Owners of brand household appliances Stinol often faced with the need to dismantle the door leaf when moving or scheduled maintenance. Narrow doorways in modern apartments may not allow the assembled refrigerator to pass through, which makes the procedure for removing the doors mandatory. In addition, over time sealing rubber loses elasticity and requires replacement, which is impossible without first dismantling the door.
The lower sash in two-chamber models is usually responsible for access to the freezer or freshness zone, so its design has its own characteristics. Correct execution of all stages of work will avoid damage accessories and distortions during subsequent installation. In this article we will analyze in detail the process, the necessary tools and nuances characteristic of equipment Stinol.
Before taking active steps, it is necessary to ensure the safety of the process and prepare the workspace. Be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical outlet before starting any work on mechanical components. This will eliminate the risk of a short circuit during accidental damage to the wiring if it runs in the area of the loops, and will protect you from electric shock.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task, you will need a minimum set of home craftsman, which can be found almost everywhere everyone. The main tool will be hex wrenchas it is the one most often used for fixing hinges in models of this brand. You may also need a flathead or Phillips screwdriver to remove decorative plugs and plastic trims.
⚠️ Attention: Prepare a container for small parts in advance, as screws can easily get lost in the carpet pile or floor crevices.
It wouldn’t hurt to enlist the help of a second person, especially if the refrigerator is tall and heavy. The door can weigh from 5 to 10 kilograms, and holding it with one hand while unscrewing the bolts is extremely inconvenient and dangerous for the back. Place a soft blanket or cardboard on the floor to be able to safely place the removed sash without scratching it and the floor covering.
Make sure there is enough lighting in the work area. The shadow of the refrigerator body can hide the fasteners, which will lead to errors. If the refrigerator came with instructions, find an assembly diagram, although in 90% of cases the design of the hinges is standard and intuitive. Stinol standard and intuitive.
- 🛠️ A hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm) is the main tool for hinges.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (flat and Phillips) - for plugs and auxiliary screws.
- 🧤 Work gloves - to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📦 Container for fasteners - to avoid losing bolts and washers.
Design features of refrigerator doors Stinol
Equipment Stinol, produced at factories in Lipetsk, is distinguished by maintainability and a fairly simple design. The doors here are attached to end hinges, which can be located either on the left or on the right, depending on the model and possibility re-hangings. It is important to understand that the lower door often has a more complex opening system due to the presence of a recessed handle or hidden latch mechanisms.
In some models, the upper hinge of the lower door is hidden under a decorative strip or is part of the cooling system, in the case of systems No Frost. In such cases, dismantling requires special care so as not to damage the plastic elements or refrigerant supply tubes running near the axis of rotation. The design may vary depending on the year of manufacture and series of the refrigerator.
It is worth noting that the bottom door hinges experience the greatest load, since they bear the weight of the food in the freezer. That is why the mounting bolts here are often very tightly tightened or, conversely, may be soured from moisture. Understanding the structure of the fastening unit will help you apply force in the right direction and tear off the stuck metal without breaking.
⚠️ Attention: In models with the No Frost system, be extremely careful with the plastic air ducts located at the end of the door. Their damage will lead to disruption of air circulation.
Step-by-step process of dismantling the lower sash
We begin the immediate removal process. The first step is always to free up the space around the refrigerator. Move the unit away from the wall to allow access from all sides. Open the top door to gain access to the top hinge of the bottom door. This is where the process usually begins, since it holds the weight of the entire structure.
Carefully remove the decorative plug from the upper hinge of the lower door. Underneath you will find mounting bolts. Using hexagon, start unscrewing them. Do not remove the bolts completely at once, loosen them to make sure they give way. If the fasteners are rusty, you can drop a little penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40) and wait 10-15 minutes.
