The situation when after purchase or moving, it turns out that the refrigerator Atlant opens in the wrong direction, is familiar to many owners of household appliances. This can create serious operational inconveniences, especially if the kitchen furniture is designed with the door opening in a specific direction. Fortunately, the design of most models of the Belarusian manufacturer provides the ability door rehanging to the opposite side.
The remodeling process does not require specialized education, but does require a basic set of tools and attention to detail. Reweighing - this is a technically simple operation, however, violation of the sequence of actions can lead to skew of the canvas or damage to the seal. In this article we will analyze in detail the nuances of working with different series of equipment.
Before you begin dismantling, you need to make sure that your model really supports this function. Although the vast majority of modern refrigerators Atlant have symmetrical fastenings, there are budget or specific modifications where the hinges are welded or do not have holes for fastening on the other side. Carefully inspect the end of the body and the door leaf.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
Quality rehanging doors begins long before unscrewing the first screw. You will need to clear out some space around the refrigerator to allow easy access from all sides. It is recommended to move the unit at least 50-70 cm from the wall so that you can freely walk around it and lay down the removed elements.
To perform the work, you will need a standard home handyman's kit. In most cases, it is enough to have on hand:
- 🔧 A set of open-end or socket wrenches (most often sizes 8, 10, 13 mm).
- 🪛 Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers (PH2, SL4).
- 🧤 Work gloves for protecting your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧼 A rag for wiping parts and removing old grease.
Particular attention should be paid to the stability of the refrigerator itself. Before dismantling, make sure that the unit is level. If the floor is uneven, use adjustable supports. Casual distortion during operation, it may complicate the process of removing hinges and lead to injury.
⚠️ 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 electric shock if you accidentally damage the wiring or touch the contacts.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Dismantling the top part and removing the doors
The first step is always removal of the upper structural elements. Depending on the model Atlant, this may be the top cover of the case or a decorative panel hiding the fastenings of the top hinge. Carefully unscrew the fixing screws and remove the cover, pushing it back or up.
Next, you need to free the door panels from the contents. Shelves, glass inserts and products significantly increase the weight of the structure, which makes working with hinges dangerous and inconvenient. Remove all removable elements from both compartments.
Now we move on to the topmost loop. It holds the top door (or both doors, if the model is two-chamber without a middle partition). You will need a helper to hold the door while you remove the bolts. After removing the fasteners, the door is carefully removed from the lower pin and placed in a safe place.
If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, we carry out a similar procedure with the second door. Pay attention to the condition sealing rubber: while the doors are removed, they can be washed with warm water and a mild detergent to restore elasticity.
Working with hinges and the latch mechanism
The central element of the design is the hinge system. In refrigerators Atlant they are usually made of cast metal or stamped steel. After removing the doors, it is necessary to remove the hinges themselves from the body.
Unscrew the bolts securing the hinge to the end of the refrigerator. Often additional fasteners are hidden under plastic plugs or decorative overlays. Be careful: some models have specific pinspins that need to be knocked out or carefully pulled out.
The most important point is the mechanism for latching the door in the closed position. It is located on the side of the door leaf opposite the hinges. You need to:
- 🔩 Unscrew the plug from the hole where the new hinge will be.
- 🔩 Remove the counterpart of the lock (latch) from the old place.
- 🔩 Install the plug in the old place of the latch.
- 🔩 Install the latch mechanism into a new symmetrical hole.
Often the latch has an asymmetrical shape, so you won’t be able to simply turn it over - you just need to rearrange it into the hole provided by the factory. Make sure that the lock tongue moves freely and does not jam in the new seat.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some older or budget models, the holes for the hinges on the reverse side may be closed with plastic plugs or may be completely absent. If you see smooth metal without signs of factory drilling, then your model does not provide overhang. Do not try to drill the case yourself - this will break the thermal insulation and void the warranty.
