Brand refrigerators Liebherr are deservedly considered the standard of reliability and durability, however, even the highest quality appliances may require redevelopment of the kitchen space. A situation often arises when the standard opening of the door on the right becomes inconvenient due to a narrow passage or the peculiarities of the furniture arrangement. In such cases, owners wonder whether it is possible to change the opening side of the sash themselves without calling a technician. Fortunately, the design of most models Liebherr provides for this possibility, allowing you to adapt the device to the individual requirements of the kitchen.
The process of hanging doors is a technically simple procedure, but it requires care and precision. Improper execution of actions can lead to sash distortion, damage to the seal or disruption of the self-closing system. That is why it is important to prepare everything necessary in advance toolkit and strictly follow the algorithm developed by the manufacturer’s engineers. In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of work, paying special attention to the specific aspects of various series of refrigeration equipment.
It is worth noting that before starting any manipulations, you must make sure that there is free space around the unit. You will need access to the side and top panels from all sides. It is also strongly recommended to enlist the help of an assistant, since the doors, especially in Side-by-Side models or with the NoFrostsystem, have significant weight. Ignoring this rule can lead to injury or a heavy sash falling to the floor.
Preparation of tools and workplace
The success of the operation depends 90% on quality preparation. You do not need specialized industrial equipment; a standard set of household tools that any man can find is enough. However, it is important that the tools are in good working order and fit the size of the fasteners so as not to tear off the bolt heads. Pay special attention to the condition of the screwdrivers: the working edges must be intact.
For work you will need the following items:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) or a screwdriver with the appropriate bits.
- 🔩 Wrenches (often required size 8 mm or 10 mm, It’s better to have an adjustable wrench).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧹 Soft rags for wiping surfaces and removing dust.
- 📦 Container for folding small parts so they don’t get lost.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! This is critical for safety since you will be working in close proximity to electrical components and wiring leading to sensors and lights.
Get some space in front of the refrigerator. Remove the rug, move the chairs away and ensure that you can freely walk around the unit from all sides. The floor must be level so that the refrigerator does not wobble during dismantling. If the floor is slippery, place a non-slip material under the legs of the device or ask an assistant to hold the body.
☑️ Checking readiness for operation
Design features of Liebherr doors
Refrigerators Liebherr are distinguished by a well-thought-out engineering design, but models of different years of production and different series may have significant differences in the fastening system. Modern models often use hidden mounting of hinges, which gives an aesthetic appearance, but requires a more delicate approach when disassembling. Older models may have a simpler and more open fastening system.
The key element is the hinge system. The top hinge usually fixes the position of the door and carries the main load, the middle (if it is in two-chamber models) separates the refrigerator and freezer compartments, and the bottom provides a support point. Some models provide a function self-closingimplemented through a special mechanism in the hinges or tilting the case, which must be taken into account when reinstalling.
Models with displays and electronic controls on the door deserve special attention. In such cases Liebherr provides special channels for laying cables inside the door leaf or body. When rehanging such doors, it is extremely important not to damage the wiring and to correctly reconnect the connectors if the design allows for their disconnection.
Nuances of hinges with a closer
In some premium models, the hinges are equipped with closers. When dismantling them, it may be necessary to first unlock the mechanism with a special stopper, otherwise the spring may suddenly straighten. Always check for the presence of a locking screw before removing the load from the hinge.
Removing the top and handle
The process should always start from the top down. This is the golden rule for disassembling any equipment, allowing you to maintain the stability of the structure at every stage. The first step is to remove the top decorative panel or cover, under which the top hinge is hidden. Depending on the model, it may be secured with latches or small screws.
If a handle is installed on the door, it also often needs to be removed or loosened to gain access to the hinge screws. The fastening elements of the handles can be hidden under decorative plugs. Carefully pry them off with a flat screwdriver, being careful not to scratch the surface. Liebherr can be hidden under decorative plugs. Gently pry them off with a flathead screwdriver, being careful not to scratch the surface.
After removing the decorative elements, the top hinge will open in front of you. Do not rush to unscrew all the bolts at once. Loosen them slightly first to get a feel for how tight they fit. If the model is equipped with a system SmartDevice or similar modules, check that the wiring does not pass through the hinge mounting area.
| Mounting type | Location | Tool | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| External screws | On top of the hinges | Screwdriver / Key | Visible immediately, easily accessible |
| Hidden bolts | Under the decor panel | Long bit | Requires removal of the cover |
| Latches | Around the perimeter of the cover | Flat screwdriver | Proceed with caution, plastic is fragile |
If you are working alone, use available means for support or ask someone to hold the door so that it does not fall on your feet or damage the floor.
Removing the door leaf and rearranging the hinges
After the upper hinge is freed from fasteners, the most crucial moment comes - removal door leaf. Grasp the door with both hands (one at the top, one at the bottom, or the handle if it is secure) and carefully lift it up, removing it from the bottom support pin. Sudden movements should not be made.
⚠️ Attention: The refrigerator door is heavy and difficult to grip. Make sure you have a firm grip before you completely remove the bottom pin from the support hole. Falling the door can deform the frame or break the floor.
Put the removed door in a safe place, it is best to place it on a soft surface (for example, a blanket or cardboard) with the outer side facing up so as not to scratch the front panel. Now you can move on to rearranging the fittings. You need to move the bottom support pin (or the entire bottom hinge) to the opposite side. For this purpose, the refrigerator body has symmetrical technological holes closed with plastic plugs.
Remove the plugs from the new side of the unit and close the holes vacated on the old side with them. This will preserve the aesthetic appearance and thermal insulation of the housing. Then transfer the top hinge and all accompanying elements to the new side, using the same holes, but from the opposite side. Tighten the bolts tightly, but not fanatically, so as not to strip the threads in the metal body.
Installing the door on a new side
Now that the hinges have been rearranged, you can place the door in its rightful place. It is more convenient to do this together: one person holds the door, the second controls the entry of the lower pin into the hinge hole. Carefully lower the door, making sure that the axle fits into the groove smoothly and without distortion.
After installing the canvas, you need to fix the top loop. Insert the mounting bolts and tighten them. At this stage, it is important not to completely tighten the fastenings - first you need to check the geometry of the fit. The door should open and close freely, without jamming, and when closing, fit tightly to the body along the entire perimeter.
If your model is equipped with an intermediate hinge (for two-chamber refrigerators), the process of rearranging it is similar: it is transferred to the opposite side at the same level. Make sure all screws are tightened evenly. Uneven tightening can cause the door to be warped and the seal will not provide a tight seal.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
After mechanical installation, the fine-tuning stage begins. The tightness of the refrigeration chamber is the key to proper operation of the compressor and saving energy. Rubber seal should evenly adhere to the body along the entire contour. Check this visually and tactilely by running your hand along the joint.
Often, after rehanging, adjusting the height of the door is required. For this purpose, an adjusting screw is provided in the lower hinge (or in the support). By rotating it, you can raise or lower the corner of the door, achieving a perfect fit. The gap between the door and the body when closed should be minimal and uniform.
There is a simple leak test: clamp a sheet of paper between the door and the body in different places and try to pull it out. If the paper is pulled out with noticeable force around the entire perimeter, the seal is working properly. If in some place the paper falls out freely, then there is a leak that requires further adjustment of the hinge.
Also check the operation of the system yourself