A change in the layout of the kitchen or simply a desire to optimize space often dictates new requirements for the location of household appliances. Owners of refrigeration units Nordfrost often face the need to change the door opening direction in order to provide convenient access to shelves or fit the device into a new interior. Modern models, such as Nordfrost NRB 120 or larger Nord 406, structurally allow you to perform this procedure yourself, without calling a specialist.
The rehanging process requires care, the availability of a basic set of tools and strict adherence to the sequence of actions. Improper assembly may lead to a violation of the seal of the chamber, skewed fabric or damage to the seal. It is important to understand that although the design seems simple, each modification has its own nuances of attaching handles and the location of technological holes.
In this article we will look in detail at how to hang the door on the refrigerator Nordfrost, paying special attention to preparing the workplace and final adjustment. You will learn what tools you will need, how to avoid common mistakes when dismantling fittings, and what to pay attention to when installing hinges on the opposite side. Properly done work will extend the life of your refrigerator.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before starting any manipulations with the refrigerator body, you must prepare the appropriate tools. To work with the fastenings of hinges and handles, wrenches, screwdrivers of various types and, possibly, hexagons are most often required. Make sure in advance that you have on hand a 10 mm Phillips screwdriver and pliers for removing plugs. An open-end wrench The organization of the space around the refrigerator plays a critical role in the safety of the process. You will need a free area with a radius of at least one meter so that you can easily walk around the unit from all sides. It is also necessary to prepare a soft substrate, for example, a blanket or thick cardboard, on which the removed door will be placed. open-end wrench 10 mm, Phillips screwdriver and pliers for removing plugs.
The organization of the space around the refrigerator plays a critical role in the safety of the process. You will need a free area with a radius of at least one meter so that you can easily walk around the unit from all sides. It is also necessary to prepare a soft substrate, for example, a blanket or thick cardboard, on which the removed door will be placed.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply and empty the door shelves of food in order to reduce the weight of the structure and avoid injuries.
Design analysis and selection of opening side
Refrigerators Nordfrost are designed taking into account the possibility of reinstallation, however, the location of the technological holes may vary depending on the model. Carefully inspect the upper and lower parts of the case: on the opposite side there should be threaded holes or places for drilling them. In most cases, the factory holes are closed with plastic plugs.
Determine which way the door will open after reinstallation. The standard position is right, but if necessary it can be changed to left. It is important to consider that opening direction affects the ergonomics of the kitchen and must provide an opening angle of at least 90 degrees for convenient removal of drawers.
Study the design of the handle. On some models, the handle is asymmetrical and requires reinstallation or replacement of fasteners. If the handle is integrated into the door profile, it may be necessary to rearrange the decorative elements. In models with a display or control buttons on the door (Nordfrost with the No Frost system and electronics), it is also necessary to provide for the possibility of transferring the wiring harness.
Removing the top and bottom panels
The process of removing the door begins with dismantling the top cover of the refrigerator. To do this, use a screwdriver to remove the mounting screws that secure the panel. Carefully remove the cover, being careful not to damage the latches, and set it aside. Under the cover you will see the upper hinge, which also needs to be removed.
After releasing the upper hinge, the door becomes free, but is still held on by the lower fastener. Have a helper hold the door to prevent it from falling. Unscrew the bottom pin or hinge using the appropriate wrench. Now the door can be carefully removed from the body and placed on a prepared soft surface.
After removing the door, begin dismantling the strike plates and handles. Unscrew the handle and move it to the opposite side using the holes provided by the factory. If there are plastic plugs in the place of future fastenings, remove them with a thin knife or awl. Plastic plugs from the current opening side, move them to the vacant places to preserve the aesthetic appearance.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top cover | Remove | Phillips screwdriver | Do not pull sharply |
| Top hinge | Unscrew | 10 mm key | Hold the door |
| Door handle | Rearrange | Hexagon | Change side |
| Lower bushing | Move | Pliers | Lubricate with graphite |
Re-hanging the main door of the refrigerator compartment
After preparing the body and removing the door, we proceed to installing the hinges on the new side. Insert the lower support sleeve into the corresponding hole on the opposite side of the housing. If the refrigerator came with special pins or bushings for hanging, use them, as they provide the correct height and angle of inclination.
Install the door on the lower axis, holding it in a vertical position. Align the holes on the top hinge with the holes on the body and insert the mounting bolts. Do not tighten them immediately until they stop - first you need to align the door to ensure uniform pressure of the seal along the entire perimeter.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the door, make sure that the wiring (if any) is not pinched by the hinges or the housing, which can lead to short circuit.
☑️ Door installation algorithm
Features of working with two-chamber models
In two-chamber refrigerators Nordfrost, such as the series NRF or NRB, the process is complicated by the presence of an intermediate loop between the freezer and refrigerator compartments. After removing the top door (freezer), you need to remove the middle hinge to gain access to the bottom door. Proceed in the same way: remove the fasteners, remove the door and move the fastening elements.
Pay special attention to the axis of the middle hinge. It often has a complex shape and can be secured with a locking screw. When rearranging, make sure that the axle is installed correctly and is not loose. For models with the system No Frost it is important not to damage the air supply channels that may pass near the fasteners.
If your model is equipped with an electronic display on the door, before completely removing the panel, you must disconnect the wire connectors. Electrical contacts require careful handling: remember the disconnection order or take a photo so that during assembly it does not mix up the wires. After rehanging, check the functionality of the indicators.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some budget or older models there may be holes only on one side. In this case, you will need to drill the housing yourself, which is highly not recommended without special drills and skills, since the thermal insulation layer (polyurethane foam) can be damaged, which will lead to loss of tightness and the formation of condensation.
Adjusting the position and eliminating distortions
After installing all the elements in new places, it is necessary to carry out a thorough adjustment. The door should close tightly, without gaps, but also without excessive force. If you notice a distortion, loosen the fastening bolts of the upper hinge and, slightly raising or lowering the edge of the door, achieve a horizontal position.
Check the operation of the magnetic seal. It should be adjacent to the body along the entire perimeter. To check, use a sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body at different points. If the paper is removed too easily or, conversely, with difficulty, the position of the loop must be adjusted. In some models