Changing the installation location of kitchen furniture often dictates new requirements for the ergonomics of household appliances. If you purchased a refrigerator Biryusa or move it to another corner of the kitchen, a situation may arise when opening the door becomes inconvenient or physically impossible due to the proximity of the walls or cabinetry. In such cases, the only correct decision is hanging the door to the opposite side. Fortunately, most models of this Russian brand structurally provide for this possibility, which greatly simplifies the task for the owner.
This process does not require calling a specialist and special engineering knowledge, but it does require a basic set of tools and attention to detail. An incorrect sequence of actions or the loss of even one small screw can lead to the door not closing tightly, disrupting the temperature conditions inside the chambers. Therefore, before starting work, it is important to study the theoretical part and prepare the workspace to avoid haste and mistakes.
In this article we will analyze all the nuances of reinstalling hinges for various modifications of refrigerators Biryusa, including models with upper and lower freezers. You will learn what tools you will need, how to properly adjust the tightness of the seal, and what to do if a misalignment occurs after installation. Following the instructions will allow you to complete the work efficiently and safely for the equipment.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before you begin dismantling heavy structural elements, you need to make sure that you have the entire required arsenal of tools at hand. To work with refrigerator fasteners Turkish most often you need wrenches, screwdrivers of various types and, possibly, pliers. The lack of a suitable tool can lead to thread breakage or damage to decorative plugs, so it is better to prepare everything in advance.
- 🔧 A set of wrenches (usually required sizes 8, 10 mm)
- 🪛 Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers (preferably with a magnetic tip)
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from sharp edges
- 📏 Level or plumb line to control vertical installation
- 🧊 Spatula or spatula for carefully removing plugs
Particular attention should be paid freeing up space around the unit. You will need access from all sides to be able to tilt the refrigerator or lay it on its side if the design of a particular model requires it. Also, do not forget to completely defrost the refrigerator and disconnect it from the power supply at least several hours before starting work.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to unplug the refrigerator and wait until the condensation has completely drained so that water does not get on the electrical contacts or in the mechanism lock.
Removing the top panel and main door
The first step is always to remove the top cover of the refrigerator, if it is structurally provided for by the model. In most cases, it is secured with two bolts at the front, which can be hidden under decorative plugs. Carefully pry up the plugs with a flat-head screwdriver, unscrew the fasteners and remove the panel by pushing it back or lifting it up, depending on the type of latches.
Next you need to release the top hinge. To do this, unscrew the bolts holding it to the body. Here To avoid falling and damaging the floor or the unit itself, ask an assistant to hold the door or use stops.
After loosening the fasteners, the top hinge can be removed along with the axle. If in your model Biryusa the axle is pressed into the door, it must be carefully knocked out or removed, having first fixed the position of the door. Then the door is removed from the lower pin and placed in a safe place, preferably on a soft surface, so as not to scratch the enamel.
Removing the bottom door and freezer compartment
If your refrigerator is a two-chamber one, after removing the main door, it is the freezer's turn. The principle of operation is similar: the fastening of the middle loop (which becomes the top one for the freezer) is loosened, and the chamber is removed. In some older models Biryusa it may be necessary to first remove the handle or decorative trim that hides the fasteners.
When working with the bottom door, it is important not to damage the refrigerant pipes, which sometimes run inside the case near the hinge attachment points. Movements should be smooth, without jerking. If the door is jammed, do not use excessive force - it is better to check that all the screws are unscrewed completely and that there are no hidden fasteners.
After dismantling all the hinged elements, the end part of the body is freed, where the hinges were previously located. Now you need to prepare the holes for installation on the opposite side. The factory case Biryusa usually already has technological holes closed with plastic plugs or threaded bushings.
| Element | Action during dismantling | Action during installation | Nuances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top cover | Remove 2 bolts from the front | Install by aligning the grooves | Do not lose the plastic clips |
| Upper hinge | Unscrew 2-3 bolts | Fasten on the new side | Make sure the holes match |
| Middle hinge | Remove after the main door | Move to the opposite end | You may need to replace the bushings |
| Bottom support | Unscrew from the body | Screw in into a new hole | Adjusts the height and blockage of the door |
Rearranging fasteners and plugs
The most crucial moment is preparing new seats. On the side where the door will be moved, it is necessary to unscrew the transport plugs. If there are threaded bushings instead of plugs, they need to be carefully unscrewed and moved to the free side, closing the holes with decorative plastic plugs. This is important for maintaining aesthetics and protecting the interior of the case from dust.
