How to change the door opening in the Indesit refrigerator: step-by-step instructions

The situation when the standard location of the refrigerator Indesit no longer suits the owners, arises quite often when remodeling the kitchen. It often happens that after purchasing a new model or rearranging furniture, the door opens in an inconvenient direction, blocking the passage or preventing the drawers of the set from being fully pulled out. The solution to this problem is to change the opening side, which is technically provided for in the design of most modern units.

The rehanging process does not require calling a specialist and expensive tools if you follow the instructions strictly. The owner must understand that hinge design and the cooling systems of different models may differ significantly. It is important to prepare the workplace in advance and free up space around the refrigerator for comfortable work.

In this article we will analyze in detail the stages of dismantling old fasteners and installing new ones, paying attention to the nuances for different series of the brand. Correct execution of the procedure guarantees a tight closure and a long service life of the seal. Ignoring the sequence of actions can lead to distortion of the canvas and disruption of the temperature regime inside the chambers.

Preparation for work and necessary tools

Before starting any manipulations with the housing of household appliances, it is necessary to completely empty the refrigerator of food. Heavy bottles and shelves can shift the center of gravity, which is dangerous when the unit is tilted. The best option would be to completely defrost the chambers, as this will make it easier to move the device and prevent water leaks when changing the angle of inclination.

To perform the work, you will need a set of tools, which is usually in the arsenal of a home craftsman. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm) and a Phillips screwdriver. Also, a flat-head screwdriver will not be superfluous, which will help to carefully pry off the decorative plugs without damaging their sharp edges.

⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Removing the plug from the outlet is a critical safety step to prevent electric shock from accidentally damaging wiring or coming into contact with metal parts.

To avoid losing small parts, prepare a container for screws and magnets in advance. During the work, several elements will have to be removed, and their loss can be fatal to the seal. In addition, you will need an assistant, since it is almost impossible to remove a heavy door alone without damaging the floor and back.

Determine in advance which side the door will open from after reinstallation. Check whether the new handles or protruding parts of the hinges will not interfere with the kitchen set. If you plan to install the unit in a niche, make sure that the new opening side corresponds to the technical clearances specified in the product data sheet.

Removing the top panel and top hinge

Work always starts from the top of the refrigerator, since that is where the main weight of the door leaf is located. The first step is to remove the top cover of the case, if it is removable. In most models Indesit it is attached to two screws on the back or sides. Carefully unscrew them and slide the cover back, then lift it up.

Under the cover or directly at the end of the case you will find an upper hinge. It can be hidden under a decorative plastic cover. To access the mounting bolts, carefully pry off the plug with a flat-head screwdriver. Do not use excessive force to prevent the plastic from cracking, as it can be difficult to find a replacement for this particular part.

Now you need to fix the door in the open position so that it does not slam shut at the most inopportune moment. Have a helper hold the door firmly. Using a wrench or hex, remove the bolts securing the top hinge to the refrigerator body. Usually there are two or three, depending on the model.

After unscrewing the bolts, the hinge can be removed. Pay attention to its condition: if there is rust or burrs on the axle, it is better to clean and lubricate them before reinstalling it. Sometimes the hinge can “stick” to the body, in which case it needs to be carefully loosened, but not hit with a hammer on the metal.

Removing the door and rearranging the handles

When the top hinge is removed, the door is supported only by the lower mount, but in fact its weight hangs on the hands of an assistant. Gently lift the blade up to remove it from the bottom pin. This must be done smoothly so as not to damage the magnetic seal or the interior light if it is routed through the hinge.

Put the removed door on a soft surface covered with a blanket or cardboard, face down. Now you need to rearrange the handles. In some models Indesit the handles are hidden (mortise into the end), and their rearrangement is not required. If you have external handles, they are attached to screws on the inside of the door.

Unscrew the screws securing the handles and move them to the opposite side. At the end of the door you will see symmetrical holes closed with plastic plugs. Remove the plugs from the new side and install them in the old places to hide the empty holes. This will preserve the aesthetic appearance of the refrigerator.

What to do if the holes do not match?

In rare cases, on budget models there may be holes for handles only on one side. In such a situation, rearrangement is only possible by drilling new holes, which requires high precision and accuracy so as not to damage the internal contour of the insulation.

Check that the handles are tightened evenly and are not loose. If the screws are different lengths (for the top and bottom handles), make sure you do not mix them up during installation. A screw that is too long can rest against a shelf or mechanism, while a screw that is too short may not hold the handle well.

Installing the bottom hinge and mounting the door

The most critical stage is working with the lower part of the unit. The lower loop is located here, which is often aligned with the axis of rotation. You need to dismantle it from the current side. To do this, you may need to remove the plinth grille at the bottom of the refrigerator to gain access to the bolts from below.

