The situation when, after purchasing a refrigerator Atlant it turns out that it does not fit into the space allocated in the kitchen due to the direction in which the door opens, is familiar to many. This is not a design defect or a reason to return the equipment to the store. The design of most models of this brand provides the possibility reversing the door to the opposite side. This option allows you to adapt the unit to the layout of the room, providing convenient access to the shelves.
This process does not require deep engineering knowledge or specialized tools, however, it requires accuracy, attentiveness and adherence to the sequence of actions. Re-hanging the door refrigerator - this is physical work with metal elements, hinges and fasteners, where it is important not to lose a single part. Incorrect assembly can lead to a loose fit of the seal, misalignment of the valves and, as a result, failure of the compressor due to constant operation.
Before proceeding with dismantling, you need to make sure that your model even provides for this possibility. Although the vast majority of refrigerators Atlant (series 40, 42, 44, 45, 62, 63 and new series 18, 28) support this function, there are exceptions. In particular, models with a system No Frost in both chambers or a specific location of the control unit may have limitations. Carefully study the product passport before starting work.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
The success of the operation to change the opening side directly depends on the quality of preparation. You don't need fancy power tools, but you should have a set of hand tools on hand. The main task is to ensure the stability of the heavy unit and be able to quickly unscrew and tighten the bolts without the risk of stripping the threads or dropping the heavy metal door to the floor.
For work you will need the following set of tools:
- 🛠️ A set of wrenches (usually sizes 8, 10 and 13 mm are required) or a socket with ratchet.
- 🪛 Screwdrivers: flat (wide and narrow) and Phillips (PH2) for various types of screws.
- 🔧 Hex key (often included with the refrigerator in a bag with documents).
- 🧱 Stops or wedges for fixing the position body when tilting.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
It is important to free up space around the refrigerator. You will need to move it away from the wall at least 1-1.5 meters in order to have access from all sides. The floor must be level, without slippery surfaces. If there is linoleum or tiles on the floor, it is better to lay cardboard or thick fabric so that during the work you do not scratch the coating with the legs of the unit or a fallen tool.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Remove the plug from the outlet. This is critical because rehanging may require you to tilt the cabinet or manipulate wires to the display or backlights, creating the risk of electric shock.
Prepare a container to store the fasteners in advance. Bolts, nuts and washers tend to “run away” at the most inopportune moment, especially if there are children or pets in the house. Lay them out on the table in the order of dismantling, so that when reassembling you don’t have to guess which screw goes where. Also have a soft rag on hand to wipe dust off surfaces.
☑️ Ready to rehang
Removing the top cover and releasing the top hinge
The first stage of work is removing the top refrigerator compartment lids. This is necessary to gain access to the upper hinge bracket. In different models Atlant the cover can be attached in different ways: on latches, on screws under decorative plugs or on bolts located at the back.
Carefully inspect the top panel. If you see plastic plugs, carefully pry them off with a flathead screwdriver. The fastening screws are hidden under them. On some models, the cover simply slides back or lifts up after the front latches are loosened. Do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the plastic guides.
After removing the cover, the top hinge will open in front of you. It is important here not to confuse the fasteners. Typically the hinge is secured with two or three bolts. Before unscrewing them, make sure the door is tightly closed and does not wobble. If the model is two-chamber, then the top hinge often holds both the top and bottom doors at the same time, or they are separated.
For models with an electronic display on the door, the situation is complicated by the presence of a wiring harness. Electrical cable passes inside the body and exits through the top hinge. You will need:
- 🔌 Carefully disconnect the connectors of the wires going to the control panel on the door.
- 🧵 Pass the wiring harness through a special hole in the loop or housing.
- 📸 Take a photo of the connector connection diagram so as not to confuse them during assembly.
After unscrewing the bolts of the upper hinge, remove it. The top of the door is now free. If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, then at this stage the top door may remain hanging only on the middle hinge (if the design provides for separate hinges) or require support. Be careful: the weight of a metal door with shelves is significant.
Nuances of removing the cover for different series
In Atlant refrigerators of the 40 and 45 series, the cover is often held on by two screws at the front under the decorative strip. On newer 18 and 28 series models, the mount may be hidden under rubber stops or located at the back against the wall. Always look for hidden fasteners before pulling the lid by force.
Removing doors and rearranging hinges
The most critical moment is physically removing the doors. Since the top hinge has already been removed, the door is supported only by the middle (for two-chamber) or bottom hinge. The weight of the structure is large, so it is better to perform this operation together. One person holds the door, the second unscrews the fasteners.
Sequence of actions for removal:
- Holding the top door, unscrew the bolts of the middle hinge (if your design has one).
- Remove the middle hinge and carefully set the top door to the side, resting it against the wall (after supporting it cardboard).
- Perform similar actions with the bottom door, if you remove it too, or simply free access to the bottom hinge.
- Unscrew the bottom hinge and remove it.
Now you need to rearrange the fastening elements to the opposite side. On the body of the refrigerator and on the doors themselves there are threaded holes on both sides, closed with plastic plugs. You need to unscrew the plugs on the right side (where we will hang them) and screw them into the vacated holes on the left.
Pay special attention to the door handles. In most models Atlant handles also require rearranging or turning over. Remove the decorative trims, unscrew the fixing screws of the handles and reinstall them in new places according to the instructions. If the handles are hidden (mortise into the door profile), this step may not be required, but check whether they interfere with opening in the new position.
