The situation when, after purchasing or moving, it turns out that the refrigerator door opens in the wrong direction is familiar to many owners of household appliances. This creates significant inconvenience, especially in kitchens with limited space, where every centimeter of space is worth its weight in gold. Fortunately, most models of the Belarusian brand Atlant are designed taking into account this possibility and allow you to change the hinge without calling a specialist.
The process of hanging doors requires some preparation, a basic set of tools and attentiveness. In this article we will look in detail at how to properly dismantle the fittings, move the fasteners to the opposite side and reassemble the structure. By following step-by-step recommendations, you can adapt the equipment to the layout of your kitchen in just 30-40 minutes.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Before taking active steps, you need to free access to the refrigerator from all sides. Move the unit from the wall at least one meter in order to be able to freely walk around it. It is recommended to cover the floor with a soft material, such as an old blanket or cardboard, to avoid damage to the floor covering or the body itself in the event of small parts falling.
To perform the work, you will need a minimum set of tools, which are usually found in every home. The main tool will be a 10 mm wrench or socket, since this is the size of the fastener used in most models. You also can’t do without flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers, which will help you deal with decorative plugs and screws.
☑️ What to prepare before starting work
It is important to prepare a container in advance for storing screws and bolts so that they do not get lost during the rearrangement process. Many craftsmen advise taking photographs at each stage of disassembly, so that during reassembly there will be no questions about which screw to tighten where. This is especially true for complex models with electronic control.
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
You should always start the process by removing the top door if you have a two-chamber model, or from the main chamber in single-chamber refrigerators. The first step is to remove the decorative panel or plug covering the top hinge. Depending on the series Atlant, it can be mounted on latches or screws that need to be carefully unscrewed.
After removing the plug, access to the fastening bolts of the upper hinge opens. Do not unscrew them completely immediately - first just loosen it to be able to lift the door. It is best to perform this operation with an assistant who will hold the door, preventing it from falling and warping.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the top hinge, the door may suddenly slide to the side if you do not hold it with your second hand. Make sure that you securely fix the position of the door before completely unscrewing the bolts.
After removing the door from the bottom hinge (or unscrewing the middle hinge in two-chamber models), set it aside in a safe place. Now it is necessary to dismantle the handle if the design of the model requires its rearrangement. In some modern series, the handles are symmetrical and do not require dismantling, but in classic models they need to be moved.
Features of removing handles
In some models of Atlant refrigerators, the handles are secured with hidden screws under decorative caps. To get to them, you need to carefully pry off the cap with a thin screwdriver. Do not use excessive force to prevent the plastic from cracking. If the handle is solid and cannot be removed, check the instructions - perhaps in your model, reversing the handle is not structurally provided for.
Rearranging hinges and fasteners
The most critical stage is moving the hinges to the opposite side of the case. At the end of the refrigerator you will see a number of holes: some of them are occupied by plugs, and some by fasteners. Your task is to unscrew the bolts from the working holes and move them to free ones, having first removed the plastic plugs from there.
For the lower hinges, the procedure may differ depending on the design. In some models, the lower hinge axis is inserted into a special socket and fixed. You will need to remove the retaining ring or washer, pull out the axle and move it into the symmetrical hole on the other side. Lubricating the hinges Before installation, it will not hurt if you notice that the factory grease has dried out.
When installing the hinges in a new place, make sure that they fit tightly to the body and have no play. The bolts should be tightened crosswise, gradually increasing the force to ensure an even fit of the metal. This guarantees the durability of the fastening and the correct fit of the door.
Features of models with electronic control
Owners of refrigerators Atlant with a display on the door will have to exercise additional caution. In such models, a cable of wires often passes through the top loop, connecting the control panel to the main electronics unit. The length of this cable is usually limited, so you need to act carefully.
