The need to rearrange the door on the refrigerator Atlant often arises when moving to a new kitchen or after remodeling the room, when the standard opening on the right becomes inconvenient or physically impossible due to the size of the furniture. Most modern models of this brand, including the popular two-chamber series, structurally provide for the possibility of changing the opening side, which greatly simplifies the life of the owners. However, before starting work, it is important to make sure that your specific modification supports such a function, since some budget versions with integrated handles or hidden hinges may have a monolithic design.
The rehanging process requires a minimum set of tools and basic skills in handling equipment, but ignoring the sequence of actions can lead to damage to plastic elements or disruption tightness. Key point is the correct preparation of the workplace and compliance with safety precautions so that a heavy door does not fall on your feet or damage the floor covering. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that is relevant for most models, and point out the nuances that beginners often miss.
It is worth noting that the procedure may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture of your unit and the type of control system installed. If you have a model with an electronic display on the door, additional care will be required when working with wires. In models with the No Frost system, dismantling may require temporarily removing the top cover of the case to access fasteners. Do not rush to apply physical force where the element does not go - you may have missed a hidden screw or fastener.
Preparation of tools and workspace
Before proceeding with dismantling, it is necessary to organize a free area around the refrigerator. You will need at least a meter radius of space to safely accommodate the removed parts and move them around the case comfortably. Remove carpets that could become wrinkled under the weight of equipment, and make sure the floor is level and dry. If you are working in a narrow corridor, it is better to temporarily move the refrigerator to a more open area.
To perform the operation of changing the opening side, you will need a standard DIY kit. The lack of specialized tools is not a problem, but the quality of screwdrivers and wrenches matters. Dull or too thin tips can lick off the edges of the screws, which will turn a simple repair into an hour-long problem of drilling out fasteners.
You will need the following tools:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead) for removing handles and decorative plugs.
- 🔩 Open-end or socket wrenches (usually 8 mm, 10 mm) for unscrewing the main hinges.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges of metal and grease.
- 📏 Level or plumb line to control the verticality of installation after transfer.
⚠️ 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 a short circuit if the wiring or contacts are accidentally damaged while manipulating the door.
Pay special attention to the condition of the fasteners. If the refrigerator has been in the kitchen for many years, the threaded connections may have become sour or rusted. Prepare a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) ahead of time to treat tight screws. This will avoid breaking the bolt heads and make it easier to unscrew.
Dismantling the upper part and removing the handle
The first step is always removing the upper door, since it is supported on the upper hinges and does not have a lower support, which would need to be released first. Start by removing the handle if it is not part of the door leaf. In models Atlant handles are often fastened with screws from the inside or hidden under decorative overlays.
Carefully inspect the places where the handle is attached. Sometimes the screws are covered with plastic plugs that need to be carefully pryed off with a thin knife or flat-head screwdriver. Do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the plastic, as it can be difficult to find identical plugs on sale. After removing the plugs, unscrew the fastening screws and put the handle in a safe place.
Next, you need to remove the top decorative cover of the refrigerator body, if it is present in your model. It is usually secured with latches or a pair of screws at the back. Carefully lift the lid, being careful not to damage the plastic clips, which may have become brittle over the years. Under the cover you will see the upper hinge of the door.
The process of removing the hinge requires an assistant, since the door is heavy and can move at any time. One person should hold the door, and the second should unscrew the bolts securing the hinge to the body. After loosening the bolts, the hinge can be removed, and then carefully set the upper door aside, placing it on a soft surface, such as a blanket or cardboard.
☑️ Removing the upper door
Working with the bottom door and freezer
After The upper part is removed, we move on to the bottom door, which in two-chamber refrigerators Atlant usually is the freezer compartment. Here the process is more complicated due to the presence of a middle hinge that connects both doors and is attached to the body. First you need to release the middle hinge from its attachment to the body, but do not remove it completely yet.
It is important to properly fix the bottom door before finally removing the middle hinge. Often, masking tape is used for this, gluing the door to the body of the refrigerator so that it does not fall when the bolts are unscrewed. Make sure that the tape holds the structure securely before completely removing the fasteners.
The table below shows typical fastener sizes for different series of refrigerators, which will help you prepare the necessary keys in advance:
| Refrigerator series | Top hinge type | Key size (mm) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlant XM-4000 | Open | 10 | Standard fasteners |
| Atlant XM-6000 | Hidden | 8 | Requires removal of the cover |
| Atlant XM-4200 | Combined | 10/8 | Different fasteners on top/bottom |
| Atlant No Frost | Reinforced | 10 | Two bolts per hinge |
When unscrewing the middle hinge, remember that sensor or lighting wiring may hang on it if it passes through the center pillar. Act smoothly, controlling every millimeter of metal movement. If you feel resistance, check if the cable is pinched.
