they can be ordered at a service center or selected at a furniture fittings store by color and diameter. As a last resort, the holes can be carefully painted over with a special marker for equipment.
Check that all screws are tightened tightly, but without overtightening, which can damage the plastic. The handle should fit tightly, without backlash or creaking.
Adjusting the position of the doors and tightness
After installing the doors in a new location, they often need to be adjusted. The doors may warp or not fit tightly to the body, which will lead to loss of cold and the formation of ice. Adjustment is carried out using hinged screws that allow you to change the tilt of the door vertically and horizontally.
Use a building level to check the vertical installation. If the door is skewed, loosen the fastening bolts of the middle hinge (or top, if there is no middle one) and slightly tilt the door in the desired direction. Tighten the bolts and check the result.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Door does not fit tightly | Distortion of hinges | Adjusting the height of the hinge screws |
| It is difficult to open the door | The fit is too tight | Checking the seal and adjusting the tilt |
| The door creaks | Metal friction or lack of lubrication | Lubricating hinges with silicone grease |
| Gap between doors | Incorrect installation of the rod | Re-installation of the fixing stock |
Pay special attention seal. It should fit snugly around the entire perimeter of the body. If you notice gaps, try warming the seal with a hairdryer (not too hot air) and straighten it with your hand so that it takes the desired shape.
Checking operation and testing for leaks
The final stage is checking the quality of the work performed. Plug in the refrigerator and let it run idle for about an hour. At this time, check whether the door touches the body when opening and closing, and whether the door closer (if any) works.
There is a simple test for tightness: clamp a sheet of paper between the door and the body in different places. If the paper is pulled out with force along the entire perimeter, then the seal is good. If in some place the paper falls out freely, additional adjustment of the hinges in this area is required.
⚠️ Attention: If after rehanging the refrigerator begins to work louder or vibrations appear, check whether the door is touching the back wall or other elements when opening. Also make sure that all hinge bolts are tightened evenly.
Make sure that all electronic components, if there were any on the door, are working correctly. The display should light up and the buttons should respond to pressing. If you notice interruptions, check the reliability of the connections of the cables.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to reverse the doors on a Bosch refrigerator with the NoFrost system?
Yes, the cooling system NoFrost does not in any way affect the ability to hang doors. The design of the hinges and body of such models Bosch provides for changing the opening side in the same way as in models with a drip system.
What to do if the holes for the hinges on the new side are closed?
At the factory, these holes are closed with plastic plugs in the color of the case. You need to carefully pry them off with a flathead screwdriver and remove them. If the plugs are missing, they may have been lost during the previous installation, and they will have to be sized.
Do you need to wait until the refrigerator cools down before re-hanging?
It is advisable that the refrigerator is defrosted and unplugged for at least 2-3 hours before starting work. This will reduce the weight of the shelves and products, and will also protect you from electric shock when working with electrical components on the door.
Is it possible to lose the warranty when re-hanging the doors yourself?
According to the rules of many service centers, re-hanging the doors yourself is not grounds for voiding the warranty if the body parts, hinges or electrician However, keep all the removed parts in case you call for service.