Changing the side of the door opening is often a necessary procedure when remodeling a kitchen or buying new furniture, when the standard location of the refrigerator becomes inconvenient. Owners of domestic brand equipment Biryusa can perform this operation themselves, without calling a technician, if they follow the sequence of actions and safety precautions. The main difficulty lies in the correct dismantling of the fasteners and careful transfer of the fittings so as not to damage the enamel or plastic elements.
Before starting work, you need to clear the space around the unit and prepare a set of tools, which usually includes a Phillips screwdriver, wrenches and, possibly, a knife for prying off the plugs. Important to rememberthat the design of the hinges may differ depending on the specific model and year of manufacture, so a visual inspection of the fastening unit is required. Correctly performed re-hanging will ensure the durability of the seal and a tight fit of the sash to the body.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
For high-quality work, you will need a minimum set of home craftsman, which can be found in any garage or toolbox. The main tool will be Phillips screwdriver (usually PH2 size), since most of the screws in the Biryusa design have just such a slot. You may also need open-end wrenches with a diameter of 8, 10 or 13 mm to unscrew the hinge bolts if they are not hidden under decorative caps.
It is recommended to prepare a soft backing in advance, for example, a folded blanket or a piece of thick cardboard, where you can safely put the removed door. Refrigerator Before starting manipulations, you should disconnect from the power supply and completely defrost if there is ice left inside, so that water does not get on the electrical contacts when tilting the case.
- 🛠️ Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers for removing fasteners.
- 🔧 A set of wrenches or a head with a wrench.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧼 Rags for wiping holes and removing old grease.
⚠️ Attention: All work on mechanical disassembly of the case must be carried out only with the power supply completely disconnected from the mains to avoid short circuits.
Make sure that the floor in the work area is level and clean so that the refrigerator does not move during the process of removing heavy elements. If the model is two-chamber, it is better to carry out the work with an assistant, since the doors can be quite heavy and bulky.
Dismantling the top door and removing the top hinge
The process begins from the top of the refrigerator, where the main supporting hinge is usually located. The first step is to remove the decorative plug that hides the mounting bolts; it can be located at the end of the door or directly on the top panel of the housing. Carefully pry up the plastic cover with a flat-head screwdriver, being careful not to scratch the glossy surface, and set it aside.
Once you have access to the fasteners, loosen the top hinge bolts, but do not remove them completely yet so that the door does not fall sharply. Fixing the position The door is critical at this point, so ask an assistant to hold it or use a stop. Then completely unscrew the screws and remove the metal hinge plate along with the bushing.
☑️ Removing the upper part
Now you can carefully lift the upper door and remove it from the lower pin, putting it in a safe place. In the vacant space on the top panel of the case you will see holes that in the future will need to be closed with plugs on the other side. Inspect the hinge axis for scoring or corrosion, if necessary, clean it with a rag.
Removing the bottom door and dismantling the middle hinge
If your refrigerator Turkish has a two-chamber, the next step is to work with the bottom door of the freezer. The middle hinge design often includes a pin on which the lower door rests and fasteners that connect it to the frame. First you need to remove the decorative panel or plug hiding the bolts securing the middle hinge to the side wall.
Unscrew the fastening bolts holding the middle hinge and remove it. On some models, the lower door pin is part of this hinge, so it will come off with it. After this, the lower door can simply be lifted and removed, since it no longer holds anything.
| Element | Type of fastener | Tool | Nuances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Cross bolts | Screwdriver PH2 | Hidden with a plug |
| Middle hinge | Bolts + pin | 10 mm key | Holds the bottom door |
| Bottom support | Adjusting sleeve | 13 mm key | Requires settings |
Inspect the lower support mechanism, which is often a threaded bushing. It is this element that allows you to adjust the height and blockage of the door. When moving to the other side, this mechanism will also require moving or reconfiguring.
Rehanging the handles and moving the fittings
The most time-consuming stage is moving the handles and rearranging the plugs. Handles on Biryusa refrigerators are usually fastened with screws on the inside of the door, access to which opens after removing the decorative trims. You will need to unscrew the fasteners, remove the handles and install them on the opposite side, where the mounting holes should already be prepared, closed with plastic plugs.
