The situation when, after purchasing or rearranging furniture, it turns out that the refrigerator door opens in the wrong direction, is familiar to many owners of household appliances. Fortunately, the design of most modern models of the brand Atlant provides for the possibility of changing the opening side. This allows you to adapt the unit to the kitchen layout without the need to change its installation location or put up with inconveniences.
The process hanging doors does not require calling a specialist and special technical knowledge if you act carefully and consistently. However, it is important to understand that different series of refrigerators may have their own design features, especially in the mechanisms for attaching handles and hinges. In this article, we will analyze a universal algorithm of actions that is suitable for most models, and point out critical moments where special care is needed.
Before starting work, you need to prepare the workplace and free up space around the refrigerator. You will need access from all sides, since manipulations will be carried out from both the top and bottom of the case. There is no need to rush: the correct execution of each stage ensures that the doors will fit tightly and will not warp after completion of the work.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To successfully complete the task of changing the opening side, you do not need a complex professional tool. Usually a minimal set, which can be found in any home craftsman’s drawer, is sufficient. The main thing is to make sure that the tools are in good condition and have the appropriate dimensions so as not to damage the fasteners.
You will need the following tools and materials:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead) for unscrewing the screws securing handles and decorative plugs.
- 🔩 Wrench or a 10 mm head (most often this size is used for hinges).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges and dirt.
- 🧹 Clean rags for wiping the attachment points from dust.
Before starting work, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from electrical networks. This is a safety measure that will eliminate the risk of electric shock if wires or contacts are accidentally touched during disassembly. In addition, the refrigerator and freezer compartments should remove all products and shelves to facilitate the design and avoid the contents falling.
⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator is connected to the water supply (No Frost system with water supply), before disconnecting from the network, be sure to turn off the water supply valve and disconnect the hose to avoid leakage.
Free up space around the unit. You need to move the refrigerator away from the wall at least 50–70 cm in order to have free access to the back wall and sides. Make sure that the floor under your feet is level and dry to prevent heavy structural elements from slipping or falling.
Removing the top hinge and removing the top door
Re-hanging work always starts from the top of the refrigerator. First of all, you need to remove the top door (of the refrigerator) in order to gain access to the lower fastenings and not drop the heavy structure. If you have a model with an upper freezer, the algorithm will be similar, but you need to start with it.
On the top panel above the door there are usually decorative plugs or covers that hide the mounting bolts. Carefully pry them up with a flathead screwdriver and remove them. Below them you will see the top hinge mounting bolts. Before unscrewing them, it is recommended to ask someone from the household hold the doorso that it does not fall after loosening the fasteners.
Using a wrench or a screwdriver (at minimum speed so as not to strip the threads), unscrew the bolts of the upper hinge. Remove the loop and set it aside. The upper door can now be carefully lifted and removed from the lower shaft. Be careful: refrigerator doors Atlant are quite heavy due to the internal insulation and magnetic seals.
☑️ Removing the upper part
After removing the door, inspect the holes in the body where the hinge was attached. On the opposite side of the case you will find similar holes closed with plastic plugs. These plugs need to be moved to the free space to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the refrigerator. Usually they are simply inserted into the holes with light pressure.
Reversing the bottom door and removing the handle
The next step is working with the bottom door (freezer compartment in two-chamber models). The process is similar, but has its own nuances related to the design of the handle and middle loop. In some models, the handle may be integrated into the body or have a hidden fastening mechanism.
Removing the handle often requires access to the fasteners from the inside of the door or from below. In models Atlant XM series, there are often handles that are fastened with screws covered with decorative overlays. Remove these covers and unscrew the fasteners. If the handle cannot be removed, it may be held on by latches - in this case, careful force is required.
After dismantling the handle and removing the bottom door (similar to the top door, by unscrewing the middle hinge), it is necessary to rearrange the fastening elements to the other side. Pay attention to the pin (axis) on which the door fits. In some models, this pin needs to be rearranged by twisting its threaded part or simply moving it into a symmetrical hole.
An important point concerns middle hinge. It often has an asymmetrical shape or an offset center. When rehanging, it must be rotated 180 degrees or moved to a mirror position so that the axis for the lower door is on the desired side. Do not confuse the orientation, otherwise the doors will be skewed.
⚠️ Attention: When dismantling the middle hinge, make sure that you have not lost the adjusting washers or spacers. They may fall out, and their absence will lead to a loose fit of the door.
