Owners of domestic equipment are often faced with the need to change the direction of opening of the doors. This may be caused by kitchen remodeling, furniture placement, or simply personal convenience. Refrigerators of the brand Biryusa structurally allow you to perform this operation yourself, without the help of service technicians. However, the process requires care and adherence to a strict sequence of actions so as not to damage the fittings or seal.
Before starting work, it is important to understand that the design of different models may differ. There are two-chamber units, where both the upper and lower doors are hung, as well as single-chamber options. In some modifications, the handle may be non-removable or have a hidden fastening mechanism. Video instructions, which we will consider in the context of a text description, will help to visualize the process, but the text manual will give the necessary technical details that are easy to miss on the screen.
The main difficulty lies in the correct dismantling of the elements without deformation metal and maintaining the integrity of plastic plugs. An incorrect sequence of unscrewing the bolts can lead to misalignment of the sash, which will subsequently affect the tightness of the closure. Therefore, stock up on the necessary tools and free up space around the unit before starting the procedure.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To successfully complete the task of changing the opening side, you will need a minimum set of tools. Most often, a standard home arsenal is sufficient, but the specifics of the fasteners Turquels dictate their requirements for the size of the keys. The main tool will be an open-end wrench or 8 mm and 10 mm socket, as well as a Phillips screwdriver for dismantling handles and decorative elements.
Particular attention should be paid to surface preparation. The refrigerator door is a heavy element, and if removed carelessly, it can damage the floor covering or hit protruding parts of the furniture. It is recommended to lay thick cardboard or a soft blanket on the floor in the work area. Also prepare a container for small parts in advance so as not to lose screws and plugs during the rearrangement process.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is not only a safety requirement, but also a way to avoid accidentally turning on the compressor or damaging the wiring when manipulating the door.
It is important to check the configuration of your device. In some models Biryusa along with the instructions, a special hanging kit is supplied, including additional hinges or screws. If such a kit is not available, make sure that all parts removed will be reused on the opposite side. The absence of even one washer can lead to backlash in the door.
List of required equipment:
- 🔧 Open-end wrench or 8 mm and 10 mm head
- 🪛 Phillips screwdriver (PH2)
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from sharp edges
- 📦 Container for storing fasteners
- 🧼 Rags for wiping hinges from old grease
Make sure you have free access to the refrigerator from all sides. You will have to walk around the unit, reposition tools, and perhaps temporarily place the removed doors on the floor. A tight space between the wall and the equipment will significantly complicate the process and increase the risk of scratches on the body.
Removing the top door: step-by-step algorithm
The process always starts from the top of the refrigerator, since the bottom door serves as a support or requires preliminary clearing of space. The first step is to remove the decorative panel or plug that hides the top hinge fasteners. In models Biryusa it is usually located on top and can be secured with latches or a small screw.
After removing the plug, you will see the bolts securing the upper hinge. They need to be unscrewed, but do not rush to completely remove the loop. At this stage, the door is still supported by pins or bottom hinge (depending on design). Gently lift the door up to release the pin and set it aside in a safe place. If the model is two-chamber, the steps are similar, but greater care is required due to the weight.
Key dismantling steps:
- 🔩 Remove the top decorative hinge cover
- 🔓 Unscrew the top hinge mounting bolts
- 🚪 Carefully remove the door, lifting it up
- 🧩 Remove the lock mate (if any) from the opposite side
Pay special attention to the plastic bushings and washers that may be located between the hinge and the body. Remember their location, since when assembling on the new side they will need to be installed in the same order. The loss of these elements will lead to creaking and rapid wear of the mechanism.
Features of working with the lower chamber and freezer
The bottom door, be it the freezer or the main compartment in single-chamber models, has its own nuances. In refrigerators Biryusa there is often a design where the bottom door is attached to the body through an intermediate hinge or directly to the base. When dismantling, it is important to prevent the door from falling sharply, since the lower hinges experience the greatest load.
If your refrigerator is equipped with a system No Frost or has an air channel between the chambers, be extremely careful. When removing the door, do not allow distortions that could damage the corrugated cold air supply hose. In some models, it is necessary to first disconnect this channel, gaining access through the interior of the refrigerator.
⚠️ Attention: In models with an air channel between the chambers, it is strictly forbidden to pull the door down with force without checking the connections. This can lead to a rupture of the pipe and loss of tightness of the cooling system.
When moving the lower door, it is often necessary to move the handle. In older models Biryusa the handle can be screwed from the inside, which requires partial disassembly of the internal contour of the door. In modern versions, the mount is usually external. Check for holes for the handle on the new side - if there are none (in budget series), you may need to carefully drill new ones, maintaining symmetry.
