Changing the location of the refrigeration unit door is not just a whim, but often a necessary measure for the ergonomic placement of appliances in the kitchen. Owners of refrigerators Biryusa often face the fact that the standard factory configuration does not fit into the updated interior or interferes with free movement around the room. Fortunately, the design of most models of the Russian brand provides the possibility of reverse openingwhich allows you to perform the rearrangement yourself, without calling a specialist.
Before taking active steps, you need to make sure that your specific modification supports such a function. Although the vast majority of modern and not very old models Biryusa (series 6, 8, 133, 148 and others) have symmetrical holes on the body, there are exceptions. It is important to prepare the workspace in advance and free access to the equipment from all sides, since you will have to walk around the unit several times.
The rehanging process takes on average 30 to 60 minutes if you act consistently and carefully. The main difficulty lies not in unscrewing the bolts itself, but in the correct positioning of the heavy door leaf and maintaining the integrity of the seal. Carefully follow the algorithm to avoid distortions and problems with tightness in the future.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the work, you will need a minimum set of household tools, which most men have. The key element is set of wrenches or heads, since fasteners on refrigerators Turk often have different head sizes. It would also be useful to have a Phillips and slotted screwdriver, since some decorative plugs can fit very tightly.
Particular attention should be paid to preparing the surface on which you will place the removed door. It is better to cover the floor in the work area with thick cardboard, old cloth or packaging material. This will prevent scratches on the enamel coating of the door and protect the floor covering from possible damage from a heavy metal object.
It is also recommended to enlist the help of a second person. The refrigerator door, even empty, has significant weight, and holding it with one hand while trying to unscrew the bolts is extremely inconvenient and unsafe. An assistant will be able to securely fix the blade in a vertical position at the time of dismantling or installing the hinges.
- 🔧 A set of wrenches (sizes 8, 10, 13 mm) or a ratchet with heads.
- 🪛 Screwdrivers: Phillips (PH2) and flat (SL4) for removal plugs.
- 🧱 Thick cardboard or soft mat for laying the door.
- 🤝 An assistant for holding a heavy door during work.
Before starting work, be sure disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is a basic safety rule that cannot be ignored. In addition, clear the door shelves of food to reduce the load on the hinges and avoid heavy cans falling during manipulation.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use impact tools (drill in impact mode, hammer) to unscrew stuck bolts. Vibration can damage the thin-walled metal of the case or disrupt the geometry of the seats.
Dismantling the top hinge and removing the door
You should always start the reinstallation process from the top of the unit. First of all, it is necessary to remove the decorative plugs that hide the fastening bolts of the upper hinge. On models Turk they are usually made of plastic and can be round or oval. Carefully pry them off with a flat screwdriver or knife, being careful not to scratch the surface.
Once access to the bolts is open, start unscrewing them. Do not rush to remove them completely if you are working without an assistant. It is better to leave loose bolts in the threads so that the hinge does not fall. If there is someone nearby who can hold the door, unscrew the fasteners completely and remove the top hinge from the door.
The next step is to directly remove the door from the bottom pin. This is the most crucial moment, requiring physical strength and coordination. Lift the door strictly vertically up to remove it from the lower axis, and carefully set it aside on the prepared bedding. Sudden movements can damage sealing rubber or deform the metal.
☑️ Removing the upper part
Pay attention to the condition of the pin (axis) on which the door rotated. If it shows signs of corrosion or dirt, wipe it with a cloth. Sometimes the axle may be lubricated at the factory, but over time the lubricant thickens. If necessary, apply a drop of silicone grease, but do not use thick oils that can leak.
Flipping the bottom support and moving the fittings
After removing the door, attention turns to the bottom of the refrigerator body. There is a support plate and a pin located here, which also need to be transferred. Unlike the top hinge, the bottom assembly is often hidden by a plastic plinth or decorative panel that must first be removed.
Unscrew the bolts securing the bottom support plate and move it to the opposite side of the case. Refrigerators Biryusa have symmetrical holes for this purpose. It is important to install the plate exactly as it stood initially, but on the other hand, so that the pin looks up and is strictly perpendicular to the floor.
In parallel with rearranging the support, it is necessary to reposition the handle if the model requires it. On many modern models, the handles are symmetrical and do not require modification, but if you have a solid handle or an asymmetrical design, you will need to twist it. To do this, unscrew the screws securing the handle from the inside of the door and install it in new holes on the opposite end.
| Element | Action | Nuance for Biryusa |
|---|---|---|
| Top hinge | Remove and rearrange | Often has a pin for centering |
| Bottom support | Move to the other side | Can be combined with the base |
| Door handle | Turn over or move | Check the length of the screws |
| Plugs | Rearrange to old places | May vary in color (white/silver) |
Do not forget about the opening limiter, if it is provided for in the design of your model. This is a small plastic or metal piece that prevents the door from swinging too wide and hitting the wall. It also needs to be moved to the corresponding hole on the new side.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In some old or specific Biryusa models, the holes can be closed with factory foam plugs or filled with technological foam. In this case, they must be carefully removed. If there are physically no holes, then this modification does not support re-hanging, and forcing (forced drilling) is strictly prohibited.
