Changing the location of a kitchen unit or remodeling a room often dictates new requirements for the ergonomics of household appliances. The situation when the refrigerator door rests against a wall or blocks a passage requires an immediate solution so as not to violate safety rules and comfort of movement. Fortunately, most modern models, be it Indesit, Atlant or Beko, are designed taking into account the possibility of reversing the sash on the opposite side.
This process does not require calling a specialist if you have a basic set of tools and attention to detail. Hanging the door is a technical procedure, which takes from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the design of the unit and the presence of additional accessories on the facade. The main thing is to act consistently and not to make excessive efforts where it is not necessary.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for various types of hinges and structures. You will learn how to properly prepare a workplace, what nuances exist in different brands and how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to damage to the seal or deformation of the case.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Removing the contents is also necessary to reduce the load on the structure and avoid falling products when the unit is tilted.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
The quality of the work performed directly depends on the preparation. You don't need a sophisticated professional tool, but using the wrong items can result in stripped threads or scratches. A standard DIY kit usually already contains everything needed for this operation. Make sure you have screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead), wrenches or sockets of the appropriate size, and pliers on hand.
Particular attention should be paid to organizing the space around the refrigerator. You will need free access to the device from all sides, since the unit will have to be tilted during operation. Protection of the floor covering and the device itself from scratches - a critical step that is often ignored. Place thick cardboard, a piece of linoleum or an old blanket under the legs of the refrigerator.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
For some models, especially those built-in or equipped with complex handle fastening systems, a hexagon may be required key It is also a good idea to have a soft plastic spatula or knife on hand to carefully pry off the decorative plugs without damaging them. If the refrigerator comes with spare plugs for the other side, find them in advance.
Analysis of the design of the hinges and type of refrigerator
Before taking a screwdriver, you need to understand what kind of design you are dealing with. Door fastening mechanisms are divided into several main types, and the algorithm of your actions depends on this. Most single-compartment refrigerators and models with a top freezer have standard hinges that can be rearranged.
However, there are models where rehanging is impossible or extremely difficult. For example, refrigerators with a system No Frost in the doorway area sometimes have built-in heating elements or air ducts that cannot be moved. Difficulties also arise with units that have recessed handles, or if there are already ready-made holes on one side of the case, but not on the other.
Is it possible to rehang the door in two-door refrigerators?
In two-door models (Side-by-Side) or refrigerators with a bottom freezer, the procedure is more complicated. Often the bottom freezer door does not have hinges, but is held in place by latches, while the top compartment may have a hidden mechanism. In such cases, you definitely need original instructions from the manufacturer.
It is important to check availability asymmetrical elements. If the handle is made in the form of a solid bar or has a specific shape that fits only one side, you will either have to order a new part or put up with the current state of affairs. In some cases, manufacturers provide symmetrical holes closed with plastic plugs.
⚠️ Attention: If there are no factory-made holes for hinges on the side where you plan to hang the door, you absolutely cannot drill the body. This will break the tightness of the thermal insulation and may damage the cooling circuit.
Step-by-step instructions for removing the door
The process of removing the door requires care, since refrigerator doors are heavy and often equipped with fragile shelves. You should start working from the top mount. Remove the top decorative panel or plug covering the top hinge mounting bolts. To do this, you may need to pry the panel with a flathead screwdriver or unscrew the retaining screw.
Once you have access to the fasteners, loosen the top hinge bolts, but do not remove them completely yet. Then you need to lock the door in the open position or ask an assistant to hold it so that it does not fall. Only after this can you completely unscrew the fasteners and remove the hinge.
Now carefully lift the door, removing it from the lower pin. Place the removed sash on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down. Next, work on the bottom: remove the bottom hinge, if it is attached to the body, or release the pin. In some models, the door rests on an adjustable support, which also needs to be removed or rearranged.
Models with magnetic latches or “slam-close” systems deserve special attention. When dismantling, try not to jerk the door sharply, so as not to damage the lock mechanism or tear off the magnetic tape. If the door is equipped with a closer, make sure that its rod does not jam when removed.
Re-hanging the handle and rearranging the fastening elements
The most time-consuming step is moving the handle and rearranging the fastening bushings. If the handle is screw-type, simply unscrew the screws on the back of the door and install the handle in new places using the holes closed with plugs. In the case of overhead handles, it may be necessary to replace the elements themselves with symmetrical ones.
