Many owners of household appliances are faced with a situation where the standard location of the refrigerator door becomes inconvenient due to the peculiarities of the kitchen layout. Manufacturers, including the Italian brand Candy, provide the ability to change the opening side of the valves, which allows you to adapt the device to a specific space. This process requires care and adherence to a certain sequence of actions so as not to damage the seals or the closing mechanism.
Before starting work, it is important to understand that the design of different models may differ significantly. In some series Candy the hinges are attached to screws, in others hidden mechanisms or special plugs are used. Improper assembly this can lead to the door no longer fitting tightly to the body, which will cause cold leakage and increased energy consumption. Therefore, it is extremely important to prepare the work area and free up space around the unit.
To successfully complete the task, you will need a minimum set of tools: a Phillips screwdriver, a flat-head screwdriver, a hex key (usually 4 or 5 mm) and possibly a wrench. It is also recommended to have an assistant on hand, since removing heavy doors, especially in Side-by-Side models or with a large freezer volume, is best done with two people. Safety And the preservation of the appearance of the equipment depends on the accuracy of your every movement.
Preparation for work and equipment safety
The first and most important step is to completely disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network. Electrical safety is priority number one, since during operation you may touch the wiring or internal controls. After removing the plug from the socket, it is necessary to let the equipment stand for 10–15 minutes so that the refrigerant is redistributed throughout the system, although this is not critical for mechanical replacement of loops, but is useful for the general condition of the compressor.
The next stage is complete unloading of the refrigerator and freezer chambers. A door loaded with food has significant weight, and the risk of dropping it or damaging the shelves during dismantling increases many times over. Remove all drawers, shelves and containers. If the model has removable shelves on the door, it is also better to remove them to make the design lighter.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to remove the door if there are heavy glass shelves or bottles of liquid left inside. This may lead to a shift in the center of gravity and injury during dismantling.
Free up space in front of the refrigerator. You need space not only to walk around the unit on all sides, but also to put the removed parts. Cover the floor with a soft cloth or cardboard so as not to scratch the floor covering and the equipment itself when laying the dismantled elements.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Dismantling the upper part and removing the upper door
The process starts from the top of the refrigerator. In most models Candy the upper door (refrigerator compartment) is removed first, since it rests on the lower one or has a common axis of symmetry. Locate the decorative cap on the top panel of the case. It usually covers the top hinge mounting bolts. Carefully pry it off with a flat screwdriver or knife, being careful not to damage the plastic.
After removing the plug, you will see the mounting bolts. Use the appropriate tool (often an Allen wrench or Phillips screwdriver) to remove them. Do not rush to completely remove the bolts until you are sure that the door is securely fixed. In some models, the top hinge may be glued or have a stiff movement due to factory lubrication.
Now you need to remove the top door itself. To do this, lift it up to release the lower axis and set it aside. Be careful: even an empty door weighs a lot. If the door has a magnetic lock or sensor, carefully disconnect the electrical connector, if equipped. In modern models Candy with displays on the door, the wires may run inside the hinge.
- 🔧 Remove the decorative cover of the top hinge.
- 🔩 Unscrew the mounting bolts holding the hinge.
- 🚪 Carefully remove the door from the lower support axis.
- 🔌 Disconnect the sensor or display wires (if any).
After removing the door, unscrew the hinge itself from the door leaf. To do this, turn the door over (laying it face down on a soft surface) and unscrew the screws holding the metal strip. The same screws will be needed to install the hinge on the other side.
Removing the bottom door and dismantling the fittings
After the upper part is dismantled, we move on to the bottom door (freezer). The principle of operation is similar, but there are some nuances. First, remove the trim panel or cover if it is blocking access to the bottom hinge fastener. In some models Candy the lower hinge is hidden under the plinth or decorative grille at the bottom of the refrigerator.
Unscrew the bolts securing the lower hinge. Support the door with your hand, as after unscrewing the last bolt it may become unstable. Remove the door from the support. As with the top door, check for electrical connections, although they are less common in freezers.
Now you need to remove all intermediate elements that interfere with the rearrangement. This includes the hinge mates, pins and most importantly the plastic bushings. Please note centering bushings —they are often installed in holes that are not currently in use. They need to be moved to the opposite side so that the door can properly fit on the new axis.
Where to look for hidden bolts?
In some models of Candy refrigerators, the lower hinge mounting bolts can be hidden under rubber feet or a decorative baseboard. Carefully inspect the bottom of the case. If you do not see any holes, try carefully removing the front panel of the plinth by pulling it towards you.
Remove the handles if the design of your model requires rearranging them. Often the handles are attached to screws on the inside of the door. You will have to open the door (until it is completely removed) to access these screws. Unscrew them and move the handle to the other side, using the holes provided by the manufacturer.
Moving hinges and mechanisms to the new side
This is the most critical stage, requiring maximum concentration. You need to move all dismantled metal elements (hinges, brackets) to the opposite side of the body and door leaves. The refrigerator body Candy usually already has threaded holes on both sides, closed with plastic plugs.