Features of reinstalling doors in two-chamber models
Two-chamber refrigerators Atlant require a more careful approach, since it is important to correctly align the rotation axes of both doors. An error in installing the middle hinge will result in one of the doors opening skewed or not closing tightly, which will result in ice freezing.
The key element here is the correct assembly sequence. First, the lower door is installed on the inverted middle hinge, then the upper one is put on. It is important to monitor the vertical level. If the floor in the kitchen has a slope, additional adjustment of the legs of the refrigerator may be required before final tightening of the hinges.
The table below shows the main differences in the rehanging process for different types of structures:
| Type of construction | Handle location | Type of middle loops | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | Hidden / Edge | Dismountable | Low |
| Hidden handle | Inside the recess | Solid with axle | Medium |
| No Frost | Label | With contacts | High |
| Single chamber | Any | Absent | Low |
When assembling a two-chamber refrigerator, pay special attention to the gap between doors. When closed, they should adhere to each other evenly along the entire length. If there is a discrepancy, check whether the middle hinge is installed correctly and whether the fastening sides are mixed up.
Assembling the structure and installing elements on the new side
After all the preparatory work has been completed and the holes on the old side are closed with plugs, the assembly process on the new side begins. Install the top hinge into the new holes on the body, but do not tighten the bolts all the way yet. This will allow for final adjustment.
Place the top door onto the top hinge pin. Make sure she sits up straight. Then install the middle hinge, aligning it with the holes on the body and the axis of the top door. Secure the middle hinge with bolts. Now you can put the bottom door on the middle hinge axis.
The final stage is installing the handles. Move the handles to new places using symmetrical holes. If there are plugs left in the old holes, replace them in place of the handles. Tighten all fasteners. Now you can move on to position adjustment doors.
Adjusting the door position and checking tightness
Correct adjustment is the key to long service life of the compressor and preservation of products. If the door is skewed, a gap is formed through which the cold escapes and warm, moist air enters. This leads to the formation of a “coat” of ice and increased load on the engine.
To adjust, use the adjusting bolts in the hinges or the legs of the refrigerator. By rotating the front legs clockwise, you raise the corner of the refrigerator, which can help straighten out a skewed door. Check the tightness of the magnetic seal around the entire perimeter.
There is a simple test for tightness: clamp a sheet of paper with the refrigerator door so that half of the sheet hangs out. Try to pull out the sheet. If it is removed with noticeable force and jerk, the seal is good. If the sheet slides freely or falls out on its own, the hinge needs to be adjusted in this place.
It is also worth paying attention to the opening angle. The door should open freely without touching the body or floor. If you hear a grinding noise or feel resistance when opening, check to see if the seal is touching the body, and if necessary, loosen the hinge, slide the door and tighten it again.
⚠️ Attention: After hanging and adjusting, let the refrigerator stand in an upright position for at least 2-3 hours before plugging it in. This is necessary for the oil to drain into the compressor, especially if the unit was tilted strongly during operation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to hang the door on an Atlant refrigerator with the No Frost system yourself?
Yes, it is possible, but this requires more caution. In such models, electrical wires for sensors or heating can pass through the loops. When removing the hinges, you must carefully disconnect the connectors, and when assembling, connect them securely. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact a specialist.
Are any special tools needed for models with hidden handles?
A standard Phillips screwdriver and a 10 mm wrench are usually sufficient. However, some models with hidden handles may require a hex wrench, which is often included with the refrigerator when purchased. Check the package or use a set of keys.
Why did the door begin to open on its own after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of the body is broken. The refrigerator door opens on its own if the top is pushed back. To correct the situation, you need to unscrew the front adjustable feet to raise the front of the refrigerator, creating a slope back. Then, under the influence of gravity, the door will tend to close.
Will the warranty remain valid if you rehang the doors yourself?
According to the rules of most service centers, rehanging doors is not a complex repair and does not require opening a sealed circuit or electrical circuit. However, if in the process you strip a thread, break a loop or damage the wiring, the warranty case will not be recognized. Proceed carefully.
What to do if the holes for the hinges on the other side do not match?
In 99% of cases, refrigerator cases Atlant are symmetrical and have technological holes on both sides. If you don't see any holes, check to see if they are covered with decorative plugs or stickers. Drilling new holes is strictly forbidden - this will violate thermal insulation and aesthetics.