Changing the layout in the kitchen or buying a new set often dictate your conditions for placing household appliances. Equipment owners Indesit are lucky: the design of most two-chamber models allows you to change the direction of opening the doors without calling a technician. This saves budget and time, since the procedure takes no more than an hour if you have a basic set of tools.
However, despite its apparent simplicity, the process requires accuracy and understanding of the device. hinge group. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to damage to the seal or distortion of the door leaf, which will affect the tightness of the chamber. In this article we will analyze all stages of work, from preparation to final adjustment of the gaps.
Before starting active actions, you need to make sure that your refrigerator really supports this function. Although 95% of models Indesit (DF, DS, BIA series) have symmetrical openings, there are exceptions. Carefully inspect the ends of the body: if there are no threaded holes or plastic plugs on the opposite side, it is technically impossible to rehang the door.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tool
High-quality preparation is the key to the success of any repair operation. To work, you will need free space around the refrigerator. It is necessary to provide access to the rear wall and side edges from all sides. If the device is located close to the wall, it will have to be moved at least a meter.
As for the instruments, complex specialized equipment is not needed here. A standard DIY kit is sufficient. The main requirement is that the size of the bit or head exactly matches the size of the fastener, so as not to tear off the screw heads. In most cases, metric fasteners are used.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) or a screwdriver with force adjustment.
- 🔧 Open-end or socket wrenches (most often sizes 8, 10 mm).
- 🔨 Knife or a thin spatula for removing decorative plugs.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
Pay special attention to the stability of the unit. A two-chamber refrigerator Indesit has a high center of gravity. It may become unstable when removing the top door. It is recommended to enlist the help of an assistant who will hold the case while dismantling heavy elements.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Remove the plug from the outlet. This safety rule cannot be ignored, even if you are only changing mechanical hinges.
Prepare a container for small parts in advance. Bolts, washers and plastic bushings tend to get lost at the most inopportune moment. Lay them out on a clean cloth in the order of dismantling so that there is no confusion when assembling them in a new place.
Removing the top door and handle
The remodeling process begins with the top chamber (freezer or refrigerator, depending on the layout of your model. Indesit). First you need to remove the handle. In modern models, it is mounted on hidden screws under decorative plugs or on visible bolts.
If the screws are hidden, carefully pry off the plastic covers with a knife. They are secured with latches and can be removed without effort. After this you will have access to the fasteners. Unscrew the bolts, but do not remove them completely at once - just loosen them first.
Remove the top hinge along with the bracket. At this stage, the door is still held on the pins or the bottom of the hinge, but is no longer fixed at the top. Gently lift the door leaf to disengage it and place it in a safe place on a soft surface.
- 🔩 Remove the decorative panel (if any) from the top of the refrigerator.
- 🔓 Unscrew the top hinge bolts.
- 🚪 Remove the door and set it aside.
- 🔄 Move the hinge to the opposite side using symmetrical holes.
It is important not to lose the stop pins. In some models Indesit they may fall out when the door is removed. If the pin remains in the hinge hole, carefully knock it out. When installing it in a new place, make sure that it sits tightly in the socket.
Reversing the bottom door
The lower part of the refrigerator Indesit is designed in a similar way, but has its own characteristics. There is often a middle loop located here that connects both chambers. Dismantling begins with removing the decorative hinge cover, which is usually located between the chambers.
After removing the cover, unscrew the bolts securing the middle hinge. Before doing this, it is necessary to release the lower door from the load. Have a helper hold the bottom panel while you remove the fasteners. Then carefully remove the door from the lower support pin.
☑️ Dismantling checklist
Inspect the axis of the lower pin. There may be a plastic sleeve or washer on it. Don't lose this element! It ensures smooth operation and correct door height positioning. When moving to the other side, the bushing is installed in the corresponding symmetrical hole in the body.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when unscrewing the old bolts. If the metal is stuck, use a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and wait 10-15 minutes. A sharp jerk can break the threads in the aluminum housing.
Install the lower support loop into the new slot on the opposite side. Tighten the bolts, but not all the way yet - the final adjustment will occur after hanging the doors. Make sure that the loop is level and not skewed relative to the horizon.
Moving controls and plugs
The most delicate stage is working with the control panel. In two-chamber refrigerators Indesit the thermostat or electronic control unit is often located on the top panel or inside the chamber. If the regulator is mechanical (twist), it needs to be rearranged.
