Changing the opening side of the refrigerator door is one of the most popular operations when remodeling a kitchen or changing the ergonomics of a space. Equipment owners Liebherr often face the need to rearrange the hinges so that the unit fits into a new interior or simply becomes more convenient to use. Fortunately, the German manufacturer has provided this option for most models, but the process requires care and strict adherence to the algorithm.
Incorrect reinstallation can lead to skewing of the canvas, failure of the seal and, as a result, increased energy consumption. Before starting work, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary tools and that the unit itself is completely disconnected from the power supply. This is a basic safety requirement, ignoring which is unacceptable when working with any household appliances.
In this article we will analyze the detailed process of changing the hinge for various types of doors - from single-chamber models to complex two-chamber systems NoFrost with a display. We will look at the nuances of working with fittings, features of dismantling handles and setting up closer mechanisms, if they are present in your model.
Preparation of tools and workspace
The success of the operation depends 90% on proper preparation. You don't need complex professional equipment, but the set should be complete so as not to interrupt the process in the middle. The main tool will be a set of wrenches or sockets, since the hinge fastening bolts Liebherr often have a specific size. Be sure to free up space around the refrigerator. You need access to the unit from all sides, including the top where the top hinges are usually located. Cover the floor in front of the equipment with a soft material - cardboard or a blanket, so as not to damage the coating when laying the removed doors.
Be sure to clear some space around the refrigerator. You need access to the unit from all sides, including the top where the top hinges are usually located. Cover the floor in front of the equipment with soft material - cardboard or a blanket, so as not to damage the coating when laying the removed doors.
For work, prepare the following set:
- 🔧 A set of wrenches (often a size of 10 mm or 13 mm is required).
- 🪛 Phillips and slotted screwdrivers (for removing plugs and handles).
- 🧤 Work gloves (metal edges of shelves and doors can be sharp).
- 📏 Level (for checking the horizon after installation).
It is important to note that some models are equipped with a system SmartDeviceBox or complex electronic control modules located in the door. In such cases, special care is required when disconnecting wiring harnesses.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to unplug the refrigerator and remove all shelves and drawers. A door without a load is much lighter, but even it can fall if you do not hold it while unscrewing the hinges.
Dismantling top panel and top hinge
The process starts from the top of the refrigerator. If you have a model with a freezer on top, the work will start from there. If the refrigerator is two-chamber with a bottom freezer, you need to start with the main compartment. The first step is always to remove the decorative cover of the top panel.
The cover is usually held on by latches or small screws hidden under plastic plugs. Carefully pry off the plugs with a slotted screwdriver. Proceed without fanaticism: the plastic of older models can be fragile. After removing the cover, access to the upper fastening unit will open.
It is important here to fix the door correctly. Have a helper hold the door leaf so it doesn't fall as you loosen the bolts. Unscrew the top hinge mounting bolts, but do not remove it completely yet. First you need to ease the load on the structure.
After removing the top bolts, you can dismantle the hinge itself. Pay attention to the washers and bushings - they cannot be lost, and they must be installed strictly in the same order and position in which they were originally located. Violation of the assembly sequence of the rolling mechanism will lead to creaking.
Removing the door and rearranging the fittings
Now that the top hinge is freed, you can remove the door. Gently lift it up to remove the lower axle from the hub and set it aside in a safe place. At this stage, the lower hinge becomes visible, which also needs to be moved to the opposite side.
The lower support is often hidden under the base panel of the refrigerator. Remove the panel (usually it is held in place by clips or two screws at the front). You will see a lower awning. Unscrew it and move it to a symmetrical hole on the other side of the body.
The door handle requires special attention. On many models Liebherr the handles are asymmetrical or have hidden fasteners. To rearrange:
- 🖐️ Find hidden screws (often they are located under the decorative trims at the end or inside if it is a mortise handle).
- 🔄 Remove the handle and move the plugs into the vacated holes to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
- 🔩 If the handle is solid and symmetrical, simply turn it over or rearrange the fasteners using the holes on the other side.
Don't forget about the plugs! In the holes that are free on the old side, you need to insert the plastic plugs included in the kit, or those that were unscrewed from the new side. This will protect the metal from corrosion.
Installing the door on a new side
After preparing the body and rearranging the lower support, it is time to put the door in place. Install the lower door pin into the bushing of the rearranged lower hinge. Make sure that the door is level and vertical.
Now you need to secure the top hinge. Here lies an important nuance: complete with a refrigerator or in a set of accessories there is often a special mounting sleeve or extension for the axle. It is needed to fix the door in the slightly open position or strictly vertically while tightening the bolts.