Plastic plugs from the holes where the handles stood, you need to remove them and install them in new holes on the opposite side. If the plugs are of different shapes or colors (for example, metal or plastic), make sure that you place them correctly so as not to ruin the aesthetics. In some older models, the holes may be blind, and then there is no need to drill new ones - the elements are simply rearranged.
What to do if the holes do not match?
In most modern Biryusa models, holes for handles and hinges are provided on both sides initially. If you find that there are no holes on the required side, check the instructions for your specific model - perhaps this modification does not provide for overhang structurally.
Do not forget to also move the magnetic lock or the mate of the latch mechanism, if it is located on the body and not built into the handle. To do this, you may need to remove the side panel or cover covering the end of the case.
⚠️ Attention: When moving the handles, do not overtighten the screws, as the plastic may crack and the threads in the metal sleeve may break.
Installing the hinges on the new side
Installation starts from the bottom up. First, install the lower support sleeve or hinge on the new side, securing it with the standard fasteners. Then put the bottom door on the pin (or install the middle hinge with the pin if the structure is solid) and fix the middle part.
When installing the top door, it is important to correctly align the holes in the end of the door with the holes in the top hinge. Insert the hinge pin into the door hole, lift the structure and attach it to the refrigerator body. Secure the top hinge with the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet to leave room for adjustment.
- 🔩 Install the bottom support and secure it.
- 🚪 Hang the bottom door and check the free movement.
- 🔝 Install the middle and top hinges, aligning the holes.
- 🔧 Fix all the bolts, leaving a small gap for editing.
Check the horizontal installation of the hinges. If the hinge is skewed, the door will open spontaneously or, conversely, will not close completely. Use a building level for control, if possible, or focus on visual symmetry relative to the body.
Adjusting gaps and tightness
After installing all the elements in place, it is necessary to make final adjustments. Loosen the top and middle hinge mounting bolts slightly and try to close the door. It should fit evenly around the entire perimeter of the body. If a skew is noticeable, slightly move the hinge in the desired direction and tighten the bolts again.
Tightness of fit The seal is checked by a simple test: close the door with a sheet of paper and try to pull it out. At different points of the perimeter, the paper should be pulled out with the same force. If it holds weakly at the top and strongly at the bottom, you need to adjust the position of the top hinge.
Adjust the height of the refrigerator legs. For proper gravity closure, the body must be tilted slightly backwards. Tighten the front adjustable supports so that the back is slightly lower than the front.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the hinges and the presence of holes for hanging depend on the specific series. In some budget models, holes may only be on one side.
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them
One of the common errors is the loss of fasteners. Small bolts and washers easily get lost in the carpet pile or roll under the refrigerator. To avoid this, use a magnetic tray or jar to store all the removed parts. Also, users often forget to rearrange the plugs, leaving unsightly holes in sight.
Another problem is overtightening of the bolts, which leads to deformation of the hinge metal or stripping of the threads. Tighten the fasteners with moderate force, using a ratchet with a limiter or simply controlling the force of your hand. If the door creaks after assembly, lubricate the rubbing elements of the hinges with a small amount of lithium grease.
If you notice that the door is warped even after adjustment, perhaps the door itself was deformed during transportation or previous installation. In such cases, it may be necessary to replace the seal or level the leaf.
Do I need to call a technician to rehang the door?
In most cases, calling a technician is not required, since the procedure is technically simple. However, if you are not confident in your abilities, are afraid of damaging the enamel, or the refrigerator model has a complex electronics system on the door (display, buttons), it is better to contact the service center.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
Plugs can be ordered at the Biryusa service center or you can select universal analogues in furniture fittings stores. Temporarily, the holes can be sealed with a decorative sticker in the color of the case to prevent dust and moisture from getting there.
Is it possible to rehang the door if there is a display on it?
If the display and control panel are located on the door, rehanging is possible, but requires extreme caution. It is necessary to carefully disconnect the power and control cables before removing the door so as not to break the wires. The length of the cables usually allows for rearrangement, but the margin may be minimal.
Why does the door not hold and open on its own?
Most likely, the angle of the body is broken. The refrigerator should be tilted slightly backwards so that the center of gravity of the door shifts towards closing. Adjust the front legs by unscrewing them to raise the front of the unit.
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
Re-hanging the door yourself, if it is provided for by the design and does not require breaking seals or drilling new holes, usually does not affect the warranty. However, if during the process plastic elements are broken or threads are torn off, the warranty case for these components may not be recognized.