The decision to dismantle door panels often arises when moving or remodeling a kitchen, when the dimensions of the passage do not allow carrying the unit assembled. The system's refrigerators side-by-side have an impressive width, which makes their transportation without prior disassembly almost impossible in standard apartments. Carrying out this procedure independently requires care and understanding of the design, since the weight of the doors is significant, and the opening mechanisms can be complex.
Before starting work, it is necessary to free up the internal space and prepare a flat area next to the equipment. It is important to understand that hanging doors or their complete dismantling is a process that will void the warranty if you damage the seals or electronic cables. In this article, we will look at how to safely remove the doors so as not to damage either the equipment or the flooring.
Do not forget that modern models are often equipped with displays and complex control systems that require careful handling of wires. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to turn to professionals, but if the decision is made, follow the algorithm below.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
High-quality preparation is the key to successful completion of the operation without scratches and injuries. You will need a set of tools that are usually in the arsenal of a home craftsman, but the specific side-by-side dictates its own requirements. First of all, provide free access to the refrigerator from all sides, moving it away from the wall at a sufficient distance.
For work you will need:
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for removing decorative plugs.
- 🔧 A socket wrench or a wrench (most often 8, 10 or 13 mm) for removing hinge bolts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges and grease.
- 📦 An assistant or stop for fixing a heavy door leaf.
Critical It is important to secure the floor by covering it with cardboard or a soft mat, since removed parts may cause heavy objects to fall. It is also worth preparing a container for folding screws so that they do not get lost among small items. Marking fasteners will help during reassembly, especially if the hinge design is asymmetrical.
☑️ Preparation for dismantling
Turn off the power supply and defrost
Safety comes first, so the first step should always be to completely disconnect the device from the power supply. Unplug the cord from the outlet to eliminate the risk of a short circuit if the door wiring is accidentally damaged. If the model has a system No Frostthis does not eliminate the need to check the condition of the ice in the rare event of a defrost malfunction.
It is recommended to leave the refrigerator turned off for several hours before removing the doors. This will allow the plastic to become more elastic and the rubber seals to expand, making the process easier. In some cases, condensation may accumulate inside, which, if sharply tilted or removed, can leak out.
⚠️ Attention: If you are planning transportation, be sure to secure the compressor with special transport bolts, if the instructions for your model side-by-side require it. Moving a running or recently running unit without fixing it can damage the compressor.
While waiting for defrosting, you can remove all removable elements: shelves, drawers, bottle holders. This will not only reduce the weight of the structure, but will also prevent glass or plastic from breaking due to careless movement. An empty refrigerator is easier to tilt and maneuver around it.
Removing the top hinge and removing the top door
The removal process usually begins from the top of the unit, since the structure is supported by the lower hinges, and the upper ones serve only as a position lock. Locate the trim cap on the top panel above the door and carefully pry it off with a flathead screwdriver. Under it are hidden mounting bolts that need to be unscrewed.
After removing the fasteners, the top hinge is removed, and you have access to the wires if the door is equipped with a display or control buttons. Electronic module requires extreme caution: you should not pull the door by the wires. Find the connector, press the latch and carefully disconnect the contacts.
What to do if the connector does not disconnect?
Do not use excessive force. Inspect the latch - sometimes it is tight or blocked by a second lock. Try rocking the connector slightly from side to side, holding the plastic part of the connector itself, not the wires. If in doubt, it is better to call a technician so as not to break the tracks on the board.
Now that the wires are free, you can begin to physically remove the door leaf. It is better to do this with an assistant: one person holds the door, and the second controls the process. Smoothly lift the door up, removing it from the lower hinge, and set it in a safe place.
Removing the middle hinge and lower door
After dismantling the upper sash, attention turns to the central part of the structure. In refrigerators side-by-side there is often an intermediate hinge connecting the upper and lower doors. It must be removed by unscrewing the corresponding bolts. Here it is important not to drop the heavy lower door, which now remains hanging only on the lower canopy.
The lower door is the most massive, and its weight can reach 30-40 kilograms. When unscrewing the bottom hinge, be sure to hold the door body or use a stand. Abruptly removing the load can cause the door to fall on your feet or hit the body of the refrigerator.
If there are freezer drawers at the bottom, make sure they are completely closed or, conversely, removed if the design requires access to hidden bolts. Lower canopy often has a complex shape and can be secured with screws of different lengths, so remember them location.
| Hinge type | Location | Fastening features | Risks during removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | Above the door | Decorative cover, 2-3 bolts | Break display cable |
| Middle | Between doors | Hidden fasteners, axis of rotation | Fall of the top sash |
| Bottom | Near the floor | Powerful bolts, adjusting washers | Leg injury, impact with the body |
| Hub axis | Inside the hinge | Lubricant, clamps | Loss of small parts |
Features of working with electronics and loops
Modern models side-by-side are saturated with electronics: opening sensors, displays, backlights and control modules Smartfunctions. All these elements are connected to the main control unit of the refrigerator with thin wires passing through loops. When removing doors, these connections must be broken.
The main rule is never pull on the wires themselves. Always grasp the plastic housing of the connector. If the connector is equipped with an additional latch, it must be released before disconnecting. Some models have connectors that are twist-locked or double-locked.
Marking wires before unplugging is a great habit that will save time during assembly. Take a close-up photo of each connection point. This will help restore connections correctly, even if you forget which wire went where.
Common mistakes and precautions
The most common mistake is trying to remove the door alone. Dimensions and weight of sashes side-by-side tricky: even a physically strong person may not be able to maintain balance if the door jams or slips off its axis. This is fraught not only with injuries, but also with damage to the floor covering or the door itself.
Another mistake is the loss of adjusting washers or gaskets. Thin metal or plastic plates are often installed between the hinges and the body to adjust the gaps. If you lose them, the door may warp or fit loosely after installation.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the removed door lying flat on the floor, especially on the front side. This can lead to deformation of the canvas or damage to the internal lining and the evaporator if it is located close to the wall.
You should also avoid using excessive force when unscrewing old bolts. If the fastener is rusty, it is better to treat it with a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40) and wait 10-15 minutes rather than strip the bolt head. It is extremely difficult to remove a broken bolt without a professional tool.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to remove the doors of a side-by-side refrigerator alone?
Theoretically, it is possible if the model is small-sized and you have significant physical strength. However, it is strongly recommended not to do this alone due to the risk of the heavy structure falling and damaging the floor or cabinet. Always call an assistant.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before removing the doors?
Full defrosting is not necessary if the system is working. No Frost. However, it is necessary to disconnect the device from the network. If there is ice inside, it is better to wait until it melts so that water does not flow when the case is tilted.
What to do if the display wire comes off?
If the wire comes off at the connector itself, you can try to carefully strip it and twist it, insulating the connection. If a break occurs in the harness or the board is damaged, you will need to replace the cable or contact a service center.
How to move the doors to the other side?
The process is similar to removal, but during assembly the hinges are installed on the opposite side. For this purpose, threaded holes are provided in the refrigerator body, closed with plastic plugs. Don't forget to rearrange the stops and handles.