How to Change the Side on Which Your Refrigerator Door Opens
On the very top of the fridge, above the freezer door (you may need a stepladder) remove the two torx screws (using a torx driver, just a few dollars from local hardware store)., Remove the top hinge plate., On the handle side, to the outer edge of...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: On the very top of the fridge
from the freezer door.
These will be in the hinge plate (hinge side of fridge). -
Step 2: above the freezer door (you may need a stepladder) remove the two torx screws (using a torx driver
Set the hinge plate aside, and re install the two torx screws, in the holes on top the fridge. , Using your small flat screwdriver, gently work your way around the plug (prying the plug up), and place it in the hole where you removed the hinge plate. , Set the door aside. , Remove these two screws.
This may cause the fridge door to drop, so you may want a friend to hold the door in the closed position while you remove this bracket. , You may have to tilt the door as you remove it from the pivot pin. , Remove the bracket, and put the screws back in the holes on the frame.
Keep the bracket in the exact position as it was while mounted, and set it aside. , Flip the center bracket (that you took off) upside down, and attach it with the screws you just removed. , And remove the small torx screw from the pivot pin bracket.
Put the pivot pin bracket, and the pivot pin back on the opposite side of the door.
You may have to tilt the plate to get the pivot pin plate out. , Gently pry the plug out, and set it aside.
In about the same location on the handle you will see either a name plate (brand of fridge) or another plastic plug or plate.
Gently pry this plug out (using small flat screwdriver), and remove the screw under it.
On the top of the fridge door, remove the two Phillip screws that hold the handle on.
Remove the handle and replace the screws.
Set the handle aside, and remove the large plastic plug that was next to the handle, and replace on the opposite side.
Remove the two screws in the same location of the old hinge side, and remount the handle, and plastic plugs. , Remount the fridge door.
Caution:
There may be three screws in this area, be sure to remove the two that are in line with each other.
You may need to tilt the fridge door slightly, and slide the top pivot pin in as you bring the door down. , Remove the handle and set aside. , Re-attach the freezer door handle on the new side. , Put the freezer door on center pivot pin and close the door.
Re-mount the top hinge bracket.
You may need to lift or adjust the door slightly to get the screws to line up. -
Step 3: just a few dollars from local hardware store).
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Step 4: Remove the top hinge plate.
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Step 5: On the handle side
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Step 6: to the outer edge of the handle
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Step 7: you will see a small vinyl or plastic plug (top of freezer door).
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Step 8: Open the freezer door and lift the freezer door off the pivot pin.
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Step 9: On the bottom of the fridge door
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Step 10: hinge side
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Step 11: you will see a small bracket (same color as fridge)
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Step 12: there will be two torx screws in the face of the fridge frame.
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Step 13: Open the fridge door
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Step 14: lower it and remove the fridge door
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Step 15: (dropping it below the center pivot pin) set door aside and replace the two screws in the fridge frame.
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Step 16: Using your torx screwdriver
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Step 17: remove the center hinge bracket
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Step 18: (that was between the freezer door and the fridge door).
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Step 19: On the handle side of fridge frame
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Step 20: center section
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Step 21: remove the two torx screws from the frame
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Step 22: and the first screw from the outer edge
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Step 23: (from the section of frame between the the fridge and the freezer).
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Step 24: On the bottom of the fridge door
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Step 25: with your small flat screwdriver pry out the pivot pin.
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Step 26: On the face of the fridge door
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Step 27: on the old hinge side
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Step 28: you will see a small plastic plug.
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Step 29: Remove the two screws on the bottom of the fridge frame
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Step 30: the new hinge side.
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Step 31: Remove the Phillip screws from the top and bottom of the freezer door handle.
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Step 32: Remove the pivot pin plate from the old hinge side of the freezer door
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Step 33: and put it back in on the side where you removed the handle.
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Step 34: On the very top of the fridge
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Step 35: remove the two screws
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Step 36: from the old handle side.
Detailed Guide
from the freezer door.
These will be in the hinge plate (hinge side of fridge).
Set the hinge plate aside, and re install the two torx screws, in the holes on top the fridge. , Using your small flat screwdriver, gently work your way around the plug (prying the plug up), and place it in the hole where you removed the hinge plate. , Set the door aside. , Remove these two screws.
This may cause the fridge door to drop, so you may want a friend to hold the door in the closed position while you remove this bracket. , You may have to tilt the door as you remove it from the pivot pin. , Remove the bracket, and put the screws back in the holes on the frame.
Keep the bracket in the exact position as it was while mounted, and set it aside. , Flip the center bracket (that you took off) upside down, and attach it with the screws you just removed. , And remove the small torx screw from the pivot pin bracket.
Put the pivot pin bracket, and the pivot pin back on the opposite side of the door.
You may have to tilt the plate to get the pivot pin plate out. , Gently pry the plug out, and set it aside.
In about the same location on the handle you will see either a name plate (brand of fridge) or another plastic plug or plate.
Gently pry this plug out (using small flat screwdriver), and remove the screw under it.
On the top of the fridge door, remove the two Phillip screws that hold the handle on.
Remove the handle and replace the screws.
Set the handle aside, and remove the large plastic plug that was next to the handle, and replace on the opposite side.
Remove the two screws in the same location of the old hinge side, and remount the handle, and plastic plugs. , Remount the fridge door.
Caution:
There may be three screws in this area, be sure to remove the two that are in line with each other.
You may need to tilt the fridge door slightly, and slide the top pivot pin in as you bring the door down. , Remove the handle and set aside. , Re-attach the freezer door handle on the new side. , Put the freezer door on center pivot pin and close the door.
Re-mount the top hinge bracket.
You may need to lift or adjust the door slightly to get the screws to line up.
About the Author
Dennis Price
Enthusiastic about teaching pet care techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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