The situation when, after purchase Bosch refrigerator it turns out that it does not fit into the allotted space due to the direction the door opens, occurs quite often. Kitchen furniture can be designed in such a way that the standard factory configuration becomes an obstacle. Fortunately, German engineers have provided the ability to change the opening side, which allows you to adapt the equipment to the interior.
Reversing the door is a process that requires attentiveness and accuracy, but it is quite possible to do it yourself without calling a specialist. In two-chamber models, the procedure is a little more complicated than in single-chamber models, since it is necessary to dismantle both sashes. Correct completion of all steps ensures that seal it will fit tightly, and the mechanism will last for many years.
Before starting work, you need to clear the space around the unit and prepare the tool. Usually you need a Phillips screwdriver, a wrench (often 10 mm) and hexagons, which can be included.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
You should start with careful preparation. Re-hanging the doors impossible without freeing up the internal space of the refrigerator and freezer compartments. All shelves, drawers and containers must be removed to reduce the weight of the structure and prevent damage to the glass elements during tilting of the case.
It is better to arrange the tools in a convenient order. You will need:
- 🔧 Phillips screwdriver (PH2) for removing decorative panels.
- 🔩 10 mm wrench or socket for main fasteners.
- 🔑 Hex key (often 4 mm or 5 mm) for adjustments.
- 🧤 Wear gloves so as not to get dirty with lubricant and not get hurt on the sharp edges of the metal.
Pay special attention to the stability of the unit. Before starting work, the refrigerator must be leveled and then slightly tilted back to remove the load from the front supports. This is a critically important point, since hinges are under voltage, and a sudden breakdown can lead to injury.
⚠️ Attention: Before any manipulations, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Working with electrical appliances without turning off the power creates a risk of electric shock, especially if access to internal components or wiring is required.
Some models Bosch have hidden fasteners under decorative plugs. They need to be carefully pryed off with a thin knife or screwdriver. Do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the plastic clips, which may become brittle after prolonged cooling.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Removing the upper door of the refrigerator compartment
The process begins from the top of the unit. First, remove the top decorative panel that covers the top hinge. It is usually held in place by latches or a single screw. After removing the cover, you will see the main fastening boltholding the door.
Do not unscrew the hinge bolt completely at once. Loosen it first, but leave a few threads to prevent the door from falling abruptly. In two-chamber models, the upper door is often heavier due to built-in mechanisms or thicker insulation. It is better to carry out this operation with an assistant who will hold the sash.
After completely unscrewing the bolt, remove the top hinge. Now you can carefully lift the door and remove it from the bottom pin (if there is one) or simply set it aside. Pay attention to the condition sealing rubber: if it gets dirty during installation, it’s time to wipe it with a soft damp cloth.
On the free end of the case you will see a number of threaded holes. The factory holes will be closed with plastic plugs on the opposite side. They must be removed and rearranged in place of the open holes in order to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the equipment. Bosch.
Removing and moving the bottom door of the freezer
The lower part of a two-chamber refrigerator requires a more delicate approach. Between the top and bottom doors there is often a middle decorative strip or cabinet lintel. It must be dismantled by unscrewing the fixing screws.
The lower hinge is usually hidden under the freezer door itself. To access it, you need to:
- 🧊 Remove the freezer door (if the design allows) or carefully lift the entire unit.
- 🔩 Unscrew the lower hinge bracket.
- 🔄 Move the pins and bushings to the opposite side side.
It is important not to confuse the left and right sides when rearranging elements. Hinge axes they must look in the correct direction, otherwise the door will not fall into place. Some models Bosch use a closer system, which requires special care when dismantling.
If there are holes for the handle at the end of the bottom door, they also need to be closed with plugs on the new working side. Often the handle on the doors Bosch refrigerators is hidden (built-in), and there is no need to change its position, but if the handle is external, it will have to be rearranged.
⚠️ Attention: When working with the bottom door, watch the refrigerant pipeline (if it passes through the hinge). In modern models it is usually hidden, but careless movement with a sharp tool can damage the cooling system, which will lead to expensive repairs.
What to do if the screws are rusty?
If the fasteners do not unscrew due to oxidation, do not use brute force. Apply some penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) to the threads and wait 10-15 minutes. This will help to tear off the screw without the risk of tearing off the head.
