The situation when, after installing a new refrigerator Ariston it turns out that the door opens in the wrong direction is familiar to many owners of household appliances. This is a standard problem that arises due to the layout of the kitchen, where a cabinet or wall prevents the door from fully opening. Fortunately, most modern models, including the popular series Ariston and Indesit (production is often combined), structurally provide for the possibility of reinstalling the hitch.
The rehanging process does not require calling a specialist and special engineering knowledge, however, it requires attentiveness and adherence to the sequence of actions. Incorrect assembly can lead to door misalignment, leakage and, as a consequence, compressor failure due to constant operation. In this article, we will look in detail at how to safely and correctly change the opening side.
Before starting work, you need to clear the space in front of the refrigerator and prepare a stable surface for temporary storage of the removed elements. It is also critical to ensure that your model actually supports reverse mounting, as some budget or built-in versions may have fixed mounts. Make sure that the kit includes plugs for the holes that are created after reversing, or prepare them in advance.
Required Tools and Workplace Preparation
To successfully complete the task of hanging doors, you will need a minimum set of tools, which can usually be found in the arsenal of any home craftsman. The main tool will be a wrench, most often 8 or 10 mm in size, as well as a Phillips and flat-head screwdriver. Some models Ariston may use hex screws, so having a set of hex keys will not be amiss.
In addition to tools, it is important to prepare auxiliary materials. You will need tape or masking tape to hold the door in place during dismantling, as well as a container to store the fasteners. Do not forget about clean rags or rags, since during work you can accidentally stain the surface of the case or the seal.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This is a safety measure not only for you, but also for the electronics of the device, which may suffer from power surges if contacts are accidentally closed.
Organize your workspace so that you have free access to all sides of the refrigerator. Remove carpets or slippery surfaces to provide stability when handling heavy structures. If you have an assistant who can hold the door while unscrewing the hinges, this will greatly simplify the task and reduce the risk of damage to the floor or the unit itself.
- 🔧 Wrench (usually 8-10 mm) or adjustable wrench.
- 🔩 Set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead).
- 🔑 Hex key (if required for specific screws).
- 📏 Building level (for checking the horizon after installation).
- 🧼 Clean rags for wiping surfaces.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Design features of Ariston hinges and hinges
Refrigerators Ariston are most often equipped with upper and lower hinges, which are attached directly to the body and door leaf. The design may vary depending on the year of manufacture and model: in some cases the hinges are solid blocks, in others they consist of separate elements with bushings. Understanding the type of hinge you have will help you avoid mistakes during dismantling.
An important element is the pin on which the door rotates. When rehanging, this pin often needs to be moved from one side to the other. In some models, the pin is pressed into the lower loop, and its removal requires care so as not to damage the threads or the rotation mechanism itself. It is also worth paying attention to the presence of closers or opening fixation systems, if they are provided for in the design.
The holes in the housing deserve special attention. Factory assembly assumes that one side has already been used, and on the other side there are technological plugs. Symmetry of fastenings - key point: the holes for the upper and lower hinges must exactly match the mating parts on the door after rearrangement.
Nuances of hinges in different models
In older Ariston models, the hinges could be asymmetrical, which made rehanging impossible without replacing the parts themselves. Modern versions (after 2010) use a unified fastening system. If you are the owner of a rare model, check the technical data sheet.
Some users encounter difficulties in removing the decorative panels covering the top hinge. These panels may be held in place by latches or screws hidden under the caps. Proceed carefully so as not to break the plastic clips, which become brittle over time.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the door and top hinge
We begin the process by dismantling the top hinge, since it is this that holds the door in a vertical position. First, remove the top hinge trim cover, if equipped. Underneath it you will see mounting bolts that need to be loosened, but not completely unscrewed yet if the door is not fixed.
Use masking tape to glue the door to the refrigerator body in several places. This will prevent it from falling or moving when you finally remove the bolts. After fixing, carefully unscrew the fasteners of the top hinge and remove the hinge itself.
Now you can remove the door. Lift it up to remove the bottom pin from the hinge hole and set it aside in a safe place, preferably on a soft surface (such as cardboard or a blanket) to avoid scratching the finish. Remove the bottom hinge from the body if you plan to move it, or simply free up the seat.
After removing the door, inspect the ends and attachment points for any dirt or old grease. It is recommended to wipe these areas with a dry cloth. If you notice traces of corrosion on the metal elements of the hinges, you can lightly clean them with fine sandpaper, but without fanaticism, so as not to disturb the geometry.
