Situations when you need to change the opening direction of the refrigerator door arise quite often. This may be caused by remodeling the kitchen, moving to a new home, or simply due to ergonomic features when the handle interferes with the passage. Equipment owners Atlant often wonder whether it is realistic to do this on their own or whether they will need to call a specialist. Fortunately, the design of most models allows you to perform this procedure at home.
The rehanging process does not require complex engineering skills, but requires a basic set of tools and attentiveness. It is important to understand that rehanging doors is a mechanical rearrangement of fittings that does not affect the operation of the compressor or cooling system. However, careless handling of the hinges can lead to a loose fit of the seal and a violation of the seal of the chamber.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for various series of refrigerators Atlant. We will look at the nuances of removing handles, dismantling hinges and rearranging pins. Following the instructions will help you avoid common mistakes and maintain the product warranty, if it is still valid.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before you start work, you need to prepare the workspace. You will need a free area next to the refrigerator where you can put the removed parts. It is better to cover the floor with soft cloth or cardboard so as not to scratch the decorative coating of the door when it is temporarily placed. Also make sure that you have good lighting, as some fasteners may be hidden in the shadows.
A minimum set of tools will be required to complete the work. The standard kit usually includes:
- 🔧 10 mm wrench or socket (this size is most often used for hinges).
- 🪛 Flat-head screwdriver (may be needed to remove decorative plugs).
- 🔩 Hex key (often included included with the refrigerator or required for some models of handles).
- 🧤 Work gloves (to protect hands from sharp metal edges).
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work with electrical appliances, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Remove the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of electric shock or accidental start of the compressor.
Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the fasteners. If your refrigerator has been in use for a long time, the threaded connections may have become stuck. In this case, a penetrating lubricant such as WD-40 may be needed to help remove the bolts. Do not apply excessive force right away so as not to break the thread.
Design features of various Atlant series
Refrigerators Atlant have been produced for several decades, and during this time the design of hinges and fasteners has changed. The most common are models with open hinges, where the fasteners are immediately visible, and models with hidden hinges, closed with decorative plastic covers. Understanding the type of your model is the key to successfully completing the task.
In modern series, such as XM-4008 or XM-4528, a system is often used that allows you to change the opening side without completely replacing the set of hinges, you just need to move them to the other side. However, in older models, it may be necessary to replace the hinges themselves with mirror ones, which are sometimes included in the kit, and sometimes purchased separately.
How to determine the type of hinges?
Open the door and look at the end of the case at the top and bottom. If you see metal plates bolted to the outside, these are open hinges. If the holes are closed with plastic plugs that need to be pryed off with a screwdriver, they are hidden.
It is also important to consider the presence of the system No Frost. In these models, an electrical wire may pass through the loop to power a fan or sensor. In this case, the procedure is complicated by the need to disconnect the terminals, and you must act extremely carefully so as not to damage the insulation.
| Refrigerator series | Hinge type | Parts need to be replaced | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (2-3 cameras) | Open, external | No (usually) | Low |
| XM-40xx series | Hidden under plastic | No | Average |
| Series with No Frost | Combined | Possible | High |
| Chest freezers | Specific | Often yes | High |
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
We begin direct analysis. The first step is always to work with the upper part of the structure. Locate the top decorative panel (if there is one) on the refrigerator lid. It is usually held on by latches or a single screw. Carefully remove it to gain access to the top hinge.
Now unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge. Do not remove them completely at once, it is better to simply loosen them and then unscrew them. If your model has a wire going through the loop (door open alarm), you need to carefully disconnect it, after photographing the position of the contacts. After this, the hinge can be removed.
☑️ Removal procedure
Remove the door It is better with an assistant, as it is heavy and can fall, damaging the floor or its own corners. If there is no assistant, try to hold the body with one hand and quickly unscrew the fasteners with the other, but this is risky. After removing the top hinge, simply lift the door up, removing it from the bottom pin.
Re-hanging handles and plugs
After removing the door, place it on a prepared soft surface with the outer side facing down. Now you need to rearrange the handle. On most models Atlant the handles are attached to screws, which are closed with decorative plugs. Pry up the plugs with a flat-head screwdriver on the side where the handle is now located.
