Changing the opening side of the refrigerator door is a practical solution that is often required when moving to a new kitchen or after remodeling the room. The standard configuration of many models involves opening the door on the right, which is not always convenient in narrow corridors or a specific arrangement of furniture. Properly executed weighing allows you to ergonomically fit the unit into the interior, providing free access to shelves and drawers.
Modern manufacturers of household appliances, such as Bosch, LG, Samsung i Indesit, often provide the ability to change the configuration already at the design stage. However, this process requires attentiveness, the availability of a basic set of tools and strict adherence to the sequence of actions. An installation error can lead to misalignment of the sash, loss of tightness, or even damage to the housing.
In this article, we will look in detail at how to independently change the opening side, what nuances to take into account when working with electronics, and how to properly adjust the seal. Before starting work, it is important to make sure that your model really supports this option, since in some budget series the hinges are welded to the body and cannot be dismantled.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
Before starting disassembly, you need to prepare the space around the refrigerator. The unit must stand stable, it is advisable to move it away from the wall to a distance that allows you to approach it from behind and from the side. It is recommended to cover the floor with soft material or cardboard so that the laid parts and tools do not scratch the floor covering or the equipment itself. casing technology.
To perform the work, you will need a standard home handyman kit. Depending on the model and type of fastener, the list of tools may vary slightly, but the basic kit remains the same. It is important that all tools are in good working order, and the bits for the screwdriver match the type of screw heads, so as not to tear them off when unscrewing.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is critical for safety, especially if the model is equipped with an electronic display or system No Frostwhere cables can pass through loops.
The basic set of tools includes:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead) for removing plugs and screws.
- 🔩 Wrenches or sockets (often a size of 8 mm or 10 mm is required) for working with the main hinge bolts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📦 Container for folding small parts so that nothing gets lost in process.
☑️ Preparation for work
Some models may require the use of specific tools, for example, hexagons or star keys Torx. If a special mounting key was included with the refrigerator, use it, as it ideally matches the geometry of the fasteners of this series.
Analysis of the design and removal of the top panel
The first stage of work is to study the design of the upper part of the refrigerator compartment. This is where the main load-bearing hinge is located, which holds the weight of the entire door. In most cases, access to the mounting bolts is hidden under a decorative plastic trim or top cover of the case.
Carefully remove the top panel. It can be secured with latches or small screws located on the back or sides. Proceed with caution; the plastic on older models may be brittle. After removing the cover, you will see the top hinge and possibly wires going to the door indicator or display.
What to do if the panel does not come off?
If the decorative cover does not budge, do not use force. Check for hidden screws under stickers or rubber plugs. Sometimes it is necessary to slightly heat the plastic with a hairdryer if it has frozen or become deformed over time, but do this with extreme caution.
If your model is equipped with electronics in the door, you will see wire connectors. They need to be disconnected, but only by first photographing or sketching the connection diagram. Contact may be fragile, so pull only the connector body, and not the wires themselves.
| Type of fastening of the top cover | Tool | Features dismantling |
|---|---|---|
| Latches (clips) | Flat screwdriver | Pry carefully so as not to break the latches |
| Screws at the back | Phillips screwdriver | You need to move the refrigerator away from the wall |
| Screws on top (under the decor) | Hexagon | Remove the decorative plug |
After freeing access to the hinge, do not rush to unscrew it. The refrigerator door is heavy and may fall if left unsecured. Ask an assistant to hold the sash or use a stop. Unscrew the bolts of the upper hinge and remove it together with the door, placing it on a prepared place.
Removing the handle and preparing the door leaf
The removed door must be prepared for installation on the new side. First of all, this concerns the handle. On many models, the handle is attached to visible screws, which, after rearranging the door, will be on the wrong side or pointing inward. In other cases, the handle is held on by hidden latches or screws on the inside.
To remove the handle, you may need to remove decorative plugs. They are usually located at the ends or on the inside of the door. Use a thin screwdriver or knife to pry them off. Under the plugs you will find mounting screws. Unscrew them and carefully remove handle, putting them in a safe place.
An important point is rearranging the plugs. There will be holes on the front of the door, on the side where the handle used to be. They must be closed with decorative plugs, which were originally located on the opposite side (or were included separately). This will provide an aesthetic appearance and protect the insides of the door from dust.
⚠️ Attention: When unscrewing the handle, do not apply excessive force to the door leaf itself. The inner plastic lining can crack if you lean your full weight on it. Hold the door firmly, but carefully.
Also check the condition of the magnetic seal in the area where the new handle will be attached. Make sure that when moving the handle you do not damage the rubber or break tightness fit.
