Many refrigerator owners are faced with a situation where the standard door location becomes inconvenient due to kitchen remodeling or ergonomic features. Re-hanging the door is a standard procedure provided by the manufacturer for most models of brand household appliances Biryusa. The process does not require specialized skills, but requires accuracy, attention to detail and the availability of a basic set of tools.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for changing the opening side. You will learn how to dismantle the fittings, move holes for handles and, most importantly, correctly adjust the gaps to ensure a tight fit of the seal.
Following the instructions will avoid damage to the enamel, distortion of the canvas and failure capacitor (in models with tubes foamed into the body). Before starting work, make sure that the device is disconnected from the power supply and completely defrosted.
⚠️ Attention! If your refrigerator is under warranty, re-hanging it yourself may void the warranty. Check the terms of the service book or consult with an official dealer.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To perform the work efficiently, you will need a standard kit for a home handyman. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm), which often comes with the refrigerator, or a set of open-end wrenches. Also, be sure to prepare a flathead and Phillips screwdriver.
In addition to the main tool, you will need auxiliary materials that will facilitate the process and protect the floor and equipment. It wouldn’t hurt to call an assistant, since removing the door leaf is a task for two, especially if we are talking about heavy models with the system No Frost.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for removing handles and plugs.
- 🔩 Open-end wrenches (8, 10 or 12 mm) or ratchet with heads.
- 📏 Construction level to check the horizontal installation after work.
- 🧤 Work gloves and soft rags to protect the enamel from scratches.
Free up space in front of the refrigerator in advance. The floor must be level so that the equipment does not wobble during dismantling. If the floor is slippery, place a rubber mat or cardboard under the legs of the unit.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Removing the top panel and top hinge
The first stage of work is to remove the top cover of the refrigerator (if it is structurally provided for in your model. Biryusa). It is usually secured with two screws at the front or with latches. Carefully unscrew the fasteners and slide the cover back to remove it from the guides.
Next you need to gain access to top loop. To do this, remove the decorative plug that hides the fastening bolts. In some models, under the plug there may be a wire for a temperature sensor or a door open indicator. Be careful not to damage electrical wiring.
⚠️ Attention! On electronically controlled models, the wires may be short. Do not pull the cover sharply, so as not to break the contacts of the sensors.
Once access is cleared, unscrew the bolts securing the upper hinge. Don't remove it completely yet - it can hold the door. Ask an assistant to hold the door leaf, then completely dismantle the hinge and the top pin.
What to do with the wires?
If in your model the wires pass through the hinge, they must be carefully disconnected, having first photographed the connection diagram. When reassembling on the other side, the wires often have sufficient length, but sometimes it is necessary to carefully expand the technological holes in the case.
Removing the door leaf and moving the fittings
When the top hinge is released, you can remove the door. Lift it vertically upward so that the lower pin comes out of the sleeve, and set it aside in a safe place, having first covered the floor with soft material. Now you need to dismantle handles and the plugs.
At the end of the door you will see holes with plugs. On one side they are open (where the handle was), on the other they are closed with plastic or metal plugs. You need to remove the plugs from the new side and rearrange them in place of the former holes for the handles.
To transfer handles, most modern models Biryusa use hidden fasteners. They can be screw-type (accessible through holes inside the cabinet or bottom/top of the door) or snap-on. Carefully unscrew the fasteners and move the handles to the opposite side, fixing them in the prepared holes.
- 🚪 Remove the door by lifting it from the bottom support.
- 🔩 Remove the handles by unscrewing the hidden ones screws.
- 🕳️ Move the decorative plugs to new places.
- 🔧 Install the handles on the opposite side and secure.
It is important not to confuse the upper and lower handles if they have an asymmetrical shape. Also make sure that the mounting screws are not overtightened, which can lead to cracks in the plastic or deformation of the metal.
Reversing the bottom hinge and installing the door
The bottom hinge of refrigerators Biryusa often has an asymmetrical pin or stop design. It must be dismantled using a key and turned over or rearranged into a symmetrical hole on the other side of the case. In some models, you simply need to rearrange the support sleeve itself.
After installing the bottom hinge in a new place, carefully place the door leaf on the pin. Make sure the door is seated tightly and level. Now you need to install top hinge on the new side, aligning the holes in the door and the refrigerator body.
Secure the top hinge with bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow for final adjustment of the door position. Insert the axis of rotation (if it is separate) and secure with a locking screw.
| Element | Action when overhanging | Nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Dismantle, move to the other side | Keep an eye on the sensor wires |
| Bottom loop | Turn over or rearrange the bushing | Check the alignment of the holes |
| Handles | Remove and install mirrored | Do not overtighten the screws |
| Plugs | Move to the vacant places | Use thin screwdriver |
At this stage, the main mechanical part is completed. However, for the refrigerator to work correctly, careful adjustment is necessary.
Adjusting gaps and tightness
After installing the door on a new side, adjustment often arises. If the door is skewed, seal it will not fit tightly to the body, which will lead to loss of cold and ice freezing. Adjustment is carried out using adjusting screws on the hinges or by changing the height of the legs of the refrigerator itself.
Check the horizontalness of the door using a level. If the door “pecks” in one direction, slightly loosen the top hinge, align the door and tighten the bolts again. The gap between the door and the body around the entire perimeter should be uniform.
Pay special attention to the magnetic seal. Run your hand along the perimeter of the closed door - there should be no noticeable gaps. If the door comes off in some part, try heating the seal a little with a hairdryer (without overheating!) and straighten it, or place a thin cord under the elastic in the problem area.
⚠️ Attention! Specifications and location of adjustment screws may vary depending on the specific series of the refrigerator. Always check the product data sheet if standard methods do not produce results.
For models with a system No Frost tight closure is critically important, since the entry of warm, humid air causes rapid fouling of the evaporator with ice and failure of the fan.
Frequent errors and methods for them elimination
In the process of work, beginners often make mistakes that affect the service life of the equipment. One of the most common is tightening the bolts. Excessive force can break the threads in the metal case or burst the plastic insert, which will require complex repairs.
Another mistake is ignoring the floor level check. If the refrigerator is not level, the door may open spontaneously or, conversely, not close completely due to a shift in the center of gravity. Be sure to use a building level after completing all work.
- ❌ Forgot to connect the temperature sensor (the door does not signal opening).
- ❌ Mixed up the upper and lower parts of the door when installing the handles.
- ❌ Dropped the door on the floor, damaging the lower corner or pipeline.
- ❌ They did not check the tightness, which led to a “coat” of ice.
If after rehanging the door began to touch the body, check whether the lower hinge is installed correctly. Sometimes you need to place a washer under the hinge or, conversely, remove it to change the angle of inclination.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Yes, this is a mandatory requirement. When defrosted, the doors are lighter, which reduces the risk of them falling and damaging the floor. In addition, when the equipment is tilted, water may flow from unfrozen drainage channels.
Is it possible to hang the door on a Biryusa refrigerator with the No Frost system?
Yes, you can. The design of the loops of the models No Frost and the drip system is almost identical. The main difference is a more careful attitude towards the sensor wires if they are routed through the door hinge.
What to do if the holes for the handles on the new side do not fit?
In 99% of cases, the holes are already provided by the manufacturer and are closed with plugs. If there are no holes, then the refrigerator model does not allow for rehanging the doors, and you cannot drill new holes - you can damage the internal circuit or insulation.
How can you tell that the door is installed correctly?
If installed correctly, the door should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. When the handle is released at an angle of about 30-45 degrees, it should close on its own. A sheet of paper sandwiched between the door and the body must be removed with force along the entire perimeter.