When dismantling the upper part, carefully inspect the structure. If you find wires, they must be disconnected from the connectors, having first remembered or photographed the color markings. After rehanging the door, the wires are carefully laid in the provided channels on the other side.
| Model type | Presence of a cable | Complexity of work | Required actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical control | No | Low | Only mechanical rearrangement of loops |
| Electronic (display on the body) | No | Low | Standard side replacement procedure |
| Electronic (display on the door) | Yes | High | Disconnecting the loop, moving wires |
| No Frost with ventilation system | Partly | Average | Control of air channels |
When assembling, make sure that the wires are not pinched by the metal parts of the loop and are not twisted. Insulation damage can lead to a short circuit and failure of an expensive control module. If the length of the cable does not allow you to move the door freely, you may need to extend the cable, which is best entrusted to a specialist.
Adjusting the tightness of the door
After the door is installed in a new location, you need to check the tightness of its fit to the body. A door that is not tightly closed will result in the compressor constantly turning on, ice formation and increased energy consumption. Adjustment is carried out using screws located on the hinges.
If you notice a misalignment, loosen the fastening bolts of the middle or lower hinge, level the door and tighten the fastenings again. Some models Atlant provide the ability to adjust the height of the refrigerator legs, which also affects the angle of inclination and closing gravity.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use force to slam the door. If it does not close tightly, it means that the installation geometry is broken or the contents of the shelves are in the way. Forced slamming may damage the seal or hinges.
Check the operation of the magnetic seal around the entire perimeter. To do this, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper: clamp the sheet between the door and the body at different points. If the paper is pulled out with force, then the seal is ok. If the sheet falls out or is removed too easily, additional adjustment is required.
Common errors and ways to eliminate them
One of the common mistakes is the loss of fasteners. Small bolts and washers easily roll under the refrigerator or get lost in the shuffle. To avoid this, use a magnetic tray or glue the removed parts onto a piece of tape attached to the case.
Another mistake is the wrong assembly sequence. If you first install the door and then try to screw the hinge on, you can break the threads or damage the coating. Always fix the hinge on the body first, and then hang the door.
Also, users often forget to put the thermal insulation plugs back in place in the vacated holes. This not only spoils the appearance, but can also lead to the formation of condensation inside the case, since the thermal circuit is disrupted.
Caring for the seal and hinges after work
After completing all work on re-hanging the door, it is recommended to carry out preventive maintenance. The rubber seal should be wiped with a soft cloth soaked in soapy water to remove dust and grease that may have accumulated during operation.
It is advisable to lubricate the hinges that you have dismantled and reinstalled. To do this, it is best to use lithium grease or a special hinge spray that does not destroy rubber parts. This will ensure silent closing and extend the service life of the mechanism.
⚠️ Attention: Design details and fastening methods may vary slightly depending on the specific series and year of manufacture of your Atlant refrigerator. Always check the technical documentation supplied with your model, especially if you come across non-standard fastening elements.
Regularly check the condition of the seal in the first weeks after replacement. If the door was installed askew, the rubber could become deformed. In this case, you may need to warm up the seal with a hairdryer or replace it to restore tightness.
How to restore the shape of the seal
If, after moving the door, you notice dents on the rubber seal, try heating them with a hairdryer at a low temperature, without bringing the nozzle too close. Warm air will help the rubber expand and return to its original shape.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to rearrange the door on the Atlant refrigerator yourself without losing the warranty?
According to the rules of most service centers, re-hanging the door yourself is not grounds for voiding the warranty if No components or assemblies were damaged in the process. However, if you damage the cable cable or break the thread during careless installation, the warranty case may not be recognized. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call a specialist.
What to do if the holes for the hinges on one side are already occupied?
In the factory, the holes may be partially occupied by technological plugs or fasteners. If you see bolts, they need to be unscrewed. If there are plastic plugs there, carefully remove them. In rare cases, when the holes are blocked by internal structural elements, rearrangement may not be possible, but for 99% of models Atlant it is provided.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rearranging the door?
Complete defrosting is not necessary if you act quickly and carefully. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, the door may become too heavy and difficult to hold when unscrewing the hinges. In addition, when the unit is tilted (which sometimes happens during manipulation), water from the pan can flow out if there is any there.
Why did the door begin to close worse after the rearrangement?
Most likely, the angle of inclination of the body is broken. For better gravity flow, the refrigerator should be slightly tilted backwards. Adjust the height of the front legs by turning them a little more than the back ones. Also check whether the contents of the shelves on the door do not interfere with tight closing.