Correspondence table of actions for different types of cameras:
| Camera type | Feature fastenings | Required tools | Risk of damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freezer (bottom) | Bottom hinge, often hidden | Key 10 mm, flat screwdriver | Damage to the seal |
| Refrigerator (top) | Top hinge, visible | 8 mm wrench, Phillips screwdriver | Failure threads in the body |
| Single chamber | Combined fastening | Set of keys, pliers | Door deformation |
☑️ Check before installation
Installing hinges and hanging doors on the new side
The most critical stage is installing the dismantled elements on the opposite side of the body. It is important to install the hinges correctly here. In refrigerators Turkish holes on the body are often closed with plastic plugs. They must be removed from the working side and moved to the vacated holes in order to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
When installing the bottom hinge, make sure it fits snugly against the base of the refrigerator. The bolts should be tightened evenly, without tightening all the way all at once. First, tighten all the bolts by hand, then gradually tighten them diagonally. This will ensure the correct positioning of the hinge relative to the plane of the body.
The order of hanging doors:
- 📐 Install the bottom hinge on the new side
- 🚪 Place the door on the bottom hinge pin
- 🔩 Fix the top part of the door and screw the top hinge
- 🔧 Check the vertical installation with a level or visually
If you are installing a door with a magnetic lock or a closer, make sure that the response part is installed correctly. Some models Biryusa require rearrangement of the magnetic element inside the door. To do this, remove the inner panel of the door (usually held on by latches around the perimeter), find the lock and move it into a symmetrical hole.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In rare cases, with a manufacturing defect or severe deformation, the holes may not match. Don't drill new ones! Try loosening all the hinge fasteners and shaking the door. If the gap is minimal, you can carefully drill a hole in the plastic, but not in the metal of the case. If the discrepancy is large, contact the service; perhaps the door itself is bent.
Adjusting the position and eliminating distortions
After installing the doors in place, it is rarely possible to close perfectly the first time. Often there is a distortion, a loose seal, or a too tight opening. Adjusting the position of the door in refrigerators Biryusa is carried out by tightening the hinge bolts. The top hinge usually allows you to adjust the tilt of the door back and forth and left and right.
If the door warps, loosen the bolts securing the top hinge, align the sash so that the gap around the entire perimeter is the same, and tighten the bolts. Check the operation of the seal: it should fit evenly to the body along the entire contour. To check, you can use a sheet of paper - it should be pinched around the perimeter with the same force.
Frequent problems and solutions:
- 📉 The door opens itself - check the tilt of the refrigerator, the legs should be adjusted so that the body is slightly tilted back.
- 💨 Blows from under the seal - adjustment of the hinges or replacement of the sealing rubber is required.
- 🔊 Creak when opening - lubricate the hinges and check if the door is rubbing against the body.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use force to close the door if it does not close tightly. This will lead to deformation of the seal and loss of tightness. It’s better to spend time accurately adjusting the height of the refrigerator legs.
An important point is setting the height of the refrigerator legs. After re-hanging the doors, the load on the supports may change. Make sure the refrigerator is stable and does not wobble. The front legs are usually unscrewed to create a slight slope back, which helps the door close itself.
Common mistakes and recommendations from experts
When rearranging doors on their own, users often make mistakes that nullify all efforts. The most common of them is the loss or confusion of fasteners. The bolts for the upper and lower hinges may differ in length or diameter of the thread. Screwing a long bolt into a short hole can lead to breaking through the inner wall of the refrigerator and leaking freon.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the seal. When dismantling, the rubber may stretch or deform. If you notice that after installation the seal has not straightened out, warm it up with a hairdryer (not too hot air) or pour warm water over it. This will restore elasticity to the material.
List of what not to do:
- ❌ Do not use an impact tool (drill, screwdriver) to tighten the hinge bolts - it is easy to break the threads in the aluminum case.
- ❌ Do not leave the door open for more than 10-15 minutes - this can lead to defrosting of the evaporator and moisture entering the system.
- ❌ Do not ignore the plugs - open holes violate thermal insulation and aesthetics.
Service center specialists recommend, after completing work, to let the refrigerator stand for 2-3 hours before turning it on, especially if elements were rearranged that affected the system condensate drainage. Although in most models Biryusa this is not required, reinsurance will not hurt.
Is it possible to rearrange the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen unit?
This is an extremely difficult task. You will need to slide the refrigerator completely out of the niche as door removal requires access from the side and front. If the gap between the refrigerator and the furniture is minimal, it is almost impossible to remove the door without damaging the furniture or facade. It is recommended to carry out work before installing the equipment.
What to do if the hinge mounting bolts are rusty?
Do not use excessive force so as not to break the bolt head. Treat the joints with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 15-20 minutes. If the bolt still does not fit, try slightly warming up the area around the bolt with a hair dryer (be careful with plastic!).
Does it need to change the seal when rehanging?
Not necessary if the old seal is intact, elastic and fits well. However, if it is more than 5-7 years old, it may have lost its properties. In this case, when removing the door, it makes sense to immediately replace the rubber with a new one, since removing the door a second time for replacement will be inconvenient.
Why does the door slam after rehanging?
Most likely, the seal is broken or the hinges are tightened too much, creating a misalignment. The cause may also be a clogged drain hole, which creates an air lock. Check the adjustment and cleanliness of the drainage.