The need to change the direction of opening the refrigerator door arises quite often, especially when rearranging kitchen furniture or changing the layout of the room. Equipment owners Biryusa often face the fact that the standard arrangement of handles and hinges becomes inconvenient in new conditions. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand allows you to perform hanging the door without calling a specialist.
This process requires attentiveness and the availability of a basic set of tools, but is not technically difficult. The main thing is to act consistently so as not to damage fittings and maintain the tightness of the seal. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of working with single-chamber and double-chamber models, and also pay attention to the features of dismantling the handles.
Before you begin physical impact on the unit, you need to prepare the workspace. You will need a clear area on the side of the refrigerator to place the removed door. It is also important to understand that at different stages of production Biryusa could use different types of loops, so a visual inspection of fasteners before starting work is required.
Preparation of tools and workplace
The success of the operation directly depends on how well you prepare. You don't need complex power tools; a standard DIY kit is enough. The main requirement is that all tools must be in good working order so as not to break the threads on the bolts.
For work you will need:
- 🔧 A set of open-end wrenches (most often sizes 10 and 12 mm).
- 🪛 Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers (for dismantling decorative elements).
- 🔩 8 mm wrench or socket (for some hinge models).
- 🧤 Work gloves (metal edges of doors can be sharp).
Be sure to clear space around the refrigerator. The door will have to be removed completely and set aside, so make sure that it does not rest against a wall or other object, which could lead to deformation case or chipping of the covering.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work on disassembling the refrigerator, be sure to disconnect it from the power supply! Remove the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of electric shock or accidental start of the compressor during manipulations.
Determine in advance which side you will hang the door on. Inspect the opposite side of the case: there should be technological holes closed with plugs. If there are no holes, then your model, unfortunately, overhanging is not structurally provided for.
Removing the top door (for two-chamber models)
If you have a two-chamber refrigerator Turk, work always starts from the top chamber. This is necessary to ensure the stability of the structure and consistent load relief. First you need to remove the decorative panel or plug covering the top hinge.
Using a flathead screwdriver, carefully pry off the plastic hinge cover. Be careful not to break the plastic clips. Under the cover you will see mounting bolts. They must be unscrewed with a suitable key. In some models, the bolts may be covered with additional plastic caps.
After the upper hinge bolts are unscrewed, it is too early to remove the door. It also rests on the middle hinge, which is common to both cameras or separates them. You will need an assistant to hold the door while you release the fasteners so that the heavy structure does not fall on your feet.
☑️ Removing the upper door
When the fastenings are loosened, carefully remove the top door from the middle hinge pin and set it in a safe place. Now access to the middle loop is completely open. Here it is important not to lose the pin and bushings if they are not welded to the hinge.
Removing the lower door and dismantling the hinges
After removing the upper module, we move on to the lower door. The principle of operation is similar, but there are some peculiarities. The bottom hinge is attached directly to the bottom of the refrigerator. Before unscrewing it, make sure that the door is not loaded with anything.
Unscrew the bolts securing the lower hinge. Remove the door from the bottom pin. Now you have two doors (or one if the model is single-chamber) and a freed body. Carefully inspect the removed hinges: they are often symmetrical, but may have specific protrusions for a particular side.
At this stage, it is necessary to remove all hinges from the refrigerator body. Unscrew the middle and lower supports. Inspect them: on the reverse side there are usually matching holes for mounting on the other side. If the hinges are asymmetrical, you may need to replace them or use mirror analogues, although Turquels this is rare.
⚠️ Attention: When removing hinges, pay attention to the presence of plastic bushings or washers. Don't lose them! These elements ensure that the door moves smoothly and is positioned correctly relative to the body.
Now that the body is completely free of hinged elements, you can turn the refrigerator over or tilt it (being careful) to gain access to the bottom for installing new supports. However, often it is enough to simply work from the side.
What to do if the bolts are rusty?
If the bolts do not come off, do not use excessive force so as not to strip the threads. Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 10-15 minutes. After this, you can try again. As a last resort, use heat, but be careful not to damage the enamel.
Rearranging handles and plugs
One of the most important steps is moving the handles. On refrigerators Biryusa handles can be built-in (embedded in the end of the door) or overhead. If you have overhead handles, they need to be removed from the inside of the door and screwed on the outside at the opposite end.
