Many owners of refrigeration equipment are faced with a situation where the standard door opening configuration becomes inconvenient after rearranging furniture or changing the kitchen layout. Refrigerator Biryusa 118being a popular two-chamber model, it was originally designed with right-hand opening, which is the standard for most Russian apartments. However, redevelopment of the kitchen set or a specific location of doorways may require changing the opening side to the left-hand side.
The process of hanging the door in this model is technically possible and does not require calling a specialist if you have basic skills in handling the tool and are careful. It is important to understand that two-chamber system implies working with two separate door leaves and two sets of hinges, which increases the complexity of the task compared to single-chamber models. In this article, we will analyze each stage in detail in order to eliminate errors that could lead to leakage or damage to the housing.
Before starting work, you need to free up useful space around the unit, since you will need access from all sides of the device. Make sure that the floor is level and stable, and that the lighting allows you to distinguish small parts of the fasteners. Tightness of the seal directly depends on the quality of assembly and correct installation of the hinges after transfer, so haste is unacceptable here.
⚠️ Attention: Before any manipulations, be sure Unplug the refrigerator from the power supply. Working with electrical appliances under voltage is prohibited, and it is also necessary to allow the compressor to cool down if it has just been running.
To complete the task, you will need a standard set of tools, which are often already found in the household. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm), which comes with the equipment, or a set of open-end wrenches. You will also need a flathead and Phillips screwdriver to remove decorative caps and handles. Some modifications may require 8 or 10 mm wrenches to loosen the locknuts.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the hinges in different batches of the Biryusa 118 model may vary slightly. If you find that the fasteners do not correspond to the description, check the product data sheet or technical diagram on the inner wall of the refrigerator compartment.
It would be a good idea to prepare a container for storing small bolts and screws so that they do not get lost during operation. Since the doors are heavy, especially the bottom freezer, it is recommended to have a helper hold the door while unscrewing the hinges. This will prevent the door from falling and possible injury to your feet or damage to the floor covering.
The first stage of preparatory work is to completely release the door shelves and remove all removable elements that may interfere with access to the fasteners or fall when tilted. Remove all plastic containers, balcony shelves and glass inserts from the doors of both compartments. This will not only make the design easier, but will also protect fragile elements from chipping if they accidentally hit a jamb or floor.
Next, you need to open both doors and completely defrost the refrigerator if there is ice in it, although this is not a strict requirement for the rehanging procedure, it will make it easier to move the unit. Move refrigerator cabinet from the wall at a distance of at least one meter so that you can freely walk around it. Make sure you have all the necessary tools at hand so as not to interrupt the search process.
Carefully inspect the upper part of the body and the ends of the doors for the presence of decorative plugs. In the Biryusa 118 model they are usually made of plastic and cover the holes for the hinge screws. Carefully pry them off with a flathead screwdriver or knife, being careful not to scratch the paintwork. Under the plugs you will find mounting holes that are currently in use and empty holes reserved for the opposite side.
We start dismantling from the top door of the refrigerator compartment, since it blocks access to the bottom door fasteners in some configurations, although in Biryusa 118 you can often proceed sequentially. The first step is to remove the top decorative panel or plug covering the top hinge. Unscrew the mounting bolts holding the top hinge, but do not remove them completely until the door is secure.
After loosening the top hinge, carefully lift the door up to remove it from the bottom support axis. This action is best performed by two people: one person holds the door, the second unscrews the axle or fixes the position. Place the removed door in a safe place, having first removed the handle from it, if the design requires it. The handle on Biryusa 118 is usually attached with screws from the inside or hidden under a decorative overlay.
Now we move on to the bottom door of the freezer. The principle of operation is similar: remove the upper (intermediate) hinge, which is also the lower hinge for the first door and the upper one for the second. After removing the fasteners, carefully remove the lower door. It is important not to drop it on the floor, as an impact can damage sealing rubber or deform the metal of the case.
☑️ Dismantling door panels
After both doors have been removed, it is necessary to remove the hinges themselves from the refrigerator body. Remove all screws securing the top and intermediate hinges to the right side of the case. Save all hardware as it will be used for left side installation. Carefully inspect the removed hinges: in some Biryusa models the hinge axes are symmetrical, in others it is necessary to rearrange the pins or turn the hinges themselves 180 degrees.
If there are plastic plugs at the site of future installation (on the left), remove them and install them on the right side, where there will now be empty holes. This is necessary to preserve the aesthetic appearance and protect the internal thermal insulation from moisture. Metal bushings in the hinge holes may also require rearrangement if they are not universal for both sides.
Pay special attention to the door handles. In the model Biryusa 118 handles are often asymmetrical or have a specific grip profile. If the handles are asymmetrical, they must be moved to the opposite end of the door. To do this, unscrew the fastening screws on the inside of the door leaf, remove the handle and install it on the prepared holes on the other side. If the holes do not match, check the package: sometimes the kit includes additional plugs for the old holes.
