Changing the kitchen layout or buying a new set often owners of household appliances are faced with a fact: the refrigerator is inconveniently positioned, and the door opens in the wrong direction. For many models, including popular series Atlant, it is possible to change the opening side. This is a standard procedure that does not require calling a specialist or special skills if you act carefully.
In this article we will analyze the process of hanging doors on refrigerators of the Belarusian brand. You will learn what tools you will need, how to properly dismantle the fittings and what to pay special attention to when working with magnetic seal. The correct sequence of actions will avoid damage to the hinges and distortions of the canvas.
It is worth noting that the design of double-chamber and single-chamber models may differ. In two-chamber versions, you will have to re-hang both the upper and lower doors, which will require more time and care. Single-chamber options are easier to maintain, but they also have their own nuances, which we will consider in detail below.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before starting work, you need to prepare the place. The refrigerator is a heavy unit, and to access the bottom hinges you will need to tilt the case or completely clear the space around it. Make sure the floor is level and clean so that the equipment does not move during manipulation. You will also need empty the shelves products to reduce the weight of the doors and prevent objects from falling.
To dismantle and install hinges, you will need a basic DIY kit. In most cases, wrenches or sockets of the appropriate size are sufficient. Often complete with refrigerators Atlant there is a special key, but it can be inconvenient for long-term work.
- 🛠️ Set of wrenches or sockets (usually 8 mm, 10 mm)
- 🪛 Phillips screwdriver (for screws of handles and plugs)
- 🔧 Flat-head screwdriver (for removing decorative panels)
- 🧤 Work gloves (to protect hands from sharp edges)
It is important to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply in advance. Although we don't touch electrical components directly, safety should be a priority when working with large appliances. In addition, while the doors are removed, you can carry out preventative cleaning the seals from dust and grease.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to remove all glass shelves from the door niches. When tilting the body or removing the doors, they may fall out and break, even if they appear to be secured.
Prepare a soft surface (cardboard, blanket or thick fabric) on which you will place the removed doors. Metal hinges and sharp edges of shelves can scratch the floor covering or damage the door itself if not handled repeatedly.
Removing the top door and dismantling the fittings
The process starts with the top door, since it is held on the top hinge and often blocks access to the fastenings of the middle part (in two-chamber models). First you need to remove the decorative plug covering the hinge bolts. It can be snap-on or simply inserted into a groove.
Use a flathead screwdriver to carefully pry the plug off. Be careful not to break the plastic clips. After removing the plug you will see the mounting bolts. They need to be loosened, but not completely unscrewed yet, if the structure requires support.
Next, you should remove the handle. In models Atlant it can be fastened with screws from the inside of the door or be part of the overall structure. If the handle is removable, remove the retaining screws and put them in a container so you don't lose them. This is an important step, since handles often have an individual configuration.
Now you can proceed to complete dismantling. Have a helper hold the door while you remove the top hinge bolts completely. After removing the hinge, the door must be carefully lifted and removed from the pins of the middle hinge (or bottom, if the refrigerator is single-chamber).
Features of working with the bottom door and freezer
In two-chamber models, after removing the top door, access to the middle hinge opens, which at the same time serves as a support for the bottom door (freezer). It is important here to avoid distortion, since the lower part is often heavier due to the presence of drawers and denser insulation.
Remove the decorative panel, if any, and loosen the fastenings of the middle hinge. When removing the lower door, be careful as it may slip off. It is better to place it on a prepared soft surface immediately after dismantling. Check the condition of bushings and pins - if they have burrs or rust, it is better to replace or lubricate them.
For single-chamber refrigerators, the procedure is simpler: the upper hinge is removed, the door is removed, and the technician gets access to the lower hinge, which also needs to be re-weighed. In some older models Atlant it may be necessary to rearrange the locking screws inside the case.
- 🔩 Check the threads in the holes for the hinges - they should not be stripped
- 🧹 Clean the installation sites from old grease and dust
- 🧴 Lubricate the rubbing parts of the hinges with silicone grease for smooth operation
Pay special attention to the closure dampers, if they are provided for in the design of your model. They will also need to be moved to the opposite side, following the instructions for the specific series of the refrigerator.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to force bend the metal elements of the hinges. If the part does not fit into place, it means that you have violated the assembly sequence or mixed up the left and right sides of the fastening.
