Many owners of household appliances are faced with a situation where the layout of the kitchen changes, and the standard opening of the refrigerator door becomes inconvenient or even impossible. In such cases, the only correct decision is rehanging the door to the opposite side. Models Indesit, like most modern refrigeration units, structurally provide for this possibility, however, the process requires care and adherence to a certain sequence of actions. Incorrect dismantling can lead to damage to the plastic elements or loss of tightness.
Before you start work, you need to clearly understand which model you are dealing with. The design of hinges and handles in different series Indesit (for example, Indesit IBS, Indesit EF or Indesit DS) may vary significantly. In some cases, the handle is part of the door leaf and requires disassembly, in others it is placed in a separate block. It is important to prepare the necessary tools in advance and free up space around the unit. In models with a No Frost or complete freezing system, access to the lower fastenings is often hidden by decorative panels that require careful handling.
This procedure does not require calling a specialist and can be done independently if you have basic skills. The main thing is to take your time and fix all the removed elements so as not to lose the fasteners. Next, we will analyze each stage in detail, from preparation to the final adjustment of the gaps, so that your refrigerator Indesit serves for a long time and properly.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
Quality preparation is half the success. To work with refrigeration equipment Indesit you will need a standard home handyman kit. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm), since most fasteners in this technique are made specifically for it. You may also need an 8 or 10 mm open-end wrench and a flat-head screwdriver to carefully remove the plugs.
Be sure to clear space in front of the refrigerator. You need to ensure access to the unit from all sides, since the door will have to be removed and set aside. Remove all food, shelves and drawers from the refrigerator and freezer. This will not only make the design easier, but will also prevent glass breakage or product spillage during operation.
- 🔧 Hex keys (set) are the main tool for hinges.
- 🪛 Flat-head screwdriver - for removing decorative trims.
- 🧤 Work gloves - to avoid cutting yourself on sharp metal edges.
- 🧼 Rags and a container for fasteners - it is better to put bolts and washers directly in the box.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator Indesit from the electrical network. This is a safety requirement that cannot be ignored, especially if the model is equipped with an electronic control that can respond to the removal of the doors.
After the refrigerator has been defrosted (if required) and turned off, you can begin to study the design. Pay attention to the type of handles: they are integrated or overhead. The algorithm of your first actions will depend on this.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
Dismantling the top part and removing the handle
The process starts from the top of the refrigerator. In most models Indesit the top hinge secures the door and often hides fasteners. First you need to remove the top cover, if present. It can be held on with latches or screws. Proceed with caution, plastic becomes brittle in the cold.
If your model is equipped with an external handle, it often needs to be removed or rearranged before removing the door itself. In some cases, the handle is attached with screws from the inside of the door. You will have to open the door, find the holes closed with plugs, and unscrew the fasteners. Bolts may be of different lengths, so remember or mark which one is unscrewed from.
In models with recessed handles (recesses), this step is skipped. However, if the handle is part of a decorative trim, it must be removed. Use a flathead screwdriver with a soft cloth underneath to avoid scratching the surface. Carefully pry the trim around the perimeter. Do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the plastic clips.
After removing the decorative elements and handles, access to the top hinge is available. It is this that holds the main weight of the door. Make sure that you accurately determine the type of fastening, since different modifications Indesit use different types of screws.
Removing the door leaf and rearranging the hinges
The most crucial moment is the direct removal of the door. The top hinge is usually secured with two or three bolts. Loosen them, but do not unscrew them completely until you are ready to remove the door. The refrigerator door Indesit is heavy, and it may fall if you do not hold it.
It is better to perform this operation together: one person holds the door, the second unscrews the fasteners. If there is no assistant, you can prop the door from below, but this is less reliable. After unscrewing the top hinge, carefully remove the door from the bottom pin and set it in a safe place, placing it on a soft surface.
Now attention turns to the bottom part. Here is located bottom hinge and often the pin on which the door is placed. In some models Indesit the lower hinge just needs to be moved to the opposite side, in others you need to replace the pin with a symmetrical one from the kit. The pin can be pressed in or screwed in.
| Type of fastening | Location | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top hinge | Top of the door | Dismantling and rearrangement | Hexagon |
| Bottom support | Bottom of the body | Replacing the pin/hinge | 8-10 mm key |
| Stoppers | At the end of the door | Rearranging the plugs | Screwdriver |
| Handle | On the facade | Dismantling/transfer | Hexagon |
Don't forget about the plugs (stops) in the end of the door. In the holes that are now free (on the new opening side), you need to screw or insert the plugs that were previously on the other side. This will ensure proper closing of the door and operation of the magnetic lock.
