The need to rearrange the refrigerator often arises when moving or remodeling the kitchen, when the standard door opening becomes inconvenient. Modern models of most brands, such as Indesit, Beko or LG, were initially designed with the ability to change the opening side. This allows you to adapt the equipment to narrow openings or a specific arrangement of furniture, ensuring comfortable use.
The process of hanging doors does not require calling a specialist if you have basic skills in handling tools and understand the principle of operation accessories. However, it is important to consider that the design of the hinge assembly may differ significantly from one manufacturer to another. In some places you will need to remove the base panel, and in other cases, access to the fasteners opens only after dismantling the top cover.
Before starting work, you need to carefully prepare the workplace and study instructions to your specific model. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to damage to the plastic latches or failure of the seal. In this article, we will analyze all the steps in detail so that you can safely and effectively change the opening direction.
Preparation of tools and workspace
Quality preparation is the key to the success of any technical operation. You will need a set of tools that are usually in the arsenal of a home craftsman. The main tool will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different slots, since mounting screws can be of different standards.
Be sure to free up space around the refrigerator. You need to provide access to the unit from all sides so that you can walk around it without dropping the heavy door. It is also recommended to remove all products in advance, especially from the top shelves, in order to reduce the weight of the structure and prevent broken glass or spilled contents.
For work you will need:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead) or a screwdriver with bits
- 🔩 Wrenches (often required size 8 or 10 mm)
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges
- 📏 Level (to check the horizontal installation after works)
It is important to note that some models, for example, certain series Samsung or Bosch, can be equipped with a special hex key, which is stored in the document compartment. Check the presence of such a tool before starting disassembly, as its absence may make it difficult to unscrew specific bolts.
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
The first step is always to de-energize the device. Remove the plug from the socket to avoid the risk of a short circuit or accidental activation of the compressor during work. After this, proceed to remove the top cover if it interferes with access to the top hinges.
The fasteners for the top cover are usually hidden under decorative plugs or located at the back. Carefully pry up the plugs with a flathead screwdriver and remove the screws. Remove the cover by pulling it up and back, freeing access to the top hinge.
⚠️ Attention: Before unscrewing the top hinge, be sure to hold the door with your other hand or call an assistant. Once you loosen the last screw, the door may fall under its own weight, damaging the bottom hinge or the flooring.
Now you can move on to the main step. Remove the screws securing the top hinge to the refrigerator body. Do not remove them completely at once, it is better to loosen everything one by one, and then remove it completely. Remove the hinge and set it aside.
☑️ Procedure for dismantling the door
After removing the door, inspect lower hinge. In some designs it may be welded to the body, but most often it is bolted. If the model allows, the lower hinge can also be moved to the opposite side using the holes provided by the manufacturer.
Rearranging hinges and fittings
The most crucial moment is installing fasteners on the new side. There are usually technological holes on the body of the refrigerator and on the door itself, closed with plastic plugs. You need to carefully remove the plugs from the new side of the installation and rearrange them in the old places to hide the empty holes.
Install bottom hinge to the new location. Insert the mounting bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door when hanging. Make sure the hinge pin is pointing straight up and positioned vertically.
Now take the door and carefully slide it onto the bottom pin. Have a helper hold the structure while you line up the top hole for the hinge. Align the holes and insert the top loop into place.
| Element | Action | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Move to the opposite side | Requires precise alignment of holes |
| Bottom hinge | Dismantling and installation in a new location | It is important not to overtighten the bolts immediately |
| Plugs | Replacement (left to right) | Use a thin needle to remove |
| Door handle | Symmetrical rearrangement (if necessary) | Requires removal of the entire door panel |
If your model is equipped with No Frost, be especially careful with the sensor wires if they pass through the loop assembly. In two-chamber refrigerators, the wires can go from the top door to the bottom through the central partition.
What to do with the wires when rehanging?