Installing plugs and rearranging handles
After the doors are removed and the hinges are moved to new places, unsightly holes remain in the vacated holes. For this purpose, plastic plugs are included with the refrigerator Atlant . They can be round or square, depending on the design.
Install the plugs in the holes where the hinges were previously attached. They usually simply click into place with your fingers or light pressure. If the holes on the new opening side were covered with decorative panels, they need to be removed and installed in the free space.
The most time-consuming step is rehanging the handles. On many models, the handles are symmetrical and fit on either side, but the mounting holes may be hidden under decorative trims. Remove the covers from the new side, drill (if there are no ready-made holes, which is rare) or simply screw the screws into the finished sockets.
It is important to orient the handle correctly. It should have an ergonomic bend that is easy to grip from the new side. A tangled handle not only looks ugly, but also makes opening difficult, disrupting ergonomics use.
☑️ Ready for installation
Installation of doors on a new side: step-by-step assembly
Assembly is done in reverse order. First, the bottom door (or the only door of a single-compartment refrigerator) is installed. Align the holes on the bottom hinge with the mounting pins on the body. Insert the pin and tighten the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet.
Then install the middle hinge (for two-chamber models). Place the top door on it. It is critical to maintain verticality here. A misalignment of even a few millimeters will cause the door to close poorly or, conversely, to open spontaneously.
Use a building level, if available, or visually assess the gaps around the perimeter. They should be the same on top and bottom. Only after making sure that the position is correct can you finally tighten the mounting bolts.
| Work stage | Action | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preparation | Removing plugs and handles | Do not lose small screws |
| 2. Dismantling | Removing the upper, then the lower door | An assistant is needed for support |
| 3. Rearrangement | Installation of hinges on a new side | Lubricate the rubbing parts |
| 4. Assembly | Installation of doors and alignment | Control of gaps and verticality |
After installing all doors, check the tightness of the magnetic seal around the entire perimeter. The door should close with a characteristic bang, but without excessive force. If you notice any leaks, you may need to adjust the height of the refrigerator legs.
What to do if the door touches the body?
If after installation the door touches the body, check whether the hinge pins are seated correctly. Sometimes it is necessary to loosen the bolts and move the door slightly to the side until the gap disappears. Also check that the loop itself is not twisted.
Adjustment and final performance check
The final stage is checking the quality of the work performed. Open the door 45 degrees and release. It should either remain in place (if there is no tilt) or close smoothly under its own weight (if the body is tilted backwards). Spontaneous slamming with acceleration indicates a strong lean forward, which is incorrect.
Visually inspect the gap between the door and the body. It should be uniform. If the gap is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, the door is skewed. In this case, you need to loosen the fastenings of the middle hinge and level the position. This is a fine adjustment that requires patience.
Make sure all handle and hinge screws are tight. During operation, vibration of the compressor can loosen poorly tightened connections, which will lead to the appearance of extraneous noise or knocking.
⚠️ Attention: Do not plug in the refrigerator immediately if you have tilted the body too much. The oil in the compressor needs time (about 2-4 hours) to drain into the crankcase, otherwise the unit may fail.
After turning on, listen to the operation of the refrigerator. Knocking doors or creaking hinges are unacceptable. If everything is done correctly, the refrigerator Atlant will serve you for many years, delighting you with ease of use in a new way.
Do you need a special key to hang Atlant doors?
Most refrigerators come with a universal key, but it is often thin and inconvenient. It is better to use a standard 8 or 10 mm open-end wrench, or a socket with a crank. This will provide a better grip and allow you to control the tightening force without tearing off the edges of the bolts.
Is it possible to hang the door alone?
Technically possible if you have experience and physical strength. However, refrigerator doors are heavy and bulky. The risk of dropping the door, damaging the floor, or causing injury is high. It is strongly recommended that two people perform this procedure.
What to do if the holes for the hinges do not match?
At the factory, holes are already provided on both sides. If you do not find any holes on the new side, check to see if they are covered with decorative plugs. You cannot drill new holes in the refrigerator body - this will compromise the thermal insulation and structural integrity.
What if the door does not stay closed after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of the refrigerator itself is broken. For proper closure, the body must be slightly tilted backwards. Adjust the height of the front support legs by unscrewing them until the refrigerator is in the correct position.