What to do if the pin does not unscrew?
If the lower pin is stuck or rusted and cannot be unscrewed with a key, do not use brute force so as not to strip the thread. Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (eg WD-40) and leave for 10-15 minutes. After this, try to carefully swing the pin.
Installing the door on the new side
After all the elements are prepared and moved to opposite sides, installation begins. Install the bottom hinge or screw the pin into the new location. Make sure it fits snug and upright. This determines how easy it will be to put the door on.
Take the door leaf and carefully place it on the bottom pin. Hold the door upright and align the holes on the top with the hinge holes on the refrigerator body. Now you need to fix the upper hinge with bolts. Tighten It is not recommended to immediately tighten them “all the way” - first just tighten them so that the door falls into place.
Check how the door fits against the body. If all the holes line up perfectly, you can begin the final tightening. Tighten all top hinge bolts evenly. Make sure that there are no gaps between the body and the hinge, but do not overtighten the thread so as not to tear it off in the aluminum case.
After installing the main door, if you have a two-chamber refrigerator Indesit, you must repeat the procedure for the second door (freezer or refrigerator), if the design allows for their independent opening. The principle of operation is similar: dismantling, rearranging hinges, installation.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
The final stage is adjustment. Even with careful installation, the door may warp or not fit tightly. The gap between the door and the body must be the same over the entire height. If the door fits tightly at the top, but there is a gap at the bottom, or vice versa, adjustment is required.
To eliminate distortions, it is often enough to loosen the top hinge, slightly raise or lower the edge of the door and tighten the bolts again. Some models Indesit provide for adjusting the height of the lower support, which allows you to set the door perfectly level. Use level to check the vertical position.
⚠️ Attention: A loose seal (elastic band) will cause the refrigerator to work without stopping, trying to gain temperature. This will increase energy consumption and may damage the compressor. Be sure to check the fit around the entire perimeter.
You can check the tightness in a simple way: clamp a sheet of paper with the refrigerator door. If it is pulled out with noticeable effort around the entire perimeter, everything is fine. If in some place the paper falls out or is pulled out too easily, it means that the seal there is broken. You may need to heat the seal with a hairdryer (carefully!) or adjust the position of the door.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
When re-hanging doors on their own, users often make common mistakes. One of them is the loss of fasteners. The bolts from the top and bottom hinges may differ in length and thread. If you mix them up, you can damage the case or not press the hinge, which will lead to sagging.
Another common problem is damage to the plastic plugs or handles. Plastic in old refrigerators Indesit becomes brittle. If you feel strong resistance, do not push. It is better to study the instructions again or look for hidden fasteners. They also often forget to rearrange the stoppers at the end of the door, which is why the door stops being fixed in the closed position with a magnet.
- ❌ Bolts of different lengths are mixed up - there is a risk of breaking through the body or not fixing the hinge.
- ❌ Forgotten plugs at the end - the door does not stay closed.
- ❌ The upper hinge is overtightened - deformation of the metal or breakage of the thread.
- ❌ The level is not checked - a skewed door will open on its own.
If after installation you hear a creak or see that the door is touching the body, do not ignore it. Constant friction will lead to wear of the seal and scratches on the body. Remove the door again and check that all elements are installed correctly.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen?
This is extremely difficult and often impossible without completely dismantling the refrigerator from the niche. Built-in models Indesit require access to the side walls and often removal of the facades of the kitchen unit. It is recommended to completely remove the unit from the furniture before starting work.
What to do if you have lost the instructions for the refrigerator?
Don’t be upset. Most models Indesit have a unified mounting scheme. Find the model of your refrigerator (sticker inside the chamber) and download the instructions from the manufacturer’s official website. There is always a section “Installation” with a re-hanging diagram.
Do you need to wait after re-hanging before turning it on?
There is no special waiting required if you have not transported the refrigerator horizontally before. However, after mechanical impact (removing and installing doors), it is recommended to let the refrigerator stand for 30-60 minutes before turning it on, so that the coolant calms down, although Indesit this is more of a general safety recommendation than a strict rule.