Rearranging kitchen furniture or changing the layout of the room often dictates its conditions for the placement of large household appliances. Owners of refrigerators Stinol are faced with the need to change the direction of opening of the doors when the standard arrangement becomes inconvenient or impossible in new conditions. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand provides for this possibility, allowing you to do the work yourself without the involvement of specialists.
The rehanging process requires attentiveness, a basic set of tools and an understanding of the structure of the hinge group. Errors at the dismantling stage can lead to damage to decorative elements or failure of the seal. It is important to consider that different series of refrigerators may have design features for attaching handles and hinges.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions, the necessary tools and subtleties that will ensure a successful result. You will learn how to properly prepare equipment, in what sequence to unscrew the elements, and how to avoid common mistakes during assembly. Proper work done will extend the life of the device and ensure comfortable operation.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before starting any manipulations with the refrigerator body, it is necessary to prepare the workspace. You will need a clear area around the unit to allow access from all sides. Remove carpets that may interfere with sliding, and ensure good lighting of the work area, as some fasteners may be hidden in hard-to-reach places.
To carry out work on dismantling and installing door structures, you will need a standard DIY kit. The main tool will be hex wrench, the size of which usually corresponds to the hinge fasteners (most often 4, 5 or 6 mm). You also cannot do without a Phillips screwdriver for removing handles and decorative plugs.
Be sure to prepare a container for storing screws and bolts so as not to lose them during work. Small parts can easily roll under the refrigerator or get lost in the carpet pile. To protect the floor covering from scratches when moving a heavy unit, it is recommended to use a piece of thick cardboard or a special protective covering.
Safety precautions and preliminary actions
A refrigerator is an electrical appliance that runs on 220 Volts, so the first step should always be to disconnect the device from the power supply. Remove the plug from the outlet to avoid the risk of electric shock or short circuit if the wiring is accidentally damaged during work. In addition, this will allow you to defrost the unit if ice has formed in it.
Complete defrosting is a critical step if you plan to remove the doors completely. Ice inside the chambers makes the structure heavier and can crumble when tilted, getting into the mechanisms or onto the floor. Empty the refrigerator and freezer compartments of all food, shelves and containers to minimize the weight of the doors.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to forcefully bend or tear off a frozen shelf - let the ice completely melt naturally so as not to damage the glass elements and plastic of the internal arrangement.
After defrosting Wipe the interior surfaces dry. Make sure there is no water in the lower condensation trays. If your model has a No Frost system, it is still recommended to pause for 2-3 hours after switching off to equalize the temperature and pressure in the system, which will make it easier to open the doors.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Removing the top and bottom panels
Refrigerator design Stinol often implies the presence of decorative panels at the top and bottom of the door leaf. The top panel may hide the top hinge fasteners, and the bottom panel may hide the adjustment mechanism or bottom support. Carefully inspect the ends and surfaces of the panels for screws or latches.
To remove the top decorative cover, it is usually enough to unscrew one or two screws located on the front or side. In some models, the panel is held in place by plastic latches that require careful prying with a flat object. Do not use too much force to avoid breaking the fragile plastic, which could become more brittle over time.
The bottom of the door may also have a decorative plinth or plastic trim. It is often secured with latches or screws under the plugs. Removing these elements provides access to the main load-bearing units. If you cannot find the fastener, it may be hidden under rubber plugs, the color of which matches the color of the case.
What to do if the screw is rusty?
If you find that the mounting screw does not budge and is rusty, apply a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) to it and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Do not use excessive force immediately to avoid stripping the threads or bolt head.
Removing door handles and hardware
One of the most time-consuming parts of the process is removing the handles, especially on models where they are integrated into the body or have hidden fasteners. On many refrigerators Stinol the handles are secured with screws, access to which is blocked by decorative plugs. These plugs are usually located on the inside of the handle or at its ends.
Use a thin awl or knife to carefully remove the plastic plugs. Under them you will find mounting screws. Unscrew them sequentially, holding the handle with your second hand so that it does not fall and scratch the facade. On some models, the handles may be glued to double-sided tape for additional fixation - in this case, they need to be carefully pryed and separated.
