Adjusting your Whirlpool refrigerator door swing can make it easier to use and maintain.
However, how does one adjust the door swing of these refrigerators? Is this a job that has to be done by a professional?
In this article, we’ll go over how to approach this project.
Table of Contents
Steps on How to Adjust Whirlpool Refrigerator Door Swing
Remove Any Food Stored on the Inside of the Door.
Make sure there is no food or other items on the door. Place these items on your counter.
Lift the Door.
Begin by lifting the door from the bottom unit and setting it to the side. It’s worth noting that these doors can be quite heavy, so having someone assist you with the lift is recommended.
Remove the Hinge at the Bottom of the Door.
Next, remove the door’s bottom hinge and bushing using a drill with a square bit.
Reposition the Hinge on the New Slide
Next, slide the bottom hinge and its bushing into the door’s new corresponding hinge slot. Make sure the bottom of the hinge is level and parallel to the bottom of the door before fixing it.
Rotate the Hinge
Rotate the hinge until its base is at a 90-degree angle to the bottom edge of the door. Swing the door back and forth to confirm that it opens and closes properly. Then close it entirely to ensure that it completely shuts on the refrigerator’s base.
How Can You Stop Your Fridge Door from Opening Too Far?
There are a few things you may do to make your refrigerator’s swing width narrower. Many homeowners use this to keep the refrigerator door from slamming against other kitchen equipment and worktops. It can also keep your fridge from losing too much cool air when it’s open. Let’s have a look at how to go about doing that.
Reverse the Door Swing
You can reverse your refrigerator door swing if it’s too wide. These can be particularly useful if you have some extra space on the opposite side of your refrigerator. This feature has become quite standard in modern refrigerators.
However, you should first consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to reverse the swing on your specific model. If your fridge does not have a reversible door, you may need to purchase additional hardware or even a new door.
Many refrigerators with French doors, on the other hand, will not be able to open in this manner for obvious reasons.
Install a Doorstop Kit
Many modern refrigerators include a built-in doorstop that regulates how far your refrigerator door may swing. Typically, these devices allow the door to swing anywhere between 120 degrees and 180 degrees. However, if this is too large for your kitchen space, you might be able to move it to a 90-degree angle. This will allow you to open the door and get to the food without it colliding with the back wall. It can also help to keep the door from being damaged.
It’s best to read your refrigerator’s owner’s manual to determine whether your refrigerator has a doorstop feature so you can learn how to use it. If your refrigerator doesn’t have it, you can get a kit from the manufacturer and install it yourself. It’s a rather simple process that takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
Create Your Fridge Doorstop
If your fridge lacks a built-in doorstop, you can make one yourself. You’ll need to find a floor doorstop or bumper and connect it to the wall or behind the refrigerator to accomplish this. It is preferable to utilize a stop with a rubber-based tip or a cushion. This will keep the refrigerator door from opening too wide and damaging whatever it comes into contact with.
How Do You Level Your Whirlpool Refrigerator?
It’s simple to level a whirlpool refrigerator. This is how you do it.
Place a Level on Your Refrigerator
Start by determining the current alignment of the fridge by placing a level on top of it. Check the vertical and horizontal alignment to ensure that they’re both centered.
Move the Leveling Nuts
Make changes by identifying and redistributing the leveling on the bottom of your refrigerator after assessing its current alignment. On each side of most refrigerator models, there is a single nut that can be adjusted horizontally and vertically.
The top or left nuts on most refrigerators lower and lift the front of the unit. If you have a side-by-side refrigerator, you can adjust the front and back sections of the fridge using both the nuts in the back and front. You may have to adjust this nut several times to get the centering just right.
Check the New Angle
Check the level again after making the changes to ensure the refrigerator is centered. If not, keep turning the nuts until the unit is vertically and horizontally centered. Next, open and close the refrigerator door to ensure that they are working properly.
Then reach down and turn the front of the fridge’s brakes clockwise to anchor it on the ground and keep it from wobbling.
Is it Possible to Replace Refrigerator Doors?
Refrigerator doors can be replaced. However, doing this can be quite expensive. A refrigerator door replacement might cost you anywhere from 350 dollars to over 700 dollars. Expect to pay anywhere from 200 dollars to 500 dollars or more for the door alone, especially if your refrigerator model is recent.
Please note that some refrigerator models and brands replacements are only available in sets, which can be quite expensive. So it is important that you consider your refrigerator’s age and overall condition before deciding to replace its door, as a new one might be a better investment in some situations.
Final Take
The task of adjusting a whirlpool refrigerator swing is simple and does not necessitate hiring an expert. We hope that this article has provided you with all of the information you require to adjust the door swing of your Whirlpool refrigerator.