For built-in handles, the procedure is more complicated. It is often necessary to remove the entire door panel or use a special tool to remove the mechanism from the inside. The refrigerator usually comes with plastic plugs for the holes that remain on the old side.
Install the plugs on the vacated holes from the handles and hinges. This is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also protection from dust and moisture. The plugs should fit tightly, without gaps.
The table below will help you navigate the types of fastenings characteristic of different series:
| Model type | Arrangement of handles | Is transfer necessary? | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | Overlay on the side | Yes, on the other side | Phillips screwdriver |
| Hidden handle | Mutted into the end | Yes, rearrangement of the mechanism | Screwdriver/Screwdriver |
| Atlant-compatible | Vertical overhead | Yes, complete replacement of sides | Key 10 mm |
| Freezer compartment | Recessed | Often symmetrical | Flat screwdriver |
After transferring the handles, check their reliability. They should not wobble, since they bear the main load when opening. If the handle is loose, tighten the screws, but do not overtighten them to avoid cracking the plastic.
Installing hinges on a new side
Now we move on to installation. Place the bottom hinge in a new location (on the opposite corner of the bottom). Use the same holes that were previously covered with plugs. Tighten the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet - this will allow you to adjust the position of the door when hanging.
Install the middle hinge (for two-chamber models) on the new side. It is important to set the height correctly here. The middle hinge pin must be strictly vertical relative to the bottom one. If the hinge is skewed, the door will open spontaneously or, conversely, not reach the stop.
Place the lower door onto the lower hinge pin. Make sure she sits up straight. Then slide the middle hinge onto the bottom door pin and secure it to the body. Only after this can you hang the top door.
The final stage is installing the top hinge. Insert the pin into the hole in the top door and secure the hinge with bolts to the refrigerator body. Now that the entire structure is assembled, you can finally tighten all the bolts with a wrench.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when tightening the bolts on the body. The metal of the refrigerator body is quite thin, and too much pressure can deform the hole or damage the thermal insulation layer.
Adjusting the position of the doors and seal
After installing the doors, they may not hang perfectly straight. This is normal as the hinges have some play to adjust. Your task is to achieve a tight fit seal along the entire perimeter.
Check the gaps between the door and the body. They should be the same on top and bottom. If the door is skewed, slightly loosen the hinge bolts and, by rocking the door, move it to the correct position. Then tighten the fasteners again.
Pay special attention to the magnetic strip of the seal. It should fit evenly to the metal of the case, without gaps. If a gap has formed in some place, the cold will escape and the compressor will work without stopping. To check, you can use a sheet of paper: hold it with a closed door and try to pull it out. It should be pulled out with force along the entire perimeter.
If the door opens by itself or, conversely, is too tight, check the tilt of the refrigerator itself. For correct operation, the closer mechanism (if there is one) and gravity closure require that the refrigerator stand with a slight tilt back. The front legs are adjustable.
How to fix a dent on the seal?
If after installation there are dents on the magnetic tape from packaging or transportation, heat this area with a hairdryer at low temperature or fill it with hot water (80°C). The rubber will straighten out and restore its shape.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to re-hang the door on a Biryusa refrigerator with the No Frost system?
Yes, on most models Biryusa with the No Frost system, re-hanging is possible. However, these models may have electrical wires running through the door (for the display or lamp). In this case, you need to be extremely careful: disconnect the connectors before removing the door and carefully move the wiring harness to the new side so that they are not pinched.
What to do if the holes on the opposite side do not match?
If the technological holes are missing or do not coincide with the hinge fastenings, then this this particular model does not provide for overhang. This is often found in budget or narrow models. Trying to drill new holes can damage the insulation and damage the unit.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Complete defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if you plan to tilt the refrigerator for convenience, it is better to turn it off in advance so that the oil from the compressor does not flow into the circuit, and the water from the drain does not spill onto the floor.
Why does the door not close tightly after rehanging?
Most likely, the reason is incorrect adjustment of the tilt of the body or skewed hinges. Also check if anything inside is in the way (shelves, food) or if the edge of the rubber seal is curled during installation.