Changing the direction of door opening is one of the most popular procedures when rearranging kitchen furniture. Beko refrigerator designed so that most of its models allow you to perform this operation yourself, without calling a specialist. This saves time and budget, especially when the kitchen has already been assembled, and the appliances do not fit into the required opening because of the handle or hinges.
The process does not require unique professional skills, but implies accuracy and the presence of a basic set of tools. Loop mechanism The Turkish manufacturer is standardized, but depending on the series (Basic, NeoFrost, HarvestFresh) there may be nuances in the fastening of handles or the position of magnetic latches. The main thing is to understand the general logic of the device.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for different types of structures. You will learn how to properly dismantle the facade, move the fittings to the opposite side and avoid common mistakes that can lead to skewed fabric or damage to the seal.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Before starting work, you need to clear the space around the unit. Re-hanging the door requires access from all sides, including the rear part, where additional fasteners or stops are often located. Move the refrigerator away from the wall at a distance of at least 50-70 centimeters to be able to walk around it freely.
It is important to prepare all the tools in advance. Although the design does not require sophisticated equipment, the use of inappropriate items may result in stripped threads or scratches on the body. You will need:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead) - for removing decorative plugs and screws.
- 🔩 Wrenches or sockets (usually 8, 10 mm) - for the main hinge bolts.
- 🧤 Gloves - to protect your hands from sharp metal edges and contamination.
- 📏 Level - to check the horizontal installation after completion of work.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any manipulations, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This will eliminate the risk of a short circuit if the wiring leading to the lamp or display is accidentally damaged, and will also protect you from electric shock.
Take care of the soft floor covering in the work area. Refrigerator doors Beko are quite heavy, and their accidental fall can damage not only the floor covering, but also the appliance itself. Use thick cardboard, old carpet or special installation mats.
☑️ Preparing to rehang the door
Design features of doors in Beko models
Understanding how your model is structured is critical before starting disassembly. Refrigerators Beko are divided into several categories according to the type of cooling and the number of chambers. In models with a system NoFrost the door is often thicker due to built-in air ducts, which increases its weight and requires more reliable fixation of the top hinge.
In classic models with a drip system (“crying evaporator”), the design is simpler. It is important to pay attention to the position of the handle here. If the handle is asymmetrical, it will have to be dismantled and installed in new sockets, which can be closed with plugs. In some budget series, the handle can be a monolithic piece of plastic, which prevents its transfer without replacing the entire door.
Hidden plugs and their purpose
On the front side of the door there are often decorative plastic plugs. They cover the screw holes that are used for alternative door locations. Do not throw them away - after rehanging, they will be needed to close the vacated holes on the opposite side, maintaining an aesthetic appearance.
Two-chamber models deserve special attention. In them, the rehanging process affects both the upper (freezer) and lower (refrigerator) doors. The sequence of actions here is strictly regulated: first the top door is removed, then the middle one (if there is one), and only then the bottom one. The reverse order is observed during assembly.
| Model type Beko | Door weight (approximate) | Handle type | Nuances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single chamber (RC) | 10-15 kg | Hidden/Label | Simple design, minimum screws |
| Two-chamber (RCNE, RDNE) | 15-25 kg | Integrated | Requires removal of both doors |
| With display (GN) | 20-30 kg | Touch panel | Caution is required with wires |
| Side-by-Side | 35+ kg | Mortised | Working with two is recommended |
Models with an external display or control panel on the door require a special approach. Data loops are also connected to them. When removing such a door, you cannot simply “pull” it up - you must first carefully disconnect the connectors, first remembering or photographing their position. power cable and data loops. When removing such a door, you cannot simply “pull” it up - you must first carefully disconnect the connectors, having first remembered or photographed their position.
Dismantling the upper part and removing the door
We begin direct disassembly. The first step is always to dismantle the top hinge, since it is this that holds the bulk of the door leaf. In refrigerators Beko the top hinge is often closed with a decorative plastic cover. Carefully pry it off with a flathead screwdriver or your fingernail, being careful not to damage the latches.
After removing the plastic, you will see the mounting bolts. There are usually two or three of them. Use a suitable wrench (usually 8 or 10 mm) to unscrew them. Do not remove the bolts completely at once - loosen them to make sure that the mechanism is not “stuck”, and then unscrew it completely.