To do this, remove the plastic cover from the regulator, unscrew the fastening nut and carefully remove the assembly. The capillary tube of the temperature sensor must not be bent or twisted - this will lead to failure of the refrigeration system. Act as carefully as possible.
| Element | Action | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical thermostat | Repositioning into a symmetrical hole | Do not bend the sensor tube |
| Electronic panel | Removal and transfer to a new side | Check the length of the cable |
| Decorative plugs | Replacement (left/right) | Use a plug with a hole for the handle |
| Door handle | Installation on a new side | Observe the grip orientation |
After moving the regulator, it is necessary to close the vacated holes with plastic plugs. Usually, special plugs are included with the refrigerator or in the fastening kit. If they are lost, you can order them separately or carefully paint over the hole, although this is less aesthetically pleasing.
What to do if the control panel cable is short?
In some Indesit models, the length of the electronic panel cable is designed for only one side. If you encounter this, don't try to build it up yourself. You will need to replace the cable with an extended one or resolder the contacts, which requires the skills of an electronics engineer. In such cases, it is better to contact a service center.
Install the door handles in new places. Please note that some models have handles with a specific grip shape (asymmetrical). Make sure your grip remains comfortable when you install it on the new side. If the handle is symmetrical, there will be no problems.
Assembling and hanging doors
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. The bottom door is installed first. Apply some industrial lubricant (Litol or silicone) to the lower support pin. This will ensure silent opening and ease of movement in the future.
Place the bottom panel onto the pin and check for verticality. Then install the middle hinge, aligning the holes in the door and body. Insert the bolts and tighten them lightly without fully tightening them. Now you can hang the upper door.
The upper leaf is installed in the same way: it is put on the axle and secured with the upper hinge. Only after both doors are in place can you begin the final alignment. First, tighten the bolts of the lower hinge, then the middle one, and finally the upper one.
- 👇 Install the lower door on the support pin.
- 🔗 Mount the middle hinge, aligning the holes.
- 👆 Put the upper door on and secure the upper one loop.
- 🔧 Tighten all fasteners one by one, checking the gaps.
Check the operation of the magnetic latches. The door must be magnetized around its entire perimeter. If there is a gap in any corner, it means the door is warped. Loosen the fastenings of the corresponding loop and slightly move the blade until the defect is eliminated.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
The final stage is checking the quality of the work performed. The tightness of the chamber directly affects the service life of the compressor and energy consumption. If the door does not fit tightly, ice will form in the chamber, and food may spoil.
Visually inspect the perimeter of the seal. It should touch the body tightly along its entire length. Pay special attention to the corners. Often, this is where cracks form due to not fully tightened bolts or skewed hinges.
To adjust the height of the door, use adjusting washers or screws on the lower support (if the design of the model Indesit provides for this possibility). By tightening the support screw, you can raise or lower the corner of the door, achieving the ideal horizon.
⚠️ Attention: After adjustment, be sure to let the refrigerator stand in an upright position for 2-3 hours before turning it on. This is necessary for the oil to drain into the compressor, especially if the unit was tilted strongly during operation.
Turn on the refrigerator and listen to the operation. Doors should close smoothly, without creaking or jamming. If you hear extraneous sounds, check whether the shelf or container is touching the housing elements when opening. Sometimes it is necessary to move the shelves inside the chambers a little.
Common mistakes and ways to eliminate them
Even following the instructions, beginners can make mistakes. One of the most common is the loss or mix-up of fasteners. The bolts for the top and bottom hinges may differ in length. Installing a long bolt into a short socket can lead to breaking through the housing wall or jamming the mechanism.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the seal. During long-term use, the rubber “remembers” the position of the closed door. After repositioning it to the opposite side, the seal may not fit immediately. It needs time (from 1 to 3 days) to straighten out and take a new shape.
If the door begins to open by itself, it means that the angle of the entire refrigerator is broken. The body should be slightly tilted back. Adjust the front support feet by unscrewing them to raise the front of the unit. This will ensure spontaneous closing.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the decorative plugs are lost?
Yes, you can. Functionally, the plugs do not affect the operation of the refrigerator; they only cover the openings. You can order a set of plugs for Indesit at the service center or use universal furniture plugs of a suitable color. You can also carefully paint the holes with white enamel.
Why did a creaking appear after rehanging?
The creaking usually occurs due to metal-to-metal friction in the hinges or because the axle is not in the center of the hole. Check if the door is warped. It is also recommended to lubricate the rubbing surfaces of the hinges with food-grade silicone grease.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Complete defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice inside, water may leak when the doors are tilted. It is recommended to carry out the defrosting procedure in advance so that the inside is dry and comfortable to work with.
What to do if the holes on the new side do not match?
In the original cases Indesit the holes are always symmetrical. If they do not match, you may be using a non-original hinge from a different model or have incorrectly determined the top/bottom of the hinge. Double check the parts fit. Drilling new holes in the body is strictly prohibited - this will break the tightness of the thermal insulation.