What to do if the bolt is rusty?
If the bolt does not unscrew, do not use brute force. Apply penetrating lubricant to the joint and leave for 10-15 minutes. You can try to gently warm the bolt head with a hair dryer, but make sure that the hot air does not get on the plastic case or sealing rubber.
Rearranging hinges and fittings
Now that the doors are removed and the hinges are freed, the stage of rearranging the fittings to the opposite side begins. Carefully study the design of the hinges: they may be symmetrical or require a revolution. In most models Atlant the hinge axes need to be rearranged or the fastening elements themselves turned over.
On the refrigerator body you will see holes covered with plastic plugs - these are places for new installation of hinges. Remove the plugs from the opposite side and install them in the vacated holes to maintain an aesthetic appearance. Often these plugs have a conical shape and can be easily removed with your fingers or a thin screwdriver.
Don't forget to rearrange the door stops. These are small plastic or rubber elements that are located on the end of the door and body, preventing impacts when closing. They need to be twisted to the opposite end using the same thread or special seats.
Height adjustment loops are also important. Before final tightening, ensure that the hinge pins are inserted completely and level into the housing holes. If the hinge is skewed, the door will open spontaneously or, conversely, jam. Use a level to check that the middle and top bars are installed horizontally.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the hinges in a new location, make sure that the thread goes in easily. If a misalignment occurs, do not tighten the bolt by force - this will lead to breakage of the threads in the refrigerator body, the restoration of which will require complex repairs.
Installation of doors in the reverse order
Installation of doors is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. First, the bottom door (freezer) is hung. Align the holes in the bottom hinge on the door with the pin on the frame or insert the axle into the appropriate slot. Have an assistant hold the door while you tighten the middle hinge bolts.
After fixing the bottom door, proceed to installing the top one. Here it is important to correctly align the middle hinge pin with the hole in the end of the top door. Lower the door slowly, making sure the pin hits. If the holes do not line up, rock the door slightly or check to see if the middle hinge is fully tightened.
After installing both doors, do not tighten the hinge bolts “all the way” at once. First, make sure that the doors close tightly and that the gaps around the perimeter are even. Only after a visual inspection and checking the magnetic fit of the seal can you finally tighten all fasteners.
Pay special attention to models with a display. When installing the top door, you need to carefully pass the wires through the provided channels. Do not allow the wires to be pinched by the metal of the hinge or the body, as this will lead to broken contacts and inoperability of the control panel.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
The final stage is checking the quality of the work performed. Doors must close tightly around the entire perimeter, without distortion. The gap between the seal and the housing should be minimal and uniform. If you notice that the door does not fit tightly in one corner, you will need to adjust the height of the hinge.
To adjust, it is often enough to loosen the hinge fastening screws and slightly raise or lower the door, and then fix the fasteners again. Some models Atlant are provided with adjusting screws that allow you to change the inclination of the door relative to the body without completely removing the hinges.
Checking the tightness is carried out using a simple method: close the door on a sheet of paper clamped with a seal. Try to pull out the sheet. If it is easily removed anywhere around the perimeter, the tightness is broken, and the cold will escape, forcing the compressor to work more intensely. In this case, repeat the adjustment.
Also make sure that you do not need to apply excessive force when closing the door. A too tight fit may indicate skewed hinges or deformation of the seal. A correctly installed door should close on its own when approached to the body at a distance of 3-5 cm thanks to magnets.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close completely?
Most likely, the geometry of the hinges is broken or objects on the shelves are in the way. Check to see if the shelves have moved and are not resting against the door. Also make sure that the refrigerator is positioned strictly vertically - if tilted back, the door may open on its own, but if tilted forward, it may not close completely. Adjust the front legs of the refrigerator.
Is it possible to hang the door on an Atlant refrigerator with a display?
Yes, you can, but it requires more caution. You will have to carefully disconnect the wire harnesses going to the display before removing the door. When installing on a new side, the wires will need to be re-routed, making sure that the cable is long enough and is not overtightened. If you have no experience working with electronics, it is better to invite a specialist.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, the door may become significantly heavier, making installation more difficult. In addition, when the equipment is tilted (if required), water will not flow out of the drainage holes. It is recommended to carry out the defrosting procedure in advance for your own comfort.
Why did the creaking appear after rehanging?
The creaking can occur due to metal-to-metal friction in the hinges if they are not lubricated, or due to the fact that the doors are skewed and rubbing against the body. Check the tightness of the bolts and make sure the hinge axes are lubricated. Sometimes the seal itself creaks, if it is dry, it can be treated with a special silicone grease for rubber.