Modern kitchens are often designed with ergonomics in mind, and the placement of appliances requires careful planning. If you find that your Indesit refrigerator opens in the wrong direction, interfering with passage or access to the work area, do not despair. The design of most models of this brand allows you to change the direction of door opening, which solves the problem of unsuccessful layout without the need to rearrange furniture or replace equipment.
The process of reversing the door does not require special engineering knowledge or expensive tools, however, it requires care and accuracy. Indesit engineers special holes and plugs for mounting hinges on both sides of the housing. It is important to understand that even if technically possible, performing the work incorrectly can lead to damage to the plastic elements or failure of the seal.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for various models, consider the necessary tools and point out the nuances that are often silent about in brief instructions. You will learn how to properly prepare the equipment, dismantle the fittings and make final adjustments so that the door closes tightly and silently.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Before starting any manipulations with the body of household appliances, it is necessary to ensure the safety of the process. First of all, refrigerator should be completely defrosted, if there is ice in it, and freed from food. This will not only make the design easier, but will also prevent damage to products during work, which can take from 30 to 60 minutes.
A critically important step is to disconnect the device from the power supply. Service center technicians we strongly advise not to ignore this step, since accidental damage is possible when dismantling the doors wiring or contacts of opening sensors if the device is energized. Move the unit away from the wall, providing access from all sides, and lay a soft covering or cardboard on the floor to avoid scratching the flooring with fallen parts.
To perform the work, you will need a minimum set of tools, which are usually found in every home. However, the quality of the tools directly affects the safety of fasteners.
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers: Phillips (PH2) and flat (blade width 3-5 mm) for removing plugs and screws.
- 🔩 Wrench or socket head 8 mm (sometimes 10 mm) for removing main hinge bolts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧊 Spatula or knife (for carefully removing decorative plugs if they are tight).
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when unscrewing old bolts. If the fastener is rusty or soured, treat it with a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40) and wait 10-15 minutes, otherwise there is a risk of stripping the threads or breaking the bolt head.
Removing the top panel and top hinge
The remodeling process begins from the top of the refrigerator. On most models Indesit the top cover (if it is removable) is attached to the body using bolts or latches. If your model has a one-piece cover, you can skip this step and go straight to the hinges, but in most cases the panel must be removed to access the top fasteners.
Unscrew the bolts securing the top panel and carefully remove it. Below it you will see the top hinge of the door, which is held on by two or three screws. Before completely unscrewing the hinge fasteners, you must fix the door in the open position or have an assistant hold it so that it does not fall and damage the floor or its own hinges.
Use a wrench to loosen the screws of the top hinge. After their removal, the loop is removed along with the axle. Pay attention to the condition of the bushings and washers: if they show signs of severe wear or corrosion, it is recommended to replace them with new ones, since the smooth movement of the door in the future depends on this.
☑️ Removing the upper part
At this stage it is important not to lose the fasteners. Often the design uses washers of different thicknesses or specific bushings, which must be installed in a certain order when reassembled on the other side. Take a photo of the location of the parts before removing them - this will become your insurance during assembly.
Removing the door and dismantling the bottom hinge
After the top hinge is removed, the refrigerator door is actually supported only by the bottom axis. Carefully lift the door up, removing it from the bottom pin. It is better to perform this action with an assistant, since the doors of modern refrigerators with the No Frost system can be quite heavy due to the internal filling and the thickness of the insulation.
Put the removed door in a safe place, having first laid a soft cloth on the floor. Now your attention switches to the lower part of the body. The lower support loop is located here, which also requires dismantling. In some models Indesit access to the bottom bolts may be difficult due to a decorative base or radiator grille, which will also need to be removed.
Unscrew the bolts securing the bottom hinge to the refrigerator body. After removing the hinge, inspect the hole in the housing: there may be plugs there that will need to be rearranged. Make sure that the threaded holes are not damaged and that there are no fragments of old fasteners left in them.
Nuances of removing the door from two-chamber models
If you have a refrigerator with two separate doors (top and bottom), the process is repeated for each of them. The top door is hung first, then the bottom door. It is important not to confuse the hinges, as they may differ in design and axle length.
When working with the lower part, dust and dirt are often encountered, which accumulate over the years. This is the ideal time to touch cleaning hard to reach areas while the hinges are removed. Cleanliness in the area of the seal and hinges extends the service life of the mechanism.
