Modern kitchens often dictate their own rules of ergonomics, and the location of household appliances has to be changed to accommodate a new design or remodeling. When you purchase a brand refrigerator Beko, you get a reliable unit, but sometimes the standard direction of door opening becomes an obstacle to convenient access to products. Fortunately, most models from this manufacturer are designed with universal installation in mind, which allows you to change the opening side without calling a technician.
The rehanging process requires accuracy, a basic set of tools and an understanding of the design. hinge assembly. If you decide to perform this procedure yourself, you can not only save on the services of a service center, but also be confident in the quality of the work performed. The main thing is to take your time and strictly follow the sequence of actions so as not to damage facade panel or the seal.
In this article we will analyze in detail each stage of dismantling and installing elements on the opposite side. We will look at the nuances of working with different types of handles and freezing systems, and also pay attention to the correct adjusting gaps once installation is completed. Before starting work, make sure that you have free space around the refrigerator for maneuvers.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before you start disassembling refrigeration equipment, you need to prepare the workplace. You will need a flat surface where you can carefully place the removed parts so as not to scratch them or lose small fasteners. The lighting should be sufficient, since some screw holes may be hidden by decorative plugs.
As for tools, for models Beko most often a standard set of household tools is sufficient. You will need a Phillips and flat-head screwdriver, and an appropriately sized wrench or socket (usually 8 or 10mm). In some cases, a hexagon may be required if the hinges have a specific type of fastening.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply and clear the shelves of food. This is critical for safety and preventing food spoilage during downtime.
It is also a good idea to prepare a soft cloth or cardboard to place under the doors that are being removed. This will protect the floor from damage and maintain the integrity of the door itself in the event of an accidental fall. Make sure that you have a container for screws on hand so that they do not get lost in the process.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Dismantling the top hinge and the top door
The process should always start from the top unit. The first step is to remove the decorative plug that hides the top hinge mounting bolts. It is usually made of plastic and can be simply inserted into a hole or secured with snaps. Proceed carefully so as not to break the plastic.
Once access to the fasteners is open, you need to loosen, but not yet completely unscrew the bolts of the upper hinge. In models with a top freezer, the top door is removed first. If you have a model No Frost with a bottom freezer, the sequence may differ, but the principle remains the same: remove what is held on the top hinge.
To hold the door in a vertical position during the final unscrewing of the bolts, it is better to involve an assistant. The refrigerator door is quite heavy and may fall if not supported. If there is no assistant, you can carefully support the door with your knee or use special stands, but this is less safe.
- 🔧 Remove the decorative trim from the top hinge.
- 🔩 Loosen the fastening bolts of the top hinge.
- 🚪 Holding the door completely unscrew the bolts and remove the hinge.
- 🛑 Carefully remove the upper door from the lower hinge (if there is one) or set the refrigerator aside.
After removing the door, inspect the place where the hinge is attached at the end. There you will see holes that are now closed with plugs. These plugs need to be removed and moved to the vacant spaces on the opposite side in order to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the unit.
Removing the middle hinge and bottom door
If your refrigerator has two or three chambers, the next step is to work with the middle part. Here middle hingeis located, which often performs a double function: it holds the lower edge of the upper door and the upper edge of the lower one. In some models Beko the middle hinge may also have a lock mechanism or a door opening sensor.
The process is similar to dismantling the upper part: remove the decorative elements, unscrew the bolts and remove the hinge itself. In this case, the lower door must also be held. Pay attention to the pins: in some designs they are part of the hinge, in others they are built into the end of the door.
⚠️ Attention: Be careful with the wiring! If there are indicators or control buttons on the doors, there may be wires going to them. Do not jerk the door sharply so as not to break the cables.
After removing the middle hinge, the lower door is released. It is held on the bottom loop, which is located near the floor. Remove the bottom door by carefully lifting it up to remove the pins from the hinge holes. Place the removed doors on a prepared soft surface with the outside facing up.
Now all the doors have been removed and you have access to the bottom hinge. It also needs to be dismantled by unscrewing the mounting bolts. After this, only the mounting holes on one side will remain on the refrigerator body, and on the other - holes closed with plugs.
What to do with the sensor wires?
In modern Beko models, the wires are often laid inside the door leaf. If your model has wires that are visible from the outside or pass through the loops, they need to be carefully disconnected (after photographing the contacts) and routed through the channel on the other side. In most budget models, wires are not provided, and the doors open mechanically.
Rearranging handles and plugs
One of the most noticeable design elements is the handles. Depending on the model Beko, they can be integrated (hidden) or overhead. If the handles are overhead and symmetrical, you just need to twist them to the opposite side. To do this, unscrew the screws from the inside of the door and install the handle into the prepared holes from the new edge.
