The situation when the standard location of the refrigerator door ceases to be satisfactory and occurs quite often. This may be due to remodeling the kitchen, installing new furniture, or simply wanting to optimize the space for easier access to products. The brand Indesit provides the ability to change the opening side for most of its models, which makes the procedure accessible even to non-professionals.
Before starting work, it is important to understand that the process requires care and accuracy, as it is associated with the dismantling of heavy structural elements. Incorrect actions can lead to damage accessories or failure of the seal, which will affect the energy consumption of the unit in the future. In this article, we will analyze all the stages in detail so that you can complete the job efficiently and safely.
It is worth noting that the design of different models Indesit may have its own nuances, especially in the fastening systems of handles and hinges. Therefore, when starting work, be sure to perform a visual inspection of your specific device. We have prepared a universal algorithm that covers most common modifications of this manufacturer.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any manipulations, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network and remove all products to reduce the weight of the structure and avoid damage to the contents.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Quality preparation - This is half the success of any repair operation. To rehang doors, you will need a basic DIY kit, which many people have. The main tool will be a screwdriver or a Phillips screwdriver, since fasteners usually have standard heads. Indesit usually have standard caps.
It will also not be amiss to prepare a wrench or a 10-mm socket, which is often used to tighten the main hinge bolts. To avoid losing small parts during operation, it is recommended to prepare a container in advance for storing screws and plugs. It is better to cover the work area with soft material, such as a blanket or cardboard, so as not to scratch the floor or the unit itself when installing the removed elements.
In some cases, a flat-head screwdriver may be required to carefully remove decorative plugs and plastic panels. If the hinges are stuck or rusty, penetrating lubrication may be needed, although this is rare on modern models. The main thing is to ensure good lighting of the work area so that you can see all the fastening points. Indesit this is rare. The main thing is to ensure good lighting of the work area so that you can see all the fastening points.
- 🔧 Phillips screwdriver or screwdriver with the appropriate bits.
- 🔩 Wrench or 10 mm socket for the main bolts.
- 🧤 Flat-head screwdriver for removing plugs and panels.
- 🧶 Soft rags or cardboard to protect the floor and body.
Door design features Indesit
Refrigerators Indesit are most often equipped with doors that are mounted on two or three hinges, depending on the height of the model and the number of chambers. The design implies that on the opposite side of the case there are already symmetrical holes and pressed-in bushings for installing fasteners. This greatly simplifies the task, since there is no need to drill new holes. bushings for installation of fasteners. This makes the task much easier since there is no need to drill new holes.
An important element is the system of closers and magnetic latches, which ensure a tight fit of the door to the body. When rehanging, you must carefully ensure that these mechanisms are rearranged correctly. In models with the system No Frost it is also important not to damage the wires going to the control panel or display on the door, if any.
Plastic trims and decorative elements deserve special attention. They often have a fragile structure and can break if handled carelessly. Indesit The plugs on the unused side are usually already installed at the factory, but they will need to be removed and moved to the free side.
Why may the door not close after rehanging?
Most often the problem lies in the incorrect installation of the magnetic latch of the mating part or the skew of the hinges when tightened. It is also possible that the seal was wrinkled during transportation and needs time to straighten out, or it requires heating with a hairdryer to restore its shape.
Removing the top panel and top hinge
The process begins by removing the top decorative panel, if it is present in your model. To do this, you need to unscrew the fixing screws, which may be hidden under plastic plugs or rubber feet. After removing the fasteners, the panel carefully moves back and up, freeing access to the top hinge.
Next, unscrew the bolts of the top hinge. It is important here to hold the door so that it does not fall when the last screw is removed. In some Indesit models, the top hinge also serves as an axle mount, so you need to act carefully. If the door is a two-chamber refrigerator, then at this stage only the top door is removed.
After removing the hinge, it must be moved to the opposite side. To do this, screws are unscrewed on one side and screwed into symmetrical holes on the other. Do not forget to move the plastic plug into the vacated hole to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the unit. It is better to immediately sort all removed screws according to the stages of dismantling.
