Adjusting hinges on ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinet lazy susan doors can be tricky, but is doable with some patience and the right tools. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to adjust hinges on RTA cabinet lazy susan doors to get them sitting just right.

Introduction

Lazy susan cabinets are great for maximizing corner storage space. The spinning shelf allows easy access to items at the back that would normally be difficult to reach. However, the hinges on the lazy susan doors need to be properly adjusted for the doors to open, close, and sit flush with the cabinet face frame.

If the hinges are loose or misaligned, it can cause the doors to sag, not close properly, rub against the cabinet, or not sit flush when closed. Hinge adjustment on a regular cabinet door is straightforward, but the hinges on a lazy susan door work a bit differently. The key is understanding how the hinges operate and making small incremental adjustments.

With a bit of time and effort, you can adjust lazy susan cabinet door hinges using some basic tools. The result will be doors that operate smoothly and look great.

What You’ll Need

  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Pencil
  • Tape measure
  • Shim(s) – thin pieces of wood, plastic or paper (business cards work)
  • Door alignment triangle tool (optional)

Prep the Door

Before adjusting the hinges, it’s best to remove the lazy susan door from the cabinet to make it easier to work on.

  1. Open the door fully and support it so it doesn’t fall once unattached.
  2. Starting with the bottom hinge, remove the screws attaching it to the cabinet frame.
  3. Repeat for the middle and top hinge.
  4. Carefully lift off the door and place it on a flat, stable surface.

Understand the Hinges

Lazy susan cabinet hinges have three parts:

  • Cabinet plate – attached to the cabinet frame
  • Door plate – attached to the door
  • Hinge pin – connects the cabinet and door plates

The hinge pin slides into a slot on the cabinet plate and rotates within the hole on the door plate. This rotation allows the pivot motion for opening/closing the door.

By adjusting the position of the door plate relative to the cabinet plate, you can alter how the door hangs and sits. This is key for proper alignment.

Adjust the Middle Hinge First

The middle hinge controls the overall placement of the door. Focus your adjustments here first.

  1. Make sure the hinge plates are connected with the hinge pin inserted.
  2. With the door laying flat, use a tape measure to check that the door plate is centered on the door’s thickness. If not, loosen the screws and adjust it to the center point.
  3. Close the door and check the placement against the cabinet frame. Is there even spacing on both sides? If not, you’ll need to adjust the door plate position.
  4. If the door is too far to the left, for example, insert a shim between the right side of the door plate and the door edge. This will shift the door right when reattached to the cabinet frame.
  5. Make very small adjustments of 1/16″ or less. Reattach the middle hinge and check. More shims can be added to incrementally shift the door as needed.

Adjust the Top and Bottom Hinges

With the middle hinge aligned, move onto the top and bottom hinges. These control the door’s vertical placement.

Follow a similar process of checking alignment, adding shims to shift the door plate, and making gradual adjustments. The goal is even spacing between the door top/bottom and cabinet frame.

Rehang the Door

Once the hinge positions are adjusted to your liking, rehang the door.

  1. Supporting the door, attach the middle hinge first with its screws to the cabinet frame. Remove any alignment shims first.
  2. Install the top and bottom hinges next.
  3. Open and close the door to check for smooth operation and even spacing all around.
  4. Make any final tweaks needed to the hinges.

Adjust to Get Proper Door Closing

With the door rehung, you can make further adjustments if it doesn’t close properly.

  • If the door sags or droops, raise the door plate on the top hinge.
  • If the latch side droops, raise the door plate on the bottom hinge.
  • If the door doesn’t catch the latch, lower the top hinge door plate.

Again, go slow with minor shim adjustments as needed until the door operates smoothly.

Final Touches for a Flush Fit

For the door to sit flush with the cabinet frame when closed:

  • Make sure the hinge plates are aligned front-to-back. Misalignment here can cause gapping.
  • Add self-adhesive rubber bumpers to help cushion the closing.
  • If gaps still exist, add thin shim stock to the hinge plates to push the door outward.

Take your time and don’t get frustrated. Adjusting lazy susan cabinet door hinges takes practice. With some patience and tweaking, you can get the doors sitting and working just right.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get lazy susan cabinet doors to close properly?

  • Check that the door is hanging straight and the hinges are aligned. Make gradual adjustments to the door plates on the top and bottom hinges until the door closes smoothly without sagging or rubbing.

Why does my lazy susan door not sit flush with the cabinet?

  • This is likely due to hinge alignment issues. Make sure the door plates are centered on the hinge pins and oriented front-to-back correctly. Adjustments or shims can help push the door outward for a flush fit.

What’s the easiest way to adjust the hinges?

  • Removing the door and laying it flat makes adjusting the hinges much easier. You can precisely shim the door plates without fighting gravity. Work on getting the middle hinge aligned first before the top and bottom.

My door rubs against the cabinet frame, how do I fix this?

  • If the door rubs or scrapes on one side, you’ll need to shift the door over. Add a shim to the hinge plate on the opposite side to move the door away from the rubbing. Go slowly and readjust until the clearance is correct.

How do I stop my lazy susan from sagging?

  • A sagging door typically needs the door plate raised on the top hinge. Add a shim to push it upwards until the door hangs straight. You can also confirm the door plates are vertically aligned and shim if needed.

Should I replace the hinges if I can’t get them adjusted?

  • In most cases, the existing hinges can be adjusted to work properly. But if they are damaged or defective, replacing them can help resolve alignment issues. Make sure to get exact replacements designed for lazy susan cabinetry.

Conclusion

Adjusting lazy susan cabinet hinges is straightforward once you understand how the adjustable plates work. Take the time to make gradual tweaks and use shims to shift the door into proper position. With some patience, you can get the doors hanging straight, closing smoothly, and sitting flush. Pay attention to the details and adjust the hinges incrementally for best results. Properly aligned hinges will provide years of worry-free operation.