Unscrew the mounting screws and remove the handle. On the back of the door you will see symmetrical holes closed with the same plugs. Unscrew these plugs (they can be threaded or simply inserted) and move them to the places vacated after removing the handle. Then install the handle in a new place and secure with screws.
⚠️ Attention: Do not mix up the left and right plugs if they have different shapes. In some models, the plugs are universal, in others they have a specific relief for a specific side.
If on your model the handle is solid and covers the entire end, the process may differ. In such cases, sometimes it is necessary to completely replace the handle with a mirror one if the design does not provide for symmetrical installation. Check the technical data sheet of your model Atlant.
Installation of the lower support and installation of the door
Now we move on to the bottom of the refrigerator. Similarly to the top, remove the decorative cover (if any) and unscrew the bottom hinge. Pay attention to the pin (axis) on which the door fits. It needs to be unscrewed from the old hinge and screwed into a new hole on the opposite side of the case.
In some models, the lower hinge has an asymmetrical shape. In this case, it needs to be turned 180 degrees or replaced with a component from the re-hanging kit, if it was included. Make sure that the pin is screwed in tightly and is vertical.
Install the bottom hinge to the new location, but do not tighten the bolts all the way yet, leave a small gap for adjustment. This is an important point that is often missed, (leading to) misalignment.
Final assembly and adjustment of gaps
Take the door and carefully slide it onto the lower pin. Have a helper hold the door closed while you install the top hinge. Insert the top hinge into the grooves and tighten the bolts.
Now the most important step is the adjustment. The door should close tightly, without distortion. If you notice that the door is skewed or does not fit tightly to the body, use the adjusting bolts (if provided by the design) or slightly loosen the bottom hinge and move the door to the ideal position.
Check the operation of the magnetic lock and the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. A sheet of paper sandwiched between the door and the body must be removed with force. If the paper falls out or comes out too easily, the seal is broken in that area.
After successful adjustment, finally tighten all bolts. Reinstall all decorative plugs and plastic covers. Connect the refrigerator to the network and let it work for several hours without loading food to make sure the temperature is stable.
Possible problems and their solutions
Unforeseen difficulties may arise during operation. For example, old bolts may not be unscrewed. In this case, do not use force that could break the metal. It is better to drop a little oil and wait 10-15 minutes. If the thread breaks, you will have to change the pin or use a repair kit.
Another common problem is that the door began to open on its own after rehanging. This indicates that the refrigerator is not at the correct level. The tilt of the body should be slightly backward so that gravity helps close the door. Adjust the front legs of the refrigerator by twisting or unscrewing them.
⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations the door does not fit tightly, the seal may be deformed or dirty. Try washing it with warm water and soap or heating it with a hairdryer (carefully!) to restore elasticity.
If you are faced with a model where the hinges are welded to the body (which is rare, but happens in very old or specific industrial models Atlant), then changing the opening side without welding and repainting will not work. This is extremely rare in household refrigerators.
Do you need to buy new hinges for the Atlant refrigerator?
In 90% of cases for household refrigerators Atlant there is no need to buy new hinges. The design allows you to use old hinges by simply moving them to the other side or turning them over. The exception is cases when old hinges are damaged, bent or rusted, as well as specific models where replacement with mirror analogs is required.
Is it possible to change the opening side if the refrigerator is built-in?
Yes, it is possible, but it is more difficult. Built-in models often have additional fastenings for furniture facades. You will need to remove the front, rehang the refrigerator doors, and then reattach the furniture panels. It is important to take into account the gaps for ventilation, which are critical in built-in appliances.
What to do if a creaking appears after rehanging?
The creaking usually occurs due to metal-on-metal friction in the hinge areas. Remove the door again and generously lubricate the rubbing surfaces of the hinges and pins with graphite or silicone grease. It is better not to use ordinary machine oil, as it thickens over time and collects dust.
Will the warranty remain valid after re-hanging the doors?
According to the law and rules of most service centers, re-hanging the doors yourself is not grounds for denial of the warranty if you have not damaged other components (for example, you have not torn off the wiring or broken the glass). However, if you strip a thread or break a hinge, the assembly will not be covered under warranty. Save all removed parts.