Rearranging furniture or moving to a new kitchen often dictate their conditions for the location of the household technology. Owners of refrigerators Beko are faced with the need to change the side of the door opening in order to provide convenient access to products and maintain the ergonomics of the space. The design of most models of this brand provides for the possibility of rehanging, but the process requires care and adherence to the sequence of actions so as not to damage the seal or hinges.
Before starting work, it is important to understand that rehanging doors is not just a rearrangement of fittings, but a set of actions affecting balancing and tightness. Incorrect installation may result in a loose seal, which will cause the compressor to overheat and cause food spoilage. In this article we will analyze in detail the process of preparing, dismantling and installing elements on a new side.
It is worth noting that modern models Beko may have different types of handles and hidden hinges, so there is no universal scheme for all devices. However, the general principle remains the same: releasing fasteners, transferring fittings and final adjustment. It is critically important to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply before starting work, since in some models the door opening sensors can be electrified.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
The quality of the task directly depends on preparation. You will need a flat surface near where the refrigerator will be installed where you can temporarily rest the removed doors. Clear space in advance so that nothing interferes with the complete opening of the sashes during the dismantling process. Lack of haste and fuss is the key to success.
To work with refrigerator fasteners Beko usually a minimum set of tools is required. The standard kit includes a Phillips screwdriver (often PH2 size), a wrench (usually 8 or 10 mm) and a flathead screwdriver for prying up the plugs. Some models may require the use of hexagons, which are sometimes included with the equipment.
- 🔧 Phillips screwdriver for hinge and body screws.
- 🔩 Wrench or socket with a handle for bolts.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges metal.
- 🧼 Clean rags for wiping the fastening areas.
It is also recommended to prepare a container or magnetic substrate for folding screws. Small parts are easily lost during work, and finding a suitable bolt can take a lot of time. Preserving all original fasteners required, since they have a specific thread and length.
Removing the top panel and handle of the refrigerator
The process starts from the top of the device. The first step is to remove the top cover of the refrigerator, if it is structurally provided for in your model Beko. It can be secured with latches or screws located behind or under the trim strip. Carefully pry the bar with a flat-head screwdriver to gain access to the fasteners.
Next, remove the handle from the refrigerator door. Depending on the model, the handle can be screwed on the inside of the door or on the outside under decorative caps. If the screws are hidden, carefully remove the plastic plugs without using too much force to avoid breaking them. After unscrewing the fasteners, the handle can be easily removed.
⚠️ Attention: When removing handles and panels, proceed with caution; the plastic in older models can be fragile. Sudden movements can lead to cracks in visible elements of the case.
After removing the handle, you need to loosen the fastening of the upper hinge. Do not unscrew the bolts completely at once - just loosen them enough to be able to manipulate the door. If the model is equipped with a display or indicators on the door, make sure that the wire cables are of sufficient length for safe disconnection or transfer.
☑️ Preparation for dismantling
Removing the door of the refrigerator compartment
The most critical stage is the direct removal of the door. Since the top hinge has already been loosened or removed, the door is only supported by the bottom hinge or temporary stops. It is recommended to have an assistant hold the heavy door to prevent it from falling and damaging the floor or the door itself.
Carefully lift the door up, removing it from the bottom hinge pin. Some models Beko may have special shipping pins or bushings installed that need to be removed. Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface (for example, on a blanket or cardboard) with the outer side up so as not to scratch the coating.
Now you need to remove the mating part of the top hinge from the refrigerator body. Unscrew the screws completely and remove the metal plate. Clean the mounting area from dust and dirt that may have accumulated during operation. This will ensure a tight fit of the hinge after rearrangement.
- 🚪 Lift the door strictly vertically.
- 🛡️ Use a soft backing to lay the removed door.
- 🧹 Clean the seats from dirt before installation.
What to do if the door cannot be removed?
If the door cannot be removed, check whether the lower hinge mechanism is jammed. Sometimes a slight rocking of the door from side to side is required. Do not use force to avoid deforming the metal. In rare cases, it may be necessary to lubricate the hinge with a penetrating compound if it is rusty.
