Changing the side of the door opening is not just a whim, but often a necessary solution for the ergonomic arrangement of household appliances in the kitchen. The model Biryusa 6 is distinguished by its classic design, which allows you to perform this procedure yourself, without resorting to the services of a service center. Owners are often faced with the need to change the hanger after moving, rearranging furniture or buying a new kitchen countertop, which blocks access to the contents of the chamber.
The whole process takes from 30 to 60 minutes and requires a minimum set of tools that can be found in any home. The main thing is to act consistently, do not apply excessive force to the plastic elements and carefully monitor the position of the pins and bushings. Properly performed rehanging the doors will ensure a tight fit of the seal and long service life of the mechanism.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network. This is critically important, since in some modifications the backlight wiring may pass through loops, and accidental damage to the insulation will lead to a short circuit.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task, you do not need complex professional equipment. A standard DIY kit is sufficient. The main tool will be a wrench, the size of which most often corresponds to 10 mm, as well as a Phillips screwdriver for dismantling decorative plugs and handles. In some cases, you may need a flathead screwdriver to carefully pry off the plastic hinge covers.
Prepare the place where you will put the dismantled parts. Small bolts and washers are easily lost, and finding a suitable replacement for specific fasteners for Biryusa 6 can be difficult. We recommend using a magnetic tray or small container with a lid. Also stock up on rags for wiping surfaces and, possibly, WD-40 if the hinges have not been lubricated for a long time and have become sour.
Ensure sufficient lighting of the work area. You will need to be able to clearly see the condition of the threads and the position of the retaining screws. Do not try to carry out work in the dark or in dim light, as the risk of breaking the thread or losing an important part increases significantly.
☑️ Preparing for re-hanging
Dismantling the top hinge and removing the top door
The process starts from the top of the unit. First you need to remove the decorative cover of the top hinge. It is usually held in place by latches or a small screw. Carefully pry it off with a flat screwdriver or simply remove it by hand if the design allows it. Under the cover you will see the mounting bolts that hold the hinge in place.
Use a wrench to remove the top hinge mounting bolts. Important: do not remove them completely at once if the door is heavy and there is no one to hold it. It is better to unscrew the bolts, leave them in the holes, lift the hinge, and then finally remove the fasteners. This will prevent the door from skewing and falling.
After removing the top hinge, the door is released. Carefully lift it up to remove it from the bottom stud and set it aside in a safe place. Now you have access to the internal mechanisms and the lower hinge of the main chamber.
- 🔧 A 10 mm wrench is the main tool for most bolts in the Biryusa design.
- 🪛 Phillips screwdriver - necessary for removing handles and plugs.
- 🧤 Work gloves - will protect your hands from sharp edges of metal and dirt.
- 🧼 Rags - for cleaning the seats from dust and old grease.
Carefully inspect the removed upper hinge. It often leaves traces of wear and tear or contamination. If you plan on (long-term use) in a new position, it makes sense to flush the mechanism and apply fresh lubricant.
Moving fittings and adjusting the lower hinge
The most critical stage is working with the lower support. In the model Biryusa 6 he lower hinge is often hidden under a decorative base or requires removal of the bottom panel. You need to remove the locking screw that secures the rotating mechanism and move the hinge itself to the opposite side of the case.
Pay attention to the pins (axes of rotation). They have different lengths and thread shapes. The pin that was on the bottom must be moved up, and the top one down, or you can use the included pins from the kit for rehanging, if they come separately in your configuration. The thread should face the direction of the fastening.
When installing a new lower support (formerly upper or rearranged), make sure that it fits tightly into the mounting hole. If the kit included plastic bushings, replace the old ones with new ones, since the old ones could be deformed under the weight of the door.
| Part | Action | Where to install |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Remove the fasteners | Down, to the opening side |
| Bottom support | Unscrew the stopper | Up, under the decorative cover |
| Stud door | Remove from the door | Screw into the opposite end |
| Lock screw | Unscrew from the body | Screw into the free hole on the other side |
⚠️ Attention: Do not overtighten the hinge bolts. Excessive force can lead to deformation of the metal of the case or breakage of the threads in the plastic bushings, which will require replacement of the entire assembly.
Working with handles and decorative plugs
After transferring the main load-bearing elements, the turn of aesthetics comes. Handles on refrigerators Biryusa often have symmetrical holes for fastening, but decorative plugs cover unused holes on only one side. You need to remove the handles and reinstall them.
Remove the plugs from the holes that will now become working (visible), and cover those that are free with them. Usually the plugs are simply inserted into the holes with force. If they fit very tightly, you can lightly heat them with a hairdryer to make the plastic more elastic, but be careful not to melt the surface.
If the model is equipped with hidden handles or an integrated profile, this step can be simplified. However, if you have classic overhead handles, check whether they require symmetrical fastening. Sometimes you have to change the handles themselves if they are asymmetrical.
What to do if the plug is lost?
If the decorative plug is lost, do not leave the hole open - moisture and dust will get there. You can temporarily seal it with a piece of plastic in the color of the body or order a set of plugs from the manufacturer.
Installation of doors and final assembly
Now that all fasteners have been transferred to the new side, you can begin installation. Install the lower door (if you have a two-chamber version) or the main chamber onto the lower stud. Make sure that the axle fits exactly into the bushing.
Then put on the top loop and tighten the bolts. Don't screw them all the way in right away. First, make sure that the door is level and there is nothing obstructing its movement. After this, you can finally tighten the fasteners with a wrench.
Check the operation of the opening mechanism. The door should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. If you feel resistance, the hinges may be askew or the bolts may not be tightened evenly. Loosen the fasteners, align the door and tighten again.
Adjusting the position and checking the tightness
The final stage is checking the tightness. After rehanging, the door might not fit perfectly tightly. Adjustable feet on the bottom of the refrigerator are often used to adjust the height. By rotating them, you can lift one of the corners, achieving the correct tilt of the body for automatic closing.
Check the fit of the seal around the entire perimeter. Take a sheet of paper, clamp it with the door and try to pull it out. The paper should come out with noticeable force. If it flies out freely or, conversely, the door does not close completely, the hinges need to be adjusted or the seal needs to be replaced.
Also pay attention to the gaps between the door and the body. They should be uniform. If the gap is larger at the top than at the bottom, it means that the top hinge is not installed horizontally or the door itself is skewed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before re-hanging it?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice or food inside, the door will become heavy and difficult to hold with one hand when unscrewing the hinges. It is better to empty the chamber of food.
What to do if the bottom bolt is rusty and cannot be unscrewed?
Do not use brute force so as not to tear off the cap. Apply penetrating lubricant (WD-40) to the joint and leave for 15-20 minutes. You can also try to gently heat the joint with a hair dryer to expand the metal.
Is it possible to hang the door alone?
Theoretically it is possible, but it is inconvenient and risky. The refrigerator door Biryusa 6 weighs a lot, and holding it with one hand while working the key is difficult. It’s better to ask an assistant to simply hold the structure.
Why doesn’t the door close completely after rehanging?
Most likely, the angle of the refrigerator itself is broken. For proper closure, the housing must be tilted slightly backwards. Adjust the height of the front legs of the refrigerator by twisting them to lift the front part.