Installing the hinges on the new side
After all the holes on the body are cleared and the plugs are transferred, you can begin installation. Install the bottom hinge onto the new side using the corresponding holes. Tighten the fasteners tightly, but without fanaticism, so as not to strip the threads in the aluminum case.
Next, install the bottom door of the freezer. Align the holes in the door with the hinge pin and install the sash. Now you need to mount the middle part (if it was removed) and the top hinge. Upper bracket fixed last.
When installing the top door, it is important to align the holes correctly. Sometimes the geometry may float a little and you will need to wiggle the door to get the pin to fit into the groove. Make sure there are no distortions between the body and the door.
The final stage of mechanical assembly is tightening all bolts. Check the reliability of the fastening by pulling the door (without fanaticism). All decorative panels are returned to their places. Now the equipment looks as if it always opened in this direction.
Adjusting the position of the doors and checking the tightness
After installation It may turn out that the doors are skewed or do not fit tightly to the body. To eliminate this, the design Bosch provides adjusting screws. They are located on the hinge brackets and allow you to change the height and angle of inclination.
Use a level to check the vertical installation. If the door is skewed diagonally, adjust the height of the support legs of the refrigerator itself. This will help level out the distortion and ensure gravity closure.
Checking the tightness is a critical stage. Take a piece of paper and clamp it around the perimeter of the door. The sheet should be removed with noticeable effort. If the paper falls out or comes out too easily, it means that seal it does not fit tightly.
The table below shows the main symptoms and methods for eliminating them:
| Problem | Possible cause | Elimination method |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not close completely | The body is skewed or there is an interfering object | Align the legs, check the shelves |
| A whistle is heard when closing | The fit is too tight seal | Slightly loosen the adjustment of the hinges |
| The door opens itself | Tilt the body forward | Tighten the front support legs |
| The gap between the door and body | Deformation of the seal | Warm the seal with a hairdryer or replace it |
If after adjustment the gap remains, the problem may be in the seal itself, which could have become deformed during storage. In this case, you can try heating it with a hairdryer at a low temperature or leaving the door closed for a day to straighten it.
Frequent errors and precautions
The most common mistake is the loss of fasteners. Small screws easily roll under the refrigerator or get lost in a tool bag. To avoid this, use a magnetic tray or tape the removed parts to the case in a safe place.
Another mistake is ignoring the instructions for a specific model. Bosch refrigerators different series (for example, Series 4, Series 6 or KGN) may have unique mounting features. Blindly following the general instructions without taking into account the nuances of a specific model can lead to breakage of plastic elements.
Do not forget about the electrics. In some models, wiring for door open indicators or displays on the facade passes through the hinges. Before completely removing the door, make sure the cables are disconnected or of sufficient length.
⚠️ Attention: If your model has an electronic display on the door, the cable may need to be reconnected when re-hanging. Make sure that the connectors match the new side, or consult the manual, as in some cases reconfiguration in the menu is required.
Also, do not forget that after installation, the refrigerator must stand in an upright position before turning it on, especially if it was tilted strongly. The oil in the compressor needs time to drain back into the crankcase.
Do you need to call a technician to rehang the door?
In most cases, calling a technician is not required. The process takes 20-40 minutes and requires a minimal set of tools. However, if you do not have experience working with equipment, the model has a complex electronic facade, or you are afraid of damaging expensive equipment, it is better to entrust this work to the professionals of the service center.
Is it possible to rehang the door without draining the refrigerant?
Yes, in modern refrigerators Bosch the cooling system is completely sealed and does not require draining freon when reversing the doors. The pipelines are either hidden inside the housing or pass through special flexible hinges that allow you to remove the door without breaking the tightness of the circuit.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
The plugs are a consumable item, but they can be ordered from the Bosch service center using the model number. As a last resort, you can use decorative stickers of a suitable color or carefully seal the holes if they do not spoil the overall appearance and do not violate the thermal insulation.
Does re-hanging affect the warranty?
Independently re-hanging the door, as a rule, does not void the warranty, unless parts were damaged in the process, the threads were broken or broken integrity of the body. However, if after your actions a breakdown occurs due to misalignment or damage to the hinges, the service may refuse free repairs.