First, deal with the body. Unscrew the plastic plugs from the holes that will be used to install the hinges. Insert the plugs into the vacated holes on the side where the hinges will no longer stand. This is important for aesthetics and to protect the inside of the case from dust.
Install the top hinge on the new side of the case. Insert the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to correct the position of the door in case of slight misalignment. Perform similar actions with the bottom loop. Make sure that the pins on which the door will be placed point straight up and are installed securely.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Transfer to the opposite side | Hex / Phillips screwdriver |
| Bottom hinge | Moving and centering the pin | Wrench |
| Plugs | Replacement of places (working ↔ reserve) | Flat screwdriver |
| Door bushings | Repositioning into holes on the other side | Without tools (manually) |
Now we move on to the doors. Turn the door panels over and install the hinges on the other side. Please note the asymmetry: the holes for the screws may not be located symmetrically relative to the center, so it is important to attach the hinge exactly as it was originally, but in a mirror manner. Tighten the screws firmly, but not fanatically, so as not to strip the threads in the metal of the door.
Installation of doors and final adjustment
After all the hinges have been moved to new places, you can begin installing the doors. Start with the bottom door (freezer). Slide it onto the bottom pin, making sure it sits evenly. Then align the top of the door with the mating part of the hinge (if there is one) or simply fix it in a vertical position.
Next, the top door is installed. It is more convenient to do this with an assistant. One person holds the door, the second directs it to the upper axis and inserts it into the lower bushing (if the structure is composite). After installing the doors, it is necessary to tighten all the hinge mounting bolts. Final tightening This is done only when the doors are in place and aligned.
⚠️ Attention: Do not tighten the hinge bolts "tightly" before checking gaps. Leave a small gap to adjust the position of the door relative to the body.
Adjustment consists of setting uniform gaps around the perimeter of the door. If the door is skewed, slightly loosen the hinge bolts and slightly move the door in the desired direction. Check the tightness of the seal along the entire contour. The door should close easily, but with a characteristic bang when approaching the body.
Setting up the magnetic lock and checking operation
In refrigerators Candy a magnetic lock or mechanical latch is often used, which prevents spontaneous opening. When rearranging the door, this element also needs to be rearranged. It is usually located at the top of the door or on the body opposite the hinge.
Remove the retainer from the old location (often it is held on by two screws or simply inserted into a groove) and install it on the new side. If the refrigerator came with an additional plug for the old hole, close it. Make sure that the magnet or latch tab aligns correctly with the mating part on the body.
After assembly, plug in the refrigerator. Check the operation of the door sensor (if equipped). When the door is opened, the light in the chamber should come on and, possibly, a signal should sound (if the door has been open for a long time). If the light does not light up, you may have forgotten to connect the connector or installed the sensor button incorrectly.
Possible problems and solutions
Even if you carefully follow the instructions, nuances may arise. One of the common problems is a loose door fit. This may be caused by the rubber seal being deformed during storage or installation. In this case, it is recommended to warm the elastic with a hairdryer (not too hot air) or pour hot water into the seal profile to restore its elasticity.
Another problem is that the door touches the body or shelves when opening. Check that the stops are installed correctly and that the sides of the shelves are not mixed up. Sometimes it helps to adjust the tilt of the entire refrigerator using the front support legs. If you tilt the unit slightly back, the door will close on its own under the influence of gravity.
If you notice that the door has begun to open too tightly, check whether the hinge bolts are overtightened. The metal may become slightly distorted when over-tightened, creating unnecessary friction. Loosen the fastening half a turn and check the door movement again.
What to do if the holes for the hinges do not match?
In the original models Candy the holes are always symmetrical or duplicated. If you don't see any holes on the other side, inspect the surface carefully. They may be covered with factory stickers or plastic plugs that need to be squeezed out from the inside. In rare cases (some budget models), re-hanging may not be provided for by the design, but this is extremely rare.
Is it possible to re-hang the door without removing the handles?
In most cases, the handles have to be removed and rearranged, since the holes for their fastening are asymmetrical. However, in some models with integrated (mortise) handles or a Push-to-open system, this step can be skipped. Carefully read the instructions for your specific model Candy.
Do you need to wait after installation before turning it on?
After mechanically rearranging the doors, if you did not tilt the refrigerator more than 45 degrees and did not lay it on its side, you do not need to wait before turning it on. If the unit was lying down, let it stand upright for 2–4 hours so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.
Where to put the old plugs?
Be sure to save all removed plugs, screws and parts. If you decide to sell the refrigerator or move to an apartment with a different layout, you will need to return everything to its original condition. Fold the small parts into a bag and stick it with tape on the back wall of the refrigerator or put it in a document drawer.
Why did a gap appear on top after the rearrangement?
A gap may appear if you did not fully tighten the adjusting bolts or if the hinges were installed offset. Try loosening the top hinge, lifting the door all the way up and tightening the bolts again. Also check if the seal is between the door and the body.