The need to change the direction of opening the door of a refrigeration unit often arises when remodeling a kitchen or purchasing a new model that does not fit into the existing interior. The owner of household appliances Biryusa faces the question of how to flip the door when the standard opening on the right becomes inconvenient due to the location of the furniture or doorway. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand allows you to perform this operation yourself, without resorting to the services of service centers.
The rehanging process requires accuracy, a minimum set of tools and an understanding of the structure of hinge mechanisms. It is important to understand that rehanging the door this is not just a rearrangement of handles, but a complete rearrangement of hinged units, including upper and lower fastenings. Errors at the dismantling stage can lead to skew of the canvas and disruption of the seal of the chamber, which is critical for the safety of products.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for various modifications of refrigerators Biryusa. You will learn how to properly prepare the workplace, what nuances exist in models with the system No Frost and how to avoid common mistakes during installation.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
Before taking active steps, you need to free up the space around the refrigerator. You will need access from all sides of the unit, as sometimes you have to walk around the unit to check the position of the hinges. Free up shelves and drawers to reduce the overall weight of the structure and prevent objects from falling when the case is tilted.
To work, you will need a standard DIY kit. The main tool will be set of screwdrivers (cross and flat) and possibly a wrench or 8 or 10 mm socket, depending on the year of your model. It is also recommended to prepare a container for folding fasteners so as not to lose small screws during work.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Remove the plug from the outlet to eliminate the risk of electric shock if you accidentally damage the wiring or door switch contacts.
Take care to protect the floor covering. The refrigerator door is a heavy element, and falling it or moving it carelessly can damage the laminate or linoleum. Cover your work area with thick cardboard or old cloth. Make sure you have a second person to help, as removing a heavy door Turk alone is inconvenient and risky.
☑️ Tools for hanging the door
Removing the top main compartment doors
The process begins from the top of the refrigerator compartment. First of all, you need to remove the decorative plugs if they cover the top hinge mounting bolts. Carefully pry them off with a flathead screwdriver or knife, being careful not to scratch the plastic of the case. Under the plugs you will find bolts securing the hinge.
Using an appropriate wrench, remove the upper hinge mounting bolts. Do not remove them completely at once if the door is not yet secured, so that the hinge does not fall suddenly. After loosening the bolts, carefully remove the top hinge. Now you can begin to remove the door leaf itself.
Ask an assistant to hold the door firmly while you finally unscrew the bolts. Smoothly lift the door up, removing it from the lower axis (if the design includes a lower support) or simply disconnecting it from the fasteners. Set the door aside in a safe place, placing it face up on a soft surface to avoid damaging the finish.
Removing the bottom door of the freezer
Next we move to the bottom of the unit, where the freezer is located. The principle of operation is similar, but has its own characteristics. First, remove the top hinge of the bottom door (which is also the middle hinge of the entire refrigerator). To do this, you may also need to remove the decorative panel or plug.
After removing the middle hinge, you need to remove the freezer door itself. In some models Biryusa the lower door is supported by pins that fit into the grooves of the lower support sleeve. Gently lift the door to disengage the pins. If the door is heavy, be sure to use the help of a second person.
Pay attention to the condition sealing rubber and the magnetic tape. When removing the door, check for cracks or deformations. If the seal is damaged, now is the time to replace it, since access to the rubber fasteners will be open.
⚠️ Attention: Do not make sudden jerks when removing the doors. There may be backlight or sensor wires running inside (in models with displays or complex electronics), which can be easily damaged.
After removing both doors, you will be left with a free refrigerator body with hinges installed on the right side and holes on the left. Now you can begin to reinstall the fasteners on the opposite side.
Rearranging fasteners and hinges
On the freed right side of the case you will see holes where the hinges were previously attached. They need to be closed. For this purpose, plastic plugs are usually included with the refrigerator. If the plugs are lost or missing, you can use decorative plug screws of the appropriate size to maintain an aesthetic appearance. Turk Usually there are plastic plugs. If the caps are lost or missing, decorative cap screws of the appropriate size can be used to maintain the aesthetic appearance.
Now we move on to the left side. There are hidden threaded holes covered with plastic plugs. Carefully remove the plugs. In some models, instead of plugs, there may be fixing screws that need to be unscrewed and moved to the right side for symmetry.
