The situation when standard opening of the refrigerator door becomes inconvenient due to the peculiarities of the kitchen layout is familiar to many owners of household appliances. It often happens that Beko refrigerator, purchased with right-hand opening, no longer fits into the new interior or interferes with the passage, requiring immediate reinstallation of the hinges. Unlike simpler models, modern units of the Turkish brand are equipped with complex hinge systems and magnetic seals, which require careful handling during dismantling.
The process of changing the opening side or completely replacing the door leaf is a task that is quite within the capabilities of a home craftsman who has a basic set of tools and attentiveness to details. Beko engineers provided for the possibility of such modification for most series, including the popular CN, RC and GN lines. However, ignoring the sequence of actions can lead to damage to the aesthetic coating or violation of the seal of the camera.
In this article we will analyze in detail how to properly prepare the equipment, what nuances it has hinge mechanism in various modifications and what to pay special attention to during the final adjustment. You will learn how to avoid common mistakes that beginners often make when trying to save time on preparing the workplace.
Preparation for work and the necessary tools
Before taking active steps, you need to organize a safe workspace and prepare all the tools. You will need a set hex keys (usually in metric sizes), since they are the ones most often used to attach the hinges in the technique Beko. It would also be a good idea to have a flat-head screwdriver on hand to carefully remove decorative plugs and plastic elements of the case.
Be sure to clear access to the refrigerator from all sides in order to be able to walk around it. Remove all shelves, drawers and containers from the door you plan to remove to reduce its weight and prevent glass elements from accidentally falling off. If you change the opening side, make sure that you have free space on the opposite side for temporary placement of the removed elements.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to carry out work on dismantling the doors without disconnecting the refrigerator from the power supply. Even a short-term closure of the contacts of the door opening sensor or the No Frost system, if the wires are handled carelessly, can damage the electronic control module.
Dismantling the top hinge and removing the door
The process should always begin with the top hinge, since it is this that holds the main weight of the door leaf. Depending on your model of the Veko refrigerator, the top hinge may be hidden under a decorative plastic cover or open. Carefully pry off the cover with a flat-head screwdriver, being careful not to use excessive force so as not to break the plastic latches.
Use a wrench of the appropriate size to unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge. Here If the bolts do not give way, do not use force with a jerk - it is better to treat the threads with penetrating lubricant and wait a few minutes.
After the fasteners of the upper hinge are removed, do not rush to immediately remove it from the body. The door is now only supported by the bottom hinge and may be unstable. Have a helper hold the door so it doesn't fall on your feet and damage the flooring. Carefully lift the hinge and remove it from the guides.
☑️ Preparing to remove the door
Features of the bottom hinge and the No Frost system
The lower part of the door in refrigerators Beko is often equipped with additional elements, especially when it comes to models with the system No Frost. These designs may have air ducts or sensor wires running through or near the bottom loop. When removing the bottom of the door, be extremely careful not to damage the fragile plastic air ducts.
If your model has a bottom freezer, then the process of removing the bottom door is similar to removing the top, but requires first removing the base panel of the refrigerator. The base is usually secured with latches or screws hidden under a decorative trim. After removing the base, access to the lower support loop opens.
What to do if the bolts are rusty?
If the fasteners of the lower hinge are heavily oxidized and cannot be unscrewed, do not try to tear them off by force, so as not to damage the threads in the case. Apply a generous amount of WD-40 or similar, wrap the bolt in a cloth soaked in solvent, and let sit for 30 to 40 minutes. Warming up the bolt with a hair dryer also helps, but be careful with plastic parts nearby.
In some cases, it may be necessary to disconnect the wires going to the door sensor or display, if it is located on the door leaf. Before disconnecting the connectors, be sure to photograph their position or mark it with a marker so as not to confuse the contacts during assembly. Electrical diagram must be restored exactly to the millimeter.
Re-hanging the handle and rearranging the plugs
One of the most noticeable parts of the procedure is moving the handle to the opposite side of the door. In most models Beko the handle is attached to hidden screws, access to which is opened after removing the decorative trims or through special holes. Use a Phillips screwdriver or a hexagon to free the handle.