If the handles are asymmetrical or have a specific shape designed for only one side, you may need to purchase an additional kit. However, the manufacturer usually equips refrigerators with universal handles or provides mounting holes on both sides.
Don't forget about decorative plugs. Those holes that were previously hidden by the hinges will now become visible. Close them with the plugs that you removed from the working side. Conversely, on the new side of the hinge installation, the holes should be free for fastening.
- 🖐️ Unscrew the fixing screws of the handles on the inside of the door.
- 🔄 Move the handles to the opposite edge of the door into the prepared holes.
- 🕳️ Rearrange the plastic ones plugs: close the old holes and open new ones.
- 🔍 Check the tightness of the handles and the absence of play.
It is important to make sure that the screws of the handles are tightened tightly, but without excessive force, so as not to break the threads in the plastic base of the door. If the holes on the new side are covered with factory film, carefully cut or remove it.
Installing hinges on the new side
Now we move on to installation. The bottom hinge is installed first. Insert its pin into the corresponding hole on the refrigerator body from the new side. Secure the hinge with bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet - this will allow you to adjust the position of the door when hanging.
Next we hang the bottom door. Align the holes in the end of the door with the bottom hinge pin and lower the door. Make sure she sits up straight. After this, install the middle loop (if your model has one). It is important to correctly orient the middle hinge pin: it must face up to install the next door.
We secure the middle hinge with bolts. Then we hang the top door and install the top hinge. At this stage, all bolts are completely tightened. Make sure that all doors open freely and do not touch the body.
If your model provides for rearranging the door stop stops, do not forget to do this now. Typically, the stop is a rubber or plastic piece that is inserted into the hole at the opposite corner of the door so that it does not hit the wall or furniture.
Adjusting the gaps and checking the tightness
After installing all the elements in new places, it is necessary to carry out adjusting the position of the doors. The doors must fit tightly and evenly around the entire perimeter of the body. If you notice distortions, slightly loosen the hinge bolts and level the door, then tighten the fasteners again.
Pay special attention magnetic seal. It should fit against the body without gaps. Test this by closing the door and trying to run a piece of paper around the perimeter. If the paper comes out too easily or, conversely, gets stuck tightly in certain places, adjustment is required.
| Problem | Possible cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not fit at the bottom | The lower hinge is skewed | Loosen the bolts of the lower hinge and lift the door |
| The gap in the upper part | The upper hinge is not tight | Tighten the top fasteners more tightly or place a washer |
| The door opens by itself | Tilt the refrigerator back | Tighten the front legs of the refrigerator, leveling the horizon |
| It is difficult to close door | Vertical misalignment | Check the installation level and adjust the hinges |
Also check the operation of the light sensors and, if any, displays on the door. All functions should work properly. If the door is installed correctly, the light should go off when closing, and the compressor should start based on a timer or sensor signal.
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them
In the process of hanging doors Beko beginners often make typical mistakes that can lead to unstable operation refrigerator. One of the most common is insufficient tightening of the mounting bolts. Over time, the hinges become loose and the door begins to sag, which breaks the tightness.
Another mistake is the loss or confusion of the plugs. Leaving the openings open will allow dust and moisture to enter the housing, which can adversely affect thermal insulation and appearance. Always make sure that all access holes are closed.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when tightening the bolts into the plastic door body. This may lead to cracks. If the bolt does not fit, check that the threads are aligned and that there is no misalignment.
It is also worth mentioning about ignoring the level check. If the refrigerator is not level, even a perfectly installed door may not behave correctly. Use a building level to check the horizontal and vertical alignment of the body after completing all work.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging the doors?
Yes, it is highly recommended. When defrosting, you will free up internal space, which will make the doors easier and safer to dismantle. In addition, this will prevent water from leaking out and food spoilage during work.
Is it possible to hang the door by one person?
Technically this is possible, especially with small-volume models. However, refrigerator doors Beko can be heavy and bulky. Having an assistant will significantly reduce the risk of dropping the door, damaging the floor, or getting a back injury.
What to do if the holes for the hinges on the other side are tightly closed?
In 99% of cases, the factory provides versatility. The holes may be hidden under a layer of plastic or plugs. Carefully inspect the door end and body. If there really are no holes (rare models), re-hanging is impossible without professional modification, which will void the warranty.
How long should you wait before turning on the refrigerator after re-hanging?
If you did not tilt the refrigerator more than 45 degrees and did not work with the compressor, there is no need to wait. However, if the refrigerator was transported or tilted strongly, let it stand for 2-4 hours to return the oil to the compressor.