Modern kitchen dictates its own rules of ergonomics, and it often happens that the purchased refrigerator Liebherr is ideal in terms of characteristics, but opens in an inconvenient direction. The situation when the door blocks the passage or prevents the drawers from being pulled out is familiar to many owners of German equipment. Fortunately, the design of most models provides for the possibility of reinstalling the hinge, which allows you to adapt the unit to a specific room layout without losing functionality.
The re-hanging process may seem difficult at first glance, especially considering the weight of the sash and the presence of a system closer (SoftSystem)that requires careful handling. However, if you have a basic set of tools and follow a clear algorithm, you can handle this task yourself in 30-40 minutes. The main thing is to take your time and carefully follow the sequence of actions so as not to damage expensive fastening elements or the facade.
Before you start work, you need to make sure that you have free space around the refrigerator and all the necessary tools at hand. It is important to understand that models with integrated handles and models with overhead facades may have nuances in design, but the general principle remains the same for the entire brand line. In this article we will analyze all the stages in detail, paying special attention to adjusting the hinges and adjusting the tightness.
Necessary tools and preparation of the working area
Quality preparation is the key to the success of any technical operation. To work with products Liebherr you will need not only physical strength, but also a specific tool, since German engineers use fasteners of various standards. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm in size), which often comes with the refrigerator, but it is better to prepare your own, more convenient one.
You will also need a Phillips screwdriver (PH2) for the hinge screws and, possibly, a flat screwdriver for removing decorative stubs If your refrigerator is equipped with a system electronic control on the door, do not forget to prepare electrical tape or zip ties to temporarily fix the wiring harnesses so that they do not interfere with dismantling.
- 🔧 Hex keys (a set or specifically 4 mm and 5 mm) for the bolts loops.
- 🪛 Phillips screwdriver with a magnetic tip for ease of work.
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧼 Clean rags for wiping mounting points from dust.
Particular attention should be paid to the organization of space. The refrigerator must be pulled out so that it is accessible from all sides, including the back wall. Make sure that the floor under your feet is not slippery, and that the light is bright enough to distinguish small parts of the mechanism closer.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This is necessary not only for safety, but also to ensure that the compressor cools down and the refrigerant stabilizes, although for mechanical re-hanging this is less critical than for repairing the cooling system.
☑️ Preparation for re-hanging
Removing the top panel and top hinge
The first step is always to remove the top cover of the refrigerator, if it is structurally provided for in your model. In most cases, it is secured with two screws at the front and snaps into place at the back. Carefully unscrew the front screws, slide the cover back and remove it, revealing access to the top hinge.
Now you need to release the top hinge. It is important to be careful here: in many models Liebherr wires pass through the top hinge if there is a display or control buttons on the door. If there are wires, they need to be carefully disconnected from the connectors, having previously photographed the position of the contacts, or simply moved to the side without pulling them.
Unscrew the bolts securing the upper hinge to the refrigerator body. Do not remove the hinge completely until the door itself is removed, as it may act as a support. However, if the design involves removing the entire hinge along with the door, then proceed according to the diagram for your specific series. It is often necessary to unscrew the central bolt of the hinge that holds the axle.
Nuances of wiring on the door
If there is a display on the door, the wires can go not only through the top, but also through the bottom hinge. Carefully inspect the entire length of the harness. In rare cases, moving the door requires extending the wires, but in original Liebherr models, the length of the cable usually allows for re-hanging without soldering, simply by transferring the harness to another channel of the housing.
After releasing the fasteners of the top hinge, it is necessary to hold the door so that it does not fall. The weight of the sash can reach 20-30 kg, so it is better to perform this operation with an assistant. Smoothly lift the door up, removing it from the lower hinge, and set it aside in a safe place, having previously covered the floor with cardboard or soft cloth.
Removing the door and working with the lower hinge
When the door is removed and set aside, attention turns to the lower part of the unit. The lower hinge Liebherr is a complex assembly, often combined with a door return mechanism and a stop. You need to unscrew the bolts securing the lower hinge to the refrigerator body.
After removing the fasteners, the hinge is dismantled. In its place, on the opposite side of the case, there are technological holes closed with plastic plugs. These plugs must be removed and moved to the vacant places where the loop was previously located. This will preserve the aesthetic appearance of the refrigerator.
The axis of the lower hinge requires special attention. In some models it is pressed in or secured with a retaining ring. If you plan to move the hinge itself to the other side, make sure that the mating parts of the fastening on the body are present. Complete with refrigerators Liebherr a set of plugs and spare screws is often supplied just for such cases.
| Element | Action during dismantling | Action during installation (new side) |
|---|---|---|
| Top hinge | Unscrew the bolts, disconnect the wires | Install on new holes, connect the wires |
| Bottom hinge | Remove from the axle, unscrew from the case | Attach to mirror holes, insert the axle |
| Plugs | Remove from new holes | Install into old holes from the hinge |
| Closer | Do not touch (usually in the bottom loop) | Rearrange the mechanism or adjust |
It is important not to mix up the fastening bolts. They can have different lengths and thread pitches. Use marking or lay out the parts in the order they were removed so that during assembly there will be no problems with size mismatches.