Re-hanging the hinges and installing them on the new side
Now we move on to the main part of the process - installing the door on the opposite side of the body. At the end of the door, on the new side, there should be holes for the lower and middle (if any) hinges. In the factory version, they are often closed with plastic plugs. Remove the plugs from the new side and install them into the vacated holes on the old side.
Install the bottom hinge in a new place. Secure it with the standard bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door when hanging. Make sure the hinge pin is pointing straight up and vertical.
Take the door and hang it on the bottom hinge. If you have a two-compartment refrigerator, install the freezer door first (if it is at the bottom), then the refrigerator compartment. When installing the top door, it is important to correctly align the holes for the middle hinge pin.
After the door is in place, install the top hinge. Insert the bolts and start tightening them. At this stage, it is important not to overtighten the fasteners in order to be able to align the door. Make sure that all wires (if any) are laid in special channels and will not be pinched when closing.
Final tightening of all bolts is carried out only after you are sure that the door is level and closes tightly. Use a level or simply visually assess the gaps around the perimeter. They should be the same width on all sides.
Setting up electronics and moving controls
If your refrigerator is equipped with an electronic control module located on the door or open indicators, you will need to reconnect the cables. In modern models, the cables are often long enough to move, but in some cases it may be necessary to lengthen or change the routing route.
Carefully inspect the wiring harness. The refrigerator body must have cable channels or holes on both sides. Pull the wires through the new hole, being careful. Connect the connectors until you hear a characteristic click, making sure that the contacts match.
In some models Samsung or LG it may be necessary to rearrange the control unit or display itself. To do this, carefully unclip the control panel, disconnect the cable and install the unit in the prepared hole on the other side. Don't forget to rearrange the decorative frame.
⚠️ Attention: Never plug in the refrigerator until you are sure that all electrical connections are securely fixed and insulated. A short circuit in the door control circuit can damage the main control unit of the unit.
After connecting, check the operation of the indicators. Open and close the door - the corresponding light signal should light up and go out. If the door is equipped with a magnetic switch, make sure that it falls within the range of the magnet on the body.
Adjusting the position and checking the tightness
The final stage is adjustment. Even with careful installation, the door may warp. To make adjustments, use the adjusting screws on the hinges (usually they are located at the end or require removal of the decorative trim). By rotating the screws, ensure that the door is parallel to the body.
Check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. To do this, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper: hold the sheet with the door and try to pull it out. It should be pulled out with noticeable effort. If the sheet falls out freely or is pulled out too easily, the seal is broken in this place tightness.
If the door does not close tightly, try tilting the refrigerator back a little. To do this, tighten the front adjustment supports (legs). Tilt back contributes to the self-closing of the door under the influence of gravity.
| Problem | Possible cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not hold | Disk hinges | Loosen the fasteners, align, tighten |
| Creak when opening | Lack of lubrication | Lubricate the hinges with silicone |
| Does not light up light | The sensor is not connected | Check the wire connection |
| The door slams | The tilt is too large | Align the position of the supports |
After After all manipulations, leave the refrigerator to stand in the off state for about 30-60 minutes, especially if you tilted it strongly during operation. This is necessary to stabilize the oil in the compressor, although when reversing the doors, a critical tilt usually does not occur.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to rehang the door on a refrigerator where the hinges are welded?
No, if the hinges are welded to the body and do not have removable elements or alternative mounting holes, it is not possible to change the opening direction. This design is the same. Trying to cut off the hinges and weld new ones yourself is extremely risky and can break the tightness of the internal circuit.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close tightly?
Most likely, the problem is incorrect adjustment of the tilt of the body or skewed hinges. Try unscrewing the front legs of the refrigerator, creating a backward tilt. Also check if anything inside (products, shelves) is preventing it from closing tightly. If the seal is deformed, you can try straightening it with a hairdryer.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before hanging the doors?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice or food inside, the door will be heavier, making the job more difficult. It is recommended to empty the refrigerator of food to reduce the weight and the risk of the contents falling when tilted.
Will the warranty be lost after re-hanging the doors yourself?
In most cases, if you have not damaged the case, broken the plastic or broken the electrical connections, the warranty is still valid. However, if you strip the threads or break the display glass in the process, the service center may refuse to provide free repairs. Proceed carefully.
Where should I put the holes from the old handle?
Plastic plugs are always included with the refrigerator (or they can be found on the inside of the door/in the documentation). If they are lost, you can order a set of plugs from the manufacturer or select similar ones in color and size in hardware stores to preserve aesthetics.