Owners refrigerators Beko often face the need to change the door opening direction when rearranging kitchen furniture or changing the layout of the room. This procedure does not require calling a specialist, since the design of the units allows for independent modification at home. However, to successfully complete the operation, it is important to strictly follow the sequence of actions and not to lose small fasteners.
Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare the work space, freeing the area around the refrigerator from foreign objects. Re-hanging the door is a process that requires attention to detail, especially when working with fragile fastening elements and closing mechanisms. Incorrect assembly can lead to a loose seal, which will negatively affect the energy efficiency of the device.
In this article we will look at a universal algorithm of actions applicable to most models of the Turkish brand, including two-chamber options. You will learn what tools you will need, how to dismantle the fittings and what to pay special attention to when installing hinges on the opposite side. Compliance with technology guarantees the maintenance of warranty obligations and the long service life of your device.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To do the job well, you will need a minimum set of tools, which are usually found in every home. The main tool will be hex wrench (most often 4 or 5 mm in size), which comes with the refrigerator or can be selected from a home craftsman’s kit. You will also need a flat-head screwdriver to dismantle the decorative plugs and remove the handles.
Be sure to clear space in front of the refrigerator to ensure free access to the ends of the doors from all sides. It is recommended to place a soft cloth or cardboard on the floor where you will place the removed parts, so as not to damage them or lose small screws. If you have a model with a bottom freezer, make sure you have a helper to hold the doors during dismantling.
☑️ Check before starting work
It is important to note that some models may require socket wrench or an 8 mm head if the hinges are bolted under nut. Before starting active operations, disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply by removing the plug from the socket to avoid accidentally turning on the compressor during work.
Removing the upper door and handle
The process begins with the upper chamber, since it is this that creates the main load on the structure when opened. The first step is to remove the decorative plug at the end of the door that covers the mounting holes. Usually it is easily pryed off with a flat-head screwdriver or simply removed with your fingers if it has special grooves.
After gaining access to the fastener, it is necessary to loosen, but not completely unscrew, the screws holding the upper hinge. Then carefully lift the door to remove it from the bottom hinge pin. At this moment top hinge is completely released, and it can be removed along with the decorative cover if it is structurally fixed to the body and not to the door.
Nuances of removing handles
On many Beko models, the handles are attached hidden screws under the decorative trims. If the handle cannot be removed with simple force, carefully inspect its end or inner part for the presence of hexagon holes. Removal may break the plastic.
Pay special attention to dismantling the handle. On different models Beko the fastening mechanism may differ: in some cases the screws are hidden under plugs on the handle itself, in others the fastening is done from inside the door leaf. Use hexagon to carefully unscrew the bolts holding the handle.
Removing the middle and lower hinges
After the upper part is dismantled, move on to the middle hinge, which connects the main and freezer chambers (in double-chamber models). The help of a second person will be required here, since the refrigerator door is heavy and may fall if not supported. One person holds the door, the second unscrews the bolts securing the middle hinge to the body.
After removing the middle hinge, carefully set the top door aside. Now it’s time for the bottom door of the freezer. The principle of operation is similar: remove the decorative elements, unscrew the fasteners of the lower hinge and remove the door. It is important not to lose stops and bushings, which may fall out during dismantling.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the hinges, monitor the position of the tubes and wires if your model of the refrigerator is equipped with an indication of door opening or a display on the case. In some cases, the wires may be laid inside the door leaf, and they will need to be carefully disconnected or repositioned.
If your model is equipped with a system No Frost, make sure that during dismantling you do not damage the air supply channels that may run near the hinge attachment points. It is better to immediately sort all removed bolts and washers into groups so as not to confuse their purpose during assembly.
Rearranging stops and latch mechanisms
A critically important step that is often missed is rearranging the stops and latch tongue. At the ends of the doors, on the opposite side of the current hinge, there are plastic plugs. They must be removed and installed in the place where the hinges were previously. This will provide an aesthetic appearance and protection of the internal cavities of the door.