☑️ Dismantling the top part
Removing doors and rearranging handles
The most important stage is removing the main door panels. If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, then after removing the top door you need to remove the middle partition or bar if it interferes with access to the bottom hinge. The lower door is removed in the same way as the upper one: the lower hinge is unscrewed (sometimes it is hidden under the base) and the door is lifted.
Particular attention must be paid handles. In most models Indesit handles are part of the door structure and require dismantling. They can be secured with screws on the inside of the door, which are closed with plugs. By carefully prying up the plug with a flat-head screwdriver, you will gain access to the fasteners.
After unscrewing the handles, they are installed on the opposite side. It is important here not to confuse the upper and lower handles if they have different shapes or angles. Included with the refrigerator are sometimes special bushings or plugs for the holes from the handles, which need to be installed in the old place.
| Element | Action | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Rearrangement to the other side | Keep an eye on the axis |
| Door handle | Dismantling and installation mirrored | Do not confuse top/bottom |
| Plugs | Replacing location | Close old holes |
| Bottom pin | Repositioning to lower hole | Requires a key for 10 |
⚠️ Attention: The refrigerator doors are heavy and have glass shelves inside. It is better to remove them together to avoid falls and injuries, as well as damage to the floor covering.
Installing the doors on a new one side
After preparing all the elements, assembly begins. The bottom support pin or hinge is installed first on the new side. It should be screwed tightly, as it will bear the bulk of the door's weight. Make sure that the pin is strictly vertical, otherwise the door will be skewed.
Then the bottom door is hung (in two-chamber models). The hole in the door is aligned with the pin, and the door is set in place. After this, a middle bar or partition is installed, if the design of the refrigerator Indesit requires it. Only after this is the upper hinge mounted and the upper door hung.
At this stage, the hinge screws do not need to be tightened all the way. Leave a little play to be able to adjust the position of the doors. Make sure that all wires, if any, are laid in the channels intended for them and are not pinched by the hinge mechanisms.
Adjusting the gaps and closing tightness
The final stage is adjustment. If the door is crooked or does not fit tightly to the body, you need to loosen the hinge screws and move the door slightly. The gap between the door and the body must be uniform around the entire perimeter. Pay special attention to the lower part, where distortion often occurs due to the weight of the door.
The closing tightness is regulated by the height of the hinges or special adjusting screws, if provided by the model. The door should close itself when opened at an angle of about 45 degrees thanks to magnets and tightness. If the door comes off, check to see if anything is blocking the seal.
After all bolts have been completely tightened, check the operation of the refrigerator. Make sure that when you close the door, the light comes on (if there is one inside) or the characteristic click of the switch is heard. Within a few hours, check whether ice appears in the area where the door and the body meet.
- 📏 Check the uniformity of the gap around the entire perimeter of the door.
- 🚪 Make sure that the door closes tightly and independently.
- 💡 Check the operation of the internal lighting and switch.
- ❄️ Check that there are no gaps for the cold to escape.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can the door be hung if there is a control display on it?
In most models Indesit With a display on the door, re-hanging is impossible or extremely difficult, since the length of the wires does not allow moving the panel to the other side. However, in some cases, the wires can be carefully disconnected and repositioned, but this requires deep disassembly and may violate the warranty.
What should you do if, after rehanging, the door does not hold and opens?
Most likely, the problem is incorrect adjustment of the tilt of the body or hinges. Try unscrewing the front adjustable legs of the refrigerator slightly so that the body tilts back slightly. Also check if the seal is twisted in the corners.
Do you need to wait before turning on the refrigerator after hanging it?
If you did not tilt the refrigerator much and did not work with the refrigeration circuit (pipes), then you can turn it on immediately. However, if the unit has been transported or tilted heavily, it is recommended to let it stand for 2-4 hours before turning it on.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
Plugs can be ordered at authorized service centers Indesit according to the catalog number of your model. As a last resort, the holes can be closed with decorative screws of a suitable color or carefully sealed if aesthetics are not a priority in this place.