The need to change the direction of door opening refrigerator Nord often occurs when remodeling the kitchen or rearranging furniture. Modern interiors require flexibility, and technology should adapt to the user, and not vice versa. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand provides for the possibility of reverse installation.
The rehanging process does not require calling a specialist if you have basic skills in handling the tool and are careful. In this article, we will analyze the technical nuances that you will encounter when dismantling and installing hinges, and will also pay attention to models with different types of control.
It is important to understand that the wrong sequence of actions can lead to damage to the decorative panels or a leak. Study carefully features of your model before starting work, since the location of fasteners can differ.
Assessing the design and preparing the workplace
Before grabbing a screwdriver, you need to visually assess the scope of work. Refrigerators Nord are two-chamber and single-chamber, with or without electronic control on the door. The complexity of the procedure depends on this. If you have a model with a display or buttons on the facade, the task is complicated by the need to disconnect the cables.
Prepare free space around the unit. You will need access from all sides to get around the equipment without obstruction. Remove rugs that may interfere with stability and ensure good lighting of the work area.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the power supply. Working with live electrical wiring is unacceptable and dangerous to life.
You will need the following set of tools: Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, a wrench (usually 10 mm), a knife for carefully removing the plugs and a container for folding the fasteners. It would be a good idea to have an assistant on hand, since the doors are quite heavy and can slip out of your hands during dismantling.
Check the package for spare holes on the opposite side of the case. Factory perforations are usually closed with decorative plugs that will need to be removed and rearranged.
Features of models with electronic control
The most difficult to maintain are models of the series Nord NRT or NRB with a control unit located on the door. In such cases, simply unscrewing the bolts is not enough. Preliminary dismantling of the control panel is required to disconnect the contact group.
First remove the top cover of the control unit, if it is removable. It is often held in place by latches or hidden screws under a decorative trim. Carefully bend the edges of the plastic panel, being careful not to break the fasteners. The plastic on old refrigerators can be fragile.
After gaining access to the wires, you need to photograph the connection diagram or mark each connector with a marker. This will help avoid assembly errors. Disconnect the cable by unlocking the connector latches.
- 🔌 Disconnect the connector of the wiring harness going to the control unit.
- 🔧 Loosen the fastening screws holding the control board.
- 📸 Take a photo of the location of the wires for later assembly.
- 🧊 Carefully remove the unit so that it does not hang on the wires.
Sealing Wire connections are critical for the normal operation of electronics. Make sure that when transferring the block to the new side, you do not transfer the insulation.
If the wires are too short and do not reach the new side, do not try to extend them without soldering skills. In this case, it is better to leave the control unit in place, if the design allows, or contact a service center.
Removing the upper and lower hinges
Start work from the top loops. This is the main support element that supports the weight of the entire door. In refrigerators Nord it is often closed with a decorative plug. Pry it up with a knife or flathead screwdriver to gain access to the bolts.
Unscrew the top hinge bolts counterclockwise. If the threads are stuck, do not use excessive force to avoid tearing off the splines. You can drip a little penetrating lubricant, but be careful not to get it on the rubber seal.
After loosening the fasteners, you will need an assistant. One person should hold the door in a vertical position, preventing it from falling, the second should completely unscrew the bolts and remove the hinge. The door must be removed from the bottom pin and placed in a safe place, placed on a soft cloth.
| Hinge type | Location | Tool | Dismantling nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | Top of the case | 10 mm key | Hidden under the plug |
| Bottom | Bottom of the door | Screwdriver/Key | Requires door removal |
| Medium | Between cameras | 8-10 mm key | Fixes both doors |
Now we move on to the lower hinge of the main door. It is attached to the end of the door and to the body of the refrigerator (or the middle partition). Unscrew the fasteners. If the door is two-chamber, first the upper door is removed, then the lower one.
In some models Nord the lower hinge pin is pressed into the body. It needs to be unscrewed from the case if the design allows for rearrangement, or simply move the hinge itself to the other side if the pin is not removable.