⚠️ Attention: When rearranging the hinges, make sure that you use exactly those holes that are intended for hanging on this side. Do not attempt to tighten bolts into technological holes that do not have threads or are intended for compressor transport bolts.
Install the lower hinge in a new location (on the right). Insert the bottom door into the hinge pin and secure it. Then install the middle hinge (for two-chamber models) by inserting the bottom door pin into it and sliding the top door on top. Do not screw the top hinge completely yet, it is needed for centering.
Features of overhanging in models with a display
Owners of modern refrigerators Atlant with an electronic control unit on the door (series with a display) need to be especially careful. Re-hanging the door in such models is complicated by the need to move or reconnect wiring harness. The cable running from the main control unit in the housing to the panel on the door has a limited length.
In some designs, the wiring is laid in a special channel inside the door and exits through the top hinge. When changing the opening side, you may need to:
- 📡 Carefully pull the wire out of the channel on one side and thread it into the channel on the other side of the door.
- 🔌 Switch the connectors in the control unit, if such a possibility is provided (this is rare, usually the wire length is universal).
- 🧩 Use an extension cord if the standard wire is not enough (consultation with a service center is required).
It often happens that the wire passes through the hollow axis of the upper hinge. When dismantling, try not to damage the cable insulation with sharp metal edges. If you feel resistance when pulling the wire, do not use force - it is better to carefully unravel the insulating tape or corrugation to release the cable.
After installing the door in a new location and connecting the connectors, check the functionality of the display by turning on the refrigerator. If the screen does not light up or shows an error, check the tightness of the contacts. Oxidation or loose connections are a common cause of failures after rehanging.
Adjusting the tightness and eliminating distortions
After all the hinges are installed in their new places and the bolts are tightened, it may turn out that the doors hang unevenly or do not fit tightly to the body. This is normal, since the factory adjustment was for the other side. Now your task is to perform position adjustment doors.
The main parameters that need to be checked:
- The verticality of the door post (so that it does not fall in or out).
- The seal fits tightly around the entire perimeter.
- The same gap between the doors (for two-chamber models).
Adjustment is usually carried out using screws located on the middle and lower hinges. By loosening the fixing screw, you can move the hinge left and right or up and down. Also, many models Atlant provide height adjustment with the legs of the refrigerator. By twisting or unscrewing the front support legs, you can tilt the body back, which will ensure automatic closing of the doors and a better fit of the seal.
| Problem | Possible cause | Elimination method |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not close on its own | The refrigerator is level or tilted forward | Unscrew the front legs, creating a tilt back |
| The bottom corner of the door does not fit | The lower hinge is skewed | Loosen the screws of the bottom hinge and move it in the desired direction |
| The gap between the doors is uneven | Incorrect height of the middle hinge | Adjusting the vertical position of the middle hinge |
| A whistle is heard when closing | The seal is too tight | Allow the seal to straighten or slightly loosen the clamp |
To check the tightness of the seal, use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the piece of paper between the door and the body at different points around the perimeter and try to pull it out. If the paper is pulled out with noticeable force, the fit is good. If the sheet falls out or is pulled out too easily, the hinge needs to be adjusted in this place.
Checking the work and final recommendations
After completing all mechanical work and adjustments, it is necessary to carry out a final check. Make sure that all hinge bolts are tightened with sufficient force, but not too much, so as not to strip the threads in the aluminum housing. Check whether the door does not catch on the body or adjacent objects when opening 90 and 180 degrees.
Pay special attention to the seal. When rehanging, the magnetic tape could become deformed or jump out of the groove. If you see that the seal does not fit, you can warm it up with a hair dryer (not too hot air) and straighten it with your hand, pressing it against the cold body to fix the shape.
⚠️ Attention: Do not plug in the refrigerator immediately if you tilted the body strongly (more than 40 degrees) during operation. If compressor oil gets into the cooling circuit, the equipment needs to stand in a vertical position for 2 to 4 hours before starting, so that the oil flows back into the compressor crankcase.
Turn on the unit, set the temperature mode and monitor its operation during the day. If the freezer compartment begins to become overgrown with ice unevenly or water appears in the refrigerator compartment at the back wall, it means that the door does not close tightly and the hinges need to be re-adjusted.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need to call a technician to rehang the door or can I do it myself?
In 90% of cases, this operation can be performed independently, having a basic set of tools. However, if you have a model with a complex electronics system, a display on the entire door, or you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact an authorized service center so as not to lose the warranty.
What to do if the holes for the hinges on the new side do not match the factory ones?
In original refrigerators Atlant all holes are narrower drilled and threaded. If there is no hole, you may be looking in the wrong place (check for plastic plugs). It is strictly forbidden to drill new holes in the case - this will break the thermal insulation and tightness of the circuit.
Is it possible to rehang the door in an Atlant refrigerator with the No Frost system?
Yes, in most models with No Frost rehanging is possible. However, in some budget or specific models, the channels for supplying cold air may be located only on one side. Carefully read the instructions for your specific model before starting work.
Where should I put the plugs from the holes that were vacated after rearrangement?
Screw the plastic plugs into the vacated holes on the side where the door will no longer be. This is necessary to preserve the aesthetics of the appearance and prevent dust and moisture from getting inside the refrigerator body.
Why did the door begin to open on its own after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of the body is broken. Refrigerator doors are designed for the body to be slightly tilted backwards. Adjust the height of the front support legs by unscrewing them to raise the front of the refrigerator.