Modern kitchen dictates its own rules of ergonomics, and often the standard location of the refrigerator ceases to suit the owners after remodeling or purchasing new furniture. The brand Beko provides for the possibility of changing the side of the door opening, which allows you to adapt the equipment to specific room conditions. This process requires attentiveness, a basic set of tools and a clear understanding of the sequence of actions so as not to damage the hinges or decorative elements.
Before starting physical work, you need to make sure that you have everything necessary for the safe dismantling and installation of heavy structural elements. Hanging the door is not just rearranging the fittings, it is a change in the opening geometry, which affects the tightness and seal service life. In this article, we will analyze each stage in detail so that you can complete the job efficiently and without unnecessary nerves.
It is worth noting that the design of the hinges may vary slightly depending on the specific series of the refrigerator Beko. Some models are equipped with hidden hinges, others with overhead ones, but the general principle remains similar. The main thing is to take your time and follow the order of operations so as not to lose small fasteners that can easily get lost in the process.
Preparation of tools and workspace
Any technical manipulation begins with organizing the workplace. The refrigerator is a large and heavy unit, so the task is to ensure easy access from all sides. You will need to move the equipment away from the wall at least a meter so that you can freely walk around it and work with the lower and upper parts of the body at the same time.
To perform the work, you will need a minimum set of tools, which is usually found in every home. The main tools will be screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead), a wrench or a set of sockets (most often 8 or 10 mm), and a container for folding screws. It will not be amiss to prepare masking tape and a soft rag to protect glossy surfaces from scratches during work.
- 🛠️ Phillips screwdriver (PZ2) for removing handles and plastic plugs.
- 🔧 Wrench or ratchet with an 8-10 mm head for the main ones loops.
- 📦 A small box or magnetic tray for storing bolts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
If the equipment came with instructions, check the specification section to see if tools are needed. The absence of the necessary key in the midst of work can stop the entire process, so it is better to prepare everything in advance.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Remove the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of electric shock and prevent accidental activation of the compressor when tilting or moving the unit.
Removing the top door of the freezer
The remodeling process always starts from the top of the refrigerator, that is, from the door freezer. This is due to design features: the lower door often serves as a support or has a more complex fixation system that is inconvenient to touch while the upper one is still in place. First you need to remove the handle if it is not integrated into the profile.
To remove the handle, find the mounting screws on the inside of the end or under the decorative trim. Carefully unscrew them and set the handle aside. Next comes work with the top loop. In some models Beko it is closed with a plastic cover that needs to be pryed off with a flat screwdriver. After gaining access to the bolts, hold the door with one hand (or ask an assistant) to unscrew the hinge fasteners.
After removing the top hinge, carefully lift the freezer door and remove it from the bottom stud. Place the door on a prepared soft surface (such as a blanket or cardboard) with the front side facing up to avoid scratching the finish. Now at the end of the door you need to dismantle the lower hinge or pin, which served as the axis of rotation, and move it to the opposite side, if the design allows for this.
- 🔩 Remove the decorative plugs from the unused holes for the hinges.
- 🔄 Move the pin of the axis of rotation to the opposite end doors.
- 🚪 Remove the transport stoppers if they interfere with access to the fasteners.
At this stage, it is important not to lose the washers and bushings that can be put on the hinge axis. Their location must be maintained during reassembly, as they provide the necessary clearance for smooth operation. If you find traces of rust or dirt on the hinges, now is the time to wipe them with solvent and lubricate them with graphite grease.
☑️ Removing the top door
Removing the main door of the refrigerator compartment
After the upper part freed, we move on to the main, heavier door of the refrigerator compartment. Here it is often necessary to remove the middle loop, which can be common to both cameras or separate. On models Beko with a system No Frost control cables may also pass through this area if the door has a display or indicators.
If your model is equipped with electronics on the door, never pull the door sharply. First, find the connection point of the cable (usually at the top of the case or inside the end) and carefully disconnect the connector. Memorize or photograph the position of the wires so that there are no errors during assembly. Only after turning off the electrical part can you begin to unscrew the middle hinge.
The main door is removed in the same way as the top door: the hinge bolts are unscrewed, and the heavy structure is removed from the axis. The weight is heavy, it is strongly recommended that two people perform this operation. The removed door is also placed on a soft mat. At the lower end of the main door there is a mating part of the hinge or bushing, which also needs to be moved to the opposite side.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Dismantling and transfer | Key 8-10 mm | Remove the plug |
| Middle hinge | Dismantling | Screwdriver + Wrench | Careful with wires |
| Lower support | Height adjustment | Adjustable wrench | Align by level |
| Handles | Rearrangement | Phillips screwdriver | Plug old holes |
Pay special attention condition seal. While the door is removed, check the rubber contour for cracks or deformation. If the seal is stuck to the body, carefully peel it off. When reinstalled on the new side, it must stand up straight, without creases, otherwise the tightness will be broken.
What to do if the bolts are rusty?
If the mounting bolts are stuck and do not unscrew, do not use excessive force so as not to tear them off carving Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 10-15 minutes. After this, try to carefully remove the bolt. As a last resort, you can slightly warm up the metal with a hair dryer, but be careful with plastic elements nearby.