☑️ Algorithm for removing the door
After the bolts of the upper hinge of the lower door are unscrewed, you will need an assistant. One person should firmly hold the door by the handle and end, preventing it from falling, and the second should finally remove the fasteners. Smoothly lift the door up, removing it from the lower axis, and place it in a safe place. If the door is heavy, do not try to remove it with a jerk.
| Work stage | Tool | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Removing the plug | Flat screwdriver | Act carefully so as not to scratch the metal |
| Loosen the bolts | Hex wrench | Turn counterclockwise |
| Removing the blade | Assistant | Hold strictly vertically to avoid skewing |
| Removing the lower stud | Key for 10 or 12 | Needed only when the doors are completely rehung |
The nuances of working with hinges and fasteners
Refrigerator fasteners Stinol are often made of steel, which oxidizes over time in high humidity conditions of the kitchen. If you feel that the bolt will not turn, do not use excessive force, which may strip the head edges. It is better to use a special rust remover or slightly heat the metal (with caution) to expand it.
When removing, pay attention to the condition of yourself hinges. If they show wear (play), deep scratches or corrosion, it makes sense to replace them immediately while the door is removed. This will save you from repeating the procedure in six months, when the door begins to warp and stops closing tightly. New hinges are inexpensive, but save a lot of nerves.
What to do if the edges of the bolt are licked?
If the edges are torn off, use a rubber band for better grip of the key or use a screw extractor. In extreme cases, the bolt will have to be drilled out, which requires professional skills.
It is also important to check the plastic bushings and washers that may be located between the hinge and the door body. They serve to reduce friction and noise when opening. If they are damaged or lost, they must be replaced or lubricated with silicone grease before reassembly. The absence of these elements will lead to creaking and rapid wear of the metal hinge.
Replacing the seal and servicing a removed door
A removed door is an ideal opportunity to carry out deep cleaning and maintenance. While the sash is lying horizontally, it is convenient to replace sealing rubber. The old seal is carefully removed from the groove along the entire perimeter. The new profile is installed starting from the corners, gradually pressing it into the groove with your fingers or a blunt object.
After installing a new seal, it is recommended to heat it with a hairdryer at the minimum temperature. This will make the rubber more elastic and help it expand, ensuring a tight fit to the body of the refrigerator. It is also worth washing the door itself and the ends with warm water and a mild detergent, removing accumulated dirt, which often gets clogged in the cracks.
- 🧼 Thoroughly wash the groove for the seal before installing a new tape.
- 🌡️ Heating with a hairdryer helps the rubber tape to take the correct shape form.
- 🔍 Check the integrity of the magnetic insert inside the seal.
- 🛢️ Lubricate the rubbing metal parts of the hinge with silicone grease.
⚠️ Attention: When cleaning, do not use abrasive powders or aggressive solvents, they can damage the door coating and make plastic fragile.
Reinstalling the door and final adjustment
The installation process is performed in reverse order. Install the bottom pin (if it was removed) and put the door on it. Then attach the top hinge and tighten the bolts. Do not tighten them all the way straight away. First, make sure that the door is level, the gaps around the perimeter are the same, and nothing interferes with closing.
After aligning the leaf, you can finally tighten the fasteners. Check the door operation: it should open smoothly, without jerking, and close tightly. If you notice misalignment, loosen the top hinge bolts and move the door slightly to the desired direction, then tighten again. Adjusting the gaps is a critical step for proper operation of the refrigerator.
After installation, wait 1-2 hours before turning on the refrigerator, especially if you used lubricant or carried out wet cleaning. Allow all components to dry and take their place. Turn on the unit and check its operation during the first day, making sure that the temperature is set correctly.
Is it possible to remove the Stinol refrigerator door alone?
Technically this is possible if the model is small and light, but it is highly not recommended. The door is heavy and bulky, there is a high risk of dropping it, damaging the floor, fingers or the equipment itself. It’s better to call an assistant.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before removing the doors?
Full defrosting is not necessary only for mechanical removal of the hinges. However, if you plan to wash the door or change the seal, it is better to defrost the unit in advance so that water does not flow when changing the position of the housing.
What to do if the door does not close tightly after installation?
Check whether the seal is installed correctly (if it is turned out). Make sure the refrigerator is level (adjust the legs). It may be necessary to loosen the hinges and readjust the position of the door.
Where can I get the assembly diagram for my Stinol model?
The diagrams are often located on the inside of the instruction manual. They can also be found on the Internet by the exact name of the model (for example, Stinol 102, 116, etc.) on the websites of spare parts manufacturers or in manuals archives.