The need to change the opening direction of the refrigerator door often arises when moving to a new apartment or after rearranging furniture in the kitchen. The standard configuration, when the handle is on the right, is not suitable for every interior, especially if there is a wall or a tall cabinet next to the refrigerator that blocks access. Carrying out this procedure yourself allows you to save money on calling a technician and adapt the equipment to new operating conditions without compromising functionality.
Modern models of household appliances Indesit, Beko, LG and other popular brands were initially designed with possible reinstallation of hinges in mind. However, the design may vary significantly depending on the specific series and year of manufacture of the device. Before taking active steps, you need to make sure that your model supports this option, since some budget or built-in options may have holes for fasteners hidden by decorative plugs or be completely absent.
The process requires care and accuracy, since the door leaf is a heavy element, and the hinges bear a constant load. Errors during assembly can lead to misalignment, loss of seal tightness and, as a result, inefficient operation of the compressor. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the stages of work, the necessary tools and the subtleties of settings so that you can complete the task efficiently and safely.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
The first step is to organize the space around the refrigerator. You will need a free area in order to move away from the equipment at arm's length and put down the removed parts. It is recommended to cover the floor with thick cardboard or old cloth to prevent the floor from being scratched by dropped screws or tools. Also make sure that there is sufficient lighting in the room, as some fasteners may be hidden in the shadows.
The set of tools depends on the model, but the basic set is usually standard. For most modern units, a Phillips screwdriver, an 8 or 10 mm wrench or socket, and a flat-head screwdriver for removing the plugs are sufficient. In some cases, especially with equipment Bosch or Siemens, a hex wrench may be required.
- 🛠️ Phillips and flathead screwdrivers (preferably with a magnetic tip).
- 🔧 A set of wrenches or a ratchet with heads.
- 📏 Construction level for checking horizontal position after installation.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
It is important to prepare a container for folding fasteners. Screws and bolts tend to get lost at the most inopportune moment, so it is better to immediately sort them by disassembly stage. If you have the opportunity, take a photo of the initial position of the hinges before starting work - this will help you find your way if you get confused in the sequence of actions.
⚠️ 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, which often runs inside the door pillars.
Design analysis and removal of the top panel
The process begins with dismantling the top cover of the refrigerator, if it is removable, or the top decorative strip. For many models, such as Atlant or Stinol, the cover is simply removed by moving it backwards and upwards. In other cases, it may be secured with screws that need to be removed. The top hinge fasteners are often hidden under the cover.
Next, you should release the top hinge of the main door. The mounting bolts can be covered with plastic plugs, which are carefully pryed off with a flat-head screwdriver. Be careful not to use too much force to avoid breaking the plastic, as it can be difficult to find replacements for the specific shape of the plugs. After unscrewing the bolts, the hinge is removed, freeing the upper part of the door leaf.
What to do if the bolts are rusty?
If the fasteners do not give in, use a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40). Apply it to the thread and leave for 10-15 minutes. Do not try to tear off a rusty bolt by force - this may lead to licking of the edges or breakage of the fastener itself.
At this stage, the technological holes on the opposite side of the body are often opened. This is where the loops will be transferred. If the holes are closed with plugs, they must be moved to the free space in order to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the device. Make sure that the threaded bushings, if any, fit tightly in their sockets.
Removing the door leaf and moving the fittings
The most crucial moment is removing the door. It is heavy and uncomfortable, so it is better to perform this operation with an assistant. One person holds the door, the second finally unscrews the fasteners. You cannot rip the door off abruptly, as you can damage the magnetic seal or deform the metal.
After removing the leaf from it, it is necessary to dismantle the handle and the mating part of the hinge. On most models, the handle is attached with screws from the inside or hidden under decorative overlays. By carefully unscrewing them, you can remove the handle and move the plugs to new places. Now the door is ready for installation on the new side.
☑️ Procedure for dismantling
In parallel with the door, you need to sort out the hinge system itself. The bottom support is often asymmetrical in shape and requires flipping or moving to the other side of the body. Carefully inspect the mechanism: sometimes it is necessary to turn the pin over or change the position of the adjusting screw. Models Haier and Electrolux the design of the lower bushing may differ, so watch the orientation of the parts.
Installing the door on the new side
Installation is carried out in the reverse order. First, the lower support loop is installed in a new location. It is important to tighten it firmly enough, but without fanaticism, so as not to break the threads in the refrigerator body. Then the door leaf is carefully placed on the lower pin. Make sure that the hole in the door hinge exactly coincides with the axis.
