Rearranging furniture in the kitchen or changing the layout of the room often dictates new requirements for the location of household appliances. Owners of domestic units often wonder how to change the doors on the refrigerator Biryusaso that it opens in a convenient direction. This process, called re-hanging, is quite possible to do independently if you are careful and have a basic set of tools.
The design of these refrigeration units, especially classic models like KSh-120 or KShD-212, initially provides for the possibility of changing the opening side. However, in modern modifications with No Frost systems or complex electronics, the procedure may have its own nuances. Attentive study design before starting work will help avoid damage to the seal or plastic elements of the case.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for various types of units. You will learn what tools are needed, how to properly dismantle the old hinges and install them on the opposite side without breaking the seal of the camera. The main thing is to act consistently and not use excessive physical force where precision is needed.
Preparation of tools and workplace
Before you begin dismantling heavy structural elements, you need to clear the space around the unit. You'll need easy access on all sides so you can move around and put parts away easily. It is better to cover the floor with a soft material, since metal hinges and screws can scratch the coating or get lost in the carpet pile.
A basic set of tools usually includes a Phillips and flat-head screwdriver, as well as a wrench or 10 mm socket. In some models, the screws may be hidden under decorative plugs, which will require a thin tip to remove. Making tape will become your assistant for fixing the door while unscrewing the lower fasteners.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from electrical network! This is critically important for safety, especially if the model has a built-in backlight or an electronic display, the wires of which can be routed in loops.
It would not hurt to invite an assistant, since the door of the refrigerator Biryusa, especially the freezer, weighs quite a lot. Holding a heavy element with one hand and simultaneously unscrewing the bolts is extremely inconvenient and risky for your back. Prepare a container in advance for folding fasteners so that not a single screw is lost.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Design features of different Biryusa models
The re-hanging technology directly depends on the series of your refrigerator. Classic single-chamber models, such as Biryusa 6 or Biryusa 8, have a simple fastening system on two main hinges. Here the process takes a minimum of time and does not require disassembling complex components.
The situation becomes more complicated if you have a two-chamber unit with an upper freezer, for example, series 133 or 134. In such models there is often hidden hinge in the middle, which connects the doors to each other. In addition, in modern versions with the system No Frost display or lighting control wires can pass through the top hinge.
- 🔹 Classic models: simple hinges accessible from the outside, without electronics in the hinges.
- 🔹 Two-chamber models: the presence of an intermediate loop and a jumper between the cameras.
- 🔹 Models with a display: the need to disconnect power and control loops.
- 🔹 Built-in series: additional fastenings for the facade panel of furniture.
It is important to determine the type of handles on your device. If they are made in the form of recesses in the body, there will be no problems. If the handles are overhead and are attached with screws, they will also have to be dismantled and rearranged to the other side, having previously re-glued the hole plugs.
Step-by-step instructions for single-chamber models
The process of reversing the door on single-chamber refrigerators Biryusa most simple and understandable for beginners. First you need to remove the top hinge. To do this, carefully pry up the decorative plug (if there is one) and unscrew the fastening bolts. At this moment, the door must be held so that it does not fall.
After removing the upper fastening, the door can be freely removed from the lower axis. Carefully inspect the bottom hinge: often it has an asymmetrical shape or a pin that needs to be rearranged. Pin is a metal rod inserted into the hole in the case.
Sequence of actions:1. Unscrew the top hinge.
2. Remove the door from the lower axis.
3. Unscrew the bottom hinge and axle.
4. Move the axle to the opposite side.
5. Screw the hinge to a new place.
Then the door is placed in a new place, and the top hinge is installed on the opposite side. The housing usually has threaded holes on both sides, closed with plastic plugs. Don't forget to move the plugs to the vacated holes to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
Rehanging doors in two-chamber refrigerators
In two-chamber models, such as the popular Biryusa 135, the algorithm of actions requires greater consistency. Work always starts from the upper chamber (freezer). Remove the top cover if it covers the hinges, and remove the top fastening of the freezer door.
A special feature is the presence of a middle hinge that holds the main door of the refrigerator compartment. After removing the freezer, you need to unscrew the middle hinge. It is important not to lose the bushings and washers that can be installed between the hinges to adjust the gap.
| Work stage | Action | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preparation | Removing the plugs | Remember the location |
| 2. Upper chamber | Removing the upper hinge | Hold the door |
| 3. Middle part | Removing the central hinge | Do not lose the bushings |
| 4. Rearrangement | Installation to a new side | Use standard holes |
| 5. Final | Adjusting the gaps | Checking the tightness |
After moving all the elements to the new side, reassemble the structure in the reverse order. Make sure the doors are not warped and close tightly all the way around. If a skew is noticeable, you may need to adjust the height of the legs of the refrigerator itself.
Nuances of working with electronics and displays
Modern models Biryusa with displays on the door require a special approach. In such designs, a wiring harness is often routed through the top loop. When removing the hinge, you cannot simply pull the door - you must carefully disconnect the connectors.
Electrical connectors can be snapped onto special latches. They need to be pressed out with your fingers or a thin screwdriver, avoiding jerking. After rehanging, the wires are laid in special channels or grooves on the new side so that they are not pinched.
⚠️ Attention: If you are not confident in your abilities when working with electrical components or see a complex system of cables, it is better to contact a service center. Damage to the wiring can lead to failure of the control system.
What to do if the wires are too short?
In some cases, the standard length of the wires may not be enough to move to the other side without tension. In such a situation, extension of the cable or careful reconnection inside the case is required, which is a complex technical task.
Make sure that the cables do not fall into the area of movement of the hinges, otherwise they may be cut or damaged when opening the door. Close all technological openings with plugs to prevent dust and moisture from getting inside the housing.
Adjusting and checking tightness
After installing the doors in a new location, you need to check the quality of fit of the seal around the entire perimeter. The door should close with a characteristic bang, but without excessive force. If you notice gaps through which cold can escape, adjustment will be required.
Often the misalignment is eliminated by tightening the adjusting bolts on the hinges or changing the height of the front supports of the refrigerator. By rotating the legs, you can achieve the ideal position of the case, in which the door will close even from a slight push under its own weight.
- 🔸 Check the tightness of the magnetic tape along the entire contour.
- 🔸 Make sure that the shelves on the door do not touch the case when opening.
- 🔸 Check the operation of the internal lighting and buttons (if any).
- 🔸 Let the refrigerator stand for 2-3 hours before turning it on if it has tilted more than 40 degrees.
To check the tightness, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door in different places: it should be pulled out with force. If the paper falls out freely or breaks with a sharp jerk, then additional adjustment of the door position is required.
Do I need to change the handles on the Biryusa refrigerator when re-hanging it?
Yes, if the handles are overhead and asymmetrical, they need to be rearranged. To do this, they are dismantled on one side and attached to the provided holes on the other side. The remaining holes are closed with decorative plugs, which usually come with the kit or are already installed on the case.
What to do if, after rehanging, the door does not close tightly?
First of all, check if anything is in the way from the inside (shelves, products). If there are no obstacles, try adjusting the height of the legs of the refrigerator or loosening the hinges to set the door level, and then tighten them again.
Is it possible to hang the door on the Biryusa No Frost refrigerator?
Yes, most No Frost models allow this. However, in such refrigerators, it is more common to see backlight or display wires passing through the loops. Be careful when disconnecting and stacking them.
Where can I get new plugs for holes if the old ones are lost?
Plugs can be ordered at service centers for repairing household appliances or found universal analogues in furniture fittings stores. They can also be carefully cut out of thick rubber or plastic, choosing a color to match the body.