Models Biryusa with the No Frost system or improved insulation may have additional holes for sensors or wiring. Make sure that when rearranging loops you do not block access to important components or transfer cables. All free holes on the new working side must be closed with standard plugs included in the kit or already installed by the manufacturer.
Now you can begin installing the hinges in new places. The lower support sleeve is screwed into the lower hole from the new side. The freezer door (if there is one) is placed on it, and then secured with a middle hinge. It is important at this stage not to tighten the bolts “all the way”, but only to tighten them in order to be able to adjust the position later.
☑️ Check before tightening
Installing the doors on the new side
After fixing the lower and middle supports, it is time to install the main door. Carefully place it on the top hinge axis, making sure that the holes in the door leaf exactly match the hinge mounting holes on the body. It is better to perform this action together, since the weight of the door can be significant, and it will be difficult to hold it evenly with one hand.
When the door is in place, check the horizontal and vertical lines of the joint. The gaps between the door and the body must be uniform around the entire perimeter. If you notice that in some place the door does not fit tightly or, on the contrary, rubs against the body, you need to adjust the height of the support bushings or loosen/tighten the corresponding hinge fastening bolts.
For models with magnetic latches or closers, it is important to correctly orient the mechanisms. In some cases, it is necessary to rearrange the magnets inside the door itself or the strikers on the body. To do this, you may need to remove the inner door trim, which is a more complex procedure and requires special care so as not to damage the insulation.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the doors, make sure that the rubber seal does not get under the contact plane and is not pinched, otherwise the seal of the chamber will be broken and the refrigerator will start working with overload.
Adjusting the tightness and eliminating distortions
The final and, perhaps, the most important stage is adjustment. Even if the door is visually level, it is necessary to check the tightness of the seal along the entire contour. To do this, you can use a simple sheet of paper: clamp it between the door and the body at different points and try to pull it out. The paper should be removed with noticeable force. If it falls out freely or pulls out too easily, it means that the hinges need tightening or adjustment of the support screws in this place.
A frequent problem after rehanging is the spontaneous opening of the door or its loose closing. This may be due to the incorrect angle of the refrigerator body. Make sure the front adjustable feet are turned out so that the body leans slightly back. This ensures natural closing of the door under the influence of gravity.
If the door misalignment is caused not by the adjusting screws, but by the deformation of the hinges themselves (which happens on older models), carefully bend them or use spacer washers to level the plane. However, be careful: the metal of the hinges can be fragile, and if they bend strongly, there is a risk of breaking them.
What to do if the door does not close all the way?
Often the reason lies in the skew of the shelf inside the refrigerator, which interferes with closing, or in the fact that food rests against the seal. Also check whether the bottle holders on the door itself are installed correctly - sometimes they move and block the movement of the sash.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
In the process of self-repair, even experienced craftsmen can make mistakes. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of screws of different lengths. Using a bolt that is too long in a short hole can lead to abutment against the body wall and the impossibility of a tight fit of the hinge, which will cause constant play.
Another problem is damage to the threads in the plastic bushings of the body. If you feel the bolt is too tight, do not use excessive force. It is better to unscrew it, check the alignment and try to tighten it again, holding the bushing with a finger or a tool on the reverse side, if possible.
If after all the manipulations the refrigerator door Biryusa still does not close tightly, check the condition of the rubber seal itself. Perhaps it was stretched or dirty during the work. Wipe it with a soft cloth and soapy water and let it dry. In rare cases, it is necessary to warm up the seal with a hairdryer to restore its elasticity.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to hang the door on the Biryusa refrigerator without an assistant?
Technically this is possible, but it is highly not recommended. The door is heavy and bulky, it is very difficult to hold it with one hand and at the same time get into the bolt holes. You risk dropping the door, damaging the floor, the enamel of the refrigerator, or getting injured. It’s better to call a second person for backup.
What to do if the holes on the opposite side do not match?
On all modern models Turk symmetrical holes