A change in the layout of the kitchen or a simple rearrangement of furniture often dictates new requirements for the location of household appliances. Owners of refrigerators Liebherr often face the need to change the opening side of the door to provide convenient access to products. Modern models of the German brand are designed taking into account this possibility, which allows you to perform the procedure yourself, without calling a specialist.
The process of transferring hinges and handles requires care and adherence to the sequence of actions, since the design facade may differ between different series. Incorrect assembly can lead to the door being skewed, the seal being damaged, or the decorative elements being damaged. In this article, we will analyze the technical nuances of working with mechanisms Liebherr and help you avoid common mistakes.
Before starting work, it is important to prepare the workplace and free up space around the unit. You will need not only a standard set of tools, but also an understanding of the device hinge group of your specific model. Let's look at which models can be modified and what will be required to successfully complete the operation.
Preparation of tools and model assessment
Not all refrigerators Liebherr have the same door mounting design. While most built-in and freestanding models allow you to change the opening direction, in some budget or specific series (for example, with a built-in ice maker in the door) this may not be possible. The first step is always to check the technical documentation or visual inspection loop nodes for the presence of plugs on the opposite side.
To perform the work, you will need a basic kit for a home craftsman. The main tool will be a hex wrench, since Liebherr actively uses metric fasteners. It would also be helpful to have an assistant who will help hold the heavy door during dismantling, preventing it from falling and damaging glass shelves or the body itself.
List of necessary equipment and consumables:
- 🛠️ Set of hex keys (main size is usually 4 mm or 5 mm)
- 🔧 Phillips screwdriver (for some types of handles)
- 🧤 Work gloves (to protect hands from sharp metal edges)
- 📦 A soft substrate or blanket (for laying removed parts)
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly not recommended to work with a refrigerator connected to the network if checking the electronics is required, however, for mechanically hanging doors, disconnecting from the power supply is mandatory safety requirement.
Make sure you have free space in front and on the sides of the refrigerator. The door has a significant reach when open, and you will need to be able to move freely around the unit. If you are working in a narrow corridor or in a small kitchen, it is better to temporarily move the unit to a more spacious room.
Removing the top hinge and handle
The process should always start from the top of the structure, since it is the top hinge that bears the main load when holding the door closed. First you need to remove the decorative plug that hides the mounting bolts. In models Liebherr it is usually made of plastic and can be removed by carefully prying it with a flathead screwdriver or moving it to the side.
After accessing the fasteners, take a hex key and loosen the top hinge bolts. Important: do not unscrew them completely until the door is secured or supported by an assistant. The design may have a spring mechanism that tends to open the door when the fasteners are loosened.
If your model has an external handle, it also needs to be removed or rearranged. The fastening of handles Liebherr is often hidden under decorative overlays or carried out from inside the door leaf through special holes. Use Settings → Manual (conditional path in the digital instructions, if it is in the application, but more often - a paper manual) to clarify the type of fastening of your handle.
The sequence of actions when removing the upper part:
- 🔩 Remove the upper decorative hinge cover
- 🔓 Loosen the fastening bolts, but do not remove them completely
- 🚪 Holding the door, completely unscrew the bolts and remove the hinge
- 👐 Carefully lift the door to disengage it from the lower axis
After After removing the door, place it in a safe place, placing it on a soft surface with the outer side down, after covering the floor with cardboard or cloth. This will prevent scratches on the enamel or stainless steel.
Removing the middle hinge and the main door
In two-chamber refrigerators Liebherr after dismantling the top door (usually the freezer), access to the middle hinge, which holds the main refrigerator, opens camera. The principle of operation is similar: remove the decorative trim, loosen the fasteners. However, there is a nuance here: the weight of the main door is much higher, and the risk of distortion during removal is greater.
Often on the middle hinge there is a pin on which the upper door rests. It must be carefully removed or rearranged into the corresponding hole on the opposite side, if the design provides for this. Some models Liebherr use a solid axle that just needs to be rearranged.
☑️ Dismantling checklist
When working with the middle hinge, pay attention to the condition sealing rubber. While the doors are removed, it's an ideal time to clean them and check for cracks. If the rubber has lost its elasticity, now, while the disassembly process is in progress, it is better to replace it.
Having removed the main door, inspect the end part. There you will see holes for installing stops and switches. This is where the answer to the question of why the door may not close after rehanging often lies - a forgotten light switch or an open door sensor on the old side can interfere with a tight fit.