Rearranging handles and decorative elements
After the mechanical rearrangement of the hinges, it is the turn of aesthetics and ergonomics. Refrigerator handles Atlant often have a specific shape, designed to open from a certain side. If the handle is asymmetrical, it must be dismantled and rearranged.
The process of removing the handles depends on the type of fastening. In some models they are held on by screws on the inside of the door, in others - on latches, access to which opens after removing the decorative trim. Proceed with caution, the plastic on the freezer can be fragile.
If there is a logo or decorative inserts on the front panel of the refrigerator that look asymmetrical, it is also advisable to move them or replace them with symmetrical analogues, if they are included. However, in most cases, the logo Atlant is located in the center and does not require rearrangement.
| Element | Action when rehanging | Nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Remove and rearrange | Requires door support |
| Bottom hinge | Replace the axle or turn over | Often has a pin |
| Latch | Move to the other side | Important for fixing |
| Handle | Move or turn over | Depends on the model |
Assembling the structure on the new side
When all the preparatory steps are completed, the reverse assembly begins. Place the bottom support loop (or pin) in its new location. Make sure it fits snugly against the body and is secured with bolts. This is the foundation on which the entire door structure will stand.
Carefully place the bottom door onto the pin. Have an assistant hold it upright. Align the holes in the top hinge on the door with the matching holes on the frame (which are now on the other side). Insert the mounting bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet.
Perform similar actions with the top door (if there is one). After installing all the elements in place, you can begin the final adjustment. Tightening the bolts should be done evenly, without distortions, to avoid metal stress.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when tightening bolts on aluminum or silumin parts. Too much pressure can strip the threads, which will require complex body repairs.
Adjusting gaps and tightness
The final and, perhaps, the most important stage is adjustment. After installing doors on a new side, a situation often arises when the door warps and it does not fit tightly along the entire perimeter. This leads to loss of cold and the formation of ice.
To adjust, use the tilt of the body. If the bottom of the door does not fit properly, tilt the refrigerator forward slightly (by twisting the front support legs). If the door is skewed vertically, you can slightly loosen the fastenings of the middle hinge and correct the position of the leaf.
Check the work seal. It should touch the body evenly along the entire contour. To check, use a sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body at different points. If the sheet is removed with the same force around the entire perimeter, the adjustment has been made correctly.
Common mistakes and how to make them elimination
Even following the instructions, amateur craftsmen sometimes make mistakes. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of fasteners. The bolts from the top and bottom hinges can have different lengths and thread pitches. Installing a short bolt in the lower fastening will cause the door to wobble.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the sealing rubber. If, when rehanging, you bent the door too much or did not align it, the seal could be deformed. In places where there is a loose fit, you can heat the rubber with a hairdryer (carefully, without overheating) or place a thin gasket under the seal mount.
Electrical components are also often forgotten. In models with a display on the door or a No Frost system with indication on the facade, it is necessary to carefully rearrange the wire cables. Wire switching It must be reliable so that vibration during compressor operation does not break the contact.
What to do if the door slams?
If, after rehanging, the door begins to slam loudly when closing, check the angle of the refrigerator. It may be sitting too straight or tilted backwards. Adjusting the front legs will solve the problem of smooth closing.
Is it possible to change the side of the doors in an Atlant refrigerator with a display?
Yes, in most models with electronic control on the door this is possible. However, the procedure is complicated by the need to disconnect the wire loops before removing the door and carefully laying them on the new side. It is important not to damage the thin contacts.
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 in the freezer, it is better to defrost the unit in advance. Ice can crumble when the door is skewed during removal, and water can get on the electrical contacts.
How long does it take to rehang the doors?
For an experienced craftsman, this process takes 20-30 minutes. For a beginner without experience working with such equipment, it can take from 40 minutes to 1 hour, including time for searching for tools and studying the design of a specific model.
Will the warranty remain valid after independent re-hanging?
According to the law, the consumer has the right to independently service the equipment if this does not require breaking the seals on the compressor or complex intervention in the cooling system. Rehanging the doors does not apply to such actions if you have not damaged the unit in the process.