Kitchen redevelopment often dictates its own conditions, and the standard location of the refrigerator door may interfere with free passage or opening of adjacent cabinets. Owners of equipment Indesit often face the need to change the opening side of the door in order to adapt the appliance to new interior conditions. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand allows you to do hanging the door without calling a specialist, if you act carefully and consistently.
The process requires not only physical strength, but also an understanding of the device hinge mechanism. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to damage to decorative overlays or even deformation of the metal sheet. Before taking up the tools, it is necessary to study the internal structure of the fastening unit and prepare the workspace by removing all unnecessary objects from the path of movement of the sash.
In this article we will analyze all the nuances of the procedure, from the selection of tools to the final adjustment of the gaps. You will learn how to safely dismantle a heavy door, move hinges to the opposite side and return the refrigerator to full operation.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the job, you will need a minimum set of home craftsmen, but having specific tools will greatly simplify task. The main tool will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different attachments, since the mounting screws may differ in the type of head. Also, be sure to prepare masking tape to secure the moving elements during dismantling.
Particular attention should be paid to protecting the floor covering and the equipment itself. A heavy door, if moved carelessly, can scratch the floor or chip the enamel. Place thick cardboard or soft rags under the refrigerator, and it is better to wrap all sharp edges of the tools with cloth.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) or a screwdriver with bits.
- 🔧 Open-end wrenches (often a size of 8 mm or 10 mm is required).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges.
- 📏 Level and masking tape to fix the position.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network! This is critical for safety as you will be working in close proximity to electrical components and wiring.
Make sure you have enough clearance around the unit. You will need to move the refrigerator away from the wall at least 50-70 centimeters in order to have access to the back and sides. If the room is crowded, it is better to temporarily remove small pieces of furniture.
Design features of Indesit refrigerators
Brand appliances Indesit are famous for their maintainability, but the design of hinge units may vary depending on the year of manufacture and model series. In most cases, the classic scheme is used with an upper and lower support loop, as well as intermediate fastenings for two-chamber models. Understanding what type of mechanism is installed on your device will help you avoid mistakes.
Modern models are often equipped closers with complex sealing systems that require careful handling. Older models may have more massive metal hinges, which “stick” over time and require additional processing. It is important to determine whether your model has the ability to be re-hung, since some budget series have an asymmetrical body design.
How do you know if the door can be re-hung?
Look at the opposite side of the refrigerator body. If there are technological holes for attaching hinges and the delivery kit (or in the niche of the plinth) contains plugs and additional fasteners, then rehanging is provided by the factory. If there are no holes or are closed by a blank wall without threads, then the design does not allow changing the opening direction.
The control system deserves special attention. If there is a panel on the door electronic control, the process becomes more complicated. You will not only have to rearrange the mechanical parts, but also carefully reconnect the wire loops, which requires increased caution. In such cases, it is strongly recommended to photograph each connection before disconnecting.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the upper door
You should always start with the upper chamber, as it has less weight and is easier to dismantle. The first step is to remove the top decorative panel if it blocks access to the mounting bolts. Usually it is held on by latches or several screws that need to be carefully unscrewed.
Next, you should fix the door in the closed position using masking tape so that it does not fall when the fasteners are loosened. After this, the bolts holding the upper hinge are unscrewed. Here it is important to hold the door with your second hand or ask an assistant, since after removing the fasteners it will remain hanging only on the lower hinge.
☑️ Checklist before removing the door
Having removed the top hinge, carefully lift the door up to disengage it from the lower bushing or intermediate hinge. Place the removed part face down on a prepared soft surface to avoid scratching the glossy finish. Now you can begin removing the handle and preparing to rearrange the fittings.
If on your model the handle is integrated into the body or has a complex fastening system, proceed according to the diagram in the instructions. It is often necessary to remove decorative trim to get to hidden screws. Do not use excessive force, the plastic may crack.
Overhanging the bottom door and main panel
The bottom door of the refrigerator is usually heavier due to the increased volume of the chamber and the presence of a system No Frost or evaporator. It is removed in the same way as the top one: the intermediate hinge is dismantled (which becomes the top hinge for the bottom door), and the leaf is removed from the pin.