Rearranging handles and decorative elements
Models Liebherr with external handles require moving them to the other side. Depending on the series (Comfort, Premium, BioFresh), the fastening mechanism may differ. In some cases, the handle is simply screwed through through holes, in others, a complex hidden installation system is used.
If there are visible holes from the old handle on the front side, the manufacturer usually equips the refrigerator with plastic plugs. They can be in a bag with documents or attached to the inside of the door. In rare cases, for older series, plugs have to be ordered separately from official dealers.
When installing the handle in a new location, make sure that the mounting screws are tightened evenly. Over-tightening can lead to deformation of the plastic or breakage of threads in the metal frame of the door, and under-tightening can lead to play and unpleasant rattling during operation compressor.
Compatibility table of handle types and methods for rearranging them for different series:
| Series Liebherr | Handle type | Fixing method | Plugs required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liebherr Comfort | Vertical integrated | Hidden screw top/bottom | No (symmetrical) |
| Liebherr Premium | Horizontal metal | Through bolts from the end | Yes (in the old place) |
| Liebherr BioFresh | Built into the profile | Latch + screws | No |
| Liebherr Flagman | Push-button/Handle | Threaded connection | Yes (complete) |
Don't forget to check the operation of the closing mechanism. After rearranging the handles, the door should open easily, without jamming. If you feel resistance, check whether the handle is touching the body or adjacent pieces of furniture.
Installing hinges on a new side
The most critical stage is assembly. All actions are performed in reverse order, but taking into account mirror reflection. Start by installing the bottom support sleeve or pin on the opposite side. Make sure it fits into the hole provided for this and is locked.
Then install the bottom hinge (or the middle one if you are assembling from the bottom up). Apply a small amount of grease (for example, lithium) to the rubbing parts of the hinges, if the instructions for your model Liebherr allow it. This will extend the life of the mechanism and eliminate squeaks in the future.
What to do if the holes do not match?
Some models require removing the inner plastic door panel and rearranging the metal bushings inside the door leaf. This is typical for built-in models, where the door is attached to the facade of the kitchen unit.
When hanging the door, it is important to accurately hit the axis with the bushing. It is better to do this together: one person holds the door, the second guides and fixes the hinge. After installation, check the vertical position of the door using a level. A misalignment of even a few millimeters can lead to the fact that magnetic seal it will not fit around the entire perimeter.
⚠️ Attention: Do not tighten the upper hinge bolts “all the way” immediately. First, tighten them, check the door movement, and only then make the final tightening. This will allow you to adjust the position of the door in space.
After installing all the hinges, check the operation of the closers (if your model has them). The door must be able to close independently from a certain opening angle. If the closer does not work, the height of the refrigerator leg may need to be adjusted.
Adjustment and final check
The final stage is fine tuning. Open the door 45 degrees and release. It should smoothly return to the closed position under the influence of magnets and its own weight (if the refrigerator is installed with a slight tilt back). If the door remains in the open position or, on the contrary, slams too sharply, it is necessary to adjust the front support legs.
Unscrewing the front legs raises the front of the refrigerator, creating the necessary slope back. Twisting - lowers. Use an adjustable wrench or the special wrench included in the kit to rotate the adjusting screws in the base part.
Also check the operation of the internal lighting and the door opening sensor. When rehanging, sometimes it is necessary to move the plastic rod of the sensor or the sensor itself to the other side. On models with electronic control, make sure that the wire cables (if they go through the door, for example, for a display) are not twisted and are of sufficient length for the new position.
After all manipulations, wipe the surfaces with a soft cloth, removing fingerprints and dust. Plug in the refrigerator and let it work for 2-3 hours without loading food to make sure the temperature is set correctly and there are no problems with sealing.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to hang the door if the refrigerator is built into a kitchen unit?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires dismantling the furniture facades. You will have to unscrew the refrigerator door from the furniture facade, re-hang the refrigerator mechanism, and then re-attach the furniture doors. The process is more labor-intensive and requires precision in the holes.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not fit tightly?
Check whether anything inside (shelves, products) is in the way. Inspect the seal for any jams. If the problem is not solved, it may be necessary to adjust the position of the door through the hinge bolts or adjust the height of the support legs.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Complete defrosting is not necessary for the mechanical part, but it is recommended to remove all products and shelves to lighten the weight of the door and prevent objects from falling. If there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to let it thaw so that water does not flow when the unit is tilted.
Where can I find plugs for the holes from the old handle?
Usually they are in the bag with instructions and documents that came with the kit. If you have lost them, you can order a set of plugs at the service center Liebherr or select universal analogues of a suitable diameter and color.