Rearranging fittings and limiters
The key point in the question of how to hang the door on a refrigerator Bekois the correct rearrangement of all limiters and plugs. There are holes at the ends of the doors and on the body of the refrigerator, which in the standard position are closed with plastic plugs. When changing the opening side, these plugs must be moved to the vacated holes, and the working holes must be closed.
An opening limiter is a small plastic or metal element that prevents the door from opening 180 degrees and hitting the side of the refrigerator or the wall. It must be moved strictly to the opposite side. In some models, you just need to snap the plastic clamp, in others you need to unscrew the screw and screw it into a new hole.
- 🧩 Remove the plastic plugs from the working holes.
- 🔘 Install the plugs in the holes that have become non-working.
- 🛑 Move the door travel stop to the new end.
- 🔩 Check the tight fit of all decorative elements.
Don't forget about the handles. If the design allows, the handles are simply twisted to the other side. However, in some modern series Beko handles may be asymmetrical. In this case, the kit often includes additional elements or plugs for the old side. If the handle is solid and spans the entire width, it may need to be reversed or special adapters must be used.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that all caps are installed tightly and flush with the surface. Protruding elements may prevent the door from closing tightly, which will lead to freezing of the chamber and increased load on the compressor.
Assembling the structure on the new side
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. The main (bottom) door is installed first. To do this, an axle is installed on the lower support platform of the case, and the door is put on it. It is important to correctly set the gap between the door and the body. Models Beko often provide for adjusting the height of the lower support by rotating the support itself or washers.
After installing the lower door, the middle hinge is mounted. If you have a model with a display, now you need to carefully pass the cable through the hole in the loop and connect the connector. The wires must lie in their channels and not be pinched by the metal of the hinge, otherwise when closing the door the insulation can be damaged, which will lead to a short circuit.
Then the freezer door is put on the top pin. The top hinge is installed and secured with bolts. At this stage, do not tighten the bolts "all the way" right away. First, tighten them so that the structure has a slight play for final adjustment. Full tightening is carried out only after checking the gaps and parallelism of the edges.
The final touch is the installation of handles and decorative trims. Check that all screws are tightened evenly. If the handles have a closer mechanism or a magnetic lock, make sure they work correctly on the new opening side. The click when closing should be clear, but not too loud.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
After all the elements are installed in place, the fine-tuning stage begins. Adjusting doors necessary to ensure uniform pressure on the seal around the entire perimeter. If the door is skewed, it will blow in one corner, and the opposite corner will be difficult to close. In refrigerators Beko adjustment is often carried out by rotating the adjusting bolts on the middle and top hinges.
By rotating the bolt, you can move the door left or right or change its angle. Make sure that the gap between the door and the body is the same at the top and bottom. When closed, the door must fit flush against the body without visible gaps. To check, you can use a sheet of paper: clamp it between the seal and the body at different points - it should be removed with the same force.
Also check the operation of the light switch and magnetic sensors (if any). When the door is closed, the light should go out instantly. If the door begins to touch the internal shelves or containers after rehanging, the height of the legs of the refrigerator itself may need to be adjusted. The front legs often have threaded adjustment that allows you to raise or lower the corner of the unit.
- 📏 Check the gaps between the door and the body around the entire perimeter.
- 📄 Use a sheet of paper test to check the seal pressure.
- 💡 Make sure that when closing, the light comes on/goes off.
- 🧊 Check whether the door is touching the internal elements of the chamber.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the hinges and the presence of adjusting bolts may vary depending on the year of manufacture and the specific model. If you do not find any obvious adjustment screws, alignment may be done by placing washers or adjusting the refrigerator's support legs.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before hanging the door?
Yes, this is highly desirable. When defrosting, water is removed from the chambers, which reduces the weight of the doors and prevents moisture from getting on the electrical contacts or inside the hinges when tilted. In addition, the ice in the evaporator can shift and damage the tubes when the position of the unit changes.
Is it possible to hang the door alone, without an assistant?
Technically this is possible, but it is highly not recommended, especially for the bottom door of the refrigerator compartment. It is heavy and bulky. The risk of dropping it, damaging the floor, or causing injury is very high. For the top door of the freezer, help is not necessary, but for the main chamber it is better to call a second person.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close tightly?
Most likely, the problem is incorrect adjustment of the hinges or misalignment of the case. Check that the refrigerator is level on the floor (use a level). Then loosen the hinges, level the door and tighten the bolts again. Also check if anything inside (shelves, plates) is preventing the closing.
Will the warranty remain valid after re-hanging it yourself?
According to the law, the consumer has the right to independently service the equipment if this does not lead to breakdown. However, if during the rehanging process you break threads, damage wiring or break glass, the warranty claim for these damages will not be considered. Proceed carefully.
Where to put the holes from the handles and hinges on the old side?
Included with the refrigerator Beko there are always plastic plugs (pins) in the color of the case. They are inserted into the vacated holes on the body and at the ends of the doors. If the complete plugs are lost, you can order them at the service center or select universal analogues of a suitable diameter.