The situation when a newly purchased or long-standing refrigerator no longer fits into updated kitchen interior, familiar to many. It often happens that after rearranging furniture or buying a new set, it rests against the wall, preventing the drawers from being fully opened, or simply blocks the passage. At this moment, the owners are thinking about remodeling or, even worse, selling the equipment. hinged door rests against the wall, preventing the drawers from opening completely, or simply blocks the passage. At this moment, the owners are thinking about redevelopment or, even worse, selling the equipment.
Fortunately, most modern models of refrigeration units are designed with this possibility in mind. Manufacturers provide a symmetrical arrangement of mounting holes, which allows turn over the door to the opposite side without loss of functionality. This does not require calling a specialist and can be done independently with a minimum set of tools.
However, the process of rehanging is not just rearranging the bolts. This is a complex engineering operation that affects body geometrythe operation of seals and even the condensate drainage system. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to skewing of the canvas, loss of tightness or damage to plastic elements. Therefore, before starting work, it is important to study the design features of your particular model.
Evaluation of the design and preparation of tools
The first step should always be diagnostics. Not every refrigerator can be converted. There are models where the door is attached to permanent hinges hidden under decorative panels that cannot be dismantled without the risk of breaking the body. Also refrigerators with one solid door covering both chambers cannot be re-hung., since they often lack a second handle and symmetrical holes.
To successfully complete the task, you will need a basic set of home craftsmen. The main tool will be hex key or a set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat). Some models, for example, y Indesit or Stinol, may require socket heads of a certain size, often 8 mm or 10 mm.
Be sure to prepare auxiliary materials that will facilitate the process and protect the floor. You will need:
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers and wrenches (hexagons, open-end wrenches).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📦 Cardboard or a soft blanket to place the removed door on the floor.
- 🧊 Spoon or spatula for carefully removing the plugs.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Remove the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of short circuit or electric shock if the wiring through the loops is accidentally damaged.
It is also important to clear the space around the unit. You will need to move the refrigerator away from the wall at least 1-1.5 meters in order to have access to it from all sides. Remove all shelves, drawers and containers from the doors to reduce their weight and prevent contents from falling out.
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
The process begins with the top hinge, since it is this that holds the main weight of the door leaf. In refrigerators with a freezer on top, first remove the top cover of the unit. It can be attached with latches or bolts. Carefully pry it off with a plastic spatula or remove the fasteners to gain access to the top hinge.
Next, the algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 🔩 Unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge to the refrigerator body.
- 🚪 Remove the hinge and set it aside, remembering the orientation.
- 👐 Ask an assistant to hold the door, as it no longer holds anything.
- 📉 Carefully lift the door, removing it from the bottom hinge, and set it in a safe place.
If you have a two-chamber refrigerator with separate doors (for example, Atlant or Bekothen first remove the top door of the refrigerator compartment. After this, access to the upper hinge of the lower door (freezer compartment) opens, which also needs to be dismantled according to a similar principle.
☑️ Check before removing the door
When removing the door, be careful with the sealing rubber. Try not to pull the door sharply, so as not to deform the magnetic edge. If the door is difficult to remove, the bottom hinge pin may have rusted - in this case, you can lightly lubricate it with penetrating lubricant and wait a few minutes.
Rearranging fittings and plugs
The most critical stage is moving the fastening elements. You will see symmetrical holes on the body of the refrigerator and on the door itself. Those that were previously used must be covered with decorative plugs, and those that were closed must be cleared for installing hinges.
The plugs are usually made of plastic or rubberized material. You can pry them off with a thin screwdriver or knife, but be careful not to scratch the enamel of the case. If the plugs are lost, the holes can be temporarily sealed, although aesthetically this will look worse.
Now let's move on to the door itself. It is necessary to rearrange handle on it (if it is not end-to-end) and the mating part of the loop. In some models, such as LG or Samsung, the handle may be asymmetrical, and to rearrange it you will need to disassemble the fastening mechanism. If the handle is symmetrical, it is enough to move the bolts from one side to the other.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In rare cases, especially in older or budget models, the holes on the opposite side may not be drilled. In this case, you cannot change the opening direction. Sometimes there are holes, but they are threaded only on one side - then you will have to cut the threads yourself, which requires high qualifications.
Do not forget about the pins and bushings. Often, additional pins are included with the refrigerator for hanging. If you don't have them, use the old ones, but check them for wear. A bent pin will cause the door to not close tightly.