Rearranging the bottom hinge and freezer door
If your refrigerator Beko is a two-chamber one, the next step is to work with the bottom door of the freezer. The principle of operation is similar: first remove the handle, then loosen the middle loop (which is the top one for the freezer and the bottom one for the refrigerator). Remove the freezer door, being careful.
The bottom hinge, which is attached to the floor or base of the refrigerator, must also be moved. Unscrew the mounting bolts and move the metal support to the opposite side. Please note that in some models, the bolt holes may be closed with plastic plugs, which must be moved to the vacant spaces on the other side.
It is important to correctly install the lower hinge pin. It should fit into the corresponding hole in the housing tightly, without play. If the design includes adjusting washers for height, make sure that their number and location meet the requirements for the new opening side.
⚠️ Attention: When rearranging the lower hinge, make sure that it is installed in the correct position relative to the axis of rotation. An error in orientation may cause the door to open in the wrong direction or fail to close completely.
After relocating the bottom support, you can reinstall the freezer door in place. Slide it onto the bottom pin, then install the middle loop (which will now become the top one for the freezer). Fix the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet to be able to adjust.
Installing the doors on the new side and installing the hinges
Now that all the fasteners have been transferred to the new side, you can begin installing the doors. Start with the bottom door (freezer compartment). Install it on the bottom hinge, then put on the middle hinge and tighten the mounting bolts. Make sure the door is level and the gaps around the perimeter are approximately equal.
Then install the upper refrigerator door. Align the holes in the door with the holes in the middle hinge, insert the pin or mounting bolt. After this, install the top hinge on the refrigerator body and secure it. Now you can finally tighten all the bolts, moving from bottom to top.
Don't forget to move the handle to a new location. If there are holes left from the handle on the old side, they must be closed with special plugs, which usually come with the refrigerator Beko or are located in the egg niche/shelf. In some cases, the plugs are already installed on both sides, and they just need to be rearranged.
| Work stage | Action | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Disconnection from the network | Safety comes first |
| Dismantling | Removing the upper hinges | Hold the door by hand |
| Transfer | Repositioning the lower support | Check the installation level |
| Installation | Installing doors | Do not tighten the bolts immediately |
Adjusting the position of the doors and checking the tightness
After installing all the elements in place, it is necessary to carry out the final adjustment. Doors should close tightly and easily, without distortion. If you notice that the door does not fit tightly or, on the contrary, rubs against the body, you will need to adjust the height of the refrigerator legs or the position of the hinges.
Check the operation of the magnetic seal. Run your hand along the perimeter of the closed door - there should be no noticeable gaps or blows. You can use a simple test with a sheet of paper: press the sheet between the door and the body at different points. If the sheet is removed too easily or breaks with force, then adjustment is required.
In models Beko with a system No Frost it is especially important to ensure perfect tightness, since violation of the circuit will lead to constant formation of ice and increased load on the fan. If the door is skewed, try slightly loosening the hinge bolts, straightening the door and tightening them again.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjusting the door still does not close tightly, check whether anything inside the refrigerator (shelves, food) is interfering with the normal movement of the door. Also make sure that the refrigerator is installed on a level floor.
Plug in the refrigerator and let it run for several hours. Check to see if the side walls are becoming excessively hot (which may indicate that the compressor is constantly running due to a leak). Make sure that the light inside goes out when the door is closed.
What to do if, after re-hanging the door, it becomes harder to close?
This may be due to the fact that the seal has not yet “grown in” to the new position, or the hinges are tightened too tightly. Let the refrigerator sit closed for several hours. If the problem persists, slightly loosen the hinge screws and check that the door is parallel to the body.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator has a display installed?
Yes, it is possible, but the process becomes more complicated. It is necessary to carefully disconnect the display cable, move the control board (if it is built into the door) or move the wires through the top of the case. Extra care is required to avoid damaging the delicate contacts.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer, it is better to wait until it melts so that water does not get on the electrical contacts of the hinges or inside the body when the door is tilted.
Where should the holes from the handles on the old side be put?
Beko refrigerators usually come with plastic plugs (nickels) in the color of the body. They are inserted into the holes from the outside. If the plugs are lost, the holes can be closed with decorative stickers or plugs of a suitable diameter from a hardware store.