Now the most crucial moment is removing the door. It is only held on by the bottom hinge (or by magnets if the top one is already unscrewed, but Beko usually has a bottom pin). Important: Beko refrigerator doors are often fixed on a bottom guide pin, which can fit very tightly.
You will need an assistant. One person holds the door from below and from the side, the second carefully lifts it up, removing it from the lower axis.
The removed door should be immediately put aside in a safe place, placed on a soft surface with the outer side facing up. This will prevent the glossy finish from scratching or dents. If your model has wires going through the top hinge, carefully disconnect the connectors without pulling the wires themselves.
Moving hardware and lower supports
After the door is removed, you need to transfer the fastening elements to the opposite side. This primarily concerns the lower support sleeve or hinge. In the old places, it needs to be unscrewed and rearranged into pre-prepared threaded holes on the other side of the case. These holes are closed with plastic plugs that need to be removed.
Next we move on to the handles. If the model allows their transfer, unscrew the fastening screws from the inside of the door (often they are accessible through special holes or after removing the decorative trim). Install the handles into the symmetrical holes on the other edge.
- 🔨 Use a hammer with a rubber head to carefully hammer the new plugs into the vacated holes.
- 🧹 Clean the ends of the door from dust and old grease before installing new hinges.
- 🔩 Check completeness: have all the screws and washers been transferred to the new side.
⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse the length of the screws. The design of the refrigerator can use fasteners of different lengths for the upper and lower hinges. Using a long screw in a short hole can lead to breaking through the inner wall of the chamber and damaging the evaporator.
If you change the opening side on a two-chamber refrigerator, do not forget to reposition the middle hinge (the partition between the chambers). It is usually attached to the body and requires removal of both doors to access. The process is similar: unscrew, move into mirror holes, secure.
Installing the door in a new place
Now we return the door to its place, but from the opposite side. The process is reversed. First, we install the lower support or put the door on the lower pin (depending on the design of the specific series Beko). Make sure that the door sits tightly and evenly.
Then install the top hinge. Insert the bolts into the holes and begin to tighten them by hand so as not to strip the threads. Only after making sure that all the bolts are in their sockets can you tighten them with a wrench. The tightening should be strong, but without fanaticism, so that the metal of the loop does not burst.
If the model is equipped with wires, they are connected at this stage. Insert the connectors until you hear a characteristic click. Make sure that the wires are not pinched by the hinge body or touching moving parts. Place the bundles in the channels provided for them.
The final stage of installation is the installation of decorative elements. Close the holes from the old handle and hinges with the plugs included in the kit or left over from the previous side. Replace the plastic hinge covers.
Adjusting and checking tightness
After installation, be sure to check the operation of the door. It should not open on its own when the refrigerator body is tilted back, but it should not require excessive force to close. If you notice a distortion, it can be eliminated by adjusting the height of the legs of the refrigerator or tightening the hinges (if the design allows).
Checking the tightness is a critical stage. Take a sheet of A4 paper. Clamp it with the refrigerator door around the perimeter. The paper should be pulled out with force. If it falls out or comes out too easily, it means the seal is not tight. This will lead to loss of cold and ice freezing.
In some cases, after re-hanging, it may be necessary to “grind in” the seal. To do this, you can warm up the rubber circuit with a hairdryer (without overheating!) or simply close the door tightly for several hours. The refrigerator Beko will begin to gain temperature, and the self-defrosting system (if equipped) will enter operating mode.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to hang the door if the refrigerator has a display?
Yes, It is possible, but it requires extreme caution. You will have to disconnect the control cables. The main thing is not to damage the thin contacts of the connectors and snap them back correctly. If you are not confident in your abilities with electronics, it is better to call a specialist.
What to do if the holes for the hinges do not match?
In original Beko refrigerators, the holes are always symmetrical. If they don't match, you may be trying to install a door from a different model or using the wrong holes. Check the instructions for your specific series. In rare cases (non-standard modifications), re-hanging may not be possible.
Do I need to wait after turning on the refrigerator?
After re-hanging the door and turning on for the first time, the refrigerator needs time to stabilize the temperature (usually 2-4 hours) before loading food. This is a standard procedure for any equipment of this type.
Will the warranty be lost after re-hanging it yourself?
According to the law, independent repair or modification (like re-hanging a door) does not void the warranty on the main components (compressor, evaporator) if you have not damaged them in the process. However, if you break the thread or break the door, this case will not be covered by warranty.