The need to change the opening side Refrigeration door problems occur quite often, especially when moving to a new apartment or remodeling the kitchen space. Standard factory assembly usually involves opening from right to left, which is not always convenient for left-handers or specific furniture arrangements. Owners of Belarusian brand equipment often look for information on how to rehang the door of an Atlant refrigerator, since the design of these units allows such modification without loss of warranty.
The rehanging process does not require calling a specialist and can be done independently with a minimum set of tools and compliance with safety precautions. It is important to understand that two-chamber refrigerator has a more complex system of hinges and seals compared to single-chamber models, so you need to act consistently. In this article, we will analyze each stage in detail so that you can avoid common mistakes and damage to the case.
Before taking active steps, you must empty the refrigerator compartment of food and disconnect the device from the power supply. This is a critical step because handling electrical wiring or making sudden movements while power is connected can cause damage to internal components or personal injury. Make sure that you have free space around the unit for easy access to the hinges from all sides.
Preparation of tools and workplace
To successfully perform the work of dismantling and installing door leaves, you will need a certain set of tools. The basic kit includes open-end wrenches (usually sizes 8, 10 and 12), Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, and pliers. Some models may be equipped with a special puller or have specific bolts, so it is recommended to prepare a universal set in advance.
Particular attention should be paid to organizing the workspace. It is better to cover the floor under the refrigerator with a soft cloth or cardboard so that fallen small parts, such as sleeves or screws, do not get lost and scratch the floor covering. It is also useful to have a container on hand for folding fasteners so as not to look for them later throughout the kitchen.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to remove the shelves and drawers from the door to reduce the weight of the structure and avoid them falling out when tilting the case.
If your model is provided with decorative plugs on hinges; they must be carefully removed using a flat-head screwdriver. You must act carefully so as not to damage the plastic elements or paintwork of the case. In some cases, to access the fasteners, it is necessary to remove the top panel of the refrigerator if it structurally closes the top hinge.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Removing the top hinge and freezer door
The process should always start from the top unit. The first step is to unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge. Depending on the model Atlant, there may be two or three. Use a suitable wrench to loosen the fasteners, but do not remove the bolts completely until the door is secured in a vertical position by an assistant.
After loosening the fasteners, the top hinge must be removed. If there is a pin on the hinge axis, carefully knock it out or unscrew it. Then one person holds the freezer door, and the second finally unscrews the bolts and removes the hinge. The door should be removed from the lower axis and placed in a safe place, having first removed the handle from it, if required by the design.
The lower hinge (which was previously the upper one) is installed on the free space on the opposite side. For this purpose, special threaded holes are provided in the housing, closed with plastic plugs. The plugs are replaced in the place of the former holes, and the new axis is screwed or inserted into the prepared socket.
It is important to correctly orient the hinge during installation. Make sure the pin is facing up and aligned with the mating hole in the door. Incorrect installation can lead to misalignment and loose sealing, which will negatively affect the operation of the compressor and energy consumption.
Re-hanging the door of the refrigerator compartment
After working with the freezer, it is the turn of the main refrigerator compartment. The principle of operation here is similar, but has its own nuances associated with the presence of an intermediate loop between the cameras. First, you need to dismantle the middle hinge, having first secured the bottom door so that it does not fall.
Having removed the door of the main compartment, you need to move the handle to the opposite side if the design of the model involves symmetrical fastening. To do this, the locking screws are unscrewed from the inside, and the handle is transferred to the new holes. Then the plugs on the case are swapped and moved intermediate loop to the other side.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the door, make sure that the control cable (if it goes inside the loop) is not pinched or strained. In some Atlant models, the wiring passes through the axial holes.
Installing the door on a new axis requires precision. It is necessary to get through the holes in the bottom of the door onto the hinge pin. After this, the upper part of the intermediate loop is put on and secured with bolts. Don't fully tighten the bolts all at once - first make sure the door is level and rotates freely.
What if the holes don't line up?