If your refrigerator is equipped with a magnetic lock or Child Lock system, make sure you understand the mechanism of its operation before removing it. Sometimes the counter part of the lock also requires dismantling or moving to the opposite side. Keep all removed screws and plastic bushings in a separate container.
| Mounting type | Screw location | Required tools | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden (under plug) | Inner end of the handle | Phillips screwdriver | Low |
| Open | Outside | Hex / Screwdriver | Low |
| Integrated | On the inside of the door | Long Phillips screwdriver | Medium |
| On latches | Absent | Plastic spatula | High |
Dismantling the hinges and removing the door leaf
This is the most critical stage, requiring an assistant, since refrigerator doors are heavy and can break or damage the floor if dropped. The top hinge is load-bearing, so you first need to loosen, but not completely remove, its mounting bolts. Have an assistant hold the door firmly in an upright position.
After loosening the top hinge, carefully lift the door up to remove it from the bottom support pin. If the model is two-door (with a separate freezer), first remove the upper door of the refrigerator compartment, then the lower freezer. In some models Stinol the middle hinge may interfere with removal and will also have to be removed.
When removing, pay attention to the condition of the sealing rubber. If it is deformed or has creases, this may cause a loose fit after rehanging. Carefully place the removed door on a prepared soft surface with the outer side facing up so as not to scratch the front panel.
⚠️ Attention: The refrigerator doors are filled with polyurethane foam and have significant weight. It is strictly not recommended to dismantle it alone - there is a high risk of back injury or the structure falling on your feet.
Rearranging the hinges and installing them on a new side
After dismantling all the elements, it is necessary to rearrange the hinges to the opposite side. The refrigerator body and door leaf usually have symmetrical threaded holes or blind holes for studs. Move the lower support pin (or bushing) into the corresponding hole on the other side.
The upper hinge also needs to be twisted. Please note that some loops have a specific shape and are not symmetrical. In this case, the housing may provide the ability to (rotate) the hinge 180 degrees or use an alternative set of holes. Make sure that the hinge axis faces the correct direction for the new opening direction.
If your model has holes that will remain free after rearrangement, close them with special plugs, which often come with the refrigerator or are located in a technical niche. This is necessary to preserve the aesthetic appearance and prevent dust and moisture from getting inside the case.
Where to put the old holes?
If, after rehanging, holes from the hinges remain in a visible place, they can be closed with decorative plugs. If there are no plugs, you can use furniture stickers to match the body or carefully paint over the bottom of the hole with a marker.
Hanging doors and final adjustment
Installing the door to a new location is done in the reverse order. Place the door leaf onto the bottom pin, making sure it fits into the mounting hole. Then secure the top hinge, but do not tighten the bolts all the way yet - this will allow you to adjust the position.
Adjustment is necessary so that the door closes tightly and independently, without distortions. Use a level to check that the installation is vertical. By tightening the adjusting bolts (often they are also fastening bolts), achieve a uniform gap around the entire perimeter. The door should close tightly, but without excessive force.
After fixing the hinges, reinstall the handles, first moving them to the new side or replacing the plugs. Check the operation of the magnetic lock and the tightness of the seal along the entire circuit. Plug in the refrigerator and leave it running without loading for several hours to ensure stable operation.
⚠️ Attention: Technical specifications and location of fasteners may vary depending on the specific series Stinol. Always check the official instructions for your model, if available, or use the visual symmetry analysis method.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need to buy additional spare parts for rehanging?
In most cases, additional spare parts are not required, since all the necessary holes and fasteners are already provided by the design. However, if you have lost decorative plugs or they have been damaged, it is advisable to purchase them or select analogues for aesthetics.
Is it possible to rehang a door if it is curved or deformed?
If the door has a significant deformation (“belly”), rehanging it can aggravate the problem with tightness. In such cases, it is recommended to first try to straighten the door or replace the seal, since the new opening side may create additional stress on the hinges.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not hold and opens itself?
Most likely, the angle of the refrigerator is broken or the hinges are incorrectly adjusted. Try unscrewing the front adjustable feet so that the body tilts back slightly. Also check if anything is preventing the seal from fitting tightly to the body.
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
Re-hanging the door yourself, as a rule, is not a warranty case unless the unit components are damaged in the process. However, if you break the thread or break the glass, the service center may refuse free repairs. Proceed with caution.
How long can you not turn on the refrigerator after re-hanging it?
If you did not break the tightness of the freon system (which is impossible when re-hanging the doors), you can turn on the refrigerator immediately after installation is completed. However, if transportation was carried out with a strong tilt, it is better to wait 2-4 hours before turning it on.