Changing the opening side of the door of a refrigeration unit is not easy a whim, and often the only opportunity to correctly fit equipment into the limited space of the kitchen or dining room. Owners of domestic models are often faced with the need to move handles and hinges to ensure comfortable access to products and not touch furniture when opening. The rehanging procedure on models Biryusa is technically simple, but requires attention to detail and adherence to a certain sequence of actions.
Before you begin to physically dismantle the elements, you must clearly understand the design of your device. Models may differ in the type of hinges, the presence of an electronic control unit on the facade, or the specific location of the plugs. An incorrect approach can lead to damage to the plastic fasteners or loss of the tightness of the circuit. In this guide, we will analyze all the stages in detail so that you can complete the work efficiently and safely.
The main rule to remember before starting work: never use force if the mechanism does not give in. All fastenings in refrigerators Biryusa are designed so that they can be disassembled with a standard tool without excessive effort. Prepare the workplace, remove foreign objects and ensure good lighting of the work area.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
The quality of the work directly depends on how correctly you prepared for the process. You will need a basic DIY kit, which can be found in most apartments. The main tool will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different tips, since the screws can have different head shapes.
In addition to the main tool, do not forget about auxiliary materials. It's common for old screws to stick or rust, so having a penetrating lubricant like WD-40 will be very helpful. Also, decide in advance where you will put the dismantled parts so as not to lose small washers or bushings.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) or a screwdriver with bits.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧴 Penetrating lubricant for treating rusted joints.
- 🧹 Clean rags for wiping hinges and removing old grease.
Pay special attention to surface preparation. Cover the floor in front of the refrigerator with a soft material, such as a blanket or thick cardboard. This is necessary so that when removing a heavy door, you can carefully lay it down without damaging either the floor or the door covering itself. A hermetic seal also requires careful handling, so avoid contact with dirt and sharp objects.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to Unplug the refrigerator from the power supply. Remove the plug from the outlet to reduce the risk of electric shock, especially if the model is equipped with an electronic door display.
Clear the area around the unit. You need access from all sides to be able to stand back and appreciate the symmetry of the installation. Remove food from shelves adjacent to the door to reduce the weight of the structure and prevent cans from falling when the cabinet is tilted.
Removing the top panel and top hinge
The reassembly process begins from the top of the refrigerator. On many models Biryusa there is a decorative cover on top that hides the fastenings of the upper hinge. It must be carefully removed by prying it with a flat screwdriver or simply pulling it up, depending on the type of latches.
After removing the cover, the top hinge will be revealed to your attention. It is this that holds the main load of the upper door. Using a wrench or screwdriver (usually 8mm or 10mm is required), remove the mounting bolts. Do not remove them completely at once - loosen them enough so that you can lift the element.
The secret of soured bolts
If the upper hinge bolts do not unscrew due to rust, apply lubricant and wait 10-15 minutes. Do not try to rip them off so as not to damage the threads in the metal body of the refrigerator.
When the fasteners are loosened, remove the top hinge. In some modifications, a lamp or display power wire may be connected to it. If there are wires, they need to be carefully disconnected, remembering or photographing the location of the contacts. Contact group It should remain clean and dry.
Now you can remove the top door. It is better to do this with an assistant, since even an empty refrigerator door has significant weight. Carefully lift it from the bottom hinge (if it structurally passes through the door) or simply remove it from the axis, and then put it in a safe place.
Removing the middle hinge and main door
After the upper part is dismantled, we move on to the middle hinge. This element connects the freezer and refrigerator compartments (in two-chamber models) or serves as a support for the main door. The algorithm of actions is similar to the previous one: unscrew the fasteners, remove the hinge.
When removing the main door, pay attention to the condition sealing rubber. While the door is removed, there is an excellent opportunity to inspect it for cracks, scuffs, or deformations. If the seal is damaged, it is better to replace it immediately, since after installation in a new place it will be more difficult to do this.
- ❄️ Remove all shelves and drawers from the main door to lighten the weight.
- 🔩 Unscrew the middle hinge fastener and carefully remove it from body.
- 🚪 Remove the main door, holding it with both hands by the top and bottom.
- 🧼 Wipe the ends of the doors and the places where the hinges are attached from dust and old grease.
If your refrigerator model Biryusa has a bottom freezer camera, then after removing the main door you will need to dismantle the lower door according to the same principle. In some cases, the lower hinge is hidden by a decorative base, which also needs to be removed.
⚠️ Attention: When removing doors, make sure not to bend or stretch the freon supply tubes if they pass inside the door leaf (found in older models with a heating circuit). Sudden movements can lead to depressurization of the system.
Sort all removed screws, washers and hinges by accessory. Top, middle and bottom mounts may differ in thread length or shape. By mixing them up during assembly, you can damage the threads in the body or fail to achieve a tight fit.
Flipping the handle and rearranging the plugs
The most critical stage, where questions often arise, is moving the handle. Refrigerator doors Biryusa usually have technological holes on both sides. On the reverse side, where the handle is not installed, the holes are closed with plastic plugs.