Installing the door on a new side
Assembly is done in the reverse order, but taking into account the new coordinates. Install the door on the lower hinge, first inserting it into the seat on the body. Make sure that the door is level and does not lean either to the right or to the left.
Then install the top hinge. Insert the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This is an important point: final tightening it is carried out only after checking the movement of the door. If you immediately tighten the bolts “tightly”, it will be extremely difficult to correct the misalignment.
For two-chamber models, the process is repeated for the second door. The bottom (freezer) is installed first, then the top. It is important to dock them correctly in the closed position. The gap between the doors should be minimal and uniform along the entire length.
| Work stage | Action | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Removing the plugs | Use a thin tool |
| Dismantling | Removing the top hinge | Need an assistant for support |
| Carrying | Installing the handle and pins | Check the symmetry of the holes |
| Installation | Fixing the hinges | Do not tighten until checking the stroke |
After installing all the hinges, check the vertical installation of the doors. If the door is skewed, it can be adjusted by placing washers under the bottom hinge or adjusting the height of the legs of the refrigerator itself.
Adjusting and setting the tightness
After the door is installed, you need to make sure it is tight. Poorly fitting seal will lead to constant compressor operation, icing and food spoilage. Check the fit around the entire perimeter.
There is a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the refrigerator door in different places around the perimeter. If the sheet is removed with force, the seal is good. If the sheet falls out or is pulled out too easily, adjustment is required.
The door tilt is adjusted using the front support legs of the refrigerator. By twisting or unscrewing them, you change the angle of inclination of the entire body. The door should close on its own under the influence of gravity if you open it 30-40 degrees.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the refrigerator open for too long during adjustment. This can cause the evaporator to defrost and moisture to enter the system, causing corrosion.
Also check the operation of the light switch. When reversing the door, the button may end up in an awkward position or stop pressing altogether. If this happens, you may have to rearrange the switch itself, if the housing design allows this.
Features for different brands
Different manufacturers use their own engineering solutions. For example, in refrigerators Indesit i Ariston there is often a hidden top hinge, closed with a decorative lid, which must be carefully removed. U Atlant i Biryusa design is more classical, but the bolts can be tightened very tightly, requiring significant effort.
In models LG i Samsung with the No Frost system there is often a problem with moving air ducts. If the air ducts are located asymmetrically, simply turning the door over will not work - you will need to move the internal plastic channels, which is a difficult task.
Refrigerators Bosch i Siemens often have a complex system of handles integrated into the body. It is important here not to lose small spring mechanisms during dismantling. Always save the instructions for your model, there is a diagram specifically for your device.
If you have a model with a display on the door, then the task becomes more complicated. The cable wires may be short and not reach the new side. In such cases, it is better to contact a service center, as it is necessary to extend the cable or resolder the contacts.
Frequent errors and precautions
One of the most common errors is the loss of fasteners. The bolts from the top and bottom hinges may differ in length and thread. By mixing them up, you can damage the threads in the body or not tighten the loop to the end.
Another mistake is ignoring the level. If the floor in the kitchen is uneven and the legs of the refrigerator are not aligned, the door will open spontaneously or, conversely, not reach the end. Use a building level for control.
Also, do not use excessive force when unscrewing old bolts. If they are stuck, it is better to use WD-40 and give it time to work, rather than risk breaking the bolt head or twisting the thread.
Remember that after installing the refrigerator in a new place, it needs time (from 2 to 4 hours) before turning on for the oil in the compressor to flow into the crankcase, especially if the unit was tilted strongly during work.
Is it possible to rehang the door if there is one for two cameras?
In 99% of cases - no. Such refrigerators have a single internal partition and an asymmetrical design. An attempt to turn the door over will result in it resting against the body or shelves.
What to do if decorative plugs are lost?
You can order a set of plugs at the manufacturer's service center or buy universal ones at a furniture fittings store. As a last resort, the holes can be carefully painted over with a marker to match the color of the body.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Yes, this is a mandatory condition. Ice in the evaporator may melt during work, and water will flow onto the floor or into the mechanisms. In addition, a full refrigerator is too heavy to safely remove the door.
Why does the door slam after rehanging?
Most likely, the seal is broken or the hinges are overtightened. Check the fit of the seal and try to loosen the bolts of the top hinge so that the door is in its natural position.