Install the upper and middle (lower for the freezer) hinges in new places. Insert the mounting bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to further adjust the position of the doors for a perfect fit. Make sure that the hinges are level and not skewed relative to the body.
Installation of doors on the new side
We start installation from the bottom door of the freezer. Place the door on the lower support sleeve (which may also need to be repositioned or flipped, depending on the model). Align the holes in the end of the door with the installed middle hinge.
Fix the middle hinge with bolts, but, as before, do not tighten them completely. The door should have a slight play for subsequent adjustment. Then install the upper refrigerator door. Align it with the top hinge and insert the mounting bolts.
After installing both doors, check that they are vertical. The doors should be parallel to the body and to each other. If you see a clear misalignment, correct the position of the hinges by placing washers or adjusting the height of the support bushings (if the design allows this).
⚠️ Attention: Complete the final tightening of the bolts only after making sure that the doors close tightly and without gaps. Excessive tightening force may strip the threads in the plastic bushings of the housing.
Now you can install the handles. In most models Biryusa the handles are symmetrical or have universal mounting points. If the handle has a specific shape, check the instructions; you may need to remove the decorative trims and reinstall them in a mirror way.
Adjustment and leak testing
The final stage is checking the quality of the installation. Doors should close easily, but tightly, with a characteristic pop when slamming. Check the gap around the entire perimeter: it should be uniform. If in some place the door does not fit tightly, try slightly loosening the bolts of the corresponding hinge and moving the door.
To check the tightness, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places and try to pull it out. If the sheet is difficult to remove along the entire perimeter, the seal is good. If in some places the sheet falls out or is removed too easily, additional adjustment is required.
Also check the operation of the light switch (if there is one in the main chamber). When the door is opened, the light should come on, and when closed, it should go out. If the door is installed incorrectly, it may not completely open the switch contact.
| Element | Action | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Top hinge | Move to the left to the right | Do not tighten all the way right away |
| Middle loop | Move from left to right | Follow the axis of rotation |
| Lower support | Check the level | Adjusted by the legs of the refrigerator |
| Plugs | Close the old holes | Use original plugs |
Features of models with the No Frost system
Owners of refrigerators Biryusa with the system No Frost or Frost Free should be especially careful. These models may have air ducts or damper control cables running through the top of the door or through the hinge assembly. When hanging the door, it is important not to pinch or twist these communications.
If your model has a display on the door or a control button, before removing the door you must carefully disconnect the cable cable. Typically the connector is located at the top of the door, accessible after removing the top hinge. Remember or photograph the position of the contacts before disconnecting.
⚠️ Attention: The wire cables are very fragile. Do not pull on them or bend them at a sharp angle. When reassembling, make sure that the wiring does not interfere with the movement of the door and does not fall into the friction zone.
After installing the door on the new side, make sure that when closing the cable does not stretch and does not fly out of the connector. Sometimes it is necessary to carefully lay the wiring in special grooves inside the door body or hinge.
What to do if the refrigerator makes noise after rehanging?
If a new noise appears, check whether the door is touching the body or floor. Also make sure that all hinge bolts are tightened evenly. Vibration can be transmitted from a poorly secured door.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to flip the door on a single-chamber Biryusa refrigerator?
Yes, on most single-chamber models Biryusa there is also a possibility hanging the door. The principle is similar: remove the door, move the hinges to the opposite side, change the plugs. However, in very old or budget models, the holes for the hinges may only be on one side - this is worth checking before purchasing or starting work.
Do you need to wait after re-hanging before turning on?
There is no special waiting time for the compressor to operate after re-hanging the door, since there is no refrigerant touched upon. However, if you tilted or laid down the refrigerator strongly during work, it is recommended to let it stand upright for 2-3 hours before turning it on, so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.
What to do if the door sags after installation?
Sagging of the door indicates improper adjustment of the hinges or wear of the bushings. Try loosening the fastening bolts, leveling the door and tightening it again. If the sagging persists, the door leaf itself may have become deformed or the lower support sleeve may have worn out and needs to be replaced.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
Plastic plugs can be found in furniture fittings stores or ordered from refrigerator repair service centers. Universal self-adhesive plugs for screws are also suitable if you choose the appropriate color (white or metal).
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
Re-hanging the door yourself, as a rule, is not a basis for voiding the warranty if no parts of the refrigerator were damaged in the process. However, if you break the hinge or housing during dismantling, the service center may refuse free repair. Keep all removed parts.