Installing the door on the new side
When all the preparatory work is completed and the lower pin is installed in the new location, you can begin installing the door. Lift the door leaf and carefully slide it with the lower sleeve onto the installed pin. Make sure that the door is level and fits tightly to the body along its entire length.
Now you need to fix the top hinge. Attach it to the end of the door and the top of the refrigerator, aligning the holes. Here again, the help of a second person will be required: while one holds the hinge and the door in the correct position, the second tightens the bolts. You cannot immediately tighten the bolts all the way - first just tighten them so that the structure holds, but has a slight play for adjustment.
Check the vertical installation of the door using a level. If the door is askew, food may not store well and the seal will wear unevenly. Once you have achieved the ideal position, you can finally tighten the top hinge bolts. Make sure that the key fits tightly on the nut so as not to lick the edges.
⚠️ Attention: When tightening the top hinge bolts, be careful. Excessive force can lead to deformation of the hinge metal, which will cause the door to sag in the future or make it difficult to open.
After fixing the upper part, check the ease of movement of the door. It should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. If you hear a grinding noise, the door may be warped or the bottom bushing may not be installed correctly. In this case, the procedure will have to be repeated, paying more attention to alignment.
Adjusting the position and checking the tightness
The final stage of installation is checking the tightness of the fit. The sealing rubber around the perimeter of the door should evenly touch the refrigerator body along the entire contour. To check, use a simple but effective method with a sheet of paper or a bill.
Pinch a sheet of paper between the door and the body in different places (top, bottom, sides) and try to pull it out. The paper should be pulled out with noticeable force. If in some place it slides out freely, it means that a gap has formed there through which the cold will escape. In this case, adjustment of the door height is required.
On many models Turk the height is adjusted using washers or spacers that are installed under the lower hinge, or by rotating the pin itself. Adding or removing a washer allows you to raise or lower the corner of the door, eliminating a loose fit.
- 📄 Carry out a test with paper along the entire perimeter of the door.
- 👀 Visually inspect the joint line between the door and the body - it should be flat.
- 🔧 If necessary, add adjusting washers under the lower support.
- ❄️ Let the refrigerator stand for 2-3 hours before turning on to stabilize the refrigerant.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
In the process of self-repair, users often make typical mistakes that can negate all efforts. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of fasteners. The bolts from the top and bottom hinges may differ in thread length and diameter. If you screw a long bolt into a short hole, you can pierce the wall of the refrigerator or damage the internal circuit.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the seal. When removing and reinstalling, old, stiff rubber may not straighten out immediately. As a result, a false impression of leakage is created. Give the seal time (several hours or even days) to straighten, especially if it has been in a compressed state for a long time.
It is also worth mentioning the problem of the “runaway” door. If, after rehanging, the door opens or closes by itself, it means that the angle of inclination of the entire refrigerator is incorrect. The body should be slightly tilted back. This is adjusted by unscrewing the front support legs of the refrigerator. The front legs should be higher than the back ones so that the center of gravity moves back, ensuring automatic closing.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the door open for a long time during operation unless necessary. This may cause the evaporator to defrost and increase the load on the compressor when first starting.
If you encounter a situation where the bolts do not turn due to corrosion, do not use brute force. Treat the joints with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 15-20 minutes. This will help dissolve the rust and facilitate dismantling without the risk of breaking the fasteners.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it necessary to drain the freon before hanging the door?
No, there is no need to drain the refrigerant or break the tightness of the piping system. Re-hanging the door only affects the hanging elements and does not affect the internal cooling system. The main thing is not to overdo it with force when working with bolts, so as not to damage the body.
What to do if, after hanging, the door touches the body?
Most likely, the lower pin is installed incorrectly or the upper hinge is twisted. Check whether the support plate is level. Also make sure that you do not forget to rearrange the opening limiter, which may interfere with complete closing.
Is it possible to rehang the door on a Biryusa two-chamber refrigerator?
Yes, on most two-chamber models (with an upper or lower freezer) this procedure can be performed. However, the amount of work doubles, since both the upper and lower doors need to be re-hanged. You need to proceed in the same way, removing each door sequentially.
The plug for the old hinge hole is lost, what should you do?
If the decorative plug is lost, the hole can be covered with a piece of white electrical tape or painted over with furniture corrector so that dust and moisture do not get there. You can also look for universal plugs in furniture fittings stores of a suitable diameter.