If the mounting holes don't line up with the threads in the housing, you may be using the wrong holes. The Atlant case usually has two sets of holes on each side. Check the instructions for your specific model.
The final step at this level is to install the top hinge (formerly the middle one) and hang the freezer door. It is important to follow the sequence here: first the hinge is placed, then the door is placed on it, and only after that the final fixation is made.
Adjusting the position of doors and seals
After all the doors are installed in new places, it is necessary to carry out a thorough adjustment. The main goal is to ensure a tight fit magnetic seal along the entire perimeter. If the door is skewed, warm air will enter the chamber, which will lead to the formation of ice and increased load on the compressor.
Adjustment is made using the refrigerator's support legs and adjusting bolts on the hinges. By rotating the front legs, you can change the tilt of the entire body, which will help the doors close independently under the influence of gravity. Usually you need to unscrew the front legs so that the body tilts back 2-3 degrees.
To check the tightness, use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body at different points around the perimeter and try to pull it out. If the paper is removed too easily or, on the contrary, breaks, additional adjustment of the position of the hinge is required.
Features of models with the No Frost system
Owners of models with the system No Frost you should be especially careful when re-hanging. These refrigerators often use additional ducts and flexible hoses that can pass through door hinges. Improper dismantling can lead to damage to the air circulation system.
When removing the door on No Frost models, it is often necessary to disconnect the electrical connectors going to the temperature or lighting sensors located on the door. Before disconnecting, be sure to photograph the position of the wires or make notes so as not to mix up the contacts during assembly.
| Type of system | Availability of wiring | Complexity of work | Risk of damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static (drip) | Light/indication only | Low | Minimum |
| No Frost (top freezer) | Sensors, fans | Average | Average |
| No Frost (Full) | Complex network of wires | High | High |
| With display on the door | Control loops | Very high | Critical |
If your model is equipped with a display on the door, it is strongly recommended to contact professionals or carefully study the wiring diagram in the service documentation, since an error can damage the electronic control unit.
Typical errors and ways to eliminate them
In the process of self-repair, beginners often make mistakes that can negate all efforts. One of the most common problems is misalignment of the dooroccurring due to uneven tightening of bolts or debris getting into the threads. This can be solved by repeated loosening and alignment of the canvas.
Another common mistake is the loss or confusion of fasteners. The bolts from the top and bottom hinges may differ in thread length and diameter. Using the wrong screw may damage the threads in the cabinet, which will require complex repair or replacement of the entire panel.
⚠️ Attention: If the door does not close tightly after rehanging, do not use force. Check if anything is interfering with the seal, and make sure that the refrigerator is strictly horizontal.
It is also worth mentioning the problem of squeaking. If the door begins to creak after installation, check to see if it is rubbing against the cabinet or adjacent shelves. Sometimes it is necessary to lubricate the rubbing parts of the hinges or slightly adjust their position in the horizontal plane.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before hanging the doors?
Yes, this is necessary. Even if you have a No Frost model, condensation or ice may remain inside. In addition, an empty refrigerator is easier to tilt and move, which reduces the risk of damaging the floor or the technician’s back.
Will the warranty remain valid after re-hanging the doors yourself?
According to the conditions of most Atlant service centers, re-hanging the doors yourself will not void the warranty unless other components are damaged. However, if in the process you break the hinge or damage the body, this case will not be covered under warranty.
What to do if there are holes left on the door from the old handle?
Plastic plugs are usually included with the refrigerator for such cases. If they are lost, you can purchase universal plugs of a suitable color at a hardware store or carefully paint over the holes with a furniture marker.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen unit?
This is extremely difficult and often impossible without removing the refrigerator itself from the niche. Built-in appliances require special hinges and fastenings, as well as taking into account the opening direction of adjacent cabinets. It is better to plan the opening side before purchasing and installing the kitchen.
How long can you not turn on the refrigerator after hanging it?
If you did not tilt the refrigerator more than 45 degrees and did not disconnect the compressor tubes, you can turn it on immediately after installation. If transportation was carried out in a lying position, let the oil drain into the compressor for 2-4 hours.