A critically important point is rearrangement bushings and pins. At the end of the door there are usually holes where the hinge pins are inserted. On the side that will now become the top, these holes may be occupied by plugs, and on the new bottom side they may be empty. You need to remove the plugs, rearrange them to the vacant places and move the metal bushings (supports) to new positions.
| Element | Action during transfer | Nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Move to the opposite upper corner | Check the length of the bolts |
| Bottom support | Screw into the lower hole on the other side | Adjustable in height |
| Door pin | Move to the upper/lower hole of the end | Lubricate with graphite |
| Plugs | Close with them old holes | Select by color |
Don't forget about the rubber seal. In some models it has an asymmetrical profile or the magnet is reinforced on only one side. If, after rehanging, the door does not close tightly, the seal may need to be softened (with boiling water or a hairdryer) to take a new shape.
Assembling and adjusting the door tightness
After rearranging all the elements, the assembly stage begins. Place the door on the bottom pin, making sure it sits evenly in the groove. Then secure the top hinge, but do not tighten the bolts all the way yet. This will allow you to make final adjustments to the position of the shutter.
Adjustment is carried out by turning the refrigerator body or rotating the adjusting screws on the hinges (if they are provided for in the design). The door should open freely, without distortion, and fit tightly to the body around the entire perimeter. Check the operation of the magnetic lock: when the door is opened 45 degrees, it should close itself.
⚠️ Attention: Do not overtighten the hinge bolts. Excessive force may cause the housing metal to deform or the threads to break, making further adjustment impossible.
To check the tightness, use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door in different places around the perimeter. If the sheet is pulled out with force, the seal is good. If it falls out freely, the hinges need to be tightened or the seal needs to be replaced. In some cases, heating the deformed areas of the seal helps.
Features of overhanging for different brands
Different manufacturers use their own engineering solutions, so there is no universal instruction for all occasions. For example, in refrigerators Atlant often it is necessary to remove the decorative cover on top, which is held on by latches, and the hinges are attached to hex bolts. The design is simple and reliable.
Models Indesit and Ariston can have hidden handle fastenings, access to which is only possible after removing the door itself. In such cases, first remove the handle, then the door, and only then rearrange the hinges. Appliances LG and Samsung often have complex systems of closers and hidden hinges that require careful study of the diagram in the instructions.
Built-in refrigerators are a separate category. Here the door is not attached directly to the body, but through the furniture facade. Re-hanging in this case requires rearranging the guides on the facade itself and using special adapters included in the kit. Without the original diagram, it is almost impossible to assemble such a mechanism correctly.
What to do if the instructions are lost?
Find a nameplate with the refrigerator model (usually inside the chamber or on the back). Enter the model number into the search engine with the postscript "manual" or "instructions". Manufacturers' websites often have a "Support" section, where PDF files with hanging diagrams are located.
Common errors and ways to eliminate them
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the tilt level of the refrigerator. If the unit is standing strictly vertical or tilted backwards, the door may not close on its own. The correct angle of inclination is ensured by unscrewing the front adjusting supports so that the center of gravity moves rearward.
Another problem is the skew of the door after assembly. This happens if the top hinge bolts were tightened when the door was warped. There is only one solution: loosen the fasteners, align the sash visually and level, and only then fix it. They also often forget to rearrange the plastic stops, which is why the door hits the body when opening.
If after all the manipulations a gap appears or the door begins to touch the shelves, check whether the pins are installed correctly. Sometimes changing the position of the washers or using thinner spacers under the hinge helps. In rare cases, it is necessary to replace the seal itself if the old one has lost its elasticity and cannot compensate for micro-distortions.
Is it possible to turn the door over if the refrigerator is built into a niche?
This is possible, but requires completely removing the refrigerator from the niche. You will need enough space in the front to tilt the equipment. Make sure that the furniture walls of the niche do not prevent the door from opening in the new direction.
What to do if the hinge bolts are rusty?
Do not use brute force so as not to tear off the caps. Treat the joints with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 15-20 minutes. After this, try to carefully remove the bolts. If the caps are torn off, use an extractor or carefully drill out the remains.
Do you need to wait after turning on the refrigerator?
If you just changed the direction of the door and did not transport the refrigerator with an inclination of more than 40 degrees, you can turn it on immediately. If the unit has been lying on its side for a long time, let the oil drain into the compressor (about 2-4 hours) before the first start.
Why does the door slam too hard?
Too much slamming may indicate an excess of lubricant on the seal or too tight adjustment of the hinges. Also check the cleanliness of the seat - crumbs or dirt may interfere with a tight but soft fit.
Does re-hanging affect the warranty?
Re-hanging the door yourself, as a rule, does not void the warranty unless you damage the components during the process. However, if the service center receives a refrigerator with a broken thread or a broken body due to inaccurate hanging, warranty repairs for these specific damages may be refused.