The situation when, after purchasing or moving, it turns out that Pozis refrigerator does not fit into the space allocated for it due to the direction of opening the door, occurs everywhere. This is a common problem, especially in small kitchens where every inch of space matters. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand provides the ability to reversing the door to the opposite side without the involvement of specialists.
The process of moving the hinge requires care and adherence to a certain sequence of actions. If you do the work carelessly, you can damage sealing rubber or break the seal, which will lead to increased energy consumption. In this article, we will look in detail at how to properly dismantle and install door panels so that the equipment works properly for many years.
Preparatory stage and necessary tools
Before taking active steps, it is necessary to prepare the workplace and tools. You will need free space in front of the refrigerator to allow access from all sides. It is also extremely important disconnect the device from the power supplyto remove the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of a short circuit or electric shock if the wiring is accidentally damaged.
For work you will need a minimum set of tools, which are usually found in every home. The main tool will be phillips screwdriver or a screwdriver with an appropriate attachment. In some cases, you may need an allen key, which often comes with the equipment, or a 10 mm wrench.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to empty the door shelves from food and bottles. This will reduce the weight of the structure and prevent heavy objects from falling on your feet during dismantling.
It is a good idea to invite an assistant, especially if you plan to hang the door of a two-chamber refrigerator. Door panels They are quite heavy, and holding them with one hand while unscrewing the bolts is extremely inconvenient and traumatic. Prepare a soft mat for the floor so as not to scratch the coating or damage the removed parts.
☑️ Tools and preparation
Design features of Pozis refrigerators
The Pozis brand range includes both classic two-chamber units and single-chamber options. The design of their loops may differ. Most modern models use a system hidden hingesthat are attached directly to the body and door leaf. This makes the appearance of the equipment more aesthetic, but requires careful disassembly.
It is important to understand that not all models can be modified. Some budget or specific series may have monolithic design cases where holes for hinges are provided only on one side. Therefore, before starting work, it is strongly recommended to study the technical data sheet of your device or find the markings on the back wall.
The system of closers magnetic locks deserves special attention. In models with electronic control or a No Frost system (although Pozis has a drip system more often), additional cables can be laid. Their transfer requires special care so as not to squeeze the insulation or damage the contacts.
Removing the top door (freezer)
The rearrangement process always starts from the top of the unit. First you need to remove the decorative plug that hides the fasteners of the top hinge. It is usually made of plastic and can be easily removed with light pressure or prying with a flat-head screwdriver. Underneath you will find fastening boltsthat need to be unscrewed.
After the fasteners of the upper hinge are released, the door must be held with your hand. Gently lift the door up to disengage the bottom pin and place the door in a safe place. Now you have access to the inside of the case, where the partition between the chambers is located.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the refrigerator open for a long time, especially in a hot room. This can lead to defrosting of the evaporator and increased load on the compressor when first turned on.
The removed door should be turned over and moved handle to the opposite side, if the design allows this. To do this, unscrew the handle fasteners on one side and screw them into the prepared holes on the other, having previously closed the old holes with plastic plugs from the kit.
Hanging the main door of the refrigerator compartment
Working with the bottom door requires more caution due to its size and weight. The first step will be to dismantle intermediate hingewhich connects the upper and lower chambers. Before this, you need to make sure that the top door has already been removed and does not interfere with access to the fasteners.
Unscrew the bolts holding the middle hinge and remove it. The main door is now only attached to the bottom hinge. Carefully tilt the refrigerator body back (it’s better to ask someone to back it up) to remove the load from the lower axis, and remove the door leaf. Place it on the prepared surface.
At this stage, rearrangement is made pins and bushings. The refrigerator often comes with special mounting pins for the opposite side. Remove the plugs from the front of the case and install them in place of the old holes, and cover the new holes with decorative elements.
What to do if the plugs are lost?
If the supplied plugs are lost, you can carefully cut them out of thick plastic or use furniture stickers to match the color of the body to hide technical holes and prevent moisture from entering.
Installation diagram and fastening of hinges
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order. First, the lower axis is installed and the main door is hung. It is important to correctly set the gap between the door and the body. To adjust the height, adjusting washers or the threaded connection of the axle itself is often used.
Then an intermediate loop is mounted. When installing it, you need to ensure that the holes match. If the holes do not line up, do not use excessive force; the door may be misaligned. Check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself using a building level.
The final step is installing the top door and installing the top hinge. The bolts should be tightened tightly, but without fanaticism, so as not to strip the threads. After installing all the elements, check the smooth movement of the door leaves.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Dismantling and transfer | Phillips screwdriver | Remove the decorative plug |
| Door handle | Rearrangement | Screwdriver | Close old holes |
| Lower axis | Height adjustment | Open-end wrench | Adjust to level |
| Sealer | Checking the fit | Visually | Should not have creases |
Adjustment and checking tightness
After all the structural elements are installed in new places, it is necessary to carry out the final adjustment. The main goal is to ensure a tight fit magnetic seal along the entire perimeter. If the door is skewed, cracks may form in the corners through which the cold will escape.
To check the tightness, use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door in different places around the perimeter. If the paper pulls out with force, the seal is good. If the sheet falls out or is removed too easily, it is required adjustment of the hinges.
Also check the operation limit switches (if your model has them), which are responsible for turning on the light and stopping the fan. The door should press against them when closing. If the light continues to light when the door is closed, it means that the mechanism does not work and requires adjustment of the position.
Is it possible to rearrange the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
Formally, independent intervention in the design, including rearranging the hinges, can be regarded by the service center as a violation of the terms of the warranty, especially if threaded connections or plastic are damaged in the process. However, if the manufacturer’s instructions (passport Pozis) explicitly indicate the possibility of reversing the door by the user, this action is permitted. It is recommended to save all removed parts and plugs so that, if necessary, return everything to its original state before calling for service.
What to do if, after rearranging, the door does not close tightly?
Most often, the problem lies in incorrect adjustment of the height of the refrigerator legs or skewed hinges. Try unscrewing the front adjustment feet so that the body leans back a little - this will help the door close with gravity. Also check whether the contents of the shelves are preventing them from closing tightly. If the problem is in the seal, you can warm it up with a hairdryer.
Do you need to wait before turning it on after moving the door?
If during operation the refrigerator was not tilted more than 40 degrees and was not laid on its side, the compressor oil remained in its place, and you can turn on the unit immediately after installation is completed. However, if you strongly tilted the housing for ease of access to the lower hinges, it is better to wait 2-4 hours before the first start, so that the oil flows back into the compressor crankcase.
Where do the old holes on the housing go?
Posis refrigerators usually come with white or silver plastic plugs (pins) that match the color of the housing. They are designed specifically for masking unused holes for hinges and handles. If the supplied plugs are lost, you can pick up furniture plugs of a suitable diameter in a hardware store.