Flipping the door and rearranging the fittings
The most crucial moment is preparing the door itself for installation on a new one side. The refrigerator door Liebherr is symmetrical in its fastenings, but requires the rearrangement of some elements. First of all, this concerns the handle, if it is not integrated into the profile.
If the handle is overhead, it must be dismantled. It is usually secured with two or four screws on the inside of the door. After removal, the handle is installed from the opposite end. Make sure that the screws are tightened tightly, but without excessive force, so as not to strip the threads in the plastic bushings.
Next you need to rearrange the stops and decorative elements. At the ends of the door you will see holes for hinges. On one side they will be open, on the other they will be closed with plugs. Move the plugs to the new “working” side, and close the holes on the old one.
Deserves special attention closer (SoftSystem). In some models, the closer mechanism is built into the bottom hinge and does not require intervention. In other cases (especially older models or Premium series), it may be necessary to switch the lever or rearrange the spring mechanism inside the door itself or on the hinge. Study the diagram in the instructions for your specific model, since there cannot be universal advice here.
⚠️ Attention: When turning the door over, watch the position of the seal. If you handled the door carelessly during dismantling, the seal could become deformed. Before installation, check its integrity around the entire perimeter.
Also check the shelves on the door. If they have an asymmetrical shape or stops, they may need to be turned over or rearranged so that the products do not fall out when the door is opened in a new direction.
Installing the door on the new side and adjusting
When all the preparatory work is completed, you can begin installation. Install the bottom hinge onto the new seats on the refrigerator body. Insert the hinge axle into the door hole (if the structure is collapsible) or prepare the hinge to accept the door.
Lift the door and carefully place it on the lower axle. While holding the door upright, align the holes in the top hinge with the matching holes on the body. Insert the top hinge bolts, but do not fully tighten them yet. This is an important point for later adjustment of the gaps. Use a block of wood or a stack of books under the door during installation to help align the top hinge holes. This will free up your hands for screwing in the bolts. gap adjustment.
If there are wires on the door, carefully place them in the designated channels and connect the connectors. Make sure that the wires are not pinched by the metal parts of the hinges and do not touch moving mechanisms. Close the top lid of the refrigerator.
Now you need to make the final adjustment. Smoothly opening and closing the door, check the uniformity of the gaps around the entire perimeter. If the gaps are uneven, slightly loosen the top hinge bolts and move the door left and right or back and forth to achieve the ideal position. After this, tighten the bolts firmly.
Adjusting the closer and eliminating distortions
Modern refrigerators Liebherr are equipped with a soft closing system. After re-hanging, it may need to be adjusted. If the door closes too tightly or, conversely, does not reach the magnetic grip, you need to adjust the position of the lower hinge or the closer mechanism.
Often the problem is solved by simply adjusting the height of the lower support of the refrigerator. If the floor is uneven, the refrigerator may sit askew, creating the illusion that the hinges are not working properly. Use a building level to align the unit strictly horizontally.
- 📏 Check the gap between the door and the body in the upper, middle and lower parts.
- 🔩 If the door warps, loosen the bottom hinge and move it in the desired direction.
- 🚪 Make sure the door opens freely by 90 degrees or more.
In models with electronics, after turning on, check the operation of the display and buttons. If the screen does not light up, you may have a loose wire connector. In this case, the procedure will have to be repeated, taking utmost care with the contacts.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the door?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you are working quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, the door may become significantly heavier, making removal difficult. In addition, when the chamber is tilted (although when rehanging the refrigerator, the refrigerator is usually not tilted much), water may leak. It is better to remove all products and shelves to make the structure lighter.
What to do if, after re-hanging, the door does not fit tightly?
First of all, check whether something is interfering with the seal (for example, the edge of a shelf or packaging). If there are no mechanical obstructions, try adjusting the door position using the top hinge bolts. Also check whether the refrigerator is level on the floor - skewed housing often leads to a loose fit.
Is it possible to re-hang the door yourself if the refrigerator is under warranty?
Formally, re-hanging it yourself is not a complex repair and should not void the warranty unless you damage the components. However, if you strip a thread or break a hinge, it will be covered under warranty. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call an official technician.
Where to put the old holes from the hinges?
Included with refrigerators Liebherr there are always plastic plugs (decorative washers) in the color of the body. They are inserted into the holes that were formed after dismantling the hinges from the “old” side. If the plugs are lost, they can be ordered from the service center or matched by color at a hardware store.
Do you need to wait after installation before turning on the refrigerator?
If you did not tilt the refrigerator more than 40 degrees during work, you can turn it on immediately. If the unit had to be tilted strongly for ease of access, it is recommended to wait 2-4 hours before starting the compressor to allow the oil to drain into the crankcase.