Carefully remove the plugs from the new side of the handle installation. To do this, you can use a thin awl or knife to pry up the edge of the plastic. Be careful not to scratch the door finish. The removed plugs will be needed to replace the old handle.
Remove the handle from the old side. Unscrew the fixing screws (often they are located under decorative trims or accessible through holes in the handle itself). Install the handle in its new location using the appropriate holes. Tighten the fasteners tightly, but without fanaticism, so as not to push through the plastic.
Close the vacated holes with plugs. They should be flush with the surface of the door. If the plugs have different sides (front and inner), make sure that you install them with the correct side out. Appearance The refrigerator after assembly should be aesthetically pleasing.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door handle | Dismantling and transfer | Phillips screwdriver | Keep an eye on the length of the screws |
| Plugs | Replacing sides | Awl / Knife | Do not scratch the enamel |
| Hinge fastening | Rearrangement | Open-end wrench | Sort by size |
| Switch rod | Transfer (if any) | Pliers | Requires care |
In some models, along with the handle, it is necessary to rearrange the light switch rod if it is located asymmetrically. Find the hole for the rod on the new side and rearrange the mechanism, if your design allows it. Biryusa this provides.
Assembling the structure on the new side
Now that all the elements are prepared and moved to new places, the process of reassembly begins. You need to start strictly from the bottom up. Install the bottom door (if it was removed) and secure the bottom hinge to the new side of the body.
Then install the middle hinge. Insert the main door into it. At this stage, it is critical to set the gaps correctly. The door should not warp, but seal should adhere to the body evenly along the entire perimeter. Secure the hinge with screws, but do not tighten them completely yet.
☑️ Assembly control
After installing the middle part, mount the upper door and the upper hinge. If your model has wires, connect them now, making sure the pins are connected correctly. Check the operation of the lamp: when opening the door it should light up, when closing it should go out.
When all the doors are hung, you can finally tighten all the bolts. Move in a circle, tightening the fasteners gradually so that the load is distributed evenly. Sharp tightening of one bolt can lead to distortion of the entire structure.
Adjusting the position of the doors and checking the tightness
The final stage is adjustment. Even with careful assembly, the door may not stand perfectly straight. Adjustment is carried out using adjusting screws on the hinges or by placing washers (in older models).
Check the strength of the door slam. It should close on its own if you open it 30-40 degrees. If the door closes tightly or, conversely, too easily, it may be necessary to adjust the installation height or replace the seal. Tightness is the key to long and efficient operation of the compressor.
To check the tightness, use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places around the perimeter. It should be pulled out with noticeable effort. If the sheet slides out freely, the clamp is broken in this place.
⚠️ Attention: If after hanging the door does not fit tightly, do not try to solve the problem by force. Check whether the food on the shelves does not interfere with closing, and make sure that the refrigerator is strictly vertical.
Also check the tilt level of the refrigerator itself. For the doors to close properly, the unit must be tilted slightly backwards. Adjust the front support legs by twisting or unscrewing them.
Common mistakes and expert recommendations
When doing work on their own, beginners often make common mistakes. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of fasteners. To avoid this, use a magnetic tray or label bags with screws for each hinge.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the seal. An old, stiff rubber profile may not straighten out immediately after rehanging, leaving a gap. In this case, you can warm it up with a hair dryer or use a weight to press it for several hours.
- 🚫 Do not leave the door open longer than necessary to avoid defrosting the evaporator.
- 🔧 Do not use excessively long screws that may rest against the internal walls or tubes.
- 🧼 Be sure to clean the ends of the doors before installing new hinges for a better fit.
- ⏳ Let the refrigerator sit for 2-3 hours after turning it on before loading food.
If you find that the holes on the new side do not line up or are not designed to fit, your model may be faulty Biryusa does not support overweighting or requires specific parts. In such cases, it is better to contact the service center.
Is it possible to rehang the door if there is a display on it?
Yes, it is possible, but this requires more caution. You will have to disconnect the display power cables. The main thing is to remember the connection order and not damage the thin contacts. In some models, the cable has a sufficient length; in others, it may need to be extended or re-soldered, which is best left to a professional.
What to do if a creaking appears after rehanging?
The creaking usually occurs due to metal-on-metal friction in the hinges. Lubricate the rubbing surfaces of the hinges with a special lubricant (for example, lithium). Do not use vegetable oil, as it thickens over time and creates a sticky mass.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Complete defrosting is not necessary if you are working quickly. However, if you plan to leave the doors open for a long time or tilt the unit more than 45 degrees, defrosting and draining the water from the drainage system is mandatory to prevent water from getting into the electrics.
Why does the door not stay open?
This may be due to the incorrect angle of the refrigerator itself. Make sure the front legs are twisted out so that the body is tilted back. Also check whether the door touches the interior items or flooring.
Does re-hanging affect the warranty?
Independent re-hanging of doors, as a rule, is not a basis for voiding the warranty if the unit components were not damaged in the process. However, if you break the loop or damage the wiring, the service center may refuse free repairs. Keep all removed parts.