Unscrew the bottom hinge mounting bolts and move it to the opposite side of the cabinet. Pay attention to the pin (axis) on which the door fits. It must be installed strictly vertically. If the refrigerator came with a special bushing or washer for the bottom hinge, do not forget to install it too.

Now call an assistant again. Together, carefully place the door onto the new lower axis. Make sure that the hole in the bottom of the door lines up exactly with the stud. After this, you need to align the upper hole of the door with the place where the upper hinge is attached to the body.

Insert the top hinge bolts, but do not tighten them completely yet. The door should have a slight play so that you can align its position. If you tighten the fasteners immediately, it will be extremely difficult to correct the misalignment.

Adjusting the position and tightness

After installing the door in place, it is necessary to carry out a thorough adjustment. The door should close tightly around the entire perimeter, without gaps. Check this with a sheet of paper: press it between the door and the body in different places. If the paper comes out too easily or, on the contrary, tears, adjustment is required.

To adjust the height of the door, use the adjusting screws on the bottom hinge (if the model provides such a function) or pads. In most cases, it is enough to loosen the top bolts, align the door, and then tighten them firmly. Also check the operation of the magnetic lock: the door itself should be attracted to the body at an opening angle of about 30 degrees.

Pay attention to the gap between the doors if you have a two-chamber refrigerator with a common partition. The gap should be uniform from top to bottom. If the top of the door fits tightly but the bottom comes off (or vice versa), this indicates an incorrect installation of the bottom pin or deformation of the frame.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use force to slam the door while checking! If the door does not close easily, the hinges are warped. Forced closing may break the plastic stop or damage the sealing rubber.

Features of the No Frost and Side-by-Side models

In models with the system No Frost there is often an additional complexity - air ducts. When reversing the door in such refrigerators Indesit it may be necessary to relocate the cold air supply damper. It is usually located in the upper part of the refrigerator compartment and is secured with latches.

For Side-by-Side models (American format), the procedure is complicated by the presence of a water and ice dispenser. If the water supply lines go through the door, they will have to be disconnected. It is extremely important to be careful here so as not to damage the fragile plastic connectors and prevent leakage of freon or water.

In some modern models, the electronics may require reprogramming after changing the opening side, although for Indesit this is rather an exception. Most often, it is enough to simply switch the magnetic door opening sensor, which is located in the opposite corner of the case.

If you are the owner of a complex model with a display on the door, make sure that the connection cables are not overtightened or pinched in loops. If necessary, lengthen the cables or change their routing inside the case using the existing channels.

Frequent errors and troubleshooting

One ​​of the most common mistakes is losing or mixing up the mounting screws. Hinge bolts often have different lengths and thread pitches. Screwing a long screw into a short hole can lead to breaking through the inner wall of the refrigerator and escaping refrigerant, which is fatal for the compressor.

Another problem is damage to the seal. If you remove the door carelessly, its edge may get caught on the housing protrusions. If the elastic is deformed, try heating it with a hairdryer (not too hot) and straighten it. In serious cases, the seal will need to be replaced.

If after installation the door opens by itself, check the angle of the entire refrigerator. It should be slightly tilted back. Adjustment is carried out by twisting the front support legs. If the refrigerator is standing strictly vertically or tilted forward, gravity will open the door itself.

Also, users often forget to put the plastic plugs back in place. This not only spoils the appearance, but also allows dust and moisture to get inside the body, which can lead to corrosion of the metal in the future.

Do you need to call a specialist to rehang the door?

In 90% of cases, calling a specialist is not required. The process takes 20-40 minutes and requires a minimal set of tools. However, if you have a Side-by-Side model with a water supply connection or the refrigerator is under warranty and has seals on the hinges, it is better to contact an authorized center so as not to lose warranty obligations.

What to do if the hinge bolt is rusty and does not unscrew?

Do not use excessive force so as not to strip the thread. Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then try to carefully remove the bolt. If this does not help, you can slightly warm up the area around the bolt with a hair dryer, but be careful with plastic parts.

Is it possible to hang the door on a single-chamber refrigerator?

Yes, on most single-chamber models Indesit this is possible. The principle of operation is the same: removing the upper hinge, rearranging the handle and installing the lower support. However, make sure that the kit includes a second lower support or that the existing one is universal for both sides.

Why did a whistle appear when closing after re-hanging?

A whistle or squeak when closing is usually caused by friction of the seal against the body or the vacuum effect if the door closes too tightly. Check if the seal is jammed. You can also lubricate the end part of the seal with a special silicone grease for rubber.