In models with electronic controls, display or sensor wires often run inside the door. They cannot simply be thrown to the other side - the cable length is limited. In such cases, the wires are carefully removed from the channel, the door is re-hung, and the cable is laid in a new channel or left in the center, if the design allows. The main thing is not to pinch the cable loop.
Features of models with the No Frost system
Refrigerators with the system No Frost have a more complex door design due to the presence of air ducts and sensors. When re-hanging such doors, it is critical not to damage the air circulation system. Often at the end of the door or in the area of the hinges there are holes for supplying cold air.
When dismantling, check whether the electrical cable connecting the main control unit with the display on the door passes through the upper hinge. If there is a cable, it must be carefully disconnected or routed through special grooves before completely removing the door. Ignoring this point may lead to broken contacts and electronic malfunction.
After installing the door in a new location, make sure that the air ducts match. If they are misaligned, cool air will not flow into the chamber effectively, causing the compressor to overload. Check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter.
⚠️ Attention: In some models Electrolux and Whirlpool with the No Frost system, the plastic duct casing may be fragile in the cold. If the refrigerator has just been defrosted, allow the plastic to warm to room temperature before handling to avoid cracks.
Make sure that when closing the door, the air duct damper (if it is mechanical) is not blocked by the new opening side. The mechanism should work freely, without extraneous sounds or jamming.
Adjusting the gaps and tightness
After the door is installed on new hinges, it is necessary to do adjustment. Even with careful installation, distortions may occur, which will lead to a loose seal. This is fraught with ice freezing and increased load on the motor.
Check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself using a building level. If the floor is uneven, use adjustable support feet. By twisting them, achieve a position where the refrigerator is stable and does not wobble.
To adjust the tilt of the door, use the screws on the hinges. Loosen the fasteners, tilt the door slightly in the desired direction and tighten again. The gap between the door and the body must be uniform over the entire height.
Check the tightness with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body at different points. If the sheet is pulled out too easily or, conversely, breaks, additional adjustment of the hinge position is required.
Final assembly and performance check
When the door is installed and adjusted, return all decorative elements to their place. Install the top cover of the refrigerator, securing it with screws. Don’t forget to replace the plugs in the vacated holes to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the unit.
Plug in the refrigerator. Let it run idle for about 2-3 hours to reach the required temperature. At this time, periodically check whether the case heats up in the area of the hinges and whether condensation appears.
Pay attention to the operation seal. It should fit snugly around the entire perimeter of the body. If you notice gaps, you can try heating the seal with a hairdryer at a low temperature - this will make the rubber more elastic and help it take the desired shape.
If your model has a handle that also requires rearrangement, perform these steps last. Remove the handle panel, rearrange the fasteners to the symmetrical holes and assemble the structure back.
Is it possible to change the hinges on a built-in refrigerator?
Yes, on built-in appliances the hinges are changed in the same way, but access to them is often limited by the furniture box. It may be necessary to partially dismantle the kitchen facade or remove the decorative panel of the refrigerator itself. Be careful not to damage the furniture walls.
What to do if the holes on the new side do not match?
In 99% of cases, the holes are provided by the manufacturer and are closed with plugs. If there are physically no holes, it means that your refrigerator model does not allow for reversing the doors. Trying to drill new holes can destroy the internal structure of the case and damage the insulation.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Complete defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice inside, it may spill out when the door is tilted. It is better to carry out the defrosting procedure in advance so that water does not get on the electrical contacts of the hinges or in the air ducts.
Why, after rehanging, the door no longer closes tightly?
Most likely, the geometry of the installation is broken. Check that the refrigerator is level, that the top hinge is not twisted, and that the seal is not turned inward. Also, the reason may be a worn seal, which “remembered” the old misalignment.
Is it dangerous to change the hinges on a two-chamber refrigerator yourself?
The main risk is dropping a heavy door or damaging the wire loops. If you do not have an assistant or confidence in your abilities, it is better to contact the service. Double-chamber models are much heavier and larger than single-chamber models, which requires more physical strength.