Installing the hinges on the opposite side
The next stage is installing the elements on the new side. Transfer the bottom support loop to the opposite side of the case. Make sure it fits into the holes provided. Secure it with the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet to be able to adjust the position.
Now you need to rearrange the handle if the design requires it. In some models Ariston the handles are symmetrical and do not require rearrangement, in others you need to unscrew the fasteners from the inside of the door and move them to a new location. The remaining holes are closed with plugs included in the kit or taken from the opposite side.
Install the door on the lower hinge, aligning the hole in the bottom of the door with the support pin. Have a helper hold the door upright. Then install the top hinge in a new place, aligning it with the holes in the upper end of the door and the refrigerator body.
| Working stage | Action | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Disconnection from the network and fixing | Be sure to secure the door with tape |
| Dismantling | Removing the top hinge and door | Do not drop the heavy door on your feet |
| Transfer | Installing hinges on the new side | Use holes with plugs |
| Installation | Hanging the door and adjusting | Checking the tightness of the seal |
Tighten all mounting bolts. It is important to maintain a balance here: you need to tighten it tightly enough so that the loop does not dangle, but without excessive force so as not to strip the threads in the metal case. Use a key with moderate force.
Adjusting the position and checking the tightness
After installing the door in a new place, you need to make sure that it closes tightly and evenly. Incorrect adjustment can cause the refrigerator to close poorly or, conversely, not hold the vacuum. Inspect the gap between the door and the body around the entire perimeter: it should be uniform.
To adjust the height of the door, adjustable supports (legs) at the bottom of the refrigerator are often used. By turning them with a key, you can raise or lower the corresponding corner of the unit. Also, the hinges of some models themselves Ariston provide for the possibility of adjusting the position with screws.
⚠️ Attention: If after hanging the door does not close tightly, check whether something is interfering with the seal (magnetic rubber). Sometimes, when moving handles or hinges, you can accidentally touch and deform the seal.
Do a test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places around the perimeter and try to pull it out. If the sheet is pulled out with noticeable force along its entire length, then the tightness is normal. If in some place the sheet slides freely, additional adjustment of the hinges or legs is required.
Do not forget to rearrange the shelves and containers on the door if their design allows installation on the other side. In some cases, the shelves are symmetrical and simply need to be flipped over or moved to a different groove. Make sure that all elements are securely fixed.
Common mistakes and expert advice
When re-hanging doors on their own, users often make common mistakes that can complicate the process. One of the most common is the loss of fasteners. Small screws can easily roll under the refrigerator or fly off to the side, so use a magnetic stand or container with dividers.
Another mistake is ignoring the floor level. If the refrigerator is not level, the door may open or close spontaneously. Before starting work, check that the installation is horizontal. Also, do not use excessive force when unscrewing old bolts: if they are stuck, it is better to use a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40) and wait a few minutes.
Experts recommend not throwing away the refrigerator packaging immediately after purchase. Cardboard boxes and foam inserts often contain additional sets of plugs, instructions and fasteners, which may be needed specifically for such manipulations as hanging doors.
- 🚫 Do not leave the door open for a long time without fixing - this can deform the hinges.
- 🚫 Do not use a percussion tool (hammer) to knock out pins unnecessarily.
- 🚫 Do not ignore the instructions for a specific model, since the location of the fasteners may differ.
If you notice that after all the manipulations the door is still skewed, the problem may be in the geometry of the body itself or severe wear of the hinges. In this case, it may be necessary to replace worn parts with new original components Ariston.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
It is not necessary to defrost the refrigerator specifically for rehanging the doors, unless you plan to wash it or move it to another place. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to wait until it thaws so that water does not flow out when the unit is tilted.
Is it possible to hang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen unit?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires more effort. You will have to carefully slide the refrigerator out of the niche, providing access to the side walls. Make sure that the cabinet doors also allow you to open the refrigerator from the new side; sometimes you need to rehang the furniture fronts.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
If the factory plugs are lost, they can be replaced with decorative stickers in the color of the body or special plastic plugs that are sold in furniture stores. You can also use plugs from another, unused part of the body, if they are the right size.
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
Re-hanging the door yourself usually does not void the warranty unless you damage the body or parts in the process. However, if during disassembly the plastic fittings are broken or the threads are torn off, the service center may refuse free repairs. Proceed carefully.