Rearranging fittings and plugs
The most important stage is preparing the body for installing the door on a new side. On the free side of the case (where there were no hinges previously) you will see a row of holes closed with plastic plugs. These plugs must be removed. To do this, it is convenient to use a thin flat screwdriver, carefully prying up their edges.
The removed plugs are installed on the vacated holes on the side where the hinges were removed. This will restore the aesthetic appearance of the refrigerator and prevent moisture and dust from entering the housing. Be careful not to break the plastic “ears” of the plugs.
Now you need to flip the door handle. On many models Indesit handles are part of the door leaf or are fastened with through screws. If the handle is symmetrical, it is enough to move it to the opposite edge using the provided holes. If the handle is asymmetrical (has a specific shape), perhaps a second handle of the same type was included with the refrigerator, or you will need to purchase a universal model.
| Element | Action when rearranging | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Move to the other side | Watch the orientation of the axis |
| Bottom loop | Move to the other side | Check the height installation |
| Plugs | Move to the opposite side | Do not use force during installation |
| Door handle | Dismantle and secure from the new edge | Use new screws if necessary |
If on your model the handle is integrated into the end of the door and cannot be removed, check the instructions. In some cases, complete disassembly of the inner door panel is required, which significantly complicates the task and may require the intervention of a specialist.
Installing the door on a new side
After preparing all the elements, you can begin installation. Install the bottom hinge to the new location, tightening the bolts by hand. Do not tighten them all the way at once - this will allow you to adjust the position of the door during the final adjustment. Insert the axis of the lower hinge into the corresponding hole.
Place the refrigerator door onto the lower axis, holding it vertically. Have a helper hold the door closed or slightly open while you work on the top. Align the holes in the top of the door with the holes in the top hinge and screw it to the body.
Tightening the bolts should be done crosswise, ensuring even distribution of the load. After fixing the top hinge, check the door movement. It should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. If the door is skewed, loosen the fasteners and level the position by placing washers or adjusting the height of the lower support (if the design allows this).
⚠️ Attention: When tightening the upper hinge bolts, be careful. Over-stretching can deform the metal of the body or lead to cracks in the plastic bushings, which will cause the door to warp in the future.
Make sure that the magnetic seal (elastic band) fits tightly around the entire perimeter of the body. If a gap has formed in some place, the cold will escape, and the compressor will work without stopping, trying to maintain the temperature.
Adjustment and leak testing
The final stage is checking the quality of the work performed. Visually inspect the gaps between the door and the body: they should be the same throughout the entire height. If the door is warped, use the adjustment bolts (usually they are located on the bottom hinge or at the base of the refrigerator where the legs rest).
Perform a leak test. Take a sheet of A4 paper, clamp it with the refrigerator door so that half of the sheet is outside and half is inside. Try to pull out the sheet. If it is pulled out with noticeable force around the entire perimeter, then the seal is working properly. If the paper slides freely, the hinges need to be adjusted or the seal needs to be replaced.
Also check the operation of the door opening sensor. In some models Indesit the magnet that activates the sensor is moved to the new side. Find a special slot on the opposite end of the door and move the magnet there (usually it is simply inserted into the hole). If this is not done, the refrigerator will “think” that the door is open and constantly squeak.
After all the manipulations, turn on the refrigerator. Let it work for several hours without loading food to make sure that the temperature is stable and there is no extraneous noise when opening and closing.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built-in?
In most cases, no, or it is extremely difficult. Built-in refrigerators have special fastenings for furniture facades, which are often asymmetrical. In addition, the hinges can be hidden by furniture panels. Before starting work, be sure to study the instructions for the specific built-in model.
What to do if the holes on the new side do not match?
On factory refrigerators Indesit the holes are always symmetrical. If they do not match, perhaps you are trying to hang the door on a model where this is not provided for by the design, or you are using non-original hinges. Check for plugs - they should be in the same places as the holes on the working side.
Is it necessary to change the sealing rubber when rehanging?
Not necessary if the old rubber is elastic and not damaged. However, if you notice that after moving the door it fits worse, the rubber may have become deformed over time. In this case, it is better to replace it with a new one to ensure energy efficiency.
Will the warranty be lost after re-hanging it yourself?
According to the law, the consumer has the right to independent repairs and maintenance. However, if during the rehanging process you damage the body, hinges or seal, the warranty claim for these damages will not be considered. Proceed carefully.