The need to remove the door from the refrigerator Ariston or Hotpoint often arises in situations where you need to transport equipment through a narrow doorway or perform complex seal repairs. Owners of household appliances often underestimate the weight and dimensions of the structure when trying to push the unit into a standard apartment, which can lead to damage to the walls or the appliance itself. Removing the door leaf is a standard procedure provided by the manufacturer to facilitate transportation and maintenance.
Modern two-chamber models have a complex fastening system, including not only metal hinges, but also electrical connections for the system No Frost or displays. If your refrigerator is equipped with an electronic control on the front, the process requires special care, since careless handling of the wiring can damage the control board. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the stages of work, the necessary tools and safety measures.
It is important to understand that even if you plan to simply turn the door over for ease of transportation, you will still have to disassemble the upper fastening unit. The design of refrigerators Hotpoint Ariston implies rigid fixation, which cannot be ignored. The correct approach will allow you to avoid injuries and maintain the product warranty, since dismantling does not violate the integrity of the seals on the compressor.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
Before starting any manipulations with the refrigerator body, you must prepare the appropriate tools. The main tool will be an open-end or ring wrench, the size of which is most often 10 mm or 13 mm, depending on the specific series of your unit. You may also need a flat-head screwdriver to remove decorative plugs and plastic covers that hide fasteners.
The work space should be free so that you can step back a sufficient distance from the refrigerator. Remove carpets and slippery surfaces, as the total weight of the door, especially in Side-by-Side models or with the Multi-Airflowsystem, can reach 15-20 kilograms. Find an assistant in advance who will hold the structure while unscrewing the last bolt.
☑️ Preparation for dismantling
Do not forget to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Although we are not touching the compressor directly, the presence of voltage in the circuit is dangerous when working on the wiring leading to the sensors or display. In addition, removing products will reduce the overall weight of the structure and reduce the risk of contents falling when the case is tilted.
Removing the top hinge and removing the main door
The removal process begins from the top of the refrigerator compartment, since that is where the main load-bearing unit is located. On most models Ariston the upper loop is covered with a decorative plastic cover. Carefully pry it up with a flat-head screwdriver or your fingernail, if a special groove is provided, and remove it, opening access to the mounting bolts.
Using the prepared wrench, loosen the top hinge bolts, but do not unscrew them completely yet. This is necessary in order to fix the door in its current position and prevent it from suddenly collapsing. After loosening the fasteners, completely unscrew the bolts and remove the metal hinge plate along with the bushings.
⚠️ Attention: The top hinge often has a pin that fits into the door hole. When removing the hinge, the door may lift slightly, so hold it firmly by the handle or ask an assistant to fix the position of the body.
Now you can carefully lift the door up, removing it from the lower hinge. The movement should be smooth, without jerking. If you feel resistance, check to see if the seal is stuck in the gap between the chambers. After removing the door, set it aside in a safe place, it is best to place it on a soft surface with the face up.
What to do if the bolts are rusty?
If the top hinge bolts do not unscrew due to oxidation, do not use excessive force to avoid stripping the threads. Treat the joints with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 10-15 minutes. Once the rust has softened, the bolts should come out easier. Using an impact screwdriver can also help, but be careful not to damage the enamel of the case.
Features of working with models with a display and electronics
Owners of models with a façade display or control panel should be extremely careful. In such refrigerators, a wiring harness runs from the top hinge to the body, transmitting signals from buttons and temperature sensors. Simply removing the door, as in mechanical models, will not work here - first you need to disconnect the electrical connector.
After removing the decorative cover, you will see the connector. It can be secured with a plastic snap mechanism or a screw. Carefully disconnect the chip by pulling the connector itself, not the wires. Sudden movements can damage thin contacts, which will lead to inoperability of the control panel.
| Connection type | Action | Risk of error |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic latch | Press the latch and pull | Break the plastic tab |
| Screw fixation | Unscrew the screw, separate the contacts | Lose the small screw |
| Rotary mechanism | Rotate counterclockwise | Tear off the thread with strong pressure |
After turning off the electrics, the procedure for removing the door is similar to that described above. Be sure to remember or photograph the position of the wires before removal, so that during reassembly you do not confuse the polarity or direction of cable laying in the channel.
