Many owners of household appliances are faced with a situation where the kitchen layout changes and location of the refrigerator becomes inconvenient. Often the door opens in the wrong direction, preventing passage or access to other areas. There is a solution to this problem, and it does not require calling a technician. Rearranging the door on the refrigerator Biryusa is a procedure accessible to anyone with basic skills in handling tools.
Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare the workplace and free up space around the unit. Door hinges retain significant weight, so it is important to act carefully so as not to damage the coating or the structure itself. In this article we will analyze in detail the process of dismantling and installing the hinge on the other side.
It is worth noting that the design of refrigerators Biryusa may vary slightly depending on the model and year of manufacture. However, the general principle of fastening remains similar for most versions. The main thing is to take your time and follow the sequence of actions to avoid distortions in the future.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This is critically important for your safety and the safety of the device’s electronics.
The rehanging process does not take much time, but requires care. If you strictly follow the algorithm, then in 30-40 minutes your refrigerator cabinet will be ready for use in the new position. Let's look at what tools you will need to successfully complete the task.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To properly rearrange the door, you will need a minimum set of tools, which are usually found in every home. The main element will be open-end wrench or a wrench of the appropriate size, most often 8 mm or 10 mm. You may also need a Phillips screwdriver to remove decorative plugs.
Free up space in front of the refrigerator so that you can access it from all sides. It is better to cover the floor with soft material, such as an old blanket or cardboard. This will protect the door finish from scratches if you decide to place it on the floor while working.
Prepare a container for small parts. Bolts, washers and plugs are very easy to lose, and without them it will be impossible to put the structure back together. It is also useful to have a rag on hand for wiping surfaces from dust.
- 🔧 An open-end or socket wrench (usually 8-10 mm) for unscrewing bolts.
- 🪛 Phillips screwdriver for removing decorative elements and plugs.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges and contamination.
- 📦 A container or magnet for collecting small fasteners.
Make sure you have enough light. Poor lighting may cause you to miss small cracks on fastening elements or install parts incorrectly. If the refrigerator came with instructions, find the section with the assembly diagram, although our instructions are universal for most models.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the hinges may change depending on the modification. If you see unusual fasteners, check the manufacturer's official documentation before dismantling.
Removing the top part and removing the door
We start the process from the top of the refrigerator. The first step is to remove the top decorative panel, if present. It is usually secured with latches or screws. Carefully pry it up with a screwdriver or remove the fasteners to gain access to the upper hinge.
Next, you should unscrew the bolts securing the upper hinge. Don't remove them all at once, just loosen them first. The refrigerator door is heavy and should remain locked until you are ready to remove it. Ask an assistant to hold the housing if necessary.
After loosening the fasteners, completely unscrew the bolts and remove the metal hinge bar. Now you can carefully lift the door and remove it from the bottom stud. Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down so as not to scratch the front panel.
☑️ Preparing to remove the door
It is important to check the condition sealing rubber while the door is removed. If there is dirt on it, wipe it with a soft cloth. This is also a convenient moment to inspect the magnetic lock, which ensures a tight fit.
Rearranging the fittings and preparing for installation
Now you need to move the fittings to the opposite side of the door. At the end of the removed door you will see holes closed with decorative plugs. On one side they are empty, and on the other, they have studs or bolts screwed into them for the lower hinge.
Unscrew the fasteners from the current holes and move them into symmetrical holes on the other side. Do the same with the decorative plugs: remove them from the empty holes and cover the places where you just removed the bolts. This will preserve the aesthetic appearance of your Biryusa refrigerator. refrigerator Biryusa.
Pay attention to the handle if it is asymmetrical or requires turning over. In some models the handle is simply rearranged, in others it is turned over. Act carefully so as not to strip the threads in the plastic elements.
What to do if the bolt is rusty?
If the fastener is rusty and does not unscrew, do not use excessive force. Apply some penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) to the threads and wait 10-15 minutes. After this, the bolt should come out easier.