After dismantling the handle, there are holes on the old side that need to be closed. Plastic plugs are usually included with the refrigerator, but if they are lost, you can order them from the service center or make them yourself from a suitable material, choosing the color. On the new side where the handle will be transferred, holes may also be required, which are often closed with factory plugs.
| Element | Action when changing sides | Required tool |
|---|---|---|
| Top hinge | Rearrangement to the opposite side | Hexagon, key |
| Bottom hinge | Replacement of the axis or complete rearrangement | Set of keys |
| Door handle | Dismantling and installation on the other side | Screwdriver, hexagon |
| Plugs | Rearrangement to vacated holes | Flat screwdriver |
It is important to ensure that when installing the handle in a new place, the screws are tightened evenly. If you tighten one screw more than the other, the plastic of the handle may crack or deform, which will lead to a loose fit and the appearance of play. The symmetry of the handle fastening directly affects the ergonomics and durability of the unit.
Installing the door on a new side
The door is installed on the new side in the reverse order of dismantling. First, the lower support loop (or axle) is installed in a new location. Make sure that it sits tightly in the seat and is secured with fasteners. If the design provides for height adjustment, do not clamp it all the way yet.
Then carefully slide the door onto the lower axis, holding it vertically. This is the most crucial moment that requires coordination of actions if you are working without an assistant. Align the holes on the top of the door with the holes for attaching the top hinge on the refrigerator body. Insert the bolts by hand without fully tightening them.
After installing the top hinge and pre-fixing all the bolts, check the operation of the door. It should open and close smoothly, without squeaks or jams. If the door is warped or does not fit tightly, an adjustment step will be required, which will be discussed below. Do not ignore this step, as incorrect installation will lead to loss of cold and increased load on the compressor.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the door, make sure that the rubber seal does not wrap inside the chamber. If the magnetic tape comes out of the groove, the seal will be broken and the refrigerator will stop freezing, working in enhanced mode.
Adjusting the gaps and tightness
The final and, perhaps, the most important step is adjusting the position of the door. Refrigerators Beko are provided with adjusting screws on the bottom and sometimes on the middle hinge, which allow you to change the height and angle of the door leaf. To adjust, you may need a hex wrench or an open-end wrench, depending on the model.
If the door does not close tightly or there is a gap between the body and the seal, try loosening the hinge slightly and moving the door in the desired direction. Movements should be minimal, literally a fraction of a millimeter, after which the result should be checked. Excessive tightening can lead to deformation of the hinge metal.
It is also worth checking the operation of the closer, if it is provided for in the design. The door should itself be attracted to the body when opened at an angle of less than 30-40 degrees. If this does not happen, the refrigerator may not be level. Use a building level and adjustable supports on the legs of the refrigerator to achieve the correct tilt of the body back.
Why does the door slam?
If, after rehanging, the door begins to slam loudly when closing, check the tilt level of the refrigerator. The body should be tilted back slightly to allow gravity to assist in closing. If the refrigerator is tilted forward, the door will open on its own and slam shut with force.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
Even following the instructions, amateur craftsmen often make mistakes that can negate all the work. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of fasteners. The bolts from the top and bottom hinges may differ in thread length and diameter. The use of unsuitable fasteners can lead to destruction of the thread in the refrigerator body, which will require expensive service repairs.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the seal. When dismantling, the old, hardened rubber seal may lose its properties. If you notice cracks or loss of elasticity, it is better to immediately replace the sealing rubber with a new one, since the old one may not provide a tight seal after reinstallation.
- 🔧 Wrong tool: Using worn bits or keys leads to licking of the edges of the bolts, which makes further disassembly impossible without drilling.
- 🚪 Ignoring weight: An attempt to remove the door alone without fixing it often ends with the door hitting the floor or wall, which leads to chipped enamel and dents.
- 🧊 Tightness violation: Forgetfulness when connecting sensor wires or improper laying of No Frost air ducts leads to the fact that the refrigerator stops working cool.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close completely?
Most likely, the angle of the refrigerator is broken or the adjusting hinge screws are set incorrectly. Check whether the device is level and tighten the front legs so that the body leans back. Also check if there is anything inside (shelves, food) preventing it from closing tightly.
Is it possible to change the opening side on two-door Side-by-Side refrigerators?
In most Side-by-Side models from Beko, reversing the doors is impossible or extremely difficult due to the complex system of hinges and cables running inside. For single-compressor models with two doors (top-bottom), this procedure is standard, but for wide models it is better to refer to the official instructions.
Do you need to wait after turning on the refrigerator?
Yes, after completing the work and turning on the refrigerator, do not load the products immediately. Let the device run idle for 2-3 hours to reach operating temperature conditions and stabilize the pressure in the system.