The key point is the relocation of the mating parts of the hinges to the opposite side of the body. The front panel of the refrigerator has threaded holes on both sides. You need to unscrew the plugs on the new side and move the main fasteners there. Old holes on the working side are closed with plastic plugs included in the kit.
| Element | Action during dismantling | Action during installation | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Remove from the right side | Install on the left side | Check for the presence of a pin |
| Intermediate loop | Remove from the axis | Turn over and secure | It is important not to confuse the top/bottom |
| Bottom support | Unscrew the chamber from the floor | Screw into the opposite corner | Requires a 10 key |
| Stoppers | Remove from the grooves | Install into new grooves | Fix the opening angle |
When installing the bottom support bushing, make sure it fits snugly into the threaded hole. If the design provides a stop to limit the opening angle (stopper), it must also be moved to the corresponding slot on the new side. Often this requires removing the plastic base of the refrigerator.
Installation of fittings and assembly of the mechanism
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling, but using holes on the opposite side. First, the lower support sleeve is installed, then the lower door is hung. It is important to correctly align the holes in the door leaf with the hinge fasteners.
After installing the lower sash, an intermediate hinge is installed (which now holds the upper door). Here it is critical to maintain the correct geometry so that the doors do not touch each other when opening. There is no need to tighten the bolts completely yet; leave a small gap for later adjustment.
Hanging the top door is the most critical step. Align the top hinge with the holes in the frame and door, then install the mounting bolts. Make sure that all rubber seals are in place and are not bent inside the camera.
⚠️ Attention: Do not overtighten the hinge mounting bolts immediately! First, just tighten them, check the operation of the doors, and only after that do the final tightening. Excessive force can strip the threads in plastic bushings or warp the metal.
If your model is equipped with magnetic latches or mechanical locks, make sure that the mating part of the lock is also switched to the new side. Usually it is mounted with screws inside the end of the door or body.
Adjusting gaps and eliminating distortions
After final assembly, it often turns out that the doors do not fit tightly or are distorted. This is a normal situation that requires adjustment. The design of the hinges Indesit often provides for the possibility of (micro-adjustments) of the position of the blade.
To adjust the vertical, you can place washers under the hinges or use adjusting screws, if your model has them. Horizontal skew is eliminated by loosening the hinge mounting bolts, leveling the door and then tightening it.
Check the work magnetic seal along the entire perimeter. It should fit evenly to the body. If a gap has formed in some place through which the cold escapes, try warming this area with a hairdryer (carefully!) and straighten the seal, or place a sealing tape under it.
It is also worth checking the opening angle. If the stoppers are installed incorrectly, the door may open too wide and hit furniture, or, conversely, not provide full access to the shelves. Adjust the position of the stops in the base part.
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them
One of the most common errors is the loss of small parts. Bolts, washers and plastic plugs are very easy to lose during operation, especially if there is a fleecy carpet under the refrigerator. It is better to immediately put all removed elements into a magnetic tray or jar.
Another mistake is ignoring the instructions for working with electrical equipment in models with a display. Trying to simply throw the wires “as it happens” can lead to a short circuit. Here it is important to observe the color markings and the sequence of connections.
- ❌ They forgot to remove the shipping bolts from the compressor (if there were any) before tilting the refrigerator.
- ❌ They mixed up the top and bottom of seemingly symmetrical hinges (they may differ in angle of inclination).
- ❌ Much they pulled the door when removing it, damaging the groove in the plastic sleeve.
⚠️ Attention: The design and equipment may vary depending on the specific series and year of manufacture. If you see that the holes do not match or the fasteners do not fit, stop and check the technical documentation for your model on the manufacturer's official website.
If after all the manipulations the door still slams or does not close completely, check the installation level of the refrigerator itself. The legs should be unscrewed so that the body is slightly tilted back - this ensures that the door closes automatically under the influence of gravity.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before hanging it?
Yes, this is highly desirable. First, an empty refrigerator is easier to move and tilt. Secondly, when working with the door, the ice in the chambers can crumble and clog the drainage or damage the shelves. It is better to carry out the defrosting procedure in advance.
What to do if one of the plastic plugs is lost?
Plugs perform an aesthetic function, closing old holes. If you have lost one, you can order a set of spare parts for your model Indesit at a service center or pick up a universal plug of a suitable diameter at a hardware store.
Is it possible to rehang a door if there is a screen on it?
This is possible, but requires high qualifications. You will have to disconnect the cable, carefully pull it through the new holes (or use standard channels, if provided by the design) and connect again. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call a specialist.
Why did the door begin to open on its own after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of the body is broken. The refrigerator doors close themselves only when the body is tilted back. Check the adjustment of the front legs - the front ones should be twisted higher than the back ones.