Check that all rearranged elements fit tightly. The bottom hinge pin must be installed strictly vertically, as it will bear the main weight of the door. Any distortions at this stage will lead to problems with closing in the future.
Installing the bottom hinge and hanging the door
Move on to the bottom of the refrigerator cabinet. Here it is necessary to dismantle the lower loop from the current side and move it to the opposite one. This often requires removing the plastic plinth or decorative trim at the bottom of the case.
Unscrew the bolts holding the bottom hinge and move it to the new side. Place the hinge in place and secure with the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door when hanging.
Now the most crucial moment is hanging the door. Carefully lift the door and place it with the bottom hole on the bottom hinge pin. Make sure that the door sits evenly and fits tightly to the body along the entire plane.
After the door is installed, it is necessary to fix the upper part. Place the top hinge in its new location, aligning the holes. Screw in the bolts, but again, just tighten them for now to be able to adjust.
Position adjustment and final assembly
After installing all the elements in place, it is necessary to carry out a thorough adjustment. The door should close tightly, without gaps, but not too tightly. If you notice a distortion, loosen the fastening bolts of the upper and lower hinges and slightly move the door in the desired direction.
Check the operation of the magnetic lock and the tightness of the seal. There should be no gaps between the housing and the rubber gasket. To check, you can use a sheet of paper: hold it with a closed door and try to pull it out. If the paper is held tightly around the entire perimeter, it means that the adjustment has been made correctly.
When you are completely satisfied with the position of the door, finally tighten all the bolts with a wrench. Make sure nothing is loose. Return to their place all the decorative plugs and panels that you removed at the beginning of the process.
| Work stage | Required tools | Completion time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removing the top hinges | Wrench 8-10 mm, screwdriver | 5 minutes | Low |
| Removing and turning over the door | Assistant (preferably) | 10 minutes | Average |
| Rearranging fittings | Screwdriver | 10 minutes | Low |
| Hinge adjustment | Key, level | 15 minutes | High |
The final touch will be cleaning the workplace. Wipe the door free of fingerprints and dust. Now your refrigerator is ready to turn on. Wait 2-3 hours before loading food so that the refrigerant settles and the compressor reaches operating mode.
Possible problems and ways to eliminate them
During operation after rehanging, some nuances may arise. For example, the door may begin to touch the body or fit poorly at the top. Most often, this is solved by repeated, more precise adjustment of the height of the studs or the tilt of the hinges.
If you hear a creak when opening, the metal parts of the hinge may be rubbing. In this case, it is recommended to lubricate the rubbing surfaces with special oil or graphite grease. Do not use edible oils, as they dry out over time and may deteriorate.
There are cases when, after rearranging, the operation of the door opening sensor is disrupted (if it is mechanical and located in the area of the old hinge). Check whether the new design interferes with the operation of the mechanisms, and if necessary, adjust the position.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the door still does not close tightly, check the integrity of the sealing rubber. It may have been damaged or deformed during dismantling and requires replacement.
Don’t be afraid to make small adjustments. Mechanics are a precise matter and sometimes it takes several tries to get it just right. The main thing is that you do it yourself, saving money and time.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before moving the door?
It is not necessary to defrost the refrigerator specifically for this procedure, unless you Do not plan to carry out general cleaning at the same time. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to wait until it melts so that water does not flow when tilting or removing the unit.
Is it possible to perform this operation alone?
Technically yes, but it is difficult and risky. The refrigerator door Biryusa is quite heavy, and it is very easy to drop it. It is strongly recommended to call an assistant who will simply hold the body or door at the right moment.
What to do if decorative plugs are lost?
If you have lost plastic plugs for holes, you should not leave the holes open - dust and moisture will get in there. You can use pieces of plastic of a suitable color, cut to size, or purchase a universal set of furniture plugs at a hardware store.
Does rearranging the door affect the warranty?
According to the laws and regulations of most manufacturers, rearranging the door yourself is not grounds for voiding the warranty if no parts were damaged in the process. However, if you break the thread or break the hinge, this case will not be considered under warranty.