With the Chevy Cobalt 2005 – 2010 one common issue many of these cars have is the driver’s door mid to bottom area rubbing the front fender. This door to fender rubbing issue has happen to our 2006 Cobalt. As well as many other Cobalt owners cars as it is a common issue. The general fix seems to be just take it to a body shop to adjust. Or take it back to the dealer to fix it. These places are totally fine to fix the issue. But will cost in my case $200 for something that can be very easily adjusted in your own drive way. This fix taking about one hour of your time to do.
Tools That Will Be Needed:
10mm socket and or wrench
Floor jack
Small piece of wood or thick rag to put between floor jack and bottom of door
2 washers
Larger flat head screw driver
Torx socket bit
The Cobalt Door Hinge Bolts Are Easy To Access
Now open your passenger or driver’s door (whichever door has the issue). See the hinge bolts that connect the door hinge to the door (the easy bolts to access). Now put a floor jack under the door just snug so door stays in place. Then loosen the two top bolts a few turns. Then loosen and remove the two bottom door to hinge bolts, (only removing one bolt at a time). Now put a washer in behind the hinge where it meets the door. Then put the bolt back in, do not tighten. You do this for each door hinge lower bolts.
By adding the washer behind the door hinge. Tt pushes the door slightly away from the fender at the bottom to middle area, creating more gap/space between the door and fender. So no rubbing will occur anymore. When both bolts have been done, tighten them to spec or just nice and snug.
The door now should not rub on fender when opening/closing. But will now not close perfect, it will slightly hit bottom of door latch. So must now using the torx bit. Loosen the two large torx bolts located on the car body of inner door area. You will need to use a large screw driver and lift up on an angle to adjust the door striker plate a little higher. This is done so door lines up properly when closed.
This may take a few tries to get it right. When the door closes with no resistance/rubbing and opens normally. You have it adjusted properly. Now just give the door latch a nice lube and your Chevy Cobalt is fixed and good to go.
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