☑️ Preparation for dismantling
Re-hanging the doors and installing them on a new side
The installation process is mirrored to the dismantling process. First, prepare the holes on the opposite side of the case. Remove the plastic plugs from the new mounting holes and install them into the vacated old holes.
Install the bottom hinge on the new side. Screw the pin into the refrigerator body (if it was unscrewed) and secure it with a locknut. Make sure that the pin is strictly vertical, otherwise the door will be warped.
Hang the door on the bottom pin. Now you need to secure the top loop. Align the hinge holes with the holes on the body and screw in the bolts. Do not tighten them all the way at once - first tighten all the bolts by hand.
If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, the sequence is as follows: first hang the bottom door, then install the middle partition (if it is removable) or the middle hinge, and only then hang the top door.
Gaps between the door and the body should be uniform throughout length If you see a misalignment, loosen the top hinge fasteners and align the position of the door, then tighten the bolts again.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the door, make sure that the wires (if any) do not get between the moving parts of the hinge and the body. This may lead to cable breakage when opening.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In rare cases, if the case is severely deformed or defective, the holes may not match perfectly. Do not try to drill new holes yourself - this will ruin the seal of the cabinet. Try loosening all the fasteners slightly and rocking the door until it snaps into place. If this does not help, contact the service.
Adjusting the tightness and gaps
After installing the doors, you need to check their operation. The door should open smoothly, without jamming, and close tightly with a slight push. The most important parameter is the tight fit of the seal around the entire perimeter.
Check the gap between the door and the body. It should be the same on top and bottom. If the door warps, the floor under the refrigerator may be uneven. In this case, use the leveling supports at the bottom of the unit.
To adjust the height of the supports, use a wrench or simply rotate the legs by hand (depending on the model). By twisting the front or rear supports, you can achieve the ideal horizontal position of the refrigerator.
- 📏 Check the gap between the door and the body along the entire length.
- 🔄 Adjust the height of the refrigerator legs for leveling.
- 🚪 Make sure the door opens more than 90 degrees.
- 🧲 Check the strength of the magnet - the door should magnetize itself.
If the door does not close tightly, the seal may be deformed during storage or transportation. In this case, you can warm it up with a hairdryer (carefully, without overheating) or pour boiling water from a mug to straighten the rubber.
Pay special attention closerif it is provided by the model. The mechanism should gently pull the door in position. If the door slams or bounces, finer adjustment of the angle of the entire refrigerator is required.
Checking operation and troubleshooting
The final stage is testing. Plug in the refrigerator. If the model is equipped with electronics, check whether the display lights up and whether the buttons work. Lack of response may indicate poor contact in the connectors.
Carry out a test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places around the perimeter. It must be pulled out with force. If the leaf slides out freely, the seal in this place is broken, and the cold will escape.
Listen to the operation of the unit. A door that is not closed tightly may cause the compressor to start more frequently. If you hear a whistling or hissing sound when closing, the air may be escaping too quickly - this is a sign of a good fit, but the door is too tight.
⚠️ Warning: Do not load the refrigerator with food at once. Let it run idle for 2-3 hours so that the operating mode is reached and the temperature stabilizes.
If distortions are detected after turning on, repeat the procedure for adjusting the hinges. Sometimes, after the first cooling and heating cycle, the hinges may “shrink” slightly, requiring re-tightening.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to rearrange the door on its own if the refrigerator is under warranty?
Technically this is possible, and in many models Nord this is a standard procedure. However, if in the process you strip threads, break plastic fasteners or damage wiring, the service center may refuse warranty service. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call a specialist.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close tightly?
Most likely, the installation geometry is broken. Check if the refrigerator is level on the floor. Try unscrewing the front adjustable feet a little to create a slight tilt of the body back - then the door will close under the influence of gravity.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before moving the doors?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to defrost the unit in advance. Ice can crumble when the door is tilted, and water can flow into the hinge mechanisms or onto the floor.
Where to put the old holes if the plugs are lost?
Decorative plugs can be ordered at a service center or picked up universal analogues at a furniture fittings store. As a last resort, the holes can be carefully painted over with a marker to match the color of the body, although this is less aesthetically pleasing.