When installing the top hinge, make sure that the axle fits into the door hole. If the axle doesn't fit, don't force it - check to see if the seal is in the way or if the bottom is aligned correctly. Tighten the top hinge bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet.
☑️ Check before final tightening
Perform the final tightening of the bolts only after making sure that the door hangs level. A misalignment of even 1-2 millimeters can lead to the refrigerator no longer closing tightly.
Features of models with a display and electronics
Owners of series models Premium or Comfort with a display on the door will have to face an additional stage - reconnection of loops. The electronics in the doors Liebherr are connected through connectors located in the upper part.
When removing the door, you cannot simply “pull” it down. You must first carefully disconnect the wire connectors. They can be secured with additional latches. After moving the door to the other side, the wires will need to be laid along a new path.
Usually, the refrigerator body has special channels or clips for laying the cable along the new side. Important:
- ⚡ Do not bend the wires at an acute angle.
- 🚫 The wires should not fall into the movement area of the loops or seal.
- 🔌 Make sure that the connectors snap into place until you hear a characteristic click.
⚠️ Attention: If you are not confident in your skills in working with electronics or are afraid of damaging the fragile contacts of the display, it is better to limit yourself to mechanical rearrangement and entrust the connection of electronics to a specialist. An error may lead to a malfunction of the control board.
In some models, the cables are long enough for relocation; in others, extension may be required, which is already a complex repair. Estimate the length of the harness in advance.
Adjusting and checking tightness
After installing all the elements, the fine-tuning stage begins. Even with careful work, the door may hang crookedly. To adjust the height, use the legs of the refrigerator or the adjusting bolts on the bottom hinge (depending on the model).
Check the operation closer (if any). The door should attract itself in the last sector of opening. If this does not happen, the hinge may be skewed or the seal is interfering with movement.
Compare your actions with the table of problems:
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not close on its own | Tilting the body back is not enough | Unscrew the front legs of the refrigerator |
| A squeak is heard | Friction metal hinges | Lubricate the hinges with silicone grease |
| The gap between the door and the body | Distortion when installing the hinges | Loosen and re-tighten the bolts |
| The door touches the shelves | Incorrect installation of drawers | Check the drawer guides |
How to check the tightness without special devices?
Take a sheet of A4 paper. Clamp it with the refrigerator door around the perimeter. The sheet should be pulled out with noticeable force. If it falls out or moves freely, the tightness in this place is broken, and you need to adjust the hinges or change the seal.
Nuances for built-in Liebherr models
If you own a built-in refrigerator Liebherr, the process is complicated by the presence of furniture facades. Here it is critically important not only to rehang the refrigerator door, but also to correctly rearrange the heavy furniture panel.
The facades are attached through a system of guides. When rearranging, you need to be extremely careful with the weight - a furniture door is much heavier than a metal door. Often a special mounting template or corners are required, which are included in the kit.
The key point is adjusting the gaps between the facade and adjacent cabinets. After rearrangement, the gaps may become asymmetrical. Use the adjusting screws on the hinges of the facade to align the visual appearance of the kitchen.
Remember that the design of the hinges of built-in models is more complex, and the risk of damaging the mechanism if handled improperly is higher. If your model has a system SlidingDoor (sliding door), make sure that the runners are installed level.
Do you need to change the opening side if the refrigerator is against the wall?
Yes, that makes sense. If the handle rests against the wall or adjacent set, opening the refrigerator becomes inconvenient, and the opening angle may be limited. Rearranging the door will allow you to swing it open a full 90-115 degrees, providing full access to shelves and drawers.
Is it possible to lose the warranty when re-hanging it yourself?
In most cases Liebherr does not void the warranty for re-arranging the doors yourself if there was no work involved in the process parts are damaged (threads are torn off, plastic is broken, cable is damaged). However, if you call a warranty technician because the hinge is broken, and there are signs of tampering, questions may arise. Save all screws and plugs.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close tightly?
Most likely, the geometry is broken. Check whether the refrigerator itself is level (use a level). Then check whether the seal does not lift when closing. Sometimes heating the seal with a hairdryer (carefully!) or re-adjusting the position of the top hinge helps.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
Plugs are a consumable item, but it’s a shame to lose them. They can be ordered at authorized service centers Liebherr according to the model number of your refrigerator. As a last resort, the holes can be sealed with a decorative sticker in the color of the case, although this is less aesthetically pleasing.