⚠️ Attention: When rearranging the handles, make sure that the screws do not protrude from the front side and do not interfere with the door's tight fit to the body. Fasteners that are too long can damage the seal.
Now that all the elements are prepared, we begin assembly on the left side. Install the top hinge to the top left corner of the case by inserting the mounting bolts into the reserved holes. Do not tighten them all the way; leave a little play for later adjustment of the door position. This is a critical point, since misalignment of the hinges will lead to a loose fit.
Install the upper door of the refrigerator compartment on the lower axis of the upper hinge (if the design is composite) or on an intermediate hinge, previously fixed at the desired height. In the Biryusa 118 model, the intermediate loop often has a complex shape and must be correctly oriented relative to the cardinal points (left/right). Make sure that the hinge pin fits exactly into the hole at the end of the door.
Secure the top decorative panel or plug, if provided by the design. Check the freedom of movement of the upper door: it should open and close without jamming, and the magnetic lock (if equipped) should work at the right time. If the door is sagging or skewed, adjust the position by loosening and tightening the corresponding screws.
Tilt adjustment nuances
If the door closes by itself when it is not fully open, the refrigerator may be tilted back. Adjusting the legs will help correct this effect.
The final step is to install the bottom freezer door. Install the intermediate hinge (which is now the top hinge for the bottom door) into the corresponding left housing holes. Place the bottom door onto the hinge pin. Make sure that the axle is fully seated. Secure the structure with screws, but, as in the case of the upper door, do not tighten them completely.
After installing both panels, final adjustments must be made. Check the tightness sealing rubber along the entire perimeter. Gaps between the body and the rubber are unacceptable, as they will lead to loss of cold and freezing of ice. If you notice any leaks, try slightly loosening the hinges and adjusting the position of the door, then tighten the fasteners again.
Reinstall all previously removed shelves, containers and drawers. Plug in the refrigerator and let it run idle for 2-3 hours to reach operating mode. Only after this can you load products. On the first day, periodically check the temperature inside the chambers to make sure that the unit is operating correctly after manipulation.
| Work stage | Required tool | Execution time (min) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation and dismantling | Screwdriver, keys | 15-20 | Low |
| Rearranging hinges | Hexagon | 10-15 | Medium |
| Door installation | Assistant, keys | 15-20 | Medium |
| Adjustment and check | Level, sheet of paper | 10-15 | High |
One of the common problems after re-hanging is the door not closing tightly. This may be caused by the hinge screws being too loose or misaligned. Try the test method with a sheet of paper: clamp the sheet between the door and the body at different points and pull. If the sheet is removed too easily or, conversely, breaks with difficulty only in one corner, adjustment is required.
Another problem may be squeaking or jamming when opening. Often the reason lies in the fact that the hinge axis is not lubricated or dust got into the mechanism during installation. Use special lubricant for refrigerators or edible oil (as a last resort), placing one drop on the friction axis. Avoid using thick technical lubricants that can harden in the cold.
If the door is visually warped, but the screws are tightened, the door body itself may be deformed or the geometry during factory assembly is broken. In such cases, you can try to carefully bend the door in the opposite direction (only if you are confident in your abilities), but it is better to contact a service center. The model Biryusa 118 is characterized by a fairly strong construction, but the metal may have residual stresses.
During operation, it may be necessary replacing the seal if the old one was damaged during dismantling. Removing and installing new rubber is carried out similarly to the standard procedure, but requires special care in the corners. The corners of the seal in Biryusa often have a complex shape and must fit tightly in the grooves, otherwise the cold will escape.
Regularly check the condition of the hinges after rehanging during the first week. The metal may “settle” a little in the new place, and the fasteners will loosen. Tightening the screws during this period will help avoid misalignment in the future. Also make sure that the door does not slam too hard, as this can loosen the fastenings.
Do you need to remove the doors completely or can you simply rearrange the hinges?
In the Biryusa 118 model, the doors must be removed completely. The design does not allow rearranging the hinges while the door leaf is installed in place, since access to the mounting holes on the opposite side is blocked. Removing the doors is a mandatory step.
What to do if the holes for the hinges on the left side are covered with plastic?
The plastic plugs must be carefully removed. If there are no threads under them, it means that your modification does not have these holes (which is rare for Biryusa 118), or you need to use special bushings from the kit. Usually the thread is already cut into the metal of the body.
Is it possible to rehang only one door (for example, the bottom one)?
Technically this is possible, but not recommended. The asymmetrical arrangement of handles and visual imbalance will make the refrigerator uncomfortable to use. In addition, the opening direction is usually made the same for both chambers for ergonomics.
How to understand that the door is skewed and requires adjustment?
The main symptom is spontaneous opening or, conversely, closing too tightly. Also, misalignment is indicated by an uneven gap between the door and the body around the perimeter. Checking with a sheet of paper will help localize the problem.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that rehanging the doors on the Biryusa 118 refrigerator is a procedure available to every home craftsman. The main thing is to act consistently, do not lose fasteners and do not forget about safety. Properly performed work will extend the life of the unit and make its use in a new kitchen as comfortable as possible.