While the door is supported on the lower support, you need to fix it in a vertical position and attach the upper hinge to the body. At this stage, the bolts are not fully tightened so that there is room for adjustment. Check that the door opens and closes freely and that there are no distortions or bumps in the frame.
The final stage of mechanical assembly is the installation of the upper decorative panel or cover. Make sure that any wires that pass through this assembly (such as for a display or lamp) are not pinched or twisted. The cables should have a small margin of length for free movement when opening.
Adjusting position and tightness
After installation, a situation often arises when the door does not fit tightly or is skewed. To eliminate this defect, an adjustment system is provided. In most cases, it is implemented through eccentrics on hinges or adjusting screws. By rotating them, you can move the door up and down or closer or further from the body.
Checking the tightness is a critical step. Take a sheet of paper, clamp it with the door and try to pull it out. The force should be noticeable along the entire perimeter. If in some area the paper is pulled out too easily, it means that the seal pressure is broken there. This will lead to ice freezing and increased energy consumption.
The table below shows the main symptoms of incorrect installation and ways to eliminate them:
| Symptom | Possible cause | Elimination method |
|---|---|---|
| The door itself opens | The body is tilted back or weak magnets | Unscrew the front legs of the refrigerator |
| The gap in the upper corner | The upper hinge is skewed | Loosen the fasteners and level the door |
| Friction on the body | The hinge is pressed too close | Add a washer or adjust the eccentric |
| Difficult to close the door | Protrusion of the seal | Warm the seal with a hairdryer or lubricate it with silicone |
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the gaps cannot be aligned, the door leaf itself may be deformed or the refrigerator body may be skewed. In such cases, simple reweighing will not help; professional geometry editing is required.
Features of models with a display and No Frost
Rehanging doors on refrigerators with a system No Frost or the presence of an electronic display has its own nuances. The main feature is the presence of electrical wires running from the body to the door (for a lamp, sensors or screen). When moving the door, these wires must be carefully transferred to the corresponding channels on the other side.
Often the wires are hidden inside plastic cable channels passing through the hinges. When dismantling, it is important not to damage the insulation and not to pull out the connectors sharply. Some models Samsung or LG require removal of an additional plastic cover on the hinge to access the connector. After rearranging, make sure the connectors snap into place until you hear a characteristic click.
If your model provides for the installation of a second handle (for symmetry after turning), check the package. Sometimes a spare handle comes with the refrigerator in a bag with documents, and sometimes it needs to be ordered separately. Without a second handle, the appearance may look unfinished, although this does not affect the functionality.
Frequent errors and safety measures
One of A common mistake is to ignore the incline level. Refrigerator doors are often designed to close on their own due to gravity. To do this, the refrigerator must be installed with a slight tilt towards the rear. If, after rehanging, the door no longer closes tightly, try unscrewing the front adjusting feet, lifting the facade upward.
Also, users often forget about the stabilization time. After transportation and active manipulation, it is advisable to let the refrigerator stand for several hours before turning it on, especially if it was working immediately before re-hanging. This will allow the oil in the compressor to drain into the crankcase, which will extend the life of the unit.
Do not use aggressive chemicals to clean the opened internal parts of the hinges. Metal shavings or old grease are removed with a dry cloth. New lubricant, if necessary, should be food grade or specialized for refrigeration equipment, so as not to harm the products in case of accidental contact.
Do you need to call a technician to rehang the doors?
If you have a basic set of tools and physical strength to hold the door, calling a technician is not necessary. The process is quite logical. However, if you have a Side-by-Side model or a French door, where the doors are very heavy and complex, it is better to entrust the work to professionals so as not to damage expensive equipment.
What to do if the holes for the hinges do not match?
In 99% of cases, the holes are already provided by the manufacturer on both sides and are closed with plugs. If you do not find any holes, carefully study the instructions for your model. It is strictly not recommended to drill new holes in the refrigerator body - this will disrupt the thermal insulation and may damage the cooling circuit.
Is it possible to hang the door on a built-in refrigerator?
Yes, it is possible, but the process is more complicated due to the presence of furniture facades. First you need to remove the facade from the refrigerator door, then turn over the door itself and the sliding mechanism, and only then reattach the facade. It is important to maintain the ventilation gaps provided by the furniture box.