LG Front Load Washer Door Swing
#1
Member
Thread Starter
LG Front Load Washer Door Swing
I just installed my new washer and dryer and was disappointed to find the washer door cannot be reversed. Why LG and others don't offer a washer with a right swinging door option is beyond me. Additionally, the door only opens 3/4 of the way. I don't have much clearance and would really like to find a way to either flip the door or modify the hinge to allow it to open to 180 degrees. Modifying the hinge would likely be the better option, as flipping door would require disassembling the machine and moving the interlock/latch to the other side. Has anyone attempted this modification?
Top Answer
03-05-21, 11:26 AM
Member
Thread Starter
Sorry, guess a before image would help. And also a pic of the door. Still not great, but much better. Now I can wash the cat and prepare him for roasting 😄
#3
Are you positive about that swing not being reversible.
Ive owned several dryers, both conventional steel door and port hole style that I have changed the direction, it' typ build into the structure!
If it's not then it's not going to be moved!
Ive owned several dryers, both conventional steel door and port hole style that I have changed the direction, it' typ build into the structure!
If it's not then it's not going to be moved!
#4
Group Moderator
Many modern front door washers do NOT have reversible doors, especially models with controls in the door. If you attempt flipping the swing on the door expect to have to disassemble the machine and take on some custom parts fabrication in addition to voiding the daylights out of your warranty.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
I don't think I'll do anything too drastic. I'm hoping it will be a matter of doing a minor modification to the hinge so it doesn't stop 3/4 of the way. The door itself doesn't interfere with anything so it appears to be the hinge that is the limiting factor.
#6
Group Moderator
I too have a new washer who's door swings in the wrong direction. Since most/all front door washers have a safety lock on the door they don't want anyone messing with a safety feature so you're pretty much stuck having to buy the machine with the door swing you want.
#8
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Thread Starter
I took the door off, removed the hinge, and cut/grinded down the areas behind the hinges that were stopping the door from opening further. I could have take off a little more to get the door to open 180 degrees, but it's much better now so I'm happy.
2GyG3
voted this post useful.
#9
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Thread Starter
Sorry, guess a before image would help. And also a pic of the door. Still not great, but much better. Now I can wash the cat and prepare him for roasting 😄
2GyG3,
2john02458
voted this post useful.
#10
Member
It worked out nicely. I can see where you would have been trapped between the door and the wall by a limited opening. Poor design on LG's part even if they issue a warning about not installing next to a wall.
Is the dryer stacked above? If not then still not the most convenient for transferring from washer to dryer but tolerable.
I note that most designers now put the washer on the left when installing in line with the dryer and most dryer doors can be repositioned for easier access. Stacked dryers open on the same side as the washer below, but inline dryers open opposite to avoid door interfering with clothes transfer.
Is the dryer stacked above? If not then still not the most convenient for transferring from washer to dryer but tolerable.
I note that most designers now put the washer on the left when installing in line with the dryer and most dryer doors can be repositioned for easier access. Stacked dryers open on the same side as the washer below, but inline dryers open opposite to avoid door interfering with clothes transfer.
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Yes, the dryer is stacked above, with a right swinging door. I'll be installing cabinets and a utility sink to the left. Otherwise I would put both on the floor. I just don't have the space to do both and really needed a utility sink.
2john02458
voted this post useful.
#13
Member
Thank you!
Thanks so much for sharing this! I was about to return my brand new LG washing machine but this thread saved me. Here are some pictures and a few details about how I did it:
Before. This is as far as the washer door opened, not leaving enough room for a person to move clothes from the washer to the dryer. Removing the washing machine door is easy. Taking it apart is less so.
Inside view of the disassembled door glass. Note the male prongs. I broke two of them prying the halves apart. There's probably a secret way to do it, but I never figured it out. It seems to be fine. I used plastic bicycle tire tools to pry the halves apart.
Inside view of the other piece showing the holes for the prongs.
Here's a before picture of the hinge and the piece the OP and I modified. I used a Dremel with a cutting wheel to deepen the grooves. Note the felt black stickers. They act as a damper. I peeled them off carefully and put them back after I deepened the grooves.
After. Plenty of room now!
Like the OP, I might have cut the grooves a bit deeper to get a 180 degree swing, but this works for our needs and it wasn't worth prying the door apart again.
I'm not sure why LG doesn't make this door swing the default. Our 15 year old Kenmore (Whirlpool) front loader had 180 degree doors and I didn't even think to check when I ordered the new one. Thanks again to the OP for sharing this. I never would have had the courage to try it without reading this thread!
Before. This is as far as the washer door opened, not leaving enough room for a person to move clothes from the washer to the dryer. Removing the washing machine door is easy. Taking it apart is less so.
Inside view of the disassembled door glass. Note the male prongs. I broke two of them prying the halves apart. There's probably a secret way to do it, but I never figured it out. It seems to be fine. I used plastic bicycle tire tools to pry the halves apart.
Inside view of the other piece showing the holes for the prongs.
Here's a before picture of the hinge and the piece the OP and I modified. I used a Dremel with a cutting wheel to deepen the grooves. Note the felt black stickers. They act as a damper. I peeled them off carefully and put them back after I deepened the grooves.
After. Plenty of room now!
Like the OP, I might have cut the grooves a bit deeper to get a 180 degree swing, but this works for our needs and it wasn't worth prying the door apart again.
I'm not sure why LG doesn't make this door swing the default. Our 15 year old Kenmore (Whirlpool) front loader had 180 degree doors and I didn't even think to check when I ordered the new one. Thanks again to the OP for sharing this. I never would have had the courage to try it without reading this thread!