Removing the bottom door of the freezer
Removing the bottom door usually does not cause difficulties, since it is less often equipped with electronics. However, in some models Hotpoint wiring for lighting lamps or defrost sensors may pass through the bottom. Carefully inspect the place where the bottom hinge is attached for the presence of wires before starting work.
To remove the bottom door, you must first remove the middle partition (if there is one) or gain access to the bottom hinge. Often the bottom hinge is covered with a plastic refrigerator base. Remove the plinth by unscrewing the mounting screws and you will gain access to the bottom hinge bolts.
- 🔧 Unscrew the bottom hinge bolts while holding the door closed or slightly open.
- 🚪 Lift the door up, removing it from the bottom hinge guides.
- 🧊 Check the condition of the seal and, if necessary, clean it of dirt while the door is removed.
If your refrigerator model has a system Zone Fresh or a separate cooling zone between the chambers, make sure that when removing the doors you will not damage the air supply channels. In some designs, removing the bottom door requires first removing the internal freezer drawers to reduce weight.
Adjusting and hanging doors to the other side
Often the door is removed not for transportation, but to hang it on the opposite side. Refrigerators Ariston allow you to change the opening side, which is convenient when remodeling the kitchen. To do this, you will need plugs for the holes, which usually come with the equipment or are in the technical documentation.
The rehanging process involves moving all the hinges (top, middle and bottom) to the opposite side of the case. The refrigerator body already has technological holes closed with plastic plugs. You will need to remove these plugs and move them to the vacant places.
⚠️ Attention: Not all models allow you to hang the door. If on the opposite side of the case there are no holes for fastening the hinges or there are no grooves for the handle, then changing the opening side is impossible without compromising the integrity of the case.
When installing the hinges in a new place, make sure that they fit snugly against the case. A misalignment of even half a millimeter can lead to the door not closing tightly, which will cause ice freezing and increased energy consumption. After installation, be sure to check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter.
Common mistakes and precautions
One of the most common mistakes is trying to remove the door without fixing the body. The refrigerator is a tall and narrow product, and if the heavy door is suddenly removed, it may become unstable and fall. Always hold the body with your hand or ask someone to back you up.
Another mistake is the loss of fasteners. Bolts, washers and bushings are very small and can roll under the refrigerator or into floor crevices. Use a magnetic container or cloth bag to collect all parts immediately after removing them. This will save you time and nerves during reassembly.
- 🚫 Do not try to bend the metal hinges by force, if they cannot be removed - it is better to re-treat them with lubricant.
- 🚫 Do not leave the refrigerator open for a long time without a door to avoid deformation of the seal.
- 🚫 Do not use an electric drill to tighten the hinge bolts, so as not to break the threads in the plastic bushings of the case.
It is also worth remembering the fragility of the glass shelves if you decide not to remove them before removing the door (although this is not recommended). Vibration during dismantling can be fatal to glass. It is better to spend an extra 5 minutes unloading than to buy a new shelf.
Is it possible to remove the door alone?
Theoretically, it is possible if the door is not solid (for example, a freezer). However, it is highly recommended that a second person be used for the main refrigerator door. The weight of the door, combined with its dimensions, makes the process dangerous for the back and risky for the integrity of the equipment when working alone.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before removing the door?
It is not necessary to defrost the refrigerator specifically to remove the door, unless the ice prevents access to fastening elements or does not break the seal so much that water will flow when tilted. However, defrosting is required for transportation.
Where can you find plugs for the holes when reversing the door?
The plugs are usually found in a bag with documents and instructions that comes with the refrigerator. If you have lost them, you can order original spare parts from the catalog Ariston or use universal analogues of a suitable diameter.
Is it possible to transport a refrigerator with the door removed while lying down?
Yes, removing the door makes transportation much easier. However, even with the door removed, it is not recommended to place the refrigerator on its side for more than 15-20 minutes, and certainly not on its back. After installation in a vertical position, allow the oil in the compressor to drain back (3-4 hours) before turning it on.
What to do if after installation the door does not close tightly?
Check whether the hinges are installed correctly and whether the top and bottom sides are mixed up. Also make sure that the seal has not popped out of the groove. If the geometry is broken, you may need to adjust the height of the refrigerator legs or loosen the hinge bolts to align the panel.