The latch mechanism that secures the door in the closed position requires special attention. At the bottom of the door leaf and on the counter part of the body there are elements that need to be moved to the opposite side. This may require a Phillips screwdriver care so as not to break the plastic clips.
In some models, it is necessary to turn the lock tongue itself 180 degrees or move it into a symmetrical hole. If this is not done, the door will not lock in the closed position, which will lead to defrosting of the food. Check the movement of the mechanism several times before final assembly.
Installing hinges on the new side
Now that all elements are prepared, the installation process on the opposite side begins. Start by installing the bottom hinge in its new position, securing it with bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet so that you can adjust the position of the door. Install the bottom door of the freezer onto the hinge pin.
Next, install the middle hinge. Make sure it is oriented correctly as many hinges are asymmetrical and will only fit one side of the installation. Secure the hinge with bolts, having first placed the upper door on the pin with an assistant.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom hinge | Attachment to the body | Hexagon | Do not tighten until the door is installed |
| Middle hinge | Fixation of cameras | Hexagon / Key | Check the holes for alignment |
| Upper hinge | Complete installation | Hexagon | Requires precise adjustment |
| Plug decor | Installation on the other side | Hands | Close the old holes |
After installing all doors, check the fit seal around the entire perimeter. If you notice gaps, you may need additional adjustment of the height of the refrigerator legs or the position of the hinges. Adjustment This is done by loosening the fastening bolts and slightly moving the door in the desired direction.
Final assembly and tightness check
The final stage includes installing the handles in new places. To do this, at the ends of the doors on the new opening side there must be threaded holes closed with plugs. Remove the plugs, attach the handle and secure it with screws using hex wrench.
Be sure to check the operation of the doors: they should open freely, without creaking or jamming, and when released in a half-open state (about 30 degrees), they should close on their own or be held tightly by a magnet. Make sure that there are no gaps between the body and the seal through which cold can escape.
Plug in the refrigerator only after making sure that all fasteners are securely tightened and the doors are installed level. Allow the unit to reach temperature before loading food. If you notice a distortion, repeat the procedure for adjusting the hinges.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the hinges and the location of the mounting holes may vary slightly depending on the specific series of the Beko refrigerator. If you find that the holes do not line up, check the instructions for your model, as some modifications require the use of adapter bushings or have restrictions on overhang.
Common errors and how to fix them
One of the common mistakes is mixing up the sides of the middle hinge installation. Since it often has a complex geometric shape, trying to install it “as it happens” can result in the door being warped or not closing. Always focus on the shape of the pin and the mating bushings.
Also, users often forget to move the plastic stop or lock tongue to the opposite end. As a result, the door appears to be installed correctly, but does not lock in the closed position. Carefully inspect the ends of both doors before final assembly.
If after rehanging the door does not fit tightly, check if there is anything interfering with the seal (for example, a shelf or food packaging). Also make sure that the refrigerator is positioned strictly vertically; a slight tilt back helps the doors close themselves.
Is it possible to hang the door on a Beko refrigerator with a display?
Yes, you can, but it requires more caution. In such models, wires for the display and sensors often pass through the top loop. When dismantling, you must carefully disconnect the connectors (after photographing their position) and transfer the wiring harness to the other side, if the design allows it, or carefully lay them down so that they do not get pinched.
What to do if the hex key from the kit is lost?
Don’t be upset. Any standard hex key (imbus) of the appropriate size, which can be bought at a hardware store or found in a tool kit, will suit you. Typically the size used is 4mm or 5mm. The main thing is that the edges of the key sit tightly in the bolt so as not to tear off the head.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to defrost it in advance so that water does not flow out when the door is tilted and to lighten the weight of the structure. In addition, warm water will make it easier to remove a frozen seal if it interferes with access to the fasteners.
Why does the door not close completely after rehanging?
Most likely, the problem is that the latch tongue is installed incorrectly or that the hinge bolts are tightened too loosely and the door is warped. Also check if there is anything in the way on the shelves or in the door pockets. Sometimes it is necessary